Press & Announcements
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
Read the latest press coverage & announcements about Freeman's.
CHICAGO – On May 4, Hindman Auctions will present Joan Mitchell’s Untitled, 1989 as the centerpiece of its Post War and Contemporary Art auction, where it will be offered with an estimate of $500,000-700,000. Executed during the later years of Mitchell’s career, this work is an outstanding example of her shift towards lush and transcendent painting. The softer strokes and sense of restraint in Untitled, 1989 contrast Mitchell’s slashing paint handling in earlier work, while still illustrating her singular vision and timeless approach. Untitled, 1989 is from a Private Collection (Atlanta, Georgia) and was purchased from Cheim & Read in New York in 2012. “We are thrilled to be offering this outstanding work as the focal point of this year’s May Fine Art auctions, especially with the premiere of Joan Mitchell’s major retrospective this September,” remarked Hindman’s Senior Specialist for Post War and Contemporary Art, Zachary Wirsum. “Mitchell’s work has seen intense interest at market over the past few years. We are looking forward to bidders’ response to this magical work, which is an incredible example of how her painting evolved.” Untitled, 1989 features vast created compositional space, which makes the work seem more vibrant than its size, 24 by 19 ¾ inches, might suggest. Through broadly applied blue and shadowy streaks of black and billows of white, the painting moves the gaze to landscape-like references that can be interpreted as the edge of a body of water in the lower right foreground and a pale green shore or horizon in the distant upper left. The depth and visual movement of the work is further accentuated by the varied decisive marks. This painting, like much of Mitchell’s later works, feels more emotionally connected than works from earlier in her career, and visually connects with Cy Twombly, Jackson Pollock, and Claude Monet. Lot 32 | Untitled, 1989. Joan Mitchell (American, 1925-1992). Estimate: $500,000-700,000 As a renowned female voice who gained recognition during the second wave of the Abstract Expressionist movement in 1950s New York, Mitchell resisted the understanding of abstraction as nonhierarchical flat overall painting and juxtaposed static structural elements with intense passages of colorful gestural improvisation. Mitchell worked in a variety of mediums throughout her career and is widely recognized as one of the most significant artists of the post war era. Mitchell has strong ties to Chicago as she was born and raised in the city and earned an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2018, Hindman set a global record for Mitchell’s Untitled (Pastel), 1991 when it sold for $1,212,500, which is the highest price realized at auction for a work on paper by the artist. Bidding for the May 4 Post War and Contemporary Art auction will begin at 10am CT, and bidders will be able to participate via absentee bid, by phone, and live online through the Digital Bid Room, Hindman’s recently launched online and mobile bidding platform. Additional details about Untitled, 1989 (lot 32) can be found here. For more information about the auction, please view the auction page and catalogue. The auction will take place on the second day of Hindman’s three days of Fine Art Sales from May 3 to 5.
Palm Beach Collections Sale Beats Estimates and Sees Strong Interest in Decorative Arts & Fine Art Categories PALM BEACH – Hindman is pleased to announce the success of its Palm Beach Collections sale. Bidders participating by phone, absentee bid and four online bidding platforms sent the January 25 and 26 auction sessions well past its low estimate to a total of $655,313. The Palm Beach team was thrilled to see such a strong start to its 10th anniversary year. The auction featured objects from the collection of Mrs. A. Edward Allinson of Palm Beach and Southampton, including a collection of paintings and watercolors by American female artists of the first half of the 20th century. The collection saw fantastic results in multiple categories. Outstanding results from the Allinson collection were seen in the sale of Jane Peterson’s artworks, with Peterson’s Along Water’s Edge (lot 116) selling for $22,500, more than seven times its estimate and resulting as the top lot of the auction. Tiger Lilies and Zinnias (lot 117) and Two Macaws (118) by Peterson also surpassed their estimates, realizing $10,000 and $5,120 respectively. Jane Peterson (American, 1876-1965) Along Water’s Edge watercolor and gouache signed LL 11 x 17 inches. Collection of Mrs. A. Edward Allinson Presale Estimate: $3,000 – $5,000 Price Realized: $22,500 Strong interest was also shown in the decorative arts pieces presented from the collection. In particular, a Waterford cut glass eight light chandelier (lot 22) ultimately realized more than triple its presale estimate, selling for $13,750. A set of four Victorian silver figural salts by E & J Barnard (lot 23) also exceeded its estimate and realized $12,500. A 308-piece BR Hemple .800 silver flatware service (lot 33) also received great interest and sold for $11,250. An intricate Chinese brass-mounted gilt-decorated black lacquer cabinet (lot 6) also saw strong excitement from bidders and sold for $9,600 against a presale estimate of $5,000 – 7,000. Other top performers included Hunt Slonem’s Untitled (Parrots) (lot 243) which sold for $15,000 against a presale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000. Alexander Liberman’s Svet II (lot 245), a mixed media construction on masonite, realized more than four times its presale estimate, selling for $13,750. Margaret Patterson’s Cottage on Sunny Hillside (lot 111) ultimately realized $8,750, more than four times its presale estimate. For the next Palm Beach Collections sales on March 2 and 3, Hindman will collaborate with guest curator and respected Palm Beach interior designer Guy Clark. Additional celebrations will be held throughout the year in honor of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Palm Beach office.
