“Superman” sketch by Andy Warhol on Arches paper flew to $8,960.
Photos Courtesy La Belle Epoque
NEW YORK CITY — La Belle Epoque Auction House presented its Holiday Season Multi-Estates Auction on December 2 at its 7,000-square-foot space at 71 Eighth Avenue New York City. The auction, being held live in-person, was also online through LaBelleEpoque.com, LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable and Bidsquare.
The auction featured contemporary and modern art of all kinds, while also offering a collection of art glass from Baccarat, Lalique and Carl Radke, German and French ceramics, sterling silver articles, Christmas memorabilia from the 1930s and collectible baseball cards from the 1950s.
The spotlight was on an impressive selection of affordable contemporary art, where one lucky bidder walked away with a “Superman” sketch by Andy Warhol on Arches paper, stamped on back twice with authentication by Frederick Hughes circa 1989 and again in 2001 by The Estate of Andy Warhol, which sold for $8,960. “Memoriam to Basquiat,” attributed to Keith Haring (1958-1990), acrylic on canvas in the style of Basquiat signed and dated bottom “K. Haring 89,” sold for $4,480.
“Memoriam to Basquiat” attributed to Keith Haring, acrylic on canvas signed to the bottom, sold for $4,480.
Getting a lot of pre-auction attention was a 2013 pencil on paper work by Betty Tompkins (b 1945) titled “Schmutz #3.” Tompkins is now recognized as a pioneering force in the development of feminist art; it sold for just $1,408. A framed circa 1957 Joan Miró (Spanish, 1893-1983) lithograph titled “Galerie Matarasso” from his “Exposition a la Galerie Matarasso” series was hand-signed bottom right and numbered 37/200. Measuring approximately 28¼ by 23 inches in its frame, it went for just $1,920.
Hernan Bas makes paintings that are tinged with nihilist romanticism and influenced by the writings of Joris Karl-Huysmans and Oscar Wilde. His “Revised Endpapers for The Homosexual Neurosis (pink)” colored aquatint (printed resist), circa 2013, was from an edition of 25 color aquatint (printed resist) and sold for $640, while his blue version of “Homosexual Neurosis,” circa 2013, and also from an edition of 25, also sold for $640.
“Galerie Matarasso” by Miro, lithograph, circa 1957, from “Exposition a la Galerie Matarasso”; it earned $1,920.
For the curious, an acrylic on canvas after Basquiat that was sold without documents went for $1,536.
In other areas, a much sought-after professional wood billiard cue in a protective case sold for $1,920, while a vintage 1930s papier mache Santa Claus, electrified and with a nodding head that stood 25½ inches tall, brought a seasonally festive $1,280. A group of nine Lalique crystal fish, each less than 2 by 2 inches, swam to $1,152.
A circa 1795 note from President William Henry Harrison finished at $1,024.
Some historical documents included a notation dated 21st July 1795 discussing the transfer of nine pounds of corn and beef, from William Henry Harrison (1773-1841), an American military officer and politician, Harrison was the ninth President of the United States (1841), the oldest president to be elected at the time. On his 32nd day, he became the first to die in office, serving the shortest tenure in US Presidential history. The note sold for $1,024.
In the furniture category, a pair of Barbara Barry over-upholstered club chairs that were property from a residential apartment in New York City’s Plaza Hotel sold for $672; a Ralph Lauren English Georgian-style open armchair in the French taste, made by Ralph Lauren Home, also came from a residential apartment at the Plaza Hotel and found a new home for $2,880.
English Georgian-style open armchair by Ralph Lauren found a new home for $2,880.
La Belle Epoque Auction House conducts seasonal auctions and offers pre-sale evaluations, where potential consignors and collectors can schedule an appointment to inquire about their own art, antiques, collectibles, furniture and decorative items for potential consignment, affording the focused attention one would expect in a “neighborhood” auction house.
La Belle Epoque is open Monday to Friday, 11 am to 5 pm. The auction house is at 71 Eighth Avenue. For information or to make an appointment, 212-362-1770, @labelleepoqueny or www.labelleepoque.com.
