Jeff Moran President, Auctioneer j.moran@johnmoran.com
Katherine Halligan Director, Fine Art k.halligan@johnmoran.com
Maranda Moran Vice President m.moran@johnmoran.com
Mariam Whitten Director, Appraisals m.whitten@johnmoran.com
Jennifer Kurtz Director, Decorative Arts j.kurtz@johnmoran.com
Tom Burstein Director, Jewelry & Watches t.burstein@johnmoran.com
Jennifer Kurtz Head of Sale Director, Furniture & Decorative Arts
2026 is already shaping up to be a standout year for Moran’s—of the 10 auctions already completed this year, 8 achieved over 90% sold by value! Two of the top-performing sales were Art of the American West (96% by lot, 98% by value) and Native American Art + Design (91% by lot, 95% by value)— categories in which Moran’s is widely recognized as the industry leader.
Another category Moran’s is especially known for is California & American Fine Art, and our most recent sale delivered exceptional results, earning 96% by value and 90% by lot. March’s Art + Design sale was another major success, selling 91% by lot and 96% by value, while setting an auction record for Richard Serra’s 1987 print Penn. Ship, which realized $66,000. Latin American Art + Design has become a standout among collectors, achieving 97% by value and a 90% sell-through rate in January’s auction.
The most exciting sale this year has been The Estate of Joanna Carson—a White Glove Sale with a 100% sellthrough rate and more than $1.7 million in total sales. A former model, Broadway producer, and philanthropist, Joanna Carson was known for her decades of charitable work and support of major causes and organizations throughout Los Angeles.
Moran’s was thrilled to present the sale and went above and beyond to give it the spotlight it deserved. We showcased highlights in our booth at the Palm Springs Modernism Show and hosted an exclusive preview party, where clients enjoyed a VIP viewing experience with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The March auction attracted thousands of bidders from around the world, which featured more than
Joanna Carson, former model, philanthropist, and Broadway producer. Image provided by The Estate of Joanna Carson.
400 fresh-to-market works of fine art, jewelry, decorative art, and luxury items from Carson’s celebrated collection, with proceeds benefiting CedarsSinai Medical Center, the David Geffen Foundation, and the Cher Foundation.
Highlights from the sale included Claude Lalanne’s Pomme Bouche, which realized $69,850, Frank Marvin Blasingame’s Hawaiian Hula Ceremony brought in $20,320, and a 1977 Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier diamond necklace that achieved $53,975. Strong results continued across categories, with works by Van Cleef & Arpels, David Webb, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo all drawing competitive bidding.
Joanna Carson and Johnny Carson, host of The Tonight Show (1962-1992). Image provided by The Estate of Joanna Carson.
A set of fourteen Royal Copenhagen porcelain ‘Flora Danica’ dinner plates.
Price Realized: $27,170
One of the standout decorative arts moments came from the Royal Copenhagen Flora Danica porcelain collection, which brought in more than $135,000 overall, led by a set of fourteen dinner plates that sold for $27,170.
With nearly 20 auctions still ahead this year, we’re looking forward to more successful results in 2026!
- Brenda Smith, PR & Social Media Manager
Price Realized: $69,850
“It is always a privilege to present a single-owner collection, and the Estate of Joanna Carson was no exception. Such sales offer a rare and intimate view into the aesthetic sensibilities and life of a collector, revealing not only refined taste but also a deeply personal narrative. The exceptional results achieved throughout the auction are a testament to Joanna Carson’s discerning eye, with buyers responding enthusiastically to the quality, elegance, and individuality that defined her collection,”
- Jennifer Kurtz, Head of Sale and Director of Furniture & Decorative Art.
Jeff Moran presents Stephen Swan with a pair of white gloves to commemorate the success of The Estate of Joanna Carson as a “White Glove Sale” (100% of the lots sold!).
The Estate of Joanna Carson in Beverly Hills, California. Image provided by The Estate of Joanna Carson.
Realized:
Madison shares details on Lot 254, Rufino Tamayo’s mixografía, Galaxia, 1977, that sold for $22,440.
Katie explains the history behind Diego Rivera’s charcoal work, Lavandera del Río Juchitán, circa 1922-28. Lot 256 realized $7,620.