Hindman’s Post War and Contemporary Art Auction Broke Firm’s Record for Top Lot Sold at Auction CHICAGO – Alexander Calder’s standing mobile, Triple Cross, 1947, more than tripled its pre-sale estimate on Thursday, October 1 in Hindman’s Post War and Contemporary Art sale in Chicago. The work was one of two offered at auction by one of the most the revolutionary artists of the 20th century in Thursday’s sale. Triple Cross, 1947, held a pre-sale estimate of $600,000-$800,000, and set a record for the highest sale price in the Chicago auction house’s 38-year history. “Triple Cross is an early example of Calder’s work and has excellent provenance, which certainly contributed to the strong price the work commanded today,” said Joe Stanfield, Director of Fine Art for Hindman. “This record price for Hindman exemplifies the strength of the market despite this tumultuous time and we were thrilled to see this work sell so well this week in Chicago.” Calder’s instantly recognizable kinetic sculptures revolutionized three-dimensional art in the early 20th century. In 1926, the young artist began a seven-year sojourn in Paris, where he absorbed European Modernism and was particularly influenced by the biomorphic forms, flat planes, and primary colors used by Piet Mondrian and Joan Miró. Calder used these motifs to invent his own artistic language, constructing sculptures brimming with dynamism and vibrancy. Triple Cross exudes a whimsy that belies its sophisticated construction. One of Calder’s standing mobiles, it reflects the artist’s training as a mechanical engineer, as well as his use of humble materials such as sheet metal and wire struts. A long thin rod balances on top of the swooping foundation and forms the basis of a chain-linked system of smaller rods. Biomorphic, metal shapes are attached to the terminal points of the rods and carefully counterbalance each other. The black base, all angles and curves, is a solid contrapuntal to the colorful, quivering construction that rests on top. It is also worth noting that this sculpture does not bear the artist’s trademark CA monogram having been created during a younger, more idealistic period when Calder felt the work itself to be signature enough. The sculpture received immense presale interest with numerous international bidders on the phone vying for the lot on auction day. The Calder was a part of the estate of Joan Conway Crancer, the only daughter of legendary St. Louis artist Fred Conway. Crancer and her husband were avid supporters of the art community in St. Louis and were incredible collectors. Another Calder, Petit poteau jaune (Little Yellow Post), 1963 (Lot 62) from the Crancer Estate was also sold in the October 1 auction. This work was offered with a pre-sale estimate of $200,000-300,000 and sold for $432,500.
October Auction Follows Enormous Success of Spring Timepieces Sale
“The September Sale: Fall Fashion & Luxury Accessories” presents 253 lots of vintage and contemporary fashion and accessories from the turn of the 20th century to today. The property in this auction was gathered from around the United States, from New York to Los Angeles and from Palm Beach to Chicago, including rare items from collectors and family archives. The online catalogue is now available In addition to contemporary luxury accessories, this auction holds one of the very first “it bags”, with a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk (Lot 232) from the early twentieth century. While most Louis Vuitton trunks provide space for the transport of folded clothing and accessories, this trunk, known as the “Wardrobe Trunk”, also provides space (complete with Louis Vuitton-marked wooden hangers) for hanging clothing and comes with six drawers. The oldest clothing items in this auction were made by Mariano Fortuny (1871-1949) in the early twentieth century and include the designer’s famous “Delphos” (Lot 5) and “Peplos” (Lot 6) dresses in fine pleated silk. From 1927 comes another rare example of fashion history in a purple leather coat (Lot 1) made by the French Haute Couture House of Callot Soeurs. The coat, along with three other items in this auction (Lots 2-4), are all from the 1920s and 30s and are brought to auction by a descendant of the wearer. The auction also holds designs from an extensive list of contemporary fashion designers, such as Oscar de la Renta, Vivienne Westwood, Issey Miyake, Junya Watanabe, Comme des Garçons, Gianfranco Ferre, Dennis Basso, Valentino and many others. Ralph Rucci is the designer with the most items in this auction, including 17 items (Lots 68-75) from Chado Ralph Rucci, which was introduced in 1994. Contemporary and vintage luxury accessories, including many that were never used, form a major part of this auction. Many of today’s hottest brands are included: Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Fendi. Some of these items date back to the 1970s and include iconic styles, such as Chanel’s Classic Flap Bags and monogram canvas from Louis Vuitton. Hindman’s Couture and Luxury Accessories department will host one more Couture auction this year, scheduled for December 11, 2020. View the catalogue here.
