By Carole Deutsch MONROVIA, Calif. — John Moran Auctioneers had an atypical two-session sale on Nov. 14, in which early Native American Indian artifacts and California art were followed by a 20th-century modern session that featured an eye-catching Porsche and some of the most iconic furniture designers of the movement. Collectors of each genre showed up in great force and both auctions met with impressive results. Moran is recognized as the leading auction house for Native American Indian artifacts. The first session was comprised of 142 select lots that included important Navajo weavings, pottery and artifacts, and Western American paintings, drawings, and prints, as well as bronzes and sculptures with cowboy and Native American narratives. It was not surprising that the top lot of the first session was a mid-19th-century Navajo second phase chief’s wearing blanket. second phase blankets were consistently woven with linear patterns of rectangles that were arranged in groups. This one had a classic piano key design made in handspun cream and brown, indigo-dyed blue, and cochineal-dyed red yarns. The finely woven piece was cataloged as in overall good condition and brought a handsome $48,000. A transitional second phase Navajo chief’s blanket from the third quarter of the 19th century had a banded design with intercepting red-field bars of stacked cream and blue triangles and sold for a respectable $18,750. A sculpture by Bill Worrell (b. 1936), titled The Healer, was a dynamic depiction of a four-armed shaman standing with his head and hands raised to the sky as he held emblematic symbols of healing. It was made of bronze with mixed metals and stood an imposing 78 inches high on a stone base. The limited edition piece was numbered 23/33 and was signed and dated 3/28/94. It sold for more than five times the high estimate, realizing $10,625. American Horses, a polychromed bronze sculpture by Dave McGary (1958 – 2013), portrayed a Plains Indian man on horseback wearing a feathered headdress and carrying a feathered banner. It was signed, numbered 11/50, and dated 1995 with the artist’s thumbprint on the base. The work measured 28 ¼ inches high and brought $5,625. McGary was considered the Master of Realism in depicting Native American Indians. A monochrome painting in shades of grey, a technique known as oil en grisaille, by John Marchand (1875 - 1921), depicted cowboys and vaqueros having a dispute. It was signed and dated 1911 and sold for $7,800. Having died at the age of 46, Marchand’s career was brief but fruitful. The Modern Design session of 289 lots also had much to offer, including a 1965 Porsche 356C Coupe. The single- owner California car had 132,735 miles and was manufactured in champagne yellow with black leather interior and coachwork by Karmann. The auction catalog noted, “The maintenance records that accompany this single-owner Southern California car tell a story of a man who was meticulous with his vehicle. Family lore has it the owner picked up his future wife for their first date in this 356C (they were married in 1969).” The true love auto achieved $66,000. Furniture was featured by a cradle hutch made by the legendary Sam Maloof (1916 - 2009). The 1971 piece was one of six examples made. It had a walnut construction with a rectangular outset top over a double-door blanket cabinet that was secured with a shaped wooden latch, all of which was raised atop a central space suspending a slatted rocking cradle that sat over a pull-out changing surface. The lower section was fitted with six short drawers. It was signed and dated 1971 and commanded $22,800. A modular storage cabinet, circa 1960, designed by Eames for Herman Miller, had the Herman Miller label. The Model 420 was four-units high with dimpled plywood sliding cabinets on top and bottom and had four open compartments and three drawers. It was made in a neutral color scheme and realized $12,000. A circa 1970 Eames for Herman Miller lounge chair, model 670, and ottoman, model 671, were each made with the classic Rosewood veneer shell and black leather cushions. Each had a black Herman Miller label to the underside and the pair sold for $2,700. Modern art was highlighted by a work by Peter Max (b. 1937), titled Neo Man. The unframed abstract acrylic on canvas portrait of a man wearing sunglasses was done in a high color against a hot pink ground. The signed painting was dated, with a personal drawing on the verso, and inscribed, “4 Mary + Joe. Love, Peter Max / 95.” It was 5 feet high by 4 feet wide, and realized $11,400. Prices include a 20 percent buyer’s premium. For more information contact John Moran Antique & Fine Art Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or www.johnmoran.com |