Original Sam Francis Paintings, Exquisite Jewelry, Rare Mid-century Design to be Auctioned Nov. 25 by Palm Beach Modern Auctions
Also featured: Exotic early Murano glass, Nakashima furniture, bronzes from Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens, Picasso pottery
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A wealth of modern design, from red-hot Sam Francis original art to ultra-cool Paul Evans furniture and icy diamonds in platinum, will dominate the day at Palm Beach Modern's (PBMA) Saturday, November 25 auction. The 500+ lots of art, designer furnishings and luxury goods represent the categories PBMA's co-owners, Rico Baca and Wade Terwilliger, have identified as upward trending.
"Very occasionally a sale will fall into place like this one, where there's strength in every category and scores of exciting artworks that haven't appeared in the auction marketplace before," said Baca.
That description would certainly apply to the featured Sergio & Yoli Gnesin Murano glass collection. Raised in Milan among glassblowers and designers, Sergio Gnesin is both a knowledgeable collector and noted author of the 2003 Murano reference book Vetri di Ermanno Nason. Together with his wife Yoli, whom he met after moving to Miami, Sergio has returned to Italy many times to source connoisseur-level Murano glass.
The auction contains several rare and exceptional pieces from the Gnesin collection. A signed 1959 Ermanno Nason (Italian, 1928-2013) sculpture/vase is titled Omaggio A Guttuso (Homage to a Water Carrier). This 16.75-inch work was purchased directly from the artist. Estimate: $18,000-$24,000.
A collection of Chaim Gross (Austrian/American, 1904-1992) bronzes from the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens will be sold to benefit the South Florida nonprofit. There are six lithe sculptures, including a 1968 work incorporating four active figures within an oval. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000
Three extremely desirable Sam Francis original works on paper are backed by scholarship from the Sam Francis Foundation. Each is signed and bears a Sam Francis Estate stamp. The highest-valued painting measures 38 by 29.75-inch (framed) and comes with a 1998 LOA and copy of the book Sam Francis: Elements and Archetypes, in which the work is depicted. Provenance includes the artist's estate. Estimate: $70,000-$90,000
Other notable artworks include eight pieces of prized Pablo Picasso pottery, a large Stanley Casselman painting, $30,000-$50,000; a compelling Enrico Baj mixed-media work, $35,000-$45,000; and three Harry Bertoia sculptures, including a melted-brass and mesh-metal Stalagtite Panel, $15,000-$20,000.
A highly select offering of fine jewelry was inspected and graded in its entirety by a GIA-certified appraiser. Highlights include three fine Rolex watches, a superb platinum bracelet with 15.78 carats of diamonds, $18,000-$22,000, and a sensational 18K white gold ring with a 3.70 emerald-cut center diamond, color I, clarity VS2, surrounded by 39 diamonds weighing 1.10 carats. Estimate: $40,000-$60,000
Some of today's most sought-after mid-century furniture will be available, with 10 lots of George Nakashima creations, plus rarities by Paul Evans, Tommi Parzinger, Jean-Michel Frank and many other design luminaries.
The November 25 auction will start at 12:00 noon ET. Venue: 417 Bunker Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33405. Complimentary catered luncheon and free valet parking. Contact: 561-586-5500, [email protected]. All forms of bidding available, including absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers. PBMA website: www.modernauctions.com
Media Contact: Wade Terwilliger
561-586-5500
SOURCE Palm Beach Modern Auctions
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