Capsule Fall Results

Favorites from the Graciela Kartofel Collection

Pedro Friedeberg and Rodolfo Morales are two Latin American artists who have gripped Capsule's bidders. From funky furniture to colorful and intricate prints, Pedro Friedeberg defies conventional categories and embraces a sense of irreverence and humor in his creations. Comedor Cabalistico y Anticanibalistico is an excellent example of his use of surreal and fantastical imagery. This gouache and ink on cardstock sold for $5,875. Rodolfo Morales captivated our bidders with his colorful dreamlike canvases and collages that often incorporated elements of magical realism. Themes of memory and folklore ripple throughout his work. Each of his collages has a personality, and Untitled (Four Hands) is no exception. This collage work sold for $2,125.

A Love of Paint

Red/Green Painting by Jane Couch from the GE collection wowed bidders participating in our September Art and Design sale. There was great interest in observing Couch’s remarkable technique up close during the preview. The large scale oil painting is split into three panels and captures attention with its mesmerizing colors, texture, and pattern. This work sold for $8,125, far past its $1,000-$2,000 estimate.

A Classic from Tiffany Studios

The stand out design item from our Art and Design sale was this Tiffany Studios Ten-Light "Lily" table lamp reached an exciting high of $14,375 after Tiffany collectors and dealers flocked to the item which had six of its original shades and base. Lily lamps like this one are among the most iconic and cherished creations of Tiffany Studios and are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship, intricate stained glass shades, and botanical-inspired designs.

Posters from Seymour Stein

Our October Prints, Posters, and Photography sale featured vintage posters from the Estate of Seymour Stein that drew collectors from around the world. Most popular were original movie posters of classic films like Blood and Sand (1922). The poster features cultural film icon Rodolph Valentino who starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, The Eagle, and Young Rajah whose poster was also included in this sale and realized at $4,000. Vintage Airline posters like the above London, Beyrouth, Hanoï, Hong-Kong, Air France by Gerard Alexandre were right behind in popularity, this one selling for $4,375.

A Popular Print 

Taking center stage in the print section of the Prints, Photography, and Posters sale was this etching and aquatint by Joan Miró. La mégère et la lune captures one of the most distinctive aspects of Miró's style, the sense of playfulness and joy that permeates his art. His works often convey a childlike innocence and a celebration of the creative process, inviting viewers to engage with the imagery on an emotional and imaginative level. This work sold for $6,563.

The Star of the Season

This work by Matisse flew to Paris and back to receive a Certificate of Authenticity from Georges Matisse. Bidders participated on multiple platforms, including several phone bids for this lot in our American and European Art sale. This lovely watercolor and ink piece has the artist's signature bold use of color. The purple of the flowers is lush against the vibrant green and the mark making is a testament to Matisse's mastery of line and ability to convey a rich tapestry of emotions and forms through seemingly simple strokes. After rigorous bidding Flowers in a Vase went to one of the phone bidders for $71,875.

Mystery Madonna

Although no artist was attached to this elegant drawing, inquiries piled in for additional information, photos, and in-person viewings. While the artist remained a mystery we did identify the collector's marks of Colonel Count Raffaello Lamponi Leopardi of Florence and Charles Henri Marcellis on the front and back of the work. With a starting bid of $300 the excited bidders took this Madonna to surprising heights, finally being realized at $12,500.

A Pleasant Surprise

This painting by Clara Klinghoffer surpassed all expectations of its $200-$400 estimate and became the focal point of an exhilarating bidding war. Pratima Tagore, also known as Pratima Diva, is the model in Klinghoffer's acclaimed 1926 painting The Girl In The Green Sari which has been in the collection of the Ben Uri Gallery in London since the 1940s. Portrait of Pratima Tagore is now the highest selling Klinghoffer in the world at $25,000, taking the top spot from Portrait of 'Bananas', the Pedlar which we sold previously well above its estimate of $400-$600 for a total of $10,938. 

 A Monumental Bronze Sketch

In the sculpture section of the American and European Art sale, John Rhoden brought a lot of interest with bidders. This bronze is a sketch of A Happy Family is the Core of a Healthy Community for the Harlem Hospital in New York. The winning bid went to an excited phone bidder for the final price of $5,250.

Thank you to joining us this fall! 

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