A new world auction record for artist Claire Falkenstein (1908-1997) was set at Bonhams Made in California: Contemporary Art sale in Los Angeles on May 8. Untitled sold for $200,075, having had an estimate of $30,000-50,000. This sculptural work was also the top lot of the sale with its cornucopia-like abundance of jewel colored glass nestled in a riot of thin metal strands.

Additional world auction records included:

• Viola Frey (1933-2004), Fallen Man III, 1992, sold for $100,075 on a pre-sale estimate of $70,000-90,000.
• Ed Moses (1926-2018), Lift, 1991, sold for $60,075 on a pre-sale estimate of $25,000-35,000.

Sonja Moro, Bonhams Specialist of Post-War & Contemporary Art, said: “This sale demonstrates the strength of Post-War & Contemporary California art in the marketplace. Bonhams is proud to be the market leader in this sector. As the only international auction house with a dedicated auction and active salesrooms in California, we saw competitive bidding from local, as well as international clients. We are thrilled to have set new records for Falkenstein, Frey and Moses, and in addition we saw successes across the board - for art created from the 1950s to the last ten years and from northern to southern California.”