Auction House Continues Trend of Successful Spring Jewelry and Timepieces Auctions CHICAGO – Hindman’s May 14th Fine and Important Jewelry Auction realized over $1.8 million in 330 lots. The sale was held remotely, bringing together telephone and online bidders from across the globe. The sale offered jewelry sourced from numerous estates and collections from across the country. Pieces by well-known, trusted houses such as Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Tiffany & Co. achieved strong results overall. Signed, wearable pieces of jewelry were in high demand, and brought top prices. Pieces by Van Cleef & Arpels sold especially well with the Diamond and Sapphire ‘Feuilles’ Bracelet and Brooch (lots 139 & 139A), the Amethyst and Pink Sapphire ‘Hawaii’ Convertible Set (lot 137) and the Ruby and Diamond Earclips (lot 42), each exceeding their high estimates. The auction’s top lot, an oval brilliant cut diamond weighing 10.17 carats, realized $137,500 against a presale estimate of $70,000-90,000. This desirable oval shape, as well as the covetable size contributed to strong interest among bidders. Diamonds in general held their own against pre-sale market uncertainty, with certified diamonds in the sale selling at 87% overall. The auction boasted an extraordinary example of Louis Comfort Tiffany Art Jewelry as well. The Tiffany & Co, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Art Nouveau, Topaz, Emerald and Polychrome Enamel Necklace (lot 81) was one of the main highlights of the day, and a collector’s piece rarely seen at auction. Competitive bidding among seventeen bidders and four online bidding platforms contributed to the exceptional result, finally selling for six times the estimate, realizing $60,000 over a presale estimate of $10,000-15,000. Brooches were also in high demand, as examples by Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels realized strong prices. An exquisite En Tremblant Diamond Flower Brooch (lot 167) soared over its presale estimate of $7,000-9,000, realizing $35,000 among strong presale interest and numerous bidders on the telephones. A Cartier, Art Deco Diamond and Rock Crystal Brooch (lot 51) and a Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond and Mother-of-Pearl Butterfly Brooch (lot 158) doubled their presale estimates, each selling for over $8,000, against presale estimates of $4,000-6,000. “We were delighted by the successful remote execution of our Fine & Important Jewelry auction, and by the remarkable results the sale delivered,” shared Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. “Our buyers responded to what was a well-curated sale of beautiful jewelry. We were thrilled to see such a high level of engagement and to deliver such strong results to our consignors.”
