On January 4, Kaminski Auctions in Beverly, MA hosted a strong Twentieth Century auction, which offered an array of items for every type of modern collector. This sale displayed a strong sell through rate of seventy-six percent and welcomed phone bidders, in house bidders, and bidders from across the globe through several internet platforms, including Kaminski Live.
Buyers strongly encouraged the direction of this sale by displaying significant interest in mid-century furniture. A George Mulhauser chair and ottoman for Plycraft, done in vinyl upholstery the color of golden rod, sold early in the sale for $1,200. A pair of vibrant Swan chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen brought a strong final price of $1,500 and a folding leather seat in the manner of Poul Kjaerholm achieved $1,100. Helping to continue the trend of interest in Kjaerholm were a set of four chairs attributed to the designer, in the style of his iconic PK9 chair. This lot hit the auction block with a low estimate of $500 and was ultimately awarded to the highest bidder at $7,500. Bidders fought to obtain an Eames rosewood 670 chair and 671 ottoman which brought $3,200, while determined shoppers also appeared to covet an Eero Saarinen marble top dining table that finally achieved a $3,000 hammer price.
Fine art also found significant success this past Sunday. An early twentieth century watercolor by Leon Bakst drew bidders into a heated competition that resulted in a hammer price of $10,000. Following in quick succession was a well-known aquatint entitled “Steep Street, by Wayne Thiebaud that achieved an appropriate $8,000 and an original oil by John Piper, which hammered at $6,500.
A small group of bidders showed specified interest in contemporary jewelry and bid well on a collection of various Kieselstein-Cord pieces, with achieved prices ranging from $1,600 to $5,500. Also enticing to buyers was a Pomellato necklace from the Paisley Collection which featured a pave diamond pendant set in 18k gold. This striking piece of jewelry brought a commendable $7,000 approximately half way through the sale.
Bidders also exhibited interest in a variety of decorative arts. Auction participants battled to win a Curtis Jere bronze Brutalist mirror in an interesting “starburst” design, which was awarded to the highest bidder for $1,700. A Lalique “Champs Elysees” center bowl hammered at $1,100 and a classic colorless glass Lalique “Bacchantes” vase achieved $1,600. Additional pieces of Lalique performed well, either within, or above their given estimates, while a small group of Murano items also seemed to attract attention at more conservative price points.
Past lots are now available for after-auction purchase and can be reviewed by accessing the prices realized link on kaminskiauctions.com.
Kaminski Auctions is currently seeking new consignments for the upcoming Spring 2015 Modern sale. ?To discuss possible consignment, please contact Modern Specialist Kathryn Wilkins at modern@kaminskiauctions.com. Sale dates and additional information regarding this sale are forthcoming via the company website www.kaminskiauctions.com.