The Wolf Family Collection, renowned for its curation of American art, design and artistry, has set a new record after Sotheby’s opening auction achieved a staggering $39 million.
The impressive sale represents an outstanding 160% of the high estimate, with every lot sold and over 62% of them exceeding their high estimates.
The auction was characterized by several exceptional pieces, including Frank Lloyd Wright‘s Ceiling Light from the Francis W. Little House, Peoria, Illinois, which achieved a new record of $2.9 million, six times higher than its high estimate.
Fitz Henry Lane’s Bar Island and Mount Desert Mountains from Somes Settlement achieved a remarkable $6.1 million, nearly four times its pre-sale high estimate, thereby setting a new record for the artist. Another standout piece was Winslow Homer’s On the Beach at Marshfield, which sold for $4.3 million.
The sale showcased a selection of top masterworks in fine art, sculpture, furniture, Chinese Export porcelain, silver and 20th century design from the Wolfs’ exquisitely curated Fifth Avenue residence.
The sale further saw strong results for American paintings by Marsden Hartley, William Merritt Chase and Winslow Homer, with American Bronze, led by Paul Howard Manship’s life-size Indian Hunter and His Dog, soaring above its high estimate to sell for $1.1 million.
The success of The Spirit of America, the Wolf Family Collection’s inaugural evening sale, has paved the way for a series of cross-category live and online sales curated to reflect the narratives and dialogues across the collection through 25 April.
Jodi Pollack, Sotheby’s Chairman and Co-Worldwide Head of 20th Century Design, praised Joy and Erving Wolf’s unparalleled vision and style, which underpinned the success of the auction. Pollack commented that the Wolf Collection was a momentous occasion for the American art and design markets and beyond.
Conclusion
The Wolf Family Collection’s recent opening auction at Sotheby’s was an outstanding success, setting new benchmarks and auction records. The sale showcased a selection of exceptional pieces, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Ceiling Light, Fitz Henry Lane’s Bar Island and Mount Desert Mountains, and Winslow Homer’s On the Beach at Marshfield.
The Wolf Family Collection will continue with a series of cross-category live and online sales that promises to be equally exciting.
Image: Sotheby’s