HOUSTON, Texas — Estimated at only $800-$1,200, a 1925 graphite and pastel on paper by Tamara de Lempicka emerged as the surprise top lot of the sale at Simpson Galleries March 23. Complete results are available at LiveAuctioneers.
De Lempicka’s (1898-1980) The Marquis Sommi was an innocuous inclusion in the Simpson lineup, slotted in the first third of the 582-lot sale. But two bidders, one in house and one using LiveAuctioneers, saw differently, trading competing bids until the floor won out at an astounding $67,500 ($85,725 with buyer’s premium). De Lempicka is known for her Art Deco portraits of aristocrats and other luminaries of the Jazz Age.
Another wild overperformer was this Cartier mid-century gold, natural lapis lazuli, and diamond cuff bracelet. Clearly a nice piece with an important brand name, it carried a presale estimate of $2,000-$3,000. Once again, a floor bidder vied with a LiveAuctioneers user, with the floor again winning out at $35,000 ($44,450 with buyer’s premium).
Dorothy Hood (1918-2000) was a Texas Modernist whose childhood talent earned her a National Scholastic scholarship to the Rhode Island School of Design. She spent 20 years living as an expatriate in Mexico, which shaped her vision and her output.
Simpson had seven of her works in the sale, with three selling above estimate. Brazil dates to the late 1960s and is an oil on canvas. Estimated $20,000-$30,000, it hammered for $32,500 ($41,275 with buyer’s premium). Mid-1950s Bud is an oil, grit, and mixed media on canvas that was estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and sold for $12,000 ($15,240 with buyer’s premium). The final champion was Queen Plant, a pen and ink on wove paper that hammered at $8,000 ($10,160 with buyer’s premium). It had been estimated at $3,000-$5,000.
