LOS ANGELES, CA.- To wrap up their 2022 schedule, Moran’s held their Winter Traditional Collector auction last Tuesday, December 6th. Having over 350 lots, this sale included a collection of porcelain cockatoo figures, decorative bronze sculptures, Louis XVI and Louis XV-style furniture, an impressive selection of quality silver tableware, and fine art from artists such as John Frederick Herring, Sr., and Emil Prinz. Among the highlights there were noteworthy items in a range of categories including fine art, decorative art, and dinnerware. But the top lot was in furniture—a gilded Gaveau grand piano.

Lot 1068 was a Gaveau Et Cie Louis Birarello French grand piano. Estimated $30,000-50,000, this stunning instrument was designed with a Louis XV-style case with fruitwood marquetry and gilt-bronze mounts, and came with a matching contemporary bench. Interest online and on the phones carried the bid to $40,625 (including buyer’s premium).

This sale featured a wide array of silver flatware, centerpieces, candle sticks, vases, tazzas, tea sets, and dinner services—everything one would dream of for a perfect holiday table setting. The most coveted set was lot 1141, a Royal Copenhagen “Flora Danica” porcelain dinner service. Designed in the Late 18th century, 2022 being the 232nd anniversary. The set sold was produced in the 1960’s, each dish was made with a gilt rim and decorated with various botanical motifs. The set was comprised of 63 pieces: 16 pierced dinner plates, 16 handled soup bowls, 16 soup bowl underplates, 12 butter/salt plates, and 3 relish dishes. With an estimate of $22,000-28,000, this lot brought in a solid $22,500 (including buyer’s premium).

Representing late 19th/early 20th century Japanese art were lots 1111 and 1153. Lot 1111 was a baluster vase with irises by Miyagawa Kozan. This vase, with a $1,000-2,000 estimate, was designed with a motif of irises and green leaves. There was major interest in this piece, ending with an exciting bid of $8,750 (including buyer’s premium). Then, there was lot 1153, a Namikawa Sosuke cloisonne tray estimated $600-800. Sosuke (1847-1910) was a Japanese cloisonne artist, known for innovations that developed cloisonne enamel into an artistic medium. He was one of the most famous cloisonne artists of the 1890 to 1910 period, known as the “golden age” of Japanese enamels. With pink and white peonies and blue butterfly motif, this exquisite tray achieved a staggering price realized of $7,500 (including buyer’s premium).

In the category of fine art, a Charles-Francois Daubigny work stood out. Lot 1162, titled, French River Scene with Bridge and Distant Town started with an estimate of $3,000-5,000, and sold for $5,625 (including buyer’s premium). Another strong example in the fine art offerings was lot 1020, a glass sculpture with an estimate of $4,000-6,000. Achieving $7,500 (including buyer’s premium), the Lalique glass aquarium sculpture was created with approximately one hundred multi-colored glass fish in frosted and clear glass and displayed in an acrylic case.

—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers