Important Collections of Russian Non Conformist Art and AGITLAK Lead the Sale at Shapiro Auctions

NEW YORK - June 20, 2014 - PRLog -- For the third time in a row, Shapiro Auctions (http://www.shapiroauctions.com/) opened their sale with a set of lithographs by Gustav Klimt. The selling price of this lot achieved twice the high estimate, bringing $13,125. Right after, the 12 heliotype plates featuring drawings by Egon Schiele followed, with the title page hand-signed, dated, and numbered by the artist (http://www.shapiroauctions.com/gustav-klimt-austrian-1862-1952.html).

An exceptional selection of Russian icons was offered to the buyers during the June 7^th Sale, including: lot 4, a Moscow School icon with a rare depiction of Christ Healing the Paralytic at the Pool of Bethesda ($11,875); an icon of Vladimirskaya Mother of God, signed by the established 19^th century icon painter Sidor Silin, and formerly from the collection of A. Zinovievskiy (possibly the same Archpriest who presided over the trial for Alexander Pushkin’s murder in a duel); lot 10, a meticulously painted icon of the Resurrection Scenes of Passion and Feasts ($8,750); lot 20, a Mstera icon of Nicholas the Wonderworker with Scenes from His Life ($35,000); lot 21, a Kremlin Imperial workshop icon of Saint Pantaleimon with Scenes from His Life by ($37,500); lot 31, a Palekh icon of the Saviour Not Made by Hands in a silver and enamel oklad ($37,500).

Noteworthy results in the section of Russian 19^th century & Modern works of art were brought through bidders’ high demand on paintings by Lapchine (lot 52: $25,000), Altmann (lot 68: $12,500), Gluckmann (lot 69: $25,000), and of course, the beautiful still life with orange flowers and lighthouse by David Burliuk (lot 73: $81,250).

A major part of the lots in the  sale consisted of two impressive collections of Russian Nonconformist works on paper including drawings by Sitnikov, Lev & Valentina Kropivnitskiy, Nemukhin, Plavinsky, and Sveshnikov among others. Two abstract works by Nikolai Vechtomov (lots 133 & 134), as well as The Shirt and The Vest by Henry Khudyakov (lots 203 & 204) proved highly popular with bidders, as works by these artists are rarely offered for sale. As usual, the artworks of Anatoly Zverev, the founder of Russian Expressionism, brought intense auction activity. A true bidding war erupted over two works on paper  by Zverev inspired by scenes from The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha – lot 143 (from the collection A. Glezer) and lot 162 (from the collection of V. Savinkov), selling for for $15,000 each.

Shapiro Auctions offered several works in various media by Mikhail Chemiakin, including a large oil painting from the Carnival in Saint Petersburg series (lot 186: $21,250).

The  June 7^th sale featured an intimate selection of decorative art, including a porcelain figure of the World War I hero Kuzma Kryuchkov, which brought a selling price of almost $6,000 (lot 263). Following up on the success of our March 29^th Sale, the  auction showcased a pair of magnificent Palekh Agitlak items – a lacquerware box (lot 265: $35,000) and a presentation vase (lot 266: $80,000), which reached record-breaking prices (http://www.shapiroauctions.com/agitlak-wood-palekh-vase-w...).

The auction house’s team of specialists is accepting exceptional consignments throughout the summer in preparation for the Fall 2014 sales, including a Modern and Contemporary Art sale, as well as an auction of Russian Fine and Decorative Art.  With extensive advertisement in Europe, Russia, and the US, an established circle of buyers, and a low seller’s commission, Shapiro Auctions is  the perfect place to bring your artwork for consignment. Submit images of potential consignments to info@shapiroauctions.com or call 212 717 7500 to speak with a specialist.