Maripose, an Alexander Calder mobile with an estimate of $1.2-1.6m, will highlight a sale of contemporary art at Bonhams New York on November 16. The hanging wire sculpture is a fine example of the abstract, kinetic mobiles for which the artist is best known.
The large-scale sculpture has been privately owned by Wisconsin based collectors since the 1970s, and was exhibited in 1987.
 Calder is best known for his kinetic sculptures |
Jeremy Goldsmith, Bonhams' director of contemporary art in New York, commented: "In Maripose, every element of Calder's genius is evident through the striking sense of balance and momentum the sculpture evokes,
"It's a pleasure to bring such an important work to the market after nearly four decades in private hands."
Calder (1898-1976) was one of America's most celebrated artists and a contemporary of Marcel Duchamp, who was the first to dub his sculptures 'mobiles'. A selling exhibition featuring a collection of the artist's works on paper closes today (September 13) in New York.
Pieces by Calder traditionally perform well at auction. In 2012 his Lily of Force sold for $18.5m against a $12m estimate, a record price for his work. Snow Flurry made $10.3m in the same year - an impressive increase on its $4.5m valuation.
The auction also features Jeune Filles by Max Pechstein, which brings an estimate of $300-400,000. Privately owned since the late 1960s, this is a rare opportunity to purchase a painting by the celebrated German expressionist.
We have this postcard of Picasso's The Absinthe Drinker, signed by the artist, for sale at just £3,950 ($6,246). For more news from the art and collectibles market please sign up for our free weekly newsletter.
