Mogul Sam Zell claims $5.8 million art loss
- June 09, 2011 15:22
Chicago real estate tycoon Sam Zell says a Los Angeles art dealer with whom he consigned three artworks, sold the pieces and then spent the money without paying him a dime.
Samuel and Helen Zell received an insurance settlement of $5,775,000 for the loss. In turn, Chubb Indemnity Insurance has sued the art dealer David Tunkl and his art gallery Worldwide Masterpiece to recoup the $5.7 million plus costs, for conversion and breach of contract.
The works were Balthus' "The Cat With Mirror III," which was appraised at $5 million; Fernand Leger's "Study for the Tugboat," which the Zell Trust had bought for $375,000; and Leger's "Mona Lisa with Keys (First State)," which the Trust bought for $900,000.
![Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.](/images/c/e2/2e/Jan20_Rape_of_Europa100x100_c.jpg "Peter Paul Rubens (Flemish, 1577–1640), After Titian (Tiziano Vecelli) (Italian [Venetian], c. 1488–1576), Rape of Europa, 1628–29. Oil on canvas, 71 7/8 x 79 3/8 in.")
100x100_c.jpg "Diquis/Chiriqui pendant depicting two figures within a framework of linked gold rectangles, 22K gold, Costa Rica, weight 129.6g. Estimate $7,000-$8,000")