CHICAGO – Hindman saw stellar results from the remotely executed Fine Timepieces auction held on Wednesday, May 13th. The 71 lot auction realized over $600,000, surpassing the high estimate and selling 100% of the lots included in the sale. Building on the success of Hindman’s remotely executed auctions in March and April, this sale generated high engagement from remote bidders participating over the telephone and across all four online bidding platforms. “We were thrilled to see such a fantastic response to the fine timepieces we offered at auction on Wednesday. The success of this sale continues the trend of incredibly successful online and remotely executed live auctions at Hindman,” shared Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. “Over the past few months, we have seen a very high level of engagement from existing collectors as well as new clients – bidders are actively seeking quality property and really taking advantage of online platforms and phone bidding.” Prominent brands, like Rolex, Patek Philippe and Cartier continued to bring exceptional results with multiple lots selling near or over the high estimates. The top selling lot of the sale was a Patek Philippe REF. 5980-1 ‘Nautilus’ wristwatch in 18 karat rose gold with diamonds and a mother-of-pearl chronograph subdial. This timepiece realized $75,000 surpassing its presale estimate of $60,000-70,000. A Franck Muller ‘Double Mystery” wristwatch in white gold and diamond inlays graced the cover of the auction catalogue and was a top seller at $27,500 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000. A Cartier ‘Tortue XL’ wristwatch in 18 karat white gold with diamond inlays was one of many exciting results of the day selling for $60,000, three times its high estimate. Bidders were enamored with the 164 baguette cut diamonds inlayed in the bezel and dial of this remarkable modern example of Cartier’s legendary model. The top Rolex of the day was a platinum ‘Cosmograph Daytona’ wristwatch (lot 66) REF. 116506. This example of the iconic Rolex featured an ice-blue dial with center sweep seconds, chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and a chestnut brown bezel. The watch easily beat its presale estimate of $30,000-40,000 selling for $58,880. Other highlights from the auction included a highly sought-after Patek Philippe REF. 5711/1A-010 stainless steel ‘Nautilus’ wristwatch that sold for $55,000; a Rolex ‘Black Zebra Datejust’ wristwatch REF. 116199 in 18 karat white gold that realized $27,500; and a Cartier ‘Clé de Cartier Panther Décor’ wristwatch in 18 karat white gold with diamond inlay which sold for $25,600. Hindman is now welcoming consignments for its next Timepieces Auction, October 6, 2020. For more information, visit HindmanAuctions.com.
Strong Sales from Online Jewelry Auction Confirm Virtual Bidders are as Active as Ever CHICAGO – Internationally recognized art auction house Hindman Auctions realized top prices on Tuesday, March 31st during the Essential Jewelry sale. Sourced from private collections and estates from across the country, the online auction sold over 90% of the 444 lots of contemporary, period and antique jewelry offered for sale. Securing over $423,000 in total sales, against a pre-sale estimate of just over $368,000, Tuesday’s auction confirmed online bidding continues to be a powerful avenue for selling jewelry. Signed, wearable pieces yielded strong results including a pair of Lalaounis, Yellow Gold Octopus Earclips which realized $2,530 against an auction estimate of $700-900. Additionally, a Tiffany & Co. Yellow Gold and Diamond Cat Brooch sold for $2,400 against a pre-auction estimate of $300-500. The auction also boasted the sale of a Diamond, Jade and Ruby Butterfly Brooch with a presale estimate of $500-700, and sold for over $3,200 and a pair of Seaman Schepps Shell Earclips estimated at $700-900 which realized $4,800. “We are all navigating this uncertain time together and today we were thrilled to achieve such strong results for our consignors and were equally happy to see our buyers as active as ever,” reported Kimberly Burt, Vice President of Marketing and Luxury Goods. Hindman looks forward to continued spring sales, with a full auction schedule including Fine Timepieces on May 13, Fine & Important Jewelry on May 14, and Essential Jewelry on May 15.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ February Mountain Décor auction will include property from the estates of Vernon “Moose” Taylor of Denver, Colorado and the late Patrick Henry, Jr. from Snowmass, Colorado. Period English furniture, paintings and decorative objects from the elegant country manor of the late Vernon “Moose” Taylor and Ann Bonfoey Taylor will be offered. Ann and “Moose” Taylor were a celebrated bon vivant couple who loved to host celebrities, royalty, dignitaries, important publishers and fashion photographers at their stunning lakeside equestrian manor in Denver. Their collection represents a time when elegance was essential for entertaining. Vernon Taylor was involved in the oil, gas and mining business and was one of the original investors in Vail. His accomplished wife Ann was a fashion designer, model, pilot and an alternate on the U.S. Olympic ski team. The Taylors hosted foxhunts and lavish parties for their celebrity guests including Truman Capote, Gregory Peck, Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger. An invitation to the Taylor home was coveted by even the most fashionable British royal family. