A rare, original painting by abstract expressionist master Willem de Kooning, a large glass sculpture by renowned artist Dale Chihuly, and Jacqueline Kennedy’s maternity dress are among several hundred pieces that will be auctioned on Thurs., Oct. 30 at J. Levine Auction & Appraisal, 10345 N. Scottsdale Rd., in Scottsdale, Arizona. The high-end “Fall Quarterly Auction” features a mix of fine art, rare antiques, jewelry and other collectibles from multiple estates. The public can preview items on Wed., Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and again starting at 9 a.m. on Thursday before the auction begins at 11 a.m.
Josh Levine, auctioneer and owner of J. Levine Auction & Appraisal, expects a bidding frenzy for the de Kooning painting, which he estimates is worth between $1 million and $2 million.
“This is an exquisite piece from de Kooning’s ‘Woman’ series. It is pastel and charcoal on paper and the provenance shows it was consigned to Allan Rich Galleries in New York and sold to the current private collector’s estate in 1979. The original receipt of sale is attached along with the gallery label,” Levine said. The abstract piece, which is part of a bicontinental estate, came to the Scottsdale auction house through an heir who resides in Scottsdale. A similar work, medium and subject sold in 2006 at Christie’s of New York for $8.6 million, far exceeding their conservative estimate.
A Scottsdale artist who is friends with Dale Chihuly is the consignor of a rare, one-of-a-kind Chihuly Macchia sculpture set. Levine estimates the value of the enormous piece to be between $60,000 and $80,000.
Also included in the auction: a red chiffon evening maternity dress that was worn by former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, most likely during her pregnancy with Caroline. The dress was given to Kennedy by her personal secretary, Mary Barelli Gallagher in 1960 and was featured in Gallagher’s book, “My Life with Jacqueline Kennedy.” Levine estimates the value to be between $3,000 and $5,000.
Auctions are subject to a 15 percent Buyers Premium (20 percent for Internet and phone bidders). Live online bidding can be accessed through www.jlevines.com or through www.Artfact.com. For information, visit www.jlevines.com or call (480) 496-2212.