Tapping into the growing popularity of the 3D medium and emphasising the international aspect, this focus suggests that the auction house is endeavoring to carve a special niche for itself within a competitive industry always looking for ways to distinguish itself and get ahead in the game.
Auguste Rodin’s La Femme accroupie, grand modèle avec une Terrasse plus haute, ed 4/4 (Lot 42 ) graces the front cover and underlines the auction house’s ambition. Procured directly by the Chairman, Rod Menzies, from Musée Rodin and cast by Fonderie de Courbetin, La Femme accroupie… is the third posthumous pressing of the bronze since Rodin’s death almost one hundred years ago (the first was in 1932, second in 1970 and the most recent last year).
Mr. Menzies declared that the retail estimate for the sculpture is US$1.6 million whilst lot 42 is available for less at $1.2-1.6 million and advised that this is the first time this 2010 edition has been offered to the open market.
Close to a decade ago a 1970 bronze cast was sold by Sotheby’s for hammer US$700,000 and more recently in April, Christie’s sold a small scale version form the 1930s for US$380,000. In a week’s time we will see whether MAB’s efforts to bring a slice of NY and London action to Australia’s auction rooms is met with the same kind of appetite.
More opportunities for Australian collectors to step into the shoes of their trans-Atlantic counterparts lie with lot 38, Homme assis à la clarinette II 1971 by cubist sculptor, Jacques Lipchitz.
Originally conceived in 1919-20 when Lipchitz fled Paris for the relative sanctuary of the French countryside, wartime circumstances led to a shortage of materials. This meant it was another fifty years before Homme… , a unique and uneditioned work was executed, a mere 2 years before the artist passed.
Bought from Christies’ in 2008 for much less than its $550-700,000 estimate (and then changing hands again, price undisclosed) MAB will be hoping that the marble sculpture will closely emulate the success achieved by Arlequine à la Clarinette 1971 which sold for a hammer price of $700,000 just three months ago.
The “point-of-difference” strategy continues with a one-time pupil of Rodin and a Commander of the Legion d’Honneur, Emile-Antoine Bourdelle who is represented by his bronze bust, Beethoven à une main – étude pour le Beethoven dit aux deux mains c1908, cast in 1969, (lot 18, est $25-35,000).
This is the second auction in a row to feature a biomorphic styled sculpture by Jean Arp. On this occasion a more modest work is on offer at $16-20,000; Homme vu par une Fleur 1958 (Lot 21 ) was created in a large edition of 400 and was given as a gift to supporters of the Art Pavilion at the 1958 Exposition Universelle et Internationale in Brussels.
Another biomorphic sculpture is tendered five lots in the form of Alexander Archipenko’s Lying Horizontal Figure 1957, ed.3/6. The polychromed bronze has traversed the world over the last 50 years, held in collections from the US, to South Africa to Australia. Six years ago it was sold by D+M for $57,500 IBP and now carries a slightly higher tag of $65-85,000.
Shifting within the international plane from the 3-D to the 2-D and into the contemporary realm is a painting by Sean Scully, Wait 1986, (Lot 39 ), est.$700-900,000, a most collectable artist. Offered for the first time since its original purchase, the painting is also set to be included in the forthcoming catalogue raisonne published by Modern Art Museum Fort Worth, US.
Country Child c1948 by Russell Drysdale (Lot 40 ) shares the stage with Rodin in bearing the highest sale estimate of $1.2-1.6 million (Lot 40 ). Last traded in 2008 for $1.4 million hammer, its reduced estimate could be seen as a nod to the more restrained market.
Also bearing a slightly reduced low estimate of $400,000 in comparison with its 2009 hammer price of $420,000 is The Young Ringer 1957 (Lot 36 ), another classic rendition by Drysdale.
The Young Ringer is joined by a crowded field of fellow moderns belonging to the half million dollar club. Amongst those jostling for position and a new home is The President Factory 2003 by Jeffrey Smart (Lot 37 ), est. $400-500,000, Werribee Gorge IV 1978 by Fred Williams (Lot 41 ) and Dawn (Lavender Bay Series) 1974 by Brett Whiteley (Lot 46 ). Will Lloyd Rees’ A Song to Creation – Land 1969 (Lot 45 ) perform better than a smaller related Song to Creation painting sold by its rival D+H just a week ago, one bid short of its low estimate?
A similar aim of breaking through the low estimate barrier will rest with Chanting the Ching 1964 by Ian Fairweather (Lot 44 ), the third work offered this year by MAB, but may be the first to hit their price expectations.
The first painting of note by David Larwill since his untimely death in June will vie for collector attention with The Gang 1984 (Lot 27 ). This archetypal Roar school painting, by one of the most pivotal members of the movement is estimated at $40-50,000 and if it was bid within the parameters of the quote it would be at worst a top 5 and at best a top 3 auction result for the artist.
Menzies Art Brands is the last of the four major auction houses to hold their Winter/ Autumn sale. Two of the three rooms experienced strong results through enlivened bidding and solid collector support.
The big question to be answered on Wednesday 14 September is whether MAB will veer towards Bonham’s underwhelming results or whether it will follow the performance of Sotheby’s and D+H and contribute to the belief in a slight, but important, upward market trend.
