East or West, Bronzes Are Best at Clarke Auction

    LARCHMONT, NY, September 09, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Clarke Auction will offer several monumentally important works of art and sculpture including bronze works by Harry Bertoia and Ju Ming on September 13th.

Both featured lots are bronze sculptures by renowned and important artists of their time. The 11 foot high mid-century bronze on steel screen sculpture by Harry Bertoia is by far the largest, and most important work in the modern art and design selection. The Bertoia sculpture was created as one of set of matching double-sided screen panels under the commission of Florence Knoll for the First National Bank of Miami, Florida in 1956. The sculptures are well documented in a number of scholarly books and articles, including The Life and Work of Harry Bertoia by Cecilia Bertoia. The sculpture was installed in the bank in a position where it created an artistic sun-dial of sorts. The display created an intricate cast of shadows throughout the day as the sun moved across its face. Clarke will offer the sculpture at a conservative $80,000/$120,000.

An incredible bronze by the contemporary Taiwanese artist, Ju Ming, will be the other highly important bronze sculpture in the sale. The work is smaller in scale than the Bertoia, but commands a powerful presence in its own right. The abstract bronze sculpture depicts a figure practicing Tai Chi. According to the artist in early interviews, the depiction of such a practice has never before been sculpted until this series. The piece offered by Clarke is of a low edition of 2/4 from the series, and is signed and dated 1984. Ju Ming's fame began as a master woodworker in Taiwan, where he ultimately transitioned to sculpture of other mediums, the most desirable works coming from his work with bronze. The Ju Ming sculpture will also be auctioned at an $80,000/$120,000 estimate, but is anticipated to exceed that range.

Outside of the impressive sculpture, a number of exceptional original works of art will be available on September 13th. There will be two Old Master's oil on canvas paintings with $4,000/$6,000 estimates. The first is a large work after Davidsz de Heem, and the other depicts a classical figural scene of Mercury and Argus. An incredible 1968 Isaac Holtz entitled "Sukkoth" hosts a $10,000/$15,000 estimate. The Holtz will be followed by a stunning and sizable 1987 Susan Rothenberg entitled "Orange Flash Juggler" offered at $60,000/$80,000, as well as a $12,000/$18,000 ilfochrome print entitled "The Green Room" by Loretta Lux.

The art selection will be closed out by a fine quality group of estate-fresh African American art which will include artists like Russ Thompson who created the mixed media piece estimated at $3,000/$5,000 in the September 13th sale.

20th century design selection will also feature some of the best design pieces of the year including Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Tommi Parzinger, Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjaerholm, Florence Knoll, Peter Lovig, Gio Ponti, Borge Mogensen, Bertha Schaefer, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, and many more rare and important elements.

Jewelry will also be a category to watch and will include pieces of citrine, 24kt gold, jade, Buccellati, Albion, diamonds, white gold, platinum, rings, necklaces, unique designer works and sterling silver.

Asian works of art and objects, antiques, and collectibles will also be offered in the over 400 lots available for September 13th.

In-house previews will be held on Friday & Saturday, September 11th & 12th from 12pm to 6pm EST. The previews will continue on the day of the sale, Sunday, September 13th from 10am to the start of the sale at 12pm. For more information on individual lots, and to register to bid, please call the gallery at 914-833-8336 or email [email protected].

Clarke Auction is Westchester, New York's premier auctions. They hold auctions on a monthly schedule and feature the best of estate-fresh pieces in categories of Fine Art, Jewelry and Sterling Silver, 20th Century Design, Decorative Arts, Asian Objects, and others. For information regarding consignments or sale items, call the gallery directly at 914-833-8336 or email [email protected].

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