Calder's Maripose to auction for $1.6m?

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 Maripose Bonhams
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.

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