Sotheby's to Sell Property from the Collection of Arthur Sackler

This past Friday Sotheby's NY announced in a press release it would be auctioning property from the collection of Dr. Arthur Sackler. The property will be in the fall 2009 and winter 2010 sales. Portions of the collection will be on exhibit starting today at Sotheby's NY headquarters. As quality items with solid provenance have done very well in these difficult economic times, I would expect to see strong interest in the Sackler property. It might be what is needed to regain some momentum in the impressionist and modern art market segments. It probably won't be a cure all for what ails the art markets, but it should be a positive step forward.

The press release states During the fall 2009 and winter 2010 auction seasons Sotheby's in New York will present works from the collections of renowned philanthropist and patron of the arts Dr. Arthur M. Sackler. The offering of several hundred objects from Dr. Sackler's collections comprises important Impressionist and Modern paintings, Chinese Furniture, Asian Carpets, English Furniture, Antiquities, Pre Columbian Art, Old Master Drawings and European terracottas and bronzes. Together the group is estimated to bring more than $15 million.

Six works will be offered in the Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale in November including Wassily Kandinsky's stunning Krass und Mild (Dramatic and Mild) from 1932 (est. $6/8 million)(see image). Among the other highlights is Dr. Sackler's renowned collection of European terracottas - the most extensive of its kind remaining in private hands. Fine Chinese Furniture and Asian Carpets will be the first group of property offered, highlighting Sotheby's Asia Week sales in September. Works from Dr. Sackler's collections will be exhibited in Sotheby's 10th floor galleries from July 27-August 21, 2009, excluding weekends.

Dr. Sackler was one of America's foremost collectors, whose passion for objects transcended any one collecting category or time period, featuring outstanding examples of ancient art of many cultures, as well as European sculpture, furniture, and paintings from the Renaissance to the modern era. Dr. Sackler's passion for collecting was matched only by his generosity, gifting objects and endowing galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Princeton and Columbia Universities, the Smithsonian, and the Royal Academy in London, in addition to establishing museums at Harvard and Beijing Universities.

To read the full press release from Sotheby's, click HERE.