NY Auction Of Twentieth Century Decorative Arts Tops $2.4 Million

NEW YORK CITY

:The auction of Twentieth Century decorative Arts conducted on December 6 by Bonhams met with resounding success, with total sales exceeding $2.4 million.

The auction began with the final offerings of At Nouveau bronze sculpture from the extensive collection formed by New York photographer John Morrin. Interest was quickly evident with prices for each of the roughly 60 lots, almost without exception, easily surpassing presale estimates. Of particular interest were Felix Charpentier's "Etoile Filante" selling for $12,925, a parcel gilt figure of a recumbent nude by Louis Chalon selling for $10,575 and a gilt bronze figural lamp by Georges Flanand selling for $8,813.

Highlighting the auction were two exceedingly rare works by master lacquerist Jean Dunand, an eggshell lacquered drum table ($80/120,000) sold after intense bidding for $534,250, an American auction record for the artist; and a red, black and white lacquered table by the same artist sold for $358,250. These pieces had remained in the same collection since their purchase in 1922.

A diminutive carved and sanded oak pineapple table by Jean Michel Frank, executed circa 1934 and consigned by a Southern California private collector, sold above estimate to a European client bidding by telephone for $160,250.

A selection of Art Deco sculpture was enthusiastically received with intense competition between absentee, telephone and attendant bidders. Leading the category was an extremely rare carved ivory and patinated bronze figural group, "Ballet Russes," by Demetre Chiparus, which sold for $160,250. This model had not appeared on the international auction market in roughly 18 years.

The Tiffany market proved to be as strong as ever, with spirited bidding on several lots, including a patinated bronze and Favrile glass curtain border floor lamp with a rare decorated base, which sold for $149,250; a turtleback tile geometric lampshade made $44,063; and an unusual blown and reticulated Favrile glass oil lamp base sold for $29,375.

Tiffany patinated bronze and Favrile glass curtain border floor lamp with rare decorated base, $149,250.

The category of contemporary works of art offered pieces by several important glass artists, including John Kuhn, Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra and Joel Philip Myers, with selling prices falling solidly within auction estimates.

Frank Maraschiello, Bonhams director of Twentieth Century furniture and decorative arts, commented, "The objects offered in this auction reflect the full range of Twentieth Century design and attracted spirited interest from Art Nouveau to Art Deco to Contemporary collectors. The freshness of the material consigned from private collections contributed to the sale's overall strong performance. The French Art Deco pieces drew great enthusiasm throughout the collecting world, with the Dunand tables being called the most exciting find in the Art Deco world in years.

Prices reported include buyer's premium. for information, 212-644-9001 or www.bonhams.com.