Art aficionados and silver specialists were the winners this past week, as several key lots of each led auctions nationwide. For the arts, a gouache and ink on board original cover art for Astérix Les Lauriers de César No. 18 by Albert Uderzo sold for $450,000 at Heritage, while the oil on canvas “Coucher de soleil (Engandine)” by Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé made $152,900 at Doyle. Silver found an 1880s Gorham sterling elephant-handle pitcher pouring out for $55,040 at Sarasota Estate Auction, while a Reed & Barton flatware service in the Francis I pattern realized $19,200 for Clars. For these highlights and more, keep reading.
Sunset Painting Puts On Big Show At Doyle
NEW YORK CITY — An Ivan Fedorovich Choultsé oil on canvas of a snowy sunset landscape, “Coucher de soleil (Engadine),” also known as “Twilight of the Gods,” more than tripled its $20/40,000 estimate in Doyle’s Russian Works of Art auction April 21. Attracting strong interest, the painting attained $152,900 from a European buyer on the phone to become the top lot of the auction. Depicting the Engadine region of Switzerland, the signed circa 1905 painting demonstrates the artist’s mastery of light. It was consigned by a Canadian collection. For information, www.doyle.com or 212-427-2730.
Flatware Service Performs Well At Clars
OAKLAND, CALIF. — A standout in Clars’ April 17 Gallery Sale was an extensive Reed & Barton sterling silver flatware service in the Francis I pattern that sold within estimate at $19,200. The set totaled 251.39 troy ounces and included 25 dinner forks, 15 ice cream forks, 18 oval soup spoons, 29 dinner knives and more specialized cutlery, in addition to serving pieces. For information, www.clars.com or 888-339-7600.
Elephant Pitcher Pours Out Top Price For Sarasota
SARASOTA, FLA. — Sarasota Estate Auction’s “colossal” 2,158-lot April sale was conducted on the 18th and 19th of the month. The auction’s top lot, an 1880s Gorham sterling silver elephant handle pitcher, sold on the first day, earning $55,040 against a $10/15,000 estimate. Mia McDermott reported, “There was interest prior to the sale and many questions as well. We had six phone bidders! It ended up selling to one of our phone bidders and is heading to New York. Needless to say, we were very happy with the results (as are the consignors).” For information, www.sarasotaestateauction.com or 941-359-8700.
Silver Epergne Shines At Winter
PLAINVILLE, CONN. — An important Matthew Boulton (English, 1728-1809) George IV sterling epergne with cut crystal Waterford bowl from 1825 made $5,400 at Winter Associates on April 20, selling just over its high estimate. The piece featured acanthus leaf, scroll, fruit and floral motifs throughout, and the cut crystal bowl rested on a reticulated crown supported by three scroll arms. For information, www.auctionsappraisers.com or 860-793-0288.
‘Astérix’ Advances To Lead Comic Art At Heritage
DALLAS — Albert Uderzo’s original cover art for Astérix Les Lauriers de César No. 18 (Dargaud, 1972) sold for $450,000 to lead Heritage’s April 18-19 International Comic Art Signature Auction. The work captured the wit, theatricality and graphic authority that defined the golden age of Astérix, with the monumental marble profile of Julius Caesar dominating the left side in cool, while on the right Astérix and Obélix advance with comic stealth. The 12-inch-by-16-inch gouache and ink on board was an exceptional example of Uderzo’s work. For information, www.ha.com or 214-528-3500.
Pink & Purple Warhol Cow Had Bidders ‘Moo-ving’ At Cornell
BELLPORT, N.Y. — On April 18, Cornell Auctions, Objects & Trade conducted its A is For April auction, offering 622 lots of global art and design. Topping the sale at $7,500 was “Cow,” an original screen print on wallpaper by Andy Warhol. A Feldman/Schellmann II.12A variant, this example was produced in 1976 and colored in shades of pink and purple. According to catalog notes, it was “the final colorway in Warhol’s iconic cow series” and was consigned from a New York collector. For information, www.cornellauctions.com or 631-289-9505.
Deed Signed By Benjamin Franklin Is Most Notable For Early American History
WINCHESTER, VA. — Early American History Auctions conducted a sale of 247 lots of early American history items on April 18, encapsulating the eras of the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Federal period and the War of 1812. Signing off for $28,600 was a land sale deed issued by the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania, dated July 13, 1787, which was signed by Benjamin Franklin, the Council’s president. Granting land to purchaser Joseph McGuffin, the partially printed vellum document was signed “B Franklin” and included a large paper and wax Pennsylvania State Seal. For information, www.earlyamerican.com or 858-759-3290.
Zsolnay-Attributed Vase Flies To Top For Old Kinderhook
VALATIE, N.Y. — April 21-22 saw 940 lots cross the block in Old Kinderhook Auction Company’s two-day Trader Vic’s Decorative Kicks auction, which offered decorative arts, porcelain, glass, paintings and more from a massive single estate. Day two had the winning lot, with a 16-inch-tall art pottery lidded vase attributed to Zsolnay, decorated in a stylized floral and peacock motif, far surpassing its $50/100 estimate to make $4,800. For information, www.oldkinderhookauction.com or 518-912-4747.
Abstract Self-Portrait Turns Heads At Richard Opfer
TIMONIUM, MD. — The lifetime collection of estate liquidator and cleanout specialist Baltimore John was offered in 353 lots at Richard Opfer Auctioneering on April 23. One of the sale’s top highlights was an abstract watercolor by Bela Kadar titled “Artist at Easel,” which more than doubled its $3/5,000 estimate for $10,240. The 22-by-28-inch self portrait was previously sold by Paris Nouveau Drouot in its sale of the Sir Milton Brisco collection. For information, www.opferauction.com or 410-252-5035.
