The leaves may be showing off their rich autumn hues in New England and other parts of the country, but in sunny South Florida, fall means palm trees and the much-anticipated season opener at Palm Beach Modern Auctions. The company’s fully curated Sept. 24 Modern Art, Design & Decorative Arts sale is brimming with exceptional paintings and furniture by the most desired 20th-century and contemporary artists, with special additions that include a connoisseur’s collection of fountain pens and a luxurious 1988 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit Mulsanne.
The 461-lot auction opens with an extensive offering of modern furniture, highlighted by a collection of coveted Jacques Adnet (French, 1901-1984) creations. Adnet designed ultra-chic leather-covered furniture for Hermes and developed a signature style that endured through the 1950s. Adnet highlights include a pair of saddle-stitched leather, brass and hide lounge chairs and a double-door cabinet of ash, enameled steel and leather. Also noteworthy in the furniture section are a rare Philip and Kelvin Laverne dining table and a Fernand Dresse coffee table with turquoise wave motif.
The demand for pedigreed, fresh-to-the-market modern and contemporary art will be well satisfied on Sept. 24, starting with two large original paintings by Jules Olitski. They include a 1982 acrylic on canvas titled LOST TRIBE and a 55 by 110-inch painting from 1978 titled VENUSIAN EXTASE-4.
A vibrant and surreal 1989 Larry Rivers (American, 1...