John Moran Auctioneers: California Living

Sam Francis, Bruno Romeda, and Walter Lamb furniture highlight Moran’s California Living sale!  

Tuesday, October 10th, 2023 | 10:00am PDT

Los Angeles, CA— On Tuesday, October 10th, 2023, John Moran Auctioneers will present their Fall California Living sale, taking place at 10:00am PDT. This auction encompasses the California aesthetic through a multitude of important art, furniture, and decorative items. Among the fine art selection, there will be stunning works by Sam Francis, Bruno Romeda, John Milne, Silvia Davis, James Corbett, Tarmo Pasto, Enrique “Sebastian” Carbajal, Jack Zajac, Harold Christopher Davis, Maurice Prost, Damien Hirst, William Baziotes, and Peter Max. Decorative art includes designers such as Philip Moulthrop and Paolo Soleri, along with a lovely 16-lot variety of modern Japanese baskets featuring pieces by Kajiwara Aya, Kawano Shoko, and Morigami Jin. The furniture selection definitely captures California living with pieces by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J. Robert Scott, Karl Springer, Folk Ohlsson for Dux, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe for Knoll Studio, Eero Saarinen, Antonio Budji, Charles and Ray Eames, and Fendi. For those that love to lounge outside, there’s a fabulous collection of Walter Lamb and Kipp Stewart garden furniture.  

Sam Francis (1923-1994), Untitled, 1990. Acrylic on paper, 11” H x 22.25” W est. $12,000-16,000.

Leading the sale are two works from the American painter, Sam Francis (1923-1994). Francis was influenced by abstract expressionists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and Arshile Gorky, and later became loosely associated with the second generation of abstract expressionists. Francis, however, never fit into any school of art. Instead, he charted his own trajectory as one of the first global artists working around the world. This sale will feature his works, Untitled, 1990, estimated $12,000-16,000, and another with the same name, estimated $6,000-8,000. Along with Francis, Bruno Romeda (1933-2017) holds a top slot with his bronze circle sculpture, “Untitled #13,” 1986, estimated $8,000-10,000.

John Milne (1931-1978), “Group,” 1977. Walnut on black marble base, With base: 16.5" H x 24.125" W x 14.125" D est. $4,000-6,000. 

Silvia Davis (20th Century), “Inflatable,” 2004. Wood, 43” H x 24” W x 7” D est. $3,000-5,000.

 James Corbett (b. 1962), “Little Rooster”. Found metal and glass objects, 14” H x 13.5” W x 7” D est. $2,000-3,000. 

This auction will present 114 lots from a single consignor— the Estate of Dr. Sanford Kaufman, and Dr. P. Waverly Davidson. Their impressive collection will feature a nice selection of artists and designers such as Gerald McCabe, Kipp Stewart, Jack Zajac, and Charles and Ray Eames. There will also be two lots from the English abstract sculptor, John Milne (1931-1978). Estimated $4,000-6,000 is his walnut sculpture, “Group,” 1977, and a bronze work, “Verticals,” 1977, with an estimate of $3,000-5,000. Another exquisite wood sculpture will be offered, “Inflatable,” 2004, from the contemporary sculptor, Silvia Davis, estimated $3,000-5,000. Also, part of their collection is a fun metal and glass work titled, “Little Rooster” by James Corbett (b. 1962), valued at $2,000-3,000.

 Robert William Wood (1889-1979), “Mt. San Jacinto”. Oil on canvas, 24” H x 36” W est. $3,000-5,000. 

Victor Gilbert (1847-1933), “Rhonde Enfantine”. Oil on canvas laid to fine canvas, 26” H x 19.75” W est. $2,000-3,000.

Other fine art highlights include works by Rober William Wood and Victor Gilbert. Robert William Wood (1889-1979) was an American landscape painter who emigrated to the U.S. from England and rose to prominence in the 1950s by selling millions of his color reproductions. His painting, “Mt. San Jacinto,” will be presented with a $3,000-5,000 estimate. The French painter, Victor Gilbert (1847-1933) is mostly known for his Parisian scenes. Estimated $2,000-3,000, his work titled, “Rhonde Enfantine” (“enfantine” in French means “childish”) portrays a girl dressed as a bride with her friends circling around.

 Walter Lamb (active 20th century), A bronze patio “Waikiki” loung for Brown Jordan, mid-20th century, designed 1947. Est. $1,500-2,000.

Kajiwara Aya (b. 1941), A Japanese ikebana basket, 2004. 8.25” H x 12” Dia. Est. $2,000-3,000.

For the category of decorative art, collectors are sure to take notice of the Karl Springer snakeskin game table, estimated $2,000-3,000, and the seven pieces of Walter Lamb furniture with estimates ranging from $3,500 to $1,500. There will also be an incredible collection of modern Japanese baskets—with some even including the original boxes! One is a Japanese ikebana basket from 2004 by Kajiwara Aya (b. 1941). It’s designed with a large openwork globular woven madake bamboo and rattan spiral pattern footed basket and woven in maru-ami and kushime-rasenami technique, together with fitted tomobako (storage box), estimated $2,000-3,000.

A special last-minute addition to the sale is an original 1960’s brown leather cube sofa by George Nelson for Herman Miller, estimated $2,000-3,000. This 3-seat classic comes from the home of Heidi Zuckerman, the director of the Orange County Museum of Art. The sofa, along with other midcentury furniture and her extensive personal art collection, was featured in the January 25th, 2023, Architectural Digest article, “Everything About This Laguna Beach Home Is Oriented Toward the Ocean,” by Morgan Goldberg. As to why this piece is special, she responded, “The couch has had prominent pride of place in my home for over 22 years. I’ve always been attracted to midcentury modernism for its combination of simplicity with elegance.” 

—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers     

---------- Upcoming Auctions ----------   

John Moran Auctioneers will continue their 2023 lineup with The Traditional Collector auction, Tuesday, September 26th, followed by the California Living sale, Tuesday, October 10th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!     

• The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, September 26th | 10:00am PDT 

• Studio Decorative Art: Tuesday, October 3rd | 10:00am PDT 

• Studio Fine Art: Wednesday, October 4th | 12:00pm PDT 

  • California Living: Tuesday, October 10th | 10:00 am PDT    

• The Traditional Collector: Tuesday, October 24th | 10:00 am PDT  

• California and American Fine Art: Tuesday, November 14th | 12:00 pm PDT  

• Art of the American West Online: Wednesday, Nov. 15th | 12:00 pm PDT

For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran's website: www.johnmoran.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoran_auctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran's new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.       

Consignments are always welcome:     

Email us at info@johnmoran.com today!