A Sam Maloof designed rocking chair made $50,000 at a sale of 20th Century Decorative Art at Bonhams in Los Angeles on October 7, eclipsing its $25,000-35,000 valuation by 45%.
Maloof (1916-2009) is regarded as one of the greatest American carpenters and was awarded a MacArthur fellowship in 1985 - the first craftsman ever to be awarded the honour.
 The rocking chair was made in 1982 |
His work features in some of the world's most famous museums, including the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition, Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan both owned Maloof rocking chairs.
A Philip and Kelvin Laverne bronze side cabinet achieved an equally impressive result - also making $50,000, this time against a $20,000-30,000 estimate.
 The cabinet dates to the late 20th century |
The father and son team are best known for their reinterpretations of classical furniture, which were often buried in the ground along with a mix of chemicals in order to achieve their unique finish.
An enamelled and patinated pewter bronze console by the same designers exceeded its $7,000-10,000 estimate to take $37,500 - up 275%.
Claire Jeane Roberte Colinet's Danseuse d'Ankara, a sculpture dating to 1925, was another highlight. The lot reached $35,000 against an $18,000-25,000 valuation.
Dancer of the Daggers, a work by Colinet from 1920, made £43,250 ($66,562) at an auction at Christie's in London in 2010.
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