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is honored to be handling the Taylor collection, which includes over 150 objects of 18th and 19th century English and Continental furniture and decorative objects, original 19th century British and American hunt scene paintings and prints, equestrian apparel and riding boots, vintage leather rifle cases, women’s vintage apparel, fashion hats and more. Highlights include dining room furniture featuring an 18th century George III mahogany serpentine front sideboard, a George III mahogany double pedestal dining table and an early George III mahogany desk. Also, going on the block is property from a stunning gentleman’s ranch located in Snowmass, Colorado. Mr. Patrick Henry, Jr. moved to Aspen with his parents in 1948. He called the valley home for the remainder of his life. He was a well-known fixture in Aspen who taught skiing, worked at The Prospector Lodge and owned The Winter Shop for several years. The residence of the late Patrick Henry, Jr. was an idyllic location with massive views of Snowmass Ski Area. The home features stream frontage and old-world charm. It is on this ranch that Mr. Henry built two elegant homes for his family. He designed his first home on the property to hearken back to the style and elegance of a Tuscan farmhouse and the second is a modern-day Austrian chalet. Mr. Henry travelled to Austria to acquire antique painted Bavarian furniture, German Black Forest carved wood figures and other period objects for his homes. Highlights of the Henry collection, available to the top bidder, are several 18th century Bavarian painted chests and cupboards, German Black Forest carved wood animalier figures, late 17th and early 18th century Continental carved putti and Christian Saints, antler mounts, a Louis XV carved walnut buffet, an 18th century English Welsh dresser, 19th and 20th century American and European paintings, American silver hollowware, flatware, other servicing pieces and more. Mountain Décor is a timed online auction conducted on Live Auctioneers from Tuesday, February 5 through Tuesday, February 12. An exhibition will be held in the Denver showroom of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, open by appointment February 4 through 7 and open to the public February 8 through 9 and February 11, all days 10 am -5 pm. Catalogues will go online on www.liveauctioneers.com on February 5. For additional information or condition reports, please call (303) 825-1855.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ October 2 Post War and Contemporary Art auction featured Untitled (Pastel), 1991, by Joan Mitchell, the largest and only double sheet drawing from her last important body of work. Selling for $1,212,500, the drawing set a global record for the artist, being the highest price realized for a work on paper by Joan Mitchell ever sold at auction. Untitled (Pastel), 1991, has been in possession of a single owner since 1995, when it was purchased from Robert Miller Gallery in New York. Bidding on the work took place in Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Chicago saleroom, online and over the phone. With over ten phone bidders competing for the drawing, it eventually sold to New York art dealer and consultant Anthony Grant. Strong phone bidding caused the Mitchell to surpass presale expectations, selling for over double its presale estimate of $400,000 – $600,000. “Beyond its aesthetic merits, Mitchell is having something of a market moment,” said Zack Wirsum, Senior Specialist Post War and Contemporary Art at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers. “It’s incredible that she was able to achieve the same aggressive energy as she did in her paintings with a delicate media like pastel.” Also setting an auction record, Otley by Larry Zox realized $45,000, making it the most expensive piece sold at auction by the artist. It highly exceeded expectations, selling for three times the high estimate of $15,000. Brazilian Light by Kenneth Noland was another highlight of the Post War and Contemporary Art auction. The painting carried a presale estimate of $80,000 – $120,000 and sold for $187,500. Additional examples that surpassed high estimates include 2 Slaves #2 and White Dog 2 by Jonas Wood, which sold for $131,250 (estimated at $50,000 – $70,000) and Black Jack by Gene Davis, which sold for $68,000 against a presale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000. The Post War and Contemporary Art auction was followed by a Fine Prints afternoon sale. Auction highlights from the prints auction included several works by Andy Warhol. The artist’s Superman realized $200,000 and was the top selling lot of the sale. Now holding an auction record, Mick Jagger (F. & S. II.144) sold for $62,500 against a presale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000. Another Warhol Mick Jagger (F. &S. II.139) realized $52,500 (estimated at $20,000 $40,000). Additional results can be found online at lesliehindman.com. The Fine Art department is now accepting consignments for December Post War and Contemporary Art and Fine Print auctions.
