VAN NUYS, CA.- Los Angeles Modern Auctions set multiple world records for works of art and design in its May 19, 2013 auction, selling major works by California artists to American, European, and Asian buyers. The auction broke world records for a work by Vija Celmins, the highest price achieved at auction for a work on canvas by the artist, and a work by Joe Goode, which set a new world auction record for any work by the artist. LAMA achieved a new company record for total sales, realizing $3.46 million and selling 120% of the 469 lots by value. Sunday’s auction firmly establishes LAMA’s position as an international marketplace for Modern Art & Design.

Vija Celmins’, Untitled (Knife and Dish) from 1964 (Lot 160 est. $300,000 – 500,000), set a world auction record for a work on canvas by the artist, achieving $587,500, and set a new company record for a single work. Untitled (from Vandalism Series), a mixed media work by Joe Goode, (Lot 231 est. $10,000 – 15,000), set a new auction record for the artist, soaring to $175,000, more than ten times its high estimate. Robert Rauschenberg’s Prime Pump, from ROCI USA (Lot 392 est. $40,000 – 60,000) set a new record for the work, achieving $59,375. Additionally, a selection of five lots of Serge Mouille lighting totaled $108,750, including three Saturne wall appliques (Lot 122 est. $8,000 – 12,000) realizing $18,750, a record for this model.

Fine Art highlights include a group of four stellar paintings by Karl Benjamin, which brought $157,500; Billy Al Bengston’s Count Dracula at the Chessboard (1960) exceeded pre-sale expectations and brought $46,875; and a painting by Larry Rivers, White Camel (1980), which brought $87,500. Additionally, prints and multiples saw strong prices, including an Ellsworth Kelly Yellow over Yellow (1964-65) that realized $15,000, and Robert Motherwell’s Black Mountain State II (Red) (1982-83) that achieved $9,375.

Design highlights include a Charles & Ray Eames free-standing kiosk (Lot 220 est. $20,000 – 30,000) custom designed for the IBM Pavilion at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, which exceeded pre-sale estimates bringing $56,250; a Hans Wegner shell settee (Lot 410 est. $4,000 – 6,000) that set a new record for this model bringing $16,250; and a Friedhelm Bakalowits Mirakel ceiling lamp (Lot 460 est. $5,000 – 7,000) that set a new record for this design realizing $21,250. Additionally, two works by Greta Grossman, a pair of end tables (Lot 214 est. $4,000 – 6,000) brought $11,875 and cocktail table (Lot 215 est. $4,000 – 6,000) achieved $12,500, and a Sam Maloof rocking chair (Lot 158 est. $30,000 – 50,000) realized $43,750.

Peter Loughrey, Founder of LAMA: “The painting by Vija Celmins, Untitled (Knife and Dish), is a great example of LAMA’s success in entering the Fine Art auction arena. LAMA is consistently proving that it is a top resource for sellers by achieving record prices in a very competitive business.”

TOP LOTS:
• Vija Celmins, Untitled (Knife and Dish) (1964) (Lot 160 est. $300,000 – 500,000) set new world auction record for a work on canvas by the artist, achieving $587,500

• Joe Goode, Untitled (from Vandalism series) (1977) (Lot 231 est. $10,000 – 15,000), set a new auction record for the artist at $175,000

• Larry Rivers, White Camel (1980) (Lot 330 est. $40,000 – 60,000) brought $87,500

• Gottfried Helnwein, The Red Gun (2000) (Lot 293 est. $60,000 – 90,000) totaled $82,500

• Karl Benjamin, Untitled (1955) (Lot 221 est. $20,000 – 30,000) fetched $71,875

• Robert Rauschenberg, Prime Pump, from ROCI USA (1993) (Lot 392 est. $40,000 – 60,000) set a new auction record for the work at $59,375

• Charles & Ray Eames, Freestanding Kiosk (1964) (Lot 220 est. $20,000 – 30,000) acheived $56,250

• Paul Evans, Sculpture (executed 1965) (Lot 372 est. $20,000 – 30,000) realized $53,125

• Billy Al Bengston, Count Dracula at the Chessboard (1960) (Lot 200 est. $15,000 – 20,000) exceeded pre-sale estimate, bringing $46,875