Robust Global Bidding Online Across All Fine Art & Decorative
Art Categories DuMouchelle’s dramatically expands its online presence by ~75,000 visitors
DETROIT – DuMouchelle’s May 15, 16 & 17 auctions were conducted completely on line and
proved there’s an uptick in demand for quality art by bidders from around the globe. In fact,
the number of visitors to DuMouchelle’s online auction sites increased by nearly 75,000 since
March 2020 and with strong sell-through rates and prices well above expectations, the
competition for rare and iconic works across all categories was remarkably strong.
A virtual crowd of over 3,000 bidders competed for lots such as a 60 piece Royal Copenhagen
‘Flora Danica’ porcelain dinner service, selling for $43,400 and a Le Pho (French-Vietnamese
1907-2001), oil on canvas, “Fleurs” that commanded global attention and hammered down at
$28,575. The Le Pho, in its original untouched condition, was purchased by Gertrude Knowles, a
Chicago Icon, in 1973 from Findlay Galleries, Chicago. Mrs. Knowles was the SecretaryTreasurer and a Director of the Chicago Stadium Corp. as well as an official of the Chicago
Blackhawks Hockey Team. She was the widow of Hector Knowles, Manager of Chuck Davey,
Spider Webb, and other legendary boxers of the 1950’s.
Bidding was spirited for a vintage Louis Vuitton courier trunk circa 1920, originally owned by
Byron and Thelma C. Foy. Thelma was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter P. Chrysler, of the
Chrysler Motor Car Corporation. The trunk, with its interior roof lining crisscrossed with ecru
ribbons embroidered “Louis Vuitton” closed at $18,600.
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In addition to the Le Pho, many oil on canvases reached top prices including: a circa 1920 Frank
V. Dudley (American 1868-1957) “Winter Solitude” with a period wood frame and label from
Chicago Galleries Associates fetched $16,120; an 1843 William James Muller (British, 1812-45)
“Afternoon In Lycia” reached $13,970; and a Raphael Senet-Perez (Spain, 1856-1926), Cathedral
of Santa Maria Della Salute, depicting Gondoliers and flower sellers on the Grand Canal from a
London, Ontario estate sold for $9,920. Additionally, a Hugo Lederer (German, 1871-1940),
bronze sculpture of a fencer cast in Berlin by the Aktien-Gesellschaft Gladenbeck foundry
hammered down above its high estimate at $5,890. The foundry was one of the most important
foundries in Germany, known for its high quality castings for many of the most notable German
artists in the mid-to-late 19th century and early 20th century.
A collection of estate jewelry commanded top prices, including a 2 caret round diamond and
14kt white gold ring bringing $10,320 and an elegant 18kt yellow gold French bracelet of a
gazelle with sapphire eyes running up to $6,200.
“We are very pleased with the results of our auctions as they exceeded expectations in every
respect. The strength of online bidding around the world and the significant increase in new
bidders across all our bidding platforms was wonderful to experience,” said Joan D. Walker,
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President of DuMouchelle Art Galleries. “We are particularly pleased with our newest online
bidding option live.dumoart.com that offers our customers the opportunity to bid in the
comfort of their homes at the same buyer’s premium as when they bid directly with
DuMouchelles. We continue to be grateful to our employees, customers and partners who have
been working hard to ensure we continue to conduct our auctions safely while also increasing
our virtual audience globally.”
The catalogue for our next auctions, scheduled for June 27 and 28 will be available soon at
www.dumoart.com. We encourage you to bid by phone, absentee or online at
live.dumoart.com, Invaluable.com or LiveAuctioneers.com. For more information, visit
www.dumoart.com.
Stay connected with DuMouchelle Art Galleries:
Interested in consigning your valuables with DuMouchelles? Call us at 313.963.6255 or
Connect Online
About DuMouchelle Art Galleries
DuMouchelle Art Galleries is a fine art auction house, founded in 1927 and located in downtown
Detroit, across from the landmark Renaissance Center. DuMouchelles attracts notable
consignments and commands top prices in the international auction marketplace. Drawing on
our nearly 100 years in business, our experts provide personalized service to individuals, families
and estate settlement professionals to buy and sell fine objects from around the country.
Our auctions reach international audiences and showcase beautiful and rare items across many
categories, including paintings, fine art glass, sculptures, porcelain, oriental rugs, other
valuables and antiques.
