from Clarke Auction in Larchmont: The modern design collector should pay close attention to Clarke Auction this weekend, as they have put together an impressive short notice sale, scheduled for Sunday, March 26th. The acquisition and consignment of several early and important Midcentury Modern design works by the house has added to the already impressive collection of Post-War multiples available in the same sale.
The furniture selections for March 26th at Clarke Auction in Larchmont, NY include a featured pair of Gio Ponti for M. Singer & Sons dressers. Singer was the first firm to represent Ponti’s modernist designs specifically for the stateside market. Ponti’s prolific career in Italy, and his reputation for elegance and modernity translated well for the American buyers, who looked for change and progression after World War II. The pair of chests is with original finish and will be offered at the appropriate estimate of $25,000/$35,000 on the 26th.
Alongside the exceptional single offering of Ponti, another popular American will be highlighted in the upcoming sale with several select lots as well. Paul Evans, the famed Brutalist designer, will be featured on the 26th.The featured lot is a rare four panel wall unit with sculpted pilasters and thick glass shelves. The work, signed “PE 69” is of rare size, given that there have not been any four panel examples that have come to market. The piece was installed with several other Evans pieces in a local home since the date of purchase. The wall unit will have a $6,000/$9,000 estimate.
The other Evans pieces in the sale include a sculpted base coffee table in similar fashion of the wall unit, estimated $3,000/$5,000, a PE 46 pyramid form dining center table listed at $8,000/$12,000, and a single PE-105 model side chair with vintage upholstery. The chair will be offered at $1,500/$2,500.
It is fitting to have an overlapping of modern art in a modern-centric sale and the auction will begin with a number of important modern and midcentury artworks, especially in the print and multiple categories. As of this publication, the featured offerings include a Tom Wesselman “Lulu” screenprint ($4,000/$6,000), a Frank Stella lithograph and screenprint entitled “Sinjerli Variation IV…”($4,000/$6,000), a Roy Lichtenstein appropriately titled “Modern Print”($5,000/$7,000), as well as several ceramic lots by Jean Cocteau of modest estimation. More are expected to be added to the catalog as well.
Even though modern is a feature of the sale, there will be a great selection of decorative and antique items as well, including a 2005 Jaguar Vanden Plas. Clarke will also offer a 1931 Steinway Model L baby grand piano, a pair of mansion sized crystal chandeliers, a unique polychrome 18th Century Gothic figural wall carving, many lots of antique furniture, bronzes, lighting and carpets too.
The sterling and jewelry selection will follow the antiques and will feature some excellent ready to wear pieces. The fine jewelry selection includes a Chaumet 18kt gold and sapphire necklace ($1,500/$2,000) and matching bracelet ($600/$900), two Erte necklaces including “Fireflies” and “Aphrodite” ($1,000/$1,500 each), and a 2+ ct. diamond and gold engagement ring ($4,000/$6,000). The selection is full of other quality jewelry in gold, diamond, jade, turquoise and much more.
The auction will be held on Sunday, March 26th at 12 noon EST. The in-house previews will be held on Friday & Saturday, March 24th and 25th from 12pm to 6pm. The online catalog is available now at ClarkeNY.com and will be updated daily leading up to the sale.
Online bidding is available at LiveAuctioneers.com and Bidsquare.com.
Clarke Auction 2372 Boston Post Rd, Larchmont (914) 833-8336 info@clarkeny.com
