WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Wonderful Mid-Century Modern furniture creations by the father-son team of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne and the German-born New York designer Karl Springer, porcelains, sterling silver, bronzes, art glass, sculptures, estate jewelry, Chinese jade, antiquities and more will all come up for bid on Saturday, June 18, at Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery.

The auction will start promptly at 1 pm Eastern time, in the firm’s showroom located at 809 Belvedere Road in West Palm Beach. In addition to the abovementioned offerings, the auction will also feature a large and varied collection of lithographs from notable artists and a collection of authentic Aboriginal paintings on bark. Lots may be viewed online, at antiquesmodern.com.

Karl Springer (1931-1991) brought a chic, high-fashion sensibility to furnishings. In the 1970s, Springer’s work was a favorite of the glamour set, who enjoyed the novelty of pieces finished in rich and striking materials that ranged from exotic hides and skins to lacquer and chromed metal. He was a Pre-Postmodernist, enlivening his creations with fresh, alluring energy and sleekness.

Auctioned will be a Karl Springer coffee (or cocktail) table, covered in beautiful luminous blue sharkskin, or shagreen. Signed with a brass plaque on the bottom, “Karl Springer, Philippines,” the table measures 48 inches by 42 inches (18 inches tall). It’s expected to bring $3,000-$5,000.

Philip (1907-1987) and Kelvin (b. 1937) LaVerne operated as artist-furniture makers, creating one-of-a-kind and limited-edition pieces that were both functional and beautiful to display. The father-son team made patinated and sculpted bronze tables and cabinets, combining innovative techniques with traditional styles. Their idiosyncratic artistry was unmatched then, as it is today.

The sale will feature a Mid-Century Modern bronze Romanesque coffee table made by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, with a Roman figure design on the top of the table, with scalloped design edges in an oval shape. The 53 inch by 18 inch table is signed and should realize $3,500-$4,500.

One lot comprising seven very rare “Fish” glass goblets, made by the designer Frank Gehry and manufactured by Amses Cosma, Inc. (and retailed by Swid Powell) carries a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-$6,000. The goblets, made circa 1990, are one set in a limited-edition of 250 pieces. Each goblet is signed at the bottom and measures 8 inches in height, exhibiting a fine Modern design.

The collection of lithographs will come from such notable artists as Theo Tobiasse, Graciela Rodo Boulanger, Rudolph Carl (RC) Gorman and many others. Andy Warhol (Am., 1928-1987) will also make an appearance, with a 1966 paper screen print on a shopping bag of his iconic Campbell’s Soup Can rendering. Published for an Andy Warhol exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, the 19 inch by 15 inch bag is expected to command $700-$1,000.

A 54-piece Tiffany & Company sterling silver flatware set in the “Richelieu” pattern, in the original antique Tiffany wood box with bronze mounts and with the knife blades marked “Joseph Rodgers & Sons, Cutlers to Her Majesty,” weighing a total of 68 troy silver ounces should garner $2,000-$2,500. Also, an impressive pair of late 19th century 33-inch-tall Sevres porcelain French lamps, hand-painted by the French artist Poitevin, with each signed lamp having a panoramic and detailed romantic figural and landscape scene, are expected to sell for $1,500-$2,000 as one lot.

Two very different lots have identical estimates of $600-$800. One is a carved white jade Mughal kard dagger, inlaid with decorative semi-precious stones and surrounded with gold wire decoration. The handle of the 14-inch dagger is carved in the shape of a horse. A sheath is included. The other is a pair of Bohemian Moser amber glass decanters, each one standing a stout 26 inches tall, with large cut crystal stoppers. Both decanters are hand-painted with gold gilt scene, depicting two lovers within a landscape setting, with gold gilt accents throughout.

A limited-edition bronze sculpture by the renowned Russian artist Erte (1892-1990), titled Madame Butterfly, depicting the Japanese geisha wife Cio-Cio-San (Madame Butterfly) in a wedding kimono, holding a fan aloft in her right hand, 19 inches tall and numbered (444/500), should breeze to $3,000-$3,500. Also, an original gouache on paper by the Russian artist Yuri Kransny (1925-2005), titled At the Table, depicting a gentleman surrounded by women, nicely matted and framed and measuring 24 ¾ inches by 20 inches (framed), should make $500-$700.

A pair of artworks by the Mexican artist Jesus Leuus (1948-2008) is expected to do well. Both have pre-sale estimates of $1,000-$2,000. One is a signed acrylic on Masonite work, depicting geometric-style figures of a father playing a guitar to his wife and child. The other is a signed acrylic on board, also depicting geometric-style figures, but this time of a husband and wife kissing. Both paintings are substantial in size, at 50 inches by 30 inches (plus a two-inch frame).

In all, more than 300 lots will come up for bid. The full catalog may be viewed now, by visiting www.antiquesmodern.com. For those unable to attend in person, internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery is actively seeking fine quality consignments for future auctions. Appointments for evaluations are available Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery at 561-318-1834; or, you may send them an e-mail at info@antiquesmodern.com.

To learn more about Antiques & Modern Auction Gallery and the June 18th auction, please visit www.antiquesmodern.com.

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