Bozo finds his place with Giacometti and Calder

Giacommetti, Console aux Oiseaux, bronze and glass. (Photo courtesy Kaminski Auctions)

BEVERLY, Mass. — Kaminski Auctions’ Sept. 7 Twentieth Century and Modern Design auction, beginning at 10 a.m., is offering a myriad of collectable pieces for serious buyers, including pieces by Diego Giacometti and Gino Vistosi, as well as a collection focusing on one of the most famous clowns in the history of the entertainment industry: Bozo.

Featured prominently in the sale is a console table by renowned sculptor Diego Giacometti. The Console Aux Oiseaux is signed “Diego,” once on the underside of a horizontal support. This home furnishing exemplifies Giacometti’s common use of animals as design elements. This remarkable example is descendant from the Orosco Family Trust Art Collection in Danville, California, and carries an estimate of $150,000 to $250,000.

Interior designers should also note a set of four glass pendant lamps in a range of primary colors, created in the 1970s by Gino Vistosi. One of the four boasts an intact foil label. Also available is a Ball Chair attributed to Eero Aarnio, with original wool upholstery. This piece of iconic industrial design was created with the idea of simulating privacy within public spaces – or as it was best put by Aarnio, “A room within a room.”

Expected to quicken the pulses of decorators is a seldom-offered Hans Wegner Peacock chair, upholstered in original blue wool with leather accents over an oak frame. This piece of mid-century Danish design dates to 1955 and has been closeted in a local Massachusetts estate since its creation.

Kaminski reps are eagerly anticipating the performance of five original Bicentennial tapestries designed by Alexander Calder and hand woven by the Pinton Freres atelier in Aubusson, France. Circa 1975, these rare examples are from a limited edition of 200. All five possess a low edition of either #36 or #37 and are signed accordingly by Calder. Calder died the same year, shortly after these tapestries were created. The last works of Calder’s lifetime offered collectors a final chance to revel in his profound impact on the world of Modern Art.

Entertainment enthusiasts will enjoy the Bozo the Clown collection, which features the full suit, travel case decorated by Carol Spinney, wig, a photo journal made by Unicef documenting Bozo’s seven week Asian trip and a framed original photo of the entire Bozo cast, as well as many other interesting items.