Madison Ari Associate Specialist, Fine Art
In 1958, the Yanktonai Dakota artist Oscar Howe submitted a painting titled Umine Wacipi (War and Peace Dance) to the Annual Indian Art competition at the Philbrook Art Center. What followed would become one of the defining moments in the history of Native American art.
The work was rejected.
Bold, abstract, and unapologetically modern, it defied the expectations imposed on Indigenous artists at the time. Expectations reinforced by institutions, markets, and juried exhibitions that privileged a narrow vision of “traditional” Native painting, including the “Studio Style” associated with the Santa Fe Indian School, where Oscar Howe trained under Dorothy Dunn. Instead of flat, decorative
imagery, Howe created something alive with movement: fractured forms, charged color, and a visual language that refused to remain confined within prescribed boundaries.
In response, Howe wrote a letter to curator Jeanne Snodgrass that still resonates today: “There is much more to Indian Art than pretty, stylized pictures… Are we to be held back forever with one phase of Indian painting, with no right for individualism, dictated to as the Indian always has been, put on reservations, and treated like a child, and only the White Man knows what is best for him? Now, even in Art” (Dockstader et al., 1982, p. 19). His words were not just a defense of a single painting; they were a declaration for the future. A refusal to be confined. A demand for Indigenous artists to be seen not as preservers of a static past but as active participants in a living, evolving present.
That insistence on artistic sovereignty defines Howe’s legacy.
Born in 1915 at Joe Creek on the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota, Oscar Howe’s early life was shaped by both hardship and deep cultural grounding. Illness often confined him indoors, turning him inward, while recovery brought him into close contact with his grandmother, Shell Face, who passed down Dakota traditions, stories, and visual symbolism. From these experiences emerged two factors that would define his work: introspection and inheritance, which would become the emotional and cultural foundation of his artistic vision.
Estimate: $150,000-250,000
Although formally trained within the constraints of the “Studio Style,” Oscar Howe quickly pushed beyond it. He absorbed the energy of modernism, its abstraction, fragmentation, and emphasis on movement, and fused it with Dakota symbolism, while actively challenging Western and colonial definitions of what constituted “modern” art. The result was a visual language unmistakably his own.
This vision is vividly realized in War Dancer, 1960, featured in our Art of the American West sale on April 7, 2026. The composition pulses with energy. A central figure emerges
through intersecting planes of color and line, not merely depicted but activated. Overlapping geometric forms radiate outward, creating a palpable sense of rhythm and movement. Bold, contrasting colors, deep blues and reds, juxtaposed with bright yellows and turquoises, frame the figure and emphasize both motion and ceremonial significance. Movement extends outward as if the dancer itself exceeds the boundaries of the surface. Howe is not simply illustrating ceremony; he is translating its rhythm, force, and spiritual charge into visual form.
In addition, Moran’s is proud to offer two additional works - Sioux Singer and Mother and Child in our upcoming Art of the American West sale on June 30, 2026. Sioux Singer is defined by fractured, interlocking planes of color that construct the figure through movement and cadence, with angular forms suggesting sound made visible through structure and design. In contrast, Mother and Child softens this geometry into flowing, enveloping forms, centering on an intimate pairing rendered with simplified contours and a more fluid surrounding space. Together, the works demonstrate Howe’s range, from the energized abstraction of performance to a quieter meditation on human connection.
Today, the market for Oscar Howe reflects growing recognition that his work is both historically significant and enduringly relevant. As institutions and collectors continue to reexamine American modernism, Howe now stands at its center rather than its margins. His legacy is one of convictions and transformation. Howe did not ask for permission to evolve; he insisted on it, expanding the possibilities of Native American art. The works presented here reflect that shift, grounded in tradition while continuing to move forward with undeniable momentum.
Estimate: $100,000-150,000
Katherine Halligan, AAA Director, Fine Art
On February 4, 2026, John Moran Auctioneers showcased a singlesession auction of nearly 200 European paintings from the Old Masters period through the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries in conjunction with our Traditional Collector auction. The sale included an incredible array of subjects, including florals, portraits, battle and hunt scenes, genre scenes, and landscapes.
