“Profil Au Fond Noir” by Pablo Picasso, March 29, 1947; lithograph on Arches wove paper, 20¾ by 12¼ inches, numbered 39/50, was the highest selling lot over the course of the two-day sale, earning $19,350 ($10/15,000).
Review by Kiersten Busch
DETROIT, MICH. — On June 13 and 14, DuMouchelles conducted its June auction, which offered almost 800 lots over the course of two days. Day one consisted of fine jewelry, luxury timepieces, decorative art, Steuben glass and sterling silver pieces. Day two focused on fine art, antiques and collectibles from prestigious estates and private collections. In total, the two days had a sell-through rate of nearly 90 percent. “We are very satisfied with the results,” Joe Lint, technology and marketing manager at DuMouchelles told Antiques and The Arts Weekly. “The level of interest and participation from bidders was impressive. We had a robust live audience as well.”
DuMouchelles attracted an international audience, with nearly 10 percent of sales were outside of the United States, from China, India, Europe, New Zealand and Canada.
“Profil Au Fond Noir” by Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), offered on day two, led both days of the auction, earning $19,350 against a $10/15,000 estimate. The lithograph, done on Arches wove paper, was numbered “39/50” and signed in pencil on the lower right. It had provenance to London Arts, Inc., Detroit, shown via a paper label, affixed verso. From there, it was purchased directly by a prominent print collector from Southfield, Mich. The lithograph was printed by Mourlot Editions, Paris, with full margins. It went to a new home with an American internet bidder.
This 129-gram, 18½-inch South Sea pearl necklace with an 18K yellow gold clasp was the top selling lot for session one, earning $7,440. The clasp contained 12 diamonds, which weighed 0.072 carats total ($3/4,000).
Earning the title of top lot on day one was a South Sea graduated pearl necklace. The 18½-inch necklace consisted of what the auction catalog described as “beautiful iridescent pearls,” ranging from 14 to 17 millimeters, and an 18K yellow gold clasp adorned with 12 diamonds, weighing 0.072 carats. The total weight of the necklace was 129 grams and it had “Au 750” gold hallmarks on its clasp. Consigned from a Hawaiian private collection, it sold for $7,740 to a local bidder, at almost two times its high estimate.
Also from day one was a 12-gram diamond and platinum cocktail ring from a Taylor, Mich., collection, which crossed the block for $7,095. The circa 1950 ring was platinum with a white gold finger-fit shank. It contained five pear shaped diamonds, 10 marquise-cut diamonds, seven tapered baguette-cut diamonds and four round full-cut diamonds, for a total aggregate weight of approximately 5.85 carats. All the diamonds were fine white VVS II quality. An appraisal for insurance by Fruchter & Brodie Inc., Southfield, Mich., from 1977, was included with the lot; it was purchased by a local telephone bidder.
In excellent condition, this 27-inch-high carved wood countertop cigar store display of heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson, carved by Samuel Anderson Robb (American, 1851-1928), exchanged hands for $13,640 ($7/10,000).
Another notable lot from day two was a carved wood counter top cigar store display by Samuel Anderson Robb (American, 1851-1928). The display was a relief carved figure of Jack Johnson, the first African American heavyweight boxing champion. In 1920, Johnson also opened Club Deluxe, a 400-seat nightclub in Harlem, New York City. A relief carved plinth on the display read “Havana Cigars the Blend of Champions 5¢” on its front and “Cotton Club Champion Jack Johnson, New York Club Deluxe” on its back. The 27-inch-high display had provenance to the estate of a private collector from Windsor, Ontario, Canada, who was known for his collection of North American Indigenous Peoples’ artifacts and memorabilia. Its excellent condition encouraged bidders to push it to $14,190, with an American internet bidder winning the day.
DuMouchelles will conduct another two-day sale on July 18 and 19. Day one will feature online exclusives, including prints and etchings from the estate of Leon Zielinski. Day two will focus on premier selections, including a presidential document signed by Abraham Lincoln.
Prices quoted include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. For information, www.dumoart.com or 313-963-6255.