The August 27 Important Jewelry auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will feature examples of fancy colored diamonds, colored stones, antique and signed pieces. The sale includes a multitude of items from private jewelry collections and large estates. One example is a 31.61 carat antique cushion cut Fancy Intense Yellow diamond estimated at $275,000 – 325,000. This 31.61 yellow diamond comes to auction from a private collector in Chicago. The collector has personally worn and cherished the diamond for several decades. Graded by the GIA as Fancy Intense Yellow with VS1 clarity, the diamond’s impressive size and cut make it a rarity among yellow diamonds. Numerous other examples of fancy colored diamonds are to be featured in the sale. Highlights include a Fancy Intense Green-Blue diamond ring with Pink-Purple diamond side stones, which holds an estimate of $200,000 – 300,000, a pair of Fancy Vivid Yellow and Fancy Deep Orangy Pink diamond earrings with a presale estimate of $100,000 – 150,000 and an 8.10 carat Fancy Yellow diamond ring estimated at $85,000 – 125,000. Signed property by notable designers Harry Winston, Tiffany & Co., David Webb and Cartier are represented in the sale. This includes, a platinum and diamond brooch designed by Jacques Timey for Harry Winston, estimated at $25,000 – 35,000 (Lot 136). The brooch comes from the Estate of Muriel Kamp of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Tiffany & Co. highlights include an Art Deco platinum and diamond bracelet ($16,000 – 22,000) (Lot 65) and a Victorian platinum topped rose gold and diamond brooch ($20,000 – 30,000). Another notable Tiffany & Co. highlight features rare Yogo Gulch Montana sapphires and diamonds. This important Edwardian bracelet comes from a prominent shipbuilding estate in New York and is estimated at $140,000 – 240,000. Other featured sapphires include a 10.73 carat unheated Burmese sapphire in a Victorian yellow gold and diamond setting offered at $35,000 – 55,000 from a private collection, and a vintage 18 karat yellow gold, sapphire and diamond bypass ring by Cartier ($10,000 – 15,000) . A Retro Oscar Heyman and Brothers sapphire, ruby, and diamond bird of paradise brooch adds a patriotic feel to the signed highlights. The firm is pleased to be handling these esteemed collections from across the country. Highlights from the sale will be on preview in Chicago on August 23 – 26. The auction will be conducted in the Chicago saleroom and online August 27.
On February 22nd, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will sell property from the estate of Philip and Mary Hulitar. The Hulitars lived on North Ocean Boulevard in a 12,062-square-foot oceanfront home. The home was designed by Marion Sims Wyeth, a prominent architect who also designed Mar-a-Lago. Both the exterior and interior offered a classic Palm Beach aesthetic with colorfully themed and synchronized rooms. Philip Hulitar served as the Head of Women’s Design at Bergdorf Goodman before opening his own design firm for women’s fashion in 1949. He went on to gain global recognition through the 1950s for his sophisticated collections. He retired from the industry in 1964, renting his home in Glen Cove, Long Island to Robert F. Kennedy, who was preparing to run for the Senate in New York. The Hulitars in turn took up residency in Palm Beach and soon after began restoring several historic homes on the island. Their contributions to Palm Beach are many. Notably, Philip Hulitar founded the Sculpture Garden for The Society of the Four Arts and went on to become Vice President and its chief benefactor. In recognition of his devotion, the board voted to name the public space The Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden. Following his death, Mary Hulitar endowed a Welcome Garden to carry on the legacy of their commitments to the space. Enhancements continue to this day in ways that serve and carry out the vision of the Hulitars. Additionally, Mr. Hulitar was the first President of the Palm Beach Landmarks Commission and served as Vice President of the Hospice Guild of the Palm Beaches. Mary Hulitar was also very active in the Palm Beach community, serving on the boards of the Gerstenberg Hospice Center, named after her father, and The Society of the Four Arts. Mrs. Hulitar received many honors for her dedication to community service including being honored as a Town of Palm Beach Centennial Ambassador and the Hospice Foundation Hero Award. Included in the February auction, Property from the Estate of Philip and Mary Hulitar, will be highlights such as works by the artist Stephen Scott Young and from the School of George Chinnery, exquisite examples of Venetian blackamoor figures, Chinese export paintings and an extensive collection of silver. The layout of the home, as well as how it was decorated, reflects an era of entertaining where each room showcased an abundance of worldly objects. Leslie Hindman Auctioneers is thrilled to be handling the collection of a couple so influential to the history and community of Palm Beach. In addition to the February 22 auction, Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will conduct its first Sporting Art Sale on February 23, offering fine art, sculptures and silver from a prominent private collection of London.
