Hidden Gems

Bonhams finds success with its May 20 American Art sale as fresh and rare artwork sell for strong prices

On May 20, Bonhams hosted its 66-lot American Art sale. The auction had robust bidding throughout the day, leading to four new auction records and a total of more than $2.28 million. The top lot of the sale was a late Fairfield Porter titled Yawl in the Channel from the estate of Yvonne de Chavigny Segerstrom, a famed artist, philanthropist and retail pioneer. The work sold within its estimate at $725,513.Fairfield Porter (1907-1975), Yawl in the Channel, 1974-75. Oil on canvas, 22 x 37 in., signed and dated lower center: ‘Fairfield Porter 74-5’; inscribed with title and dated and signed again on the turnover edge. Estimate: $700/1,000,000 SOLD: $725,313

“Yawl in the Channel is a historic painting and an outstanding example of Fairfield Porter’s oeuvre,” says Aaron Anderson, an American art specialist at Bonhams. “This was the first time that this masterwork had been offered at auction, and I am delighted that it achieved such a great result at Bonhams.”John Singer Sargent (1856-1925), Gardiner Greene Hammond, Jr., 1895. Oil on canvas laid down on panel, 26½ x 20¾ in., signed and dated upper right: ‘John S. Sargent 1895’. Estimate: $80/120,000 SOLD: $175,313

A rare and important Biblical scene by Henry Ossawa Tanner titled Return from the Cross, was the second highest achieving lot of the day when it sold above estimate at $237,813. The No. 3 earner was the portrait Gardiner Green Hammond, Jr., by John Signer Sargent, which sold above its estimate of $80,000 to $120,000 at $175,313. The work arrived at auction for the first time as well, but it had extensive exhibition and publication history. It was passed down by descent from the subject himself before hitting the block.

According to Anderson, “We also saw competitive bidding across all genres that drove prices well above estimate and established world auction records for artists including Louis Comfort Tiffany, John Wilde and Edwin Walter Dickinson.”Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859-1937), Return from the Cross, ca. 1934-35. Oil and tempera on board, 397/8 x 297/8 in., signed lower right: ‘H.O. Tanner’. Estimate: $100/150,000 SOLD: $237,813

Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Market at the Mosque of Abu el Haggag, Luxor, Egypt (est. $15/25,000) came in at $106,563 to establish a new record for a work on paper by the artist. There were a number of other surprises in the top 10 lots with two from John Wilde making the cut. Sleight of Hand (est. $3/5,000) became the new artist world auction record at $62,813, while his painting Memorabilia (est. $3/5,000) came in at $47,813. Edwin Walter Dickinson, whose paintings rarely hit the market, was represented by two works in the sale that found new buyers. His painting Herring Cove Beach (est. $15/25,000) set a world auction record at $75,313, and his work Provincetown Harbor (II) sold for $60,313, easily outdoing its estimate of $12,000 to $18,000. The fourth new record of the day was John Ralph Briggs’ Kitchen, Figure Cupboard. —

Top 10 Sales
Bonhams, American Art, May 20, 2021 (including buyer’s premium)
Artist Title Low/High Est. SOLD
Fairfield Porter Yawl in the Channel $700/1,000,000 $725,313
Henry Ossawa Tanner Return from the Cross $100/150,000 $237,813
John Singer Sargent Gardiner Green Hammond, Jr. $80/120,000 $175,313
Milton Avery Sunflowers $100/150,000 $125,313
Louis Comfort Tiffany Market at the Mosque of Abu el Haggag, Luxor, Egypt $15/25,000 $106,563
Edwin Walter Dickinson Herring Cove Beach $15/25,000 $75,313
John Wilde Sleight of Hand $3/5,000 $62,813
Edwin Walter Dickinson Provincetown Harbor (II) $12/18,000 $60,313
Edward Henry Potthast The Bathing Hour $50/70,000 $50,313
John Wilde Memorabilia $3/5,000 $47,813