Spring Auctions Offer Affordable Art

Does the Francis Bacon triptych to be auctioned for $70 million feel financially a bit out of range? Sotheby's is not the only auction house with action this spring. Over the next six weeks, WorthPoint member auction houses and dealers will hold their spring auctions, three of which include significant collections of contemporary fine art and furnishings.

Ivey-Selkirk’s Modernism Auction on May 17-18 in St. Louis is highlighting an exceptional and rare Gustav Stickley oak desk, circa 1903-04, with lemon wood, sycamore, exotic woods, copper and pewter inlay. Signed with Stickley's red compass mark, it is valued at $100,000-$125,000. A similar desk is in the Los Angeles Museum of Art.

A 1944 still life of blue hydrangeas by the Japanese-French expatriate artist Kiyoshi Hasegawa is estimated at $50,000-$70,000.

A 1957 polychrome bronze figurine by the Ukrainian avant-garde sculptor, painter and graphic artist Alexander Archipenko is being offered for $40,000-$50,000.

The auction also features mid-century furniture, decorative art objects, architectural elements, paintings, prints and drawings.

Among the 209 paintings and sculptures, there are a number of striking works estimated at under $1,000.

Rago Arts of Lambertville, N.J. will hold its post-War and Contemporary Art auction on May 17th. Featured are pencil-on-paper works by Andy Warhol (Howdy Doody, Mother Goose) estimated at $60,000 to $80,000.

In an interesting twist, Rago also is offering some of Richard Pettibone’s noteworthy commemoratives of Warhol's depictions of Marilyn Monroe, the Hula Girl and other famous works. The Pettibones are valued up to $80,000.

For collectors looking for entry-level pieces and rising artists, the auction features a wide selection of mixed media and photography estimated at $3,000 or less.

Freeman's 20th/21st Century Design Sale in Philadelphia on May 17 will offer several works by George Nakashima, a Washington-based furniture designer influenced by Japanese tradition. Lots include four church pews valued at up to $8,000 apiece, a 1982 ottoman with unique chenille fabric valued at $3,000-$5,000, and a 1982 footstool with woven grass cord top and walnut base at $3,000-$5,000.

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