NEW YORK, NY.- La Belle Epoque Auction House, recently presented their “Sizzling Summer”August 19th live auction at their stunning 7,000 square-foot space at 71 8th Avenue on the border of the Meatpacking District and the West Village in New York City. The auction was held live in-person, as well as online through LaBelleEpoque.com, LiveAuctioneers and Bidsquare.
Many top sellers of the day were from the Contemporary and Modern Art arena, which covered a large portion of the auction, while also offering an impressive collection of antiques, silver, mid-century modern, jewelry, furniture, fashion, lighting, sports memorabilia, collectibles, decorative items and more.
Leading the way was a Still Life by Tom Wesselmann,Created in 1988, this screenprint is hand signed by Tom Wesselmann (Cincinnatti, 1931 - New York City, 2004) in pencil and numbered from the edition 88 of 100. This 1988 canvas depicts a bowl of fruit surrounded by flowers and a tea kettle. The brilliant colors of this Wesselmann exhibit sharp contrasts with the stark white background. Approximate site size - 56.5" H x 70.5" W, Approximate size including frame - 58" H x 72" W. It sold high for $14,080, while a Reclining Figure/Indian Blanket by Alex Katz, c.1987, Color aquatint on Somerset Satin Paper, Published and printed by Crown Point Press, San Francisco. Signed in graphite with edition lower center sheet, edition noted 53/60. Approximate site size - 41.5" H x 35.5" W. Approximate size including frame - 47" H x 41" W, sold for $11,520.
In addition, a very rare complete Norman Rockwell 'Tom Sawyer' Portfolio Suite Presented in the original Portfolio, Norman Rockwell's 'Tom Sawyer' Portfolio includes: 1 Lithograph (made with 12 plates) printed at Atelier Mourlot in Paris, France and 7 Collotypes printed by Arthur Jaffe Heliochrome Co., Vienna, Austria. Numbered 30/200 bottom right of each sheet. Hand signed bottom right of each sheet by the artist in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Printed in 1973, released March 20th 1977. Approximate size: Lithograph: 17" H x 12.5" W, Collotypes: 20" H x 20" W, Approximate sheet size: Lithograph: 25.5" H x 19.5" W, Collotypes: 26" H x 19.5" W, Approximate portfolio size - 26.25" H x 21.25" W, went for $5760,
Getting a lot of pre-auction attention, a very unique Lorenzo Quinn (Rome, 1966) "Trust' Bronze Sculpture on Marble base, Marked 773/999 – US.,Approximate size: 10" H x 8" D x 12" W sold for $1536. Quinn grew up in the US and Italy working most notably for the United Nations in New York as well as The Vatican. Quinn was commissioned to create a sculpture on the occasion of the 8th Centenary of the death of Saint Anthony (Patron Saint of Travelers).And, a framed Alfred Steglitz ‘The Flatiron’ Photogravue. Camera Work IV circa 1903 Plate 1. Medium: Photogravue Alfred Steglitz 1864-1946. Approximate site size - 6.75" H x 3.25" W. Approximate size including frame - 14.75" H x 12.25" W, sold for $960.
Asian art was also represented, including a Genuine Original Hiroshige Ando (1797-1858) Japanese Woodblock Print; 'Hiratsuka' one of 53 Stations on Tokaido Road (from Tokyo to Kyoto). Printed in 1855. Approximate size including frame: 19.5" H x 14.5" W, Approximate site size: 13.5" H x 8" W. Signed Guaranteed by Y. Yamagami, Manager, Uchida Art Co. Ltd. Kyoto Handicraft Center, Kumanojinja-Higashi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606, Japan, that sold for $1536 and a
Meiji period "53 Stations of the Tokaido" by Hiroshige, Complete Suite of Meiji period Japanase Polychrome woodblock prints. The 55 plate series, "53 Stations of the Tokaido" by Utagawa Hiroshige, born Ando Hiroshige (1797 – 12 October 1858), selling for $1920.
Topping the Decorative Arts was a Waylande Gregory Mermaid Vase, with mermaid and fish, USA, circa.1940s, Glazed ceramic and signed. Approximate Size: 15" H x 10" W. Sold for $1280.
Silver and jewelry highlights were a set of .800 Silver Flatware, Continental Flatware. Weight: 159.47ozt. 151 Pieces total, going for $2880, a stunning Christian Dior Couture Crystal Necklace, purchased directly from the Christian Dior 2001 Runway Collection in original box. Approximate Size : 10" H x 7.5" W, which sold for $960 and a 14K Baume Mercier Opal Mosaic Watch, Dial Dress Watch. Approximate size: 2.25" inside diameter, sold for $640.
Weaponry included a rare 18th Century Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Pistol. 18th Century Wogdon & Barton Flintlock Duelling Pistol. Engraved 'Wogdon London' on top of pistol. Intricate Silver details, going for $1536 and a French Executioners Axe, Late 17th Century to Early 18th Century French Trade Axe on removable stand, which sold for $768.
La Belle Epoque also offered various lots of highly collectible sports memorabilia at the recent auction, with highlights including a set of Golden Glove Award Autographed Baseballs for $1024. While a rare Ali vs. Quarry Atlanta Fight Vintage Poster,Muhammad Ali Vs. Jerry Quarry framed vintage poster with LeRoy Neiman design, which sold for $832 and a Yankees MVP Autographed Baseball,Autographed by Reggie Jackson, Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Don Mattingly, selling for $640.
La Belle Epoque Auction House will continue with seasonal auctions and are now offering 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.