Leading the sale was an intensely emotive portrait of a seated woman by Roman painter Antonio Mancini. Mancini was a practitioner of the Verismo (Realism) style, a late 19thcentury Italian artistic movement spanning art, literature, and opera that aimed to depict everyday life, particularly that of the lower classes, with intense emotional realism. Conservatively estimated at $1,000–2,000, the painting brought $44,450 after a strong bidding war.
A stunning portrait of a noblewoman, dated 1567 by Netherlandish artist Nicolas Neufchatel, was one of the oldest works featured. The sitter was likely a member of the Nuremberg elite, who were frequent subjects for the artist during the early 1570s. Regally dressed in an oxblood-red velvet gown with a stiff lace ruff, the sitter gazes serenely away from the viewer as she clasps her ruby ring-adorned hands. Estimated at $8,000–12,000, the portrait sold for $36,300.
Also included in the auction were two large-scale paintings by Polish artist Wojciech Kossak. Known for historical scenes, often featuring groups of figures and horses, Kossak came from a multigenerational family of painters who worked primarily in Kraków. His depictions of Wedding Caravan (1923) and Soldiers on Horseback (1921), while very different in tone, both convey a strong sense of movement, with
Portrait of a seated woman
Price Realized: $44,450
Realized: $36,300
figures atop and alongside galloping horses charging through the scenes. Wedding Caravan sold for $20,320 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000–15,000, while Soldiers on Horseback brought $16,510 against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000–12,000.
A landscape titled Bridge Pool by William Henry Singer Jr., an American expatriate who spent much of his career living in Holland and Norway. The Norwegian Mountain landscape features the artist’s characteristic soft brushwork, muted tones, and emphasis on atmosphere over fine detail, blending Singer’s American sensibilities with European techniques. Estimated at $700–900, the painting realized $11,430. To date, it has achieved the highest price among a group of more than 50 fresh-to-market estate oil and pastel landscapes by Singer that we will be offering throughout 2026 and 2027 in various American and European-themed sales at John Moran Auctioneers.
William Henry Singer, Jr
Bridge Pool
Price Realized: $11,430
Madison shares the meaning behind Kossak’s, Wedding Caravan.
Tom Burstein Director, Jewelry & Watches
John Moran Auctioneers has held three Jewelry & Watches auctions so far in 2026, with sales continuing strong and building on the momentum of the previous year. Several key factors are driving the market, including the increased price of gold, which has had a direct impact on results, with the average price per ounce year-to-date at $4,850 compared to $3,000 for the
Price Realized: $1,716
same period last year. Signed jewelry from major design houses such as Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Tiffany & Co. continues to command a significant premium. When a piece is unsigned, exceptional craftsmanship becomes essential, as only the highest quality examples attract strong bidding interest.
The watch market remains equally robust, particularly for Rolex, Patek
Price Realized: $28,575
Philippe, and Cartier. Even so, auction remains a smart and effective way to buy jewelry and watches, as private buyers compete directly with the wholesale trade—typically acquiring property at just one increment above wholesale levels when successful.
Moran’s offers two types of Jewelry & Watches auctions: Fine Jewelry & Watches, which span from accessible estimates to pieces reaching several hundred thousand dollars, and Studio sales, featuring jewelry and watches generally below $2,000.
On February 10, 2026, we held our first sale of the year: Studio Jewelry, Watches & Luxury—Online. These sales are especially popular, offering buyers the opportunity to acquire signed jewelry and other highquality pieces at accessible price points. Highlights included a pair of gold, ruby, and diamond earrings by Tiffany, which sold for $1,188, as well as fashion jewelry from houses such as Chanel, including an iconic Chanel ‘Chicklet’ necklace that realized $1,716.
Rene Boivin: An 18K Gold, Citrine and Ruby Bracelet
On March 3, 2026, we were pleased to present the Estate of Joanna Carson as a single-owner sale. As a well-known philanthropist, celebrity, and prolific collector, Ms. Carson’s collection was especially sought after for its strong provenance. As noted above, when a piece is unsigned, exceptional craftsmanship becomes even more important for strong auction results. The sale included a coral bracelet that stood out for both its design and quality, realizing $28,575. Ms. Carson was also a noted collector of David Webb jewelry, and the sale featured several fine examples. One highlight was a textured gold bead bracelet, which sold for $15,740.
