After Thanksgiving feasts and Black Friday madness, art collectors and aficionados can collect some of the best modern and contemporary art and design at Palm Beach Modern Auctions. On 24 November almost 550 lots are up for sale, including esteemed works by such masters such as Picasso, Chagall, Miró, Koons, Hirst, Haring, Calder and Bertoia, alongside innovative furniture and home décor.
Here are some of the highlights of the sale.
The top lot in the auction is this painted and glazed ceramic by the Spanish surrealist master, Joan Miró. Known for his sculptures, paintings and ceramics that incorporate elements of abstraction and whimsy, Miro combined painting and bas-relief ceramic in Personnage au Nez Rouge (Red-Nosed Person). In addition to this work, multiple other Miró lithographs and etchings are also available in the sale.
Contemporary artist Jeff Koons' most recognisable works are his porcelain balloon sculptures. In fact, the second most expensive piece of art by a living artist (and the most expensive sculpture) is Koons' Balloon Dog (Orange), which sold for US$58.4 million (£55.5 mil) at auction in 2013.
This mini menagerie by Jeff Koons from his Celebration series is a whimsical trio of Balloon Swan (Yellow), Balloon Rabbit (Red) and Balloon Monkey (Blue).
Harry Bertoia distinguished himself in a variety of artistic fields, but he showed early proficiency with steel, having taught jewellery design and metal work early on. This 1.8 m stainless steel sculpture was inspired by the willow tree on Bertoia’s Pennsylvania property. The artist undoubtedly achieves a lightness and delicacy in the material that was characteristic of his work.
Although Pablo Picasso is best known for his paintings, he was also a very talented ceramicist. He was introduced to art in the south of France, and he later moved to the Provence town of Madoura where he worked at the Madoura ceramics factory and later became their in-house artist.
Twenty of these unique pieces created in the two decades following World War II are be up for auction, including this beautifully-framed glazed ceramic plate, a colour variant of Picasso’s Tête de Taureau (Bull’s Head).
This incredible sunset orange and red seven-piece set is part of Dale Chihuly's Persian series and was executed in 1988. The undulating form incorporates Chihuly's use of rich colours, distinct curvature and detailed pattern and is signed by the famed artist himself.
This exceptional ‘Grinning Beast’ table by Judy Kensley McKie is made of bleached maple with a smooth tabletop and intricately carved legs, including a ‘grinning beast’ alligator face.
This exclusive recamier chaise is by Edward Wormley for Dunbar. The elegant, tufted mid-century modern design and cream palette makes this a sophisticated addition to any residence.
Click here to view the entire Palm Beach Modern Auctions catalogue
