Fine art collectors had lots to choose from among a spate of recent auctions. An original and sunny lithograph by Helen Frankenthaler, “Ocean Floor (with Tony’s Oranges), made $38,400 at Vero Beach Auction, while Tully Filmus’ “Village Welcoming the Rabbi” was gladly received by bidders at World Auction Gallery where it took $22,500. Across the board, other standouts included a Harry Bertoia sculpture sounding off for $52,890 at Helmuth Stone Gallery and a Van Cleef & Arpels knot-form brooch that soared over estimate to bring $12,500 at Clarke Auction Gallery. For these highlights and others, keep reading.
Pace Draws Top Price At Brandywine Valley
GLENS MILLS, PENN. — Brandywine Valley Auctions sold an important vintage New York Abstract Expressionist Stephen Pace oil painting from 1952 for $21,250 January 11 at Brandywine Valley Auctions. The signed but untitled painting measured 24 by 32 inches (sight) and was evocative of his 1950s style with its jagged forms and pulsating energy. For information, 215-872-5240.
Bertoia Sculpture Makes Big Noise At Helmuth Stone
SARASOTA, FLA. — A Harry Bertoia “Sounding Sculpture” featuring 49 Beryllium copper rods on a brass base, signed and numbered (17/50), earned $52,890 on January 11 at Helmuth Stone Gallery. This sculpture was executed in 1977 and was from the only numbered edition the artist did in this series. Bertoia was diagnosed with an advanced form of lung cancer and undertook this series to offer financial aid to his family and employees upon his passing. Measuring 40 by 12 by 12 inches, the sculpture had provenance to the Robert Kidd Gallery. For information, www.helmuthstone.com or 941-260-9703
Japanese Tsuba Catches $8,960 At Eldred’s
EAST DENNIS, MASS. — Sought after by collectors of miniatures, militaria, Asian art and historical artifacts, a Japanese mixed metal tsuba had everything going for it. Besting its $200/500 estimate to attain $8,960 in Eldred’s Auction Gallery’s January 15, the Twentieth Century sword guard bore intricate decoration of two carp and was signed with a four-character gyosho mark and kakihan. Its size was pleasing, having a 3¼-inch diameter and weighing 264 grams. For information, www.eldreds.com or 508-385-3116.
Japanese Window Panel Opens At Vintage Accents
THOMASTON, MAINE — The top lot of Vintage Accents Auctions’s January 16 Cabin Fever auction was a Japanese reticulated carved window panel in rosewood, having an ebony panel frame featuring birds among flowering trees with an encroaching mist. The panel took $687 and measured 19½ by 41½ inches. For information, 207-354-8350 or www.vintageaccents.com.
Gold Ring, Coin Shine At Roberson’s
PINE BUSH, N.Y. — A 14K man’s ring with a $10 gold coin in a bezel setting with 50 small diamonds achieved $5,125 at Roberson’s Auctions on January 17. The ring, sized 9½, sold within estimate. For information, www.robersonsauctions.com or 845-283-1587.
Heritage Bidder Wins ‘The Greatest Trophy In US Numismatics’
DALLAS — A frenzy of eager bidding drove an 1804 Class III Draped Bust Dollar from the Presidio collection to $3,538,000 to lead Heritage’s January 14-17 FUN US Coins Signature Auction. The Adams-Carter specimen that was the auction’s top lot is one of just 16 known examples of the 1804 silver dollar, one of just seven Class III examples and one of four Class III coins not housed in a museum collection. For information, www.ha.com or 877-437-4824.
Frankenthaler Litho Swims To Top At Vero Beach
VERO BEACH, FLA. — Vero Beach Auction’s January 17 Online Multi Estate Auction featured nearly 230 lots of Florida art, antiques and more. Rising to the top of the sale was an original lithograph with hand additions by Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928-2011). Titled “Ocean Floor (with Tony’s Oranges),” the work was signed, numbered “4/4,” titled and dated “69-76” to the lower left. Measuring 36½ by 26¼ inches framed, the work bore a label from Getler-Pall Gallery, New York City, on its reverse and sold for $38,400 ($3/5,000). For information, www.verobeachauction.com or 772-978-5955.
Filmus Painting Was Winning Picture At World Auction Gallery
EAST MEADOW, N.Y. — World Auction Gallery conducted its Exceptional Fine Art & Antiques Auction on January 14, offering 389 lots of Lalique glass, fine art, Judaica sterling silver and other antiques. The sale-high price of $22,500 was awarded to “Village Welcoming The Rabbi,” an oil on canvas by American painter Tully Filmus (1903-1998). Signed to the lower left and in excellent condition, the work was cataloged as “monumental” due to its size: 61 by 47 inches in its original frame. For information, www.worldauctiongallery.com or 516-307-8180.
Van Cleef & Arpels Brooch Leads For Clarke
LARCHMONT, N.Y. — Clarke Auction Gallery conducted a 611-lot New Year Special Estates Auction on January 11, led by an 18K gold and diamond brooch from Van Cleef & Arpels. The brooch, a gold chevron link tied knot form, was accented by bands of round brilliant-cut diamonds (42 total). It measured about 2 inches wide and weighed just under 15 pennyweights. Bidders pushed the brooch past its $2/3,000 estimate, sticking a pin in it at $12,500. For information, www.clarkeny.com or 914-833-8336.
