La Belle Epoque returns in fine form with first auction following renovations

2023-03-29

Mid-century Modern Charles Eames-style reclining lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller, $832

NEW YORK – The grand reopening of La Belle Epoque Auction House kicked off with a MultiEstates Auction on March 18, marking the house’s first auction since shutting down for 10 months of renovations due to severe water damage in their 7,000 square-foot space. Leading the way in the March 18 sale was a drawing of a woman attributed to Joan Miro (Spanish-Catalan, 1893-1983) and signed and dated Miro 1917 at the lower right. This piece was estimated at $700-$1,000, but sold to a bidder in the room for $2,048.

Other notables in the Fine Art arena were a two-sheet 18thcentury Piranesi-style engraving of the Vatican in a partial gilt mahogany frame with a double mat, which sold for $960, and a circa-1973 Salvador Dali limited edition print lithograph, Les songs drolatiques de Pantagruel (Pantragruel’s Funny Dreams), signed at the lower right and numbered 206/250, which went for $768.

Drawing of a woman attributed to Joan Miro, $2,048

Highly anticipated items among the Contemporary art choices included a bronze-clad sculpture of a nude woman’s torso, dating to the mid-to-late 20th century and signed at the bottom right of the base. It earned $1,408.

18th-century Piranesi-style engraving of the Vatican, $960

There was a lot of interest in a late 17th-century Italian walnut Prie Dieu, which retained both marquetry and parquetry inlay throughout. It also had an inside panel with inlay of a crucifixion scene and was raised on blocked feet. It brought $832. Another bargain won by an in-person bidder was a circa-1960s reclining Charles Eames-style lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller that attained $832.

Bronze-clad sculpture of a nude torso of a woman, $1,408

Decorative items and silver also had a decent showing, with a set of 12 American 20th-century sterling silver goblets going for $1,024, and an assorted group of carved jade finials of early 20th-century Asian origin selling for $1,408. Also, a group of 13 pieces of circa1900 Schafer & Vater Alice in Wonderland German bisque porcelain, including but not limited to teapots, mugs, miniature teacups, saucers, and serving dishes depicting Alice in Wonderland characters, sold for $448.

Late 17th-century Italian walnut Prie Dieu, $832