With the painting component of the sale presenting with a lower estimate of $1.6 million and a high estimate of just shy of $2.2 million and the two highest lots being in the $80-120,000 bracket, it would appear that Mossgreen has some way to go before being able to represent their auctions as significant events in the auction calendar. Subtle adjustments have been made, now describing the auction as “Fine Australian and International Art”, rather than the “Important Australian Art” that entries were initially invited for.
However, the 31 May auction does have a few interesting lots to offer. The cover lot, Sali Herman’s Argyle Place (lot 22) should provoke interest with a very good provenance. If it sufficiently excites buyers with a $80-120,000 estimate it may surpass the artist’s previous auction record of $96,000 IBP. It will also be most interesting to see how buyers treat Stanilaus Rapotec’s Untitled (lot 73) work with a fulsome estimate of $28-36,000. A Whiteley Untitled Nude (lot 30), ink on paper with a $35-45,000 estimate should spark interest, as should the two Fred Williams – (Lot 11) and (Lot 12) with modest $10-15,000 estimates.
The 160 lots from Bleakley’s Collection [listed on our associated site www.AntiquesReporter.com.au] will no doubt stir considerable interest, with a highlight being a rare Solomon Islands Bonito Fish Effigy (lot 173) with an estimate of $20-30,000. Bleakley’s Collection offers a fascinating array of items ranging from Aboriginal works to leopard skin rugs! Having received considerable media coverage and being a coup for Mossgreen in securing the Collection of the former head of Sotheby’s, it would come as no surprise if many of the items for sale in the section of the auction were to eclipse the estimates.