The November 14 Modern Design auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will include works by important American designers such as George Nakashima, Sam Maloof, William “Billy” Haines, Samuel Marx, Edward Wormley and Paul Evans. The sale will also feature a session of early 20th century design and a collection of property from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Avery Coonley Playhouse, including custom Nakashima furniture. The Coonley collection includes furniture by George Nakashima that was custom built for the playhouse when updated in the 1980s by the consignors of the collection. Nakashima is known to have preferred working on commission as opposed to mass-producing his designs. The custom Nakashima furniture was executed in 1989, making it some of the last works by the designer who died in 1990. Having trained under Antonin Raymond in Tokyo, who was at one time a student of Frank Lloyd Wright, Nakashima’s design naturally tied the traditional aesthetic of the Avery Coonley Playhouse to a more modern one. Highlights of the collection include a pair of Kornblut cabinets by Nakashima, which were nestled next to the iconic Avery Coonley Playhouse fireplace, alongside original period works by Frank Lloyd Wright and Gustav Stickley. Each showcases iconic Nakashima elements such as his use of American black walnut. The doors conceal an adjustable shelf, and they are signed and dated on the interior. They will be offered with a $40,000 – 60,000 presale estimate. Other Nakashima highlights from the collection include a pair of Conoid Cushion lounge chairs, 1989, with a presale estimate of $15,000 – 20,000 and a pair of end tables with bookend tops, 1989, estimated at $10,000 – 15,000. In addition to furniture from the Avery Coonley Playhouse, there are many other notable items by important American designers included in the auction. One example is Sam Maloof’s Armchair No. 16, 1971, which has a presale estimate of $8,000 – 12,000. Furniture by William “Billy” Haines will be available such as a table with four chairs circa 1950 and a pair of blue velvet and brass chairs circa 1940, both estimated at $3,000 – 5,000. The Propeller table designed in 1925 by Samuel Marx will be offered with an estimate of $5,000 – 7,000. Among American design will be a collection of furniture by Edward Wormley for Dunabr, including his coffee table model no. 5309, which has a presale estimate of $7,000 – 9,000. There will also be a selection of items by Paul Evans such as his Stalagmite dining table, model PE-102 estimated at $7,000 – 9,000. From the session of early 20th century design, a collection of Art Deco objects includes a display case in the style of Jules Leleu ($4,000 – 6,000), a Eugene Schoen credenza from the Morris Cafritz residence ($3,000 – 5,000) and a Gilbert Rohde Formal Dining Group cabinet for Herman Miller ($2,000 – 4,000). The November 14 auction will include a selection of art glass, such as Dale Chihuly’s Gray Seafoam Macchia Group, 1982, estimated at $8,000 – 12,000, as well as a large grouping of cameo glass. Following the November 14 Modern Design auction will be an online-only sale devoted to glass decorative objects: the November 15 Classic Glass auction. Catalogues for both sales are available online at hindmanauctions.com. The previews for both sales will open Friday, November 10 in the Chicago saleroom of Leslie Hindman Auctioneers.
The November 5 and 6 Arts of the American West auction at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Denver will include property from a Midwestern museum that features a strong showing of historic Western American paintings and bronzes by artists such as Charles M. Russell, Eanger Irving Couse, Frank Tenney Johnson, O.C. Seltzer, William Robinson Leigh, Edgar Samuel Paxson, Herman Wendelborg Hansen, Olaf Wieghorst, Frank McCarthy, Charles Henry Humphriss and Harry Jackson, among others. Also of note is a collection of Thomas C. Molesworth furniture being sold to benefit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Other offerings from various private collections from across the country include American Indian art and artifacts, a selection of pueblo pottery, Navajo textiles, basketry, beadwork and fine Native American jewelry. From the Midwestern museum collection of Western American paintings is Eanger Irving Couse’s Sacred Rain Bowl, oil on canvas, estimated at $100,000 – 150,000, William Robinson Leigh’s The Roper, oil on canvas, estimated at $100,000 – 150,000, Charles M. Russell’s watercolor, Pointing Out the Trail, circa 1889, which carries a presale estimate of $100,000 – 150,000 and Frank Tenney Johnson’s Rocky Steeps, oil on canvas, estimated at $40,000 – 60,000. Among the selection of Thomas C. Molesworth designed and executed furnishings are a wood dining room table with iron horseshoe decoration and four matching leather upholstered benches estimated at $12,000 – 18,000, a leather and Chimayo upholstered loveseat with attached side tables estimated at $6,000 – 8,000 and a pair of side tables with routed thunderbird motif with tacked leather tops estimated at $600 – 800. All will be sold to benefit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Among highlights of the American Indian art session are over 100 lots from the private collection of Ruth and Robert Vogele, Burr Ridge, Illinois. This thoughtfully