On April 28, 2026, we held a multiple-owner Fine Jewelry & Watches auction that performed very well across categories, with gold jewelry, signed pieces, and watches all delivering strong results. An 18K gold necklace by Cartier offers a clear example of the premium associated with signature design. Made entirely of gold with no gemstones, it realized $21,590—more than double its intrinsic gold value. Another highlight was a rare gold and citrine bracelet by René Boivin from 1945, which brought $47,625 against a pre-sale estimate of $22,000–$28,000.
Price Realized: $47,625
In auction, market forces ultimately determine value, and each piece tends to find its level. This was clearly demonstrated by a platinum and diamond Cartier ‘Santos’ watch. While these models are most often seen in stainless steel or white gold, this example was crafted in platinum, generating strong competition and ultimately realizing $44,450—well above its pre-sale estimate.
Cartier: A Platinum and Diamond ‘Santos’ Watch
Price Realized: $44,450
Price Realized: $21,590
Matthew Grayson Specialist, Furniture & Decorative Arts
California pottery occupies a unique place in American decorative arts, blending functional design with artistic experimentation in ways that continue to resonate with collectors today. From brightly glazed production wares to highly individualized studio ceramics, the movement reflects the creativity and cultural energy that defined California throughout the 20th century. Among the many makers associated with this tradition, Bauer Pottery, Harrison McIntosh, and Polia Pillin each represent a distinct chapter in the story of California ceramics, highlighting the remarkable diversity of the field. Recent offerings from John Moran Auctioneers demonstrate the continued strength and appeal of these artists in today’s market.
In our April Art of the American West sale, a standout group of 17 lots of Bauer pottery achieved an impressive aggregate total of $27,111. The collection featured a range of pieces, including an oil jar, planters, and tableware, all in the vivid, signature palette of orange, yellow, blue, and green that has made Bauer so recognizable and enduringly popular with collectors.
These results underscore Bauer Pottery’s continued status as one of the most iconic names in California ceramics. Founded in Kentucky in the late 19th century before relocating to Los Angeles in 1909, Bauer became a defining force in what is now known as “California
Colored Pottery.” By the 1930s and 1940s, the company had built a strong reputation for its bold glazes, clean modern forms, and iconic Ringware line, which helped shape the look of mid-century California design. Bauer’s success also played an important role in establishing Southern California as a major center for ceramic production, and today its wares continue to be celebrated for their blend of functionality, color, and modernist style.
Harrison McIntosh
Fresh-to-market works by Harrison McIntosh were featured in our March Art + Design sale, where 22 lots from the rare collection of McIntosh’s niece, Jorjana Kellaway, achieved an aggregate total of $36,718. The strong results reflect the continued appreciation for McIntosh’s refined
approach to studio ceramics and his important place within the postwar studio craft movement.
While companies like Bauer dominated the commercial ceramics market, artists such as McIntosh approached pottery as a fine art form. Working primarily in Claremont, California, McIntosh developed a distinctive aesthetic shaped by his studies with Glen Lukens at USC and by Japanese ceramic traditions. His work is known for its elegant proportions, restrained decoration, and earthy glazes that emphasize form and craftsmanship over ornamentation. Delicate carved linework and subtle glaze effects reveal an artist deeply invested in balance and precision, qualities that continue to make his ceramics highly regarded for their quiet sophistication and timeless modernism.
$2,286
Our March Art + Design sale also featured a stunning 10-lot collection of works by Polia Pillin, including vases, vessels, plates, a box, and a plaque. The group achieved a total of $8,481, with many pieces selling above estimate, refl ecting continued collector demand for Pillin’s distinctive and highly expressive ceramics.
In contrast to Harrison McIntosh’s restrained aesthetic, Pillin brought a more narrative and painterly approach to clay. Originally trained as a painter, she treated ceramic surfaces as a canvas for storytelling, decorating her works with whimsical imagery, stylized fi gures, and imaginative patterns. Beginning in
Polia Pillin, Three square bodied glazed ceramic vases Price Realized: $1,778
Harrison McIntosh, A glazed stoneware lidded jar
Price Realized: $6,350
the late 1940s, she worked closely with her husband, William Pillin, who typically created the ceramic forms she decorated. Together, the pair produced works that blurred the line between fi ne art and functional pottery. Pillin’s richly colored glazes, bold linework, and playful imagery continue to set her apart, making her ceramics especially sought after for their originality and visual energy. Today, California pottery continues to see strong demand across both production and studio ceramics, as refl ected in our recent auctions. Collectors remain consistently drawn to the quality, design, and craftsmanship of these makers, underscoring the category’s ongoing strength in today’s market.
