WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Vibrant paintings and imaginative forms by the most celebrated artists and designers of the 20th century are waiting in the wings for Palm Beach Modern Auctions’ November 9 Modern Art & Design sale. The live gallery auction will be presented in three consecutive sessions: Important Art & Design, followed by Important Prints, and finally a Modern Art & Design session with attractive price points. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
“It would be impossible to single out just one item as the sale’s headliner, but the Lalanne ‘Moutons,’ David Hockney lithograph, and Diego Giacometti bird sculpture are sure to be among the most previewed artworks,” said Palm Beach Modern Auctions co-owner and auctioneer Rico Baca. “There are some exciting pieces in the furniture section as well, including a rare Ado Chale bronze coffee table.”
Rare Etore Sottsass, Betty Woodman, Picasso designs anchor large ceramics offering
Session I will open with 19 lots of Ettore Sottsass (Italian, 1917-2007) ceramics from an important Miami, Florida, single-owner collection. All are early artist’s proofs for Bitossi’s The Hollywood Collection and bear multiple signatures and labels not found on current production pieces.
“The consignor purchased the pieces in the 1980s from Keith Johnson of Urban Architecture in New York,” Baca noted. The highest-estimated lot is a 19.5-inch “Totem,” which is cataloged at $1,500-$2,000.
With prices rising rapidly on ceramics by Betty Woodman (American, 1930-2018), there should be heated competition for a monumental glazed earthenware sculpture titled Roman Reflections. Made in 1984, it measures 15.75in high by 23in wide by 11.5in deep. It is from the personal collection of art dealer/collector Gloria Luria of Bay Harbor Islands, Florida and was exhibited in 1985 as part of a Betty Woodman solo exhibition at Gloria Luria Gallery. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
Seven examples of desirable Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973) Madoura pottery will be offered, including a wonderfully graphic “Hibou Noir Perche” (Perched Black Owl) painted earthenware dish, $8,000-$12,000; and a “Quatre Visages” (Four Faces) pitcher, $10,000-$15,000.
Two highly coveted “Mouton” sculptures (shown at top of page) by Francois-Xavier Lalanne (French 1927-2008) will be auctioned separately and consecutively, each with a $150,000-$200,000 estimate. The figural sheep of epoxy stone and patinated bronze are from a 1990 edition of 250 and are signed both in the concrete and in the bronze. “Interior designers are just as charmed by Lalanne Moutons as art collectors are. When they are seen, it’s usually in a feature article about a celebrity’s home in a high-end glossy magazine. Having two in the same auction presents a rare buying opportunity.”
Other noteworthy sculptures include a 62.5-inch Sorel Etrog (Canadian, 1933-2014) figural bronze titled Rushman, ed. 3/7, which comes from a distinguished Palm Beach, Florida, collection and has a $40,000-$60,000 estimate; and a Diego Giacometti (Swiss, 1902-1985) bronze bird titled Oiseau. Directly gifted to the consignor by the artist, it comes to auction with a $30,000-$40,000 estimate.
An excellent selection of paintings includes a 51.25- by 73,25-inch abstract acrylic on canvas by Paul Jenkins (American, 1923-2012), $18,000-$25,000; and a 75- by 98-inch (framed) Asher Bilu (Israeli/Australian) 3D mixed-media painting, $25,000-$35,000.
Four signed Ansel Adams (American, 1902-1984) gelatin silver prints will be available. All are from the 1962 publicity series commissioned by Sunset International Petroleum Company and featuring scenery and structures at Joel Parker “Joss” Whitney’s ranch in Rocklin, California.
The prints come with provenance that includes the collection of Martha Keenan, a mutual friend of Adams and the consignor’s mother. Three of the prints are estimated at $7,000-$10,000, while a fourth is expected to make $4,000-$6,000.
A rare Ado Chale (Belgian, b. 1928-) bronze and enamel-on-metal coffee table has a striking vertigo spiral design on its top. With provenance from St. Germain Antiques, New York, it is estimated at $30,000-$50,000.
Session II: Important Prints is led by a signed David Hockney (British, b. 1937 -) artist’s proof/lithograph titled Hotel Acatlan. Created in 1985 on two sheets of HMP handmade wove paper, it is pencil-signed A.P. XIII/XX. Its framed size is 38.75 inches high by 84 inches wide, and it has been authenticated by The David Hockney Foundation. Estimate: $50,000-$70,000.
A quintessential Tom Wesselmann (American, 1931-2004) screenprint on museum board depicting a nude woman, signed and titled Monica sitting with Mondrian, is #60 from a 1989 edition of 100. Its framed size is 60.25 by 45.75 inches, and it carries a $12,000-$18,000 estimate. Similarly estimated, Wesselmann’s 1989 Big Blonde screenprint is #34 from an edition of 100 and comes from a Palm Beach private collection.
The auction also includes collections of Alex Katz and Fairfield Porter lithographs from Brooke Alexander Gallery, New York; Native American vessels and blankets, a Joan Miro aquatint, Sol LeWitt linocuts, and an Ellsworth Kelly lithograph. Session III will offer high-quality modern art and design with estimates to please all collectors.
The Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 auction will begin at 12 noon ET. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. For additional information on any item in the sale, call 561-586-5500 or email info@modernauctions.com.
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