assembled collection includes works by some of the most respected pueblo pottery artisans such as Margaret Tafoya, Lucy Lewis, Maria Martinez, Santana and Adam, Maria and Julian Martinez and Fannie Nampeyo, to name a few. The collection includes a selection of fine Indian jewelry by Hopi artist Charles Loloma and others such as Gail Bird and Yazzie Johnson, Victor Beck and Richard Chavez. Highlights from the Vogele collection include a 1986 polished redware olla by Margaret Tafoya, “Corn Blossom,” estimated at $5,000 – 7,000, a Blackfeet beaded youth vest, circa 1900, estimated at $1,500 – 2,500, and a gold, lapis lazuli, coral and turquoise cuff bracelet by Charles Loloma with a presale estimate of $15,000 – 25,000. The sale will include property in all categories from various private collections across the U.S. including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Montana, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. Among the highlights from various consignors is Fremont Ellis’ Horses in Santa Fe Canyon, 1935, oil on canvas, $25,000 – 35,000, an Allan Houser steatite sculpture, I Will Wait For You, $8,000 – 12,000, Thomas Hill’s Indians in Yosemite, 1899, oil on canvas, $20,000 – 30,000 and other works by Conrad Schwiering, Joe Abbrescia, G. Harvey and William Sanderson. Also of particular note are a Navajo Germantown Eye Dazzler blanket, late 19th Century, estimated at $12,000 – 16,000, a matching pair of Sioux beaded hide possible bags, circa 1900, estimated at $3,000 – 5,000 and a 14 karat yellow gold, turquoise, lapis and coral cuff bracelet by Charles Loloma with a presale estimate of $20,000 – 25,000. Another highlight worthy of mention is a rare multi-colored stained glass window designed and executed by famed artist Charles Loloma, (Hopi, 1921-1991). Possibly one-of-a-kind, this window was commissioned for the offices of a Phoenix collector in 1980, and each piece of vibrantly colored glass was hand selected by Loloma. The window was uninstalled when the office building was sold in 1987 and has not been publicly displayed since.
The September fine art auctions at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers began with an American and European Art auction September 27, followed by Post War and Contemporary Art and Fine Prints auctions on September 28. The Chicago saleroom had active bidders for all three sales, but most of the competitive bidding on top lots happened with phone bidders who drove up prices for numerous items above high estimates. This included Jean Dubuffet’s acrylic on paper Site avec 3 personnages (from Psycho-sites series), 1981, which sold for $203,000 against a $100,000 – 150,000 presale estimate. Also significantly acceding high estimates was Theodoros Stamos’ Untitled (from the High Snow, Low Sun Series), c. 1962-63, which sold for $155,000, and Louise Nevelson’s painted wood Moon Zag III, 1984, which sold for $125,000, both against $60,000 – 80,000 presale estimates. Fernando Botero’s Woman Dancer, 1988, sold for $209,000. Top prices realized at the evening Fine Prints auction included examples by Andy Warhol, Joan Miro, Bridget Riley, Henri Mattise and Pablo Picasso. Prior to the September 28 auctions was an American and European Art auction conducted September 27. Winslow Homer’s 1867 Coming Through the Rye sold for $341,000. Doubling the high estimate was a Fernando Cueto Amorsolo titled Return of the Fisherman, 1958, which sold for $81,250. John Marshall Gamble’s 1921 Spring Morning also performed well, realizing $75,000. The fine art departments at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers are currently accepting consignments for December sales.
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ September Asian Works of Art sale drew strong bidding for Chinese paintings, jade and bronze articles in particular. Many of the sale’s top lots were sold to buyers in mainland China who were participating via phone, closing many lots well above high estimates. A scroll ink and color painting with the signature of Xia Gui sold for $118,750 (estimated at $2,000 – 4,000) and another attributed to Fu Baoshi sold for $50,000 (estimated at $3,000 – 5,000). Both sold to phone bidders in China who were bidding against many other international phone bidders. Four embroidered silk wall panels exceeded expectations, selling for $45,000 against a $5,000 – 7,000 estimate. Numerous jade items performed well against estimates such as a pair of fine white jade bowls, with an estimate of $15,000 – 25,000, that sold for $60,000 and a carved jade tripod censer and cover, which sold for $21,250 against a $20,000 – $25,000 presale estimate. Bronze articles were among many of the sale’s top lots sold. These included a hardstone inset gilt bronze circular dragon box and cover, which sold for $37,500, a Sino-Tibetan parcel-gilt bronze figure of four-armed Avalokiteshvara, which sold for $32,500, and a parcel gilt-bronze incense burner, which sold for $25,000. Also of interest was a large bronze model of a dragon, which sold for $15,000 against a $700 – 900 presale estimate. Many of the top lots were offered from passionate Chinese art collectors and estates and had strong provenance while being recently fresh to the market. The provenance and high quality of the Chinese and Japanese items drew high prices, showing continued strength in the category.