Just In: Arnaldo Pomodoro Sculpture

After taking a brief trip to Palm Springs this past weekend, we had to stop by the Palm Springs Art Museum, a beautiful museum with a fantastic collection, and of course we oohed an aahed over the Arnaldo Pomodoro sculpture that greeted us as soon as we walked into the lobby. “Cippo, II” executed 1984-5, the 1st from an edition of two, is painted bronze with patina and measures at 111 inches high x 31 inches long x 13.5 inches wide. This particular sculpture has similar detailing to the Pomodoro sculpture we just acquired on consignment that will be offered in our upcoming Spring 2010 Modern Art & Design Auction.

Arnaldo Pomodoro, Cippo II, 1984-5, Palm Springs Art Museum

The Arnaldo Pomodoro sculpture we have on consignment is titled “Romboide”, which translates from Italian to “rhomboid”, which is a parallelogram with oblique angles and adjacent sides which are unequal. This sculpture was executed in 1977, #22 out of 30, measures 11.8″ high x 10.8″ long x 2.2″ wide, and is  inscribed. The estimate for the sculpture is $15,000 – 20,000.

Arnaldo Pomodoro, Romboide, 1977, #22/30, Bronze, Inscribed, Estimate $15,000-20,000, To be offered in Spring 2010 LAMA Auction

Arnaldo Pomodoro is still alive and currently working and living in Milan. His work can be seen in the Vatican Museum, United Nations Headquarters, and the de Young Museum in San Francisco, to name a few landmark locations. From the mid-1940s until 1957 Pomodoro worked in public building restoration in Italy, while studying stage design and working as a goldsmith. In 1954 he moved to Milan and met Lucio Fontana, among other artists, and his work was first shown in Florence in 1955. In 1960 he moved to New York and met Louise Nevelson and David Smith.  Similarities in style and medium can be drawn from Lucio Fontana’s “Concetto Spaziale“, which was sold in the latest December 2009 Fine Art, Sculpture, & Design Auction.

Citation
Guggenheim Collection- Artist Directory: http://www.guggenheimcollection.org/site/artist_bio_130.html

LA Modern Auctions Preview Day 3: Peter’s Picks

Peter’s picks for today:

Lucio Fontana "Concetto Spaziale" Sculpture, Lot 297

Detail of Fontana Sculpture

Lucio Fontana "Concetto Spaziale" Sculpture, Lot 297, Back signature

Lucio Fontana “Concetto Spaziale”, Lot 297, estimate $15,000 – 20,000

Lucio Fontana is known for pushing the limits of the materials he worked with. As a painter in search of a third dimension, his most iconic works are canvases with piercings, cuts, or slashes, which create a texture one ordinarily wouldn’t expect.  This particular work “Concetto Spaziale” sculpture was made as an editioned work and was issued in 1967 as one of only 500. The oval form is common in many of his paintings, and in this case it is realized in three dimensions. The piece has a cast signature on the back and is stamped underneath (Photo of back).  Just a few weeks ago a pair of these works were sold for $122,500 at Sotheby’s New York.

George Nakashima Conoid Dining Chair, Lot 161

George Nakashima Conoid Dining Chair, Lot 161, estimate $4,000 – 5,000

The Nakashima name is synonymous with high quality craftsmanship, showcasing sensuous curves of rich woods and celebrating knots, indentions, and natural detailing through furniture construction.

The Conoid dining chair has become an icon for 20^th century design. This particular Conoid dining chair is a very early example, signed and dated from 1965, and is in exceptional condition. This dining chair is from a collection that the consignor spent 20 years putting together. Visiting Nakashima’s studio every few years, the consignor picked out items to add to his collection. In the December 6^th Auction over 20 Nakashima pieces from this collection will be offered for purchase. Many of the pieces have copies of drawings and sketches that Nakashima made over the years.

For more information on George Nakashima as well as more lots from this private collection, go to the Featured Artists tab on the LA Modern website.