Shannon’s Kicks Off The Spring Auction Season With Strong Results And World Records!
MILFORD, CONNECTICUT - Shannon’s launched the Spring season with strong results during their April 29th Fine Art Auction. Nearly 90% of the 201 lots offered were sold, realizing $2.4 million dollars in total sales. Works by women artists, 19th century American art and Modernism led the sale. The sale was upbeat with busy chatter from a bank of 20 phone bidders and robust online participation. Prices reported below include the buyer’s premium.
The top lot in the auction was a masterpiece by Charles Morgan McIlhenney, Summer Afternoon by the Shore. The painting quadrupled the high estimate selling for an even $100,000. When it was first offered in 1992, the painting set a world record price for the artist at $33,000. Buyers remembered this work and aggressive bidding on the phones led to a new world record price for McIlhenney.
CHARLES MORGAN MCILHENNEY | American (1858-1904) | Summer Afternoon by the Shore | SOLD: $100,000
From the same Connecticut collection, four oil paintings by Fidelia Bridges did exceptionally well. Red Breasted Grosbeak in a Thicket sold for $80,000 and Gold Finches and Thistle sold for $55,000, both results setting new world record high prices. Two smaller works Morning Glories sold for $37,500 including premium, meeting the previous record high, and Myrtle and Lilies sold for $30,000 with the premium.
FIDELIA BRIDGES | American (1834-1923) | Rose Breasted Grosbeak in a Thicket | SOLD: $80,000
The cover lot, a Floral Still Life with Shells, by Paul Lacroix sold for $71,500 establishing a new world record for the artist. Another Paul Lacroix in the auction Still Life with Chrysanthemums sold for $16,510.
PAUL LACROIX | American (1827-1869) | Floral Still Life with Shells | SOLD: $71,500
As further evidence of a thriving still-life market nearly every still-life in the sale exceeded the high estimate. Reported prices include a large Severin Roesen for $60,000, a Charles Ethan Porter of colorful flowers sold for $25,000, a Marcel Dyf floral still-life for $18,750, a large Peto with a copper kettle for $22,500 and a small Peto with a pipe, book and candlestick for $32,500. Even contemporary still-lifes soared with three works by Robert Kulicke tripling their high estimates — Single Pear sold for $11,430, Flowers in a Glass sold for $10,160 and Fruit on a Table Top sold for $9,375.
It was a strong night for quality 19th century American paintings. A.T. Bricher “Low Tide, Grand Manan Island,” sold for $60,000, J.F. Weir, Niagara Falls sold for $35,000 and Edward Moran’s The Journey’s End sold for $23,750.
EDWARD MORAN | American (1829-1901) | The Journey's End | SOLD: $23,750
Modernist works in the sale were led by Lyonel Feininger’s Three Sails which sold for $47,500 against aggressive absentee bids. A Modernist abstract painting by Milton Resnick sold for $45,720 and $30,000 after lively participation from the phones.
LYONEL FEININGER | American/German (1871-1956) | "Three Sails" | SOLD: $47,500
American sculpture was well-represented in the sale led by two superb offerings. A presumed unique casting of Young Girl Skipping Rope by Abastenia St. Leger Eberle sold to a museum collection for $32,500 and Janet Scudder’s Young Diana sold for $27,500.
ABASTENIA ST. LEGER EBERLE | American (1878-1942) | "Girl Skipping Rope" | SOLD: $32,500
Managing partner, Sandra Germain, commented “During our 10 days of in person previews, we welcomed many of our loyal clients as well as many new buyers. Even in the absence of a live audience, the pulse in the room was vibrant. It was a tremendous start to the year for us and the results are encouraging for the overall art market.”
Consignments are accepted year-round. The next auction will be held online June 24th followed by the fall auction in October. To consign a single artwork or an entire collection, contact the gallery at [email protected].