Los Angeles Modern Auctions pulled in its highest gross on Sunday, March 6 when auction sales totalled $2,256,323.
Peter Loughrey, Director, said “Once again, our results prove that you do not have to send Modern Art to New York or London to get the top price.”
Items consigned by Max Palevsky’s estate brought $333,813. An Ettore Sottsass a marble console (Lot 55 est. $10,000 – 15,000) $75,000; a sevres porcelain vase (Lot 70 est. $1,000 – 1,500) brought $31,250; and a pair of marble end tables (Lot 84 and 85 est. $2,400 – 3,000) together sold for $25,000.
A sculpture by Reg Butler (Lot 92 est. $20,000 – 30,000) sold for $125,000, setting a record for the artist.
The Collection of James Byrnes, the first curator of Modern Art at LACMA in the mid 1940s, had 50 lots bringing $171,313. Highlights included a rare Harry Bertoia brooch (Lot 220 est. $5,000 – 7,000) that sold for $22,000; an original Calder work on paper (Lot 25 est. $15,000 – 20,000) which made $25,000; and an Ynez Johnston (Lot 332 est. $2,000 – 3,000) hammered down at $10,938. Nearly all of the works were acquired directly from the artists, which created desirable provenance.
