Los Angeles, CA— On Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 10 am PST, John Moran Auctioneers & Appraisers will present California Living—an auction encompassing the California aesthetic through a bevy of important art, furniture, and decorative items. Highlighting the California Living auction is the estate of Oscar and Barbara Leidenfrost. Decades of traveling worldwide collecting art created a medley of museum-worthy treasures. Over time, their sophisticated and diverse collection showcased California art and design, highlighted by works from Ed Ruscha, Vija Celmins, Richard Wyatt Jr., Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama, Robert Longo, Adolph Gottlieb, and Edward Kienholz. Alongside up and coming and blue-chip artists are a bevy of design items like a series of wood-turned vessels, African baskets, masks, and fertility dolls, Georg Jensen silver, and furniture by the most sought-after designers including George Nelson, Mario Bellini, Charles and Ray Eames, Richard Schultz, Florence Knoll, Le Corbusier, Jonathan de Pas, and more.
Robert Longo (b. 1953), Swing $10,000-15,000
Oscar and Barbara were a Los Angeles couple who loved art, music, and travel and took pleasure in curating their home with items that represented their passions. Oscar came from a humble upbringing in Davenport, Iowa by German-immigrant parents who ran a local grocery store. He attended the University of Illinois School of Architecture, then started the successful Oscar E. Leidenfrost & Associates architectural firm. Barbara also grew up in the Midwest then moved to New York to attend Vassar College. After graduation, she wanted to travel so she got a job working on a cruise ship. Her passion for traveling continued, and eventually lead her to starting a travel agency in Beverly Hills that she ran for 20 years. The couple met in 1966 while Greek folk dancing in Hollywood (they were married 3 months later!). When they were not jet-setting around the world and collecting art along the way, the two loved being at home in a house that Oscar designed which he often referred to as his “masterpiece.” The couple enjoyed over 45 years of marriage before Oscar passed away in 2012. Then, in 2022, Barbara passed away. The Leidenfrost collection is a swan song of the adventures and memories once enjoyed by the happy couple and, due to the proceeds of their items, will now benefit over a dozen non-profit organizations and educational institutions.
Some of the most favored art works from the Leidenfrost estate are by the Pop artist, Yayoi Kusama so much so that they hung above the couple’s bed. Kusama (b. 1929) started painting as a child to cope with her hallucinations and family trauma. She moved to New York in 1958 to pursue her art career. Labeled as one of the most influential and popular artists in the world, Kusama developed a distinctive style utilizing approaches associated with Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop art, Feminist art, and Institutional Critique. This auction will offer her works, A Pumpkin yB-B, 2004, estimated $40,000-60,000 and A Pumpkin (RT), 2004, estimated $20,000-30000.
Along with Kusama, a New York artist with worldwide acclaim is Robert Longo (b. 1953). Longo is an American artist best known for his photorealistic drawings of jumping figures, sharks, tigers, and guns. One of the lots presented in this sale is from his “Men in the Cities” series, Jules, Gretchen, Mark (State II), 1983. Having an estimate of $15,000-20,000, this work, along with the rest of the series, brought the artist critical acclaim in the early 1980’s. This sale will also offer one of his cast aluminum reliefs, Swing, 1979. This was featured at the Los Angeles Country Museum of Art and part of the traveling exhibit for the artist. The sculpture has a pre-auction estimate of $10,000-15,000.
A Maori "Putorino" wooden wind instrument $8,000-12,000
Another rare work is Edward Ruscha’s, Boiling Blood, Fly, 1969, an artist proof outside of a small edition of 20 is estimated at $8,000-12,000. Moran’s is very familiar with Ruscha’s work, having achieved a World Auction record for the artist in 2021 with his screen-print, Made in California, 1971, selling for $100,000. Ruscha (1937-1997) is an American artist associated with the Pop art movement and worked in various media including painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, and film.
The Leidenfrosts were very fond of the artist Richard Wyatt Jr (b.1955). He is a contemporary muralist best known for his public art in and around Los Angeles. Presented in this sale are three of his drawings, including a charcoal titled, Bubblegum Problems, 1976, estimated at $5,000-7,000. There will also be a portrait of Barbara Leidenfrost by the artist, estimated at $3,000-5,000 and two works together titled, Toes, 1976, with a $2,000-3,000 estimate.
Representing international decorative items are a Pūtōrino wind instrument and an Aboriginal Leangle wooden club. Coming from the American Broadcasting Company is a Mäori Pūtōrino wooden wind instrument. It is unique in that it functions both as a trumpet and as a flute and is the home of Hine Raukatatauri, the Mäori goddess of flute music. Estimated at $8,000-12,000, the bugle flute has a central grimacing mask carving featuring an oval aperture in the form of a mouth and inlaid paua (abalone) eyes. Another aboriginal piece to highlight the sale is the “Leangle” or “Lil lyl” clubs come from Southeast Australia and are traditionally used in combat along with a parrying shield. It is an indigenous boomerang-shaped implement with a pointed tip, terminating in a beehive-style grip and this example, estimated at $1,000-1,500, is likely carved from Red River Gum or Pink box tree wood.
Other note-worthy pieces in the decorative art category are works by Edward Moulthrop and Lidya Buzio. Edward Moulthrop (1916-2003) was a self-taught woodturner and a major figure in the contemporary wood turning movement in America. This sale will include a figured Tulipwood spheroid, estimated $5,000-7,000. The Uruguayan-born, American ceramist, Lidya Buzio created slab-built pots painted with scenes of city buildings. The dry appearance and soft colors of her illustrations evoke Italian Renaissance frescos as well as her roots in Uruguay. Her piece, Roofscape XIV, 1984, will be offered with an estimate of $2,000-3,000.
A selection of Mid-century furniture including Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames, Eero Saarinen, and Richard Schultz Topiary chairs for Knoll, estimated $1,200-1,500, are among the iconic modern designs featured in this auction.
—Brenda Smith, John Moran Auctioneers
Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929), A Pumpkin yB-B $40,000-60,000
“Yayoi Kusama (b. 1929) started painting as a child to cope with her hallucinations and family trauma. She moved to New York in 1958 to pursue her art career. Labeled as one of the most influential and popular artists in the world, Kusama developed a distinctive style utilizing approaches associated with Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Pop art, Feminist art, and Institutional Critique.”
Upcoming Auctions
John Moran Auctioneers will continue their 2023 lineup with the auction, Jewelry From The Estate of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree sale, Wednesday, March 29th, followed by the Made in Mexico sale, Tuesday, April 4th. Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming auctions so you don’t miss out on the action, and the treasures!
Jewelry From The Estate of Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree: Wed., March 29th | 10:00 am PST
Made in Mexico: Tuesday, April 4th | 12:00 pm PST
California Living: Tuesday, April 11th | 10:00 am PST
The Traditional Collector: Tues., April 25th & Wed., April 26th | 10:00 am PST
California & American Fine Art: Tuesday, May 9th | 12:00 pm PST
For upcoming highlights, online catalogues, and more information on these sales, visit Moran’s website: jm.dev.hookson1.com and follow us on social media: @johnmoranauctioneers. Along with our website, bidding is now available online via Moran’s new mobile app, Moran Mobile, available on both iOS and Android operating systems. You may also choose to bid by phone or absentee.
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