Date: Fri 19-Jun-1998

Publication: Ant

Author: DAVIDS

Quick Words:

20thCentury

Full Text:

Twentieth Century Auctions

NEW YORK CITY -- The undivided attention of Twentieth Century collectors from

throughout the world was focused on New York City this past week as Phillips,

Christie's and Sotheby's conducted stellar auctions on Wednesday, Thursday and

Friday respectively.

Phillips got the ball rolling on Wednesday, June 10, with a highly successful

sale that featured numerous important items. Highlighting the sale were two

rare reverse painted glass panels from the "La Naissance D'Aphrodite" mural,

executed in 1934 by Jacques Charles Champigneulle for the cruise ship SS

Normandie. The mural is estimated to have contained approximately 75 of these

"verre eglomise" panels, of which 55 are now in the collection of the

Metropolitan Museum of Art. Each of the Deco panels measured roughly 30 by 50

inches. Estimated at $75/85,000, the rare ocean liner decor sold at $88,300.

Also sold was a stainless steel abstract desk and chair designed by Max

Ingrand. The rare desk, estimated at $45/60,000, was one of three produced in

1967 for the Paris showroom of the automobile manufacturer Peugot. Interest

was worldwide on the desk and it sold for $52,900.

Christie's followed on Thursday with a two session sale featuring items from

numerous esteemed American and European collections, along with a handful of

extreme rarities.

Leading the sale was a rare "magnolia" leaded glass and bronze floor lamp by

Tiffany studios. Its provenance included Minna Rosenblatt. The impressive lamp

carried an estimate of $450/600,000, and as biding began at $280,000, several

in the room placed bids. The telephones soon dominated, however, and bids

moved in $10,000 increments to the 850,000 mark. The bid was jumped to

$900,000, resulting in a selling price of $992,500.

Another impressive lot was a Louis Marjolle "Orchidee" carved and inlaid

mahogany and gilt bronze desk with fitted Daum lamps. From Marjolle's

"Nenuphars" series, the desk was estimated at $160/240,000 and attracted an

international clientele. The extremely rare and desirable desk sold to a

telephone bidder for $585,500, after a prolonged seesaw battle with a bidder

seated in the rear of the gallery.

Sotheby's offered its selection of rare Twentieth Century merchandise on

Friday. Topping the sale was a Lalique cire perdue glass figure of a draped

standing maiden. One of three known, and considered to be the most superior

example, the rare figure was estimated at $80/120,000. Bidding on the lot was

brisk, with it selling to an American private buyer for $288,500.

Other major lots included a monumental Tiffany Favrile glass and bronze

12-light candelabrum at $134,500 and a rare Galle mold blown white elephant

vase at $112,500.

Prices include the buyer's premium. A complete review of each of the Twentieth

Century auctions will appear in a future issue. For information, contact

Phillips at 212/570-4830, Christie's at 212/546-1000, and Sotheby's at

212/606-7000.