Jeff sat down with Mclntosh’s niece, Jorjana Kellaway as she shared memories about her uncle and her favorite pieces from the collection.
2026 has been a busy year at Moran’s! From major fairs and museum events to estate previews and nonprofit fundraisers, our team has been out in the field supporting, learning, and staying closely engaged with what’s happening in the market. They connected with peers, and networked with collectors and industry professionals from across the globe.
Palm Springs Modernism: The year’s events season kicked off at Palm Springs Modernism — an 11-day festival in Palm Springs, California celebrating midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture. Moran’s has been a proud exhibitor at the show for years, among other national
and international exhibitors highlighting some of the best in mid-century and modern design. Each year our booth continues to evolve, featuring an eye-catching mix of art, decorative objects, and furniture highlights from upcoming auctions.
Los Angeles Art Week: Our team of Fine Art and Design specialists attended Frieze Los Angeles and Felix Art Fair during Los Angeles Art Week, giving our team an inside look at works that are freshto-market from the world’s leading international contemporary art galleries.
Carson Preview Party: Moran’s hosted an intimate evening preview ahead of The Estate of Joanna Carson sale, where guests engaged with the collection while enjoying an elaborate selection of wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Miami Beach Antique Show: Our Jewelry team traveled to Florida for The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, where estate jewelry dealers from around the world showcased exceptional signed and period jewelry, diamonds, and colored gemstones.
April—
LAM’s “What’s it Worth?”: This event has become a staple at the Laguna Art Museum, drawing local visitors to participate in their own Antiques Roadshow-esque experience.
Friends In Deed- EmpowerHER: Moran’s was proud to sponsor Friends In Deed – EmpowerHER: Flowers and Flourish, a meaningful evening of creativity and connection in support of the Women’s Room program with
March—
LAM’s California Cool: Moran’s was proud to be a main sponsor of the Laguna Art Museum’s California Cool Art Auction, a lively benefit bringing together artists, collectors, and supporters to celebrate local art. Moran’s was a key player in organizing the timed auction, assisting guests with bidder registration, supporting an event that raises important funds for the museum through generous donations and enthusiastic bidding.
Basic.Space LA: Our team attended Basic.Space LA at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, an invite-only marketplace and exhibition platform that brings together the latest in art, fashion, and design.
Guests lining up at LAM’s “What’s it Worth?” event, waiting to have their treasures looked at by our specialists.
Our Director of Decorative Arts, Jennifer Kurtz, giving a valuation to some guests at the “What’s it Worth?” event at Laguna Art Museum.
Friends in Deed. The organization is dedicated to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our specialists offer verbal valuations of guests’ treasures, with participants invited to bring up to five items, including paintings, sculpture, photography, decorative arts and furniture, jewelry, and luxury items. All proceeds benefit the museum. For this event, we had 73 guests sign up, including 31 first-time visitors to the museum, and raised over $2,500.
May— ISA Conference: Seven representatives from Moran’s attended the four-day ISA Assets 2026 Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. While in the Valley of the Sun, they explored the local arts scene, visited the Phoenix Art Museum, Musical Instrument Museum, and Heard Museum, and attended the ISA Education
Foundation “Round Up” fundraiser at the Scottsdale Museum of the West. Jeff Moran, President, led a paddle raise for the Foundation for Appraisal Education that achieved a record-setting result during an energetic evening event with food, music, and dancing.
Pasadena Showcase House: Most recently, some of our team visited the Pasadena Showcase House of Design at the historic Baldwin Oaks Estate in Arcadia. Built in 1907, the two-acre property was once home to Clara Baldwin Stocker, daughter of California pioneer Elias “Lucky” Baldwin. The estate was beautifully reimagined by local designers for the 61st annual fundraiser, which supports music and arts programs across Los Angeles through grants and donations.
- Brenda Smith, PR & Social Media Manager
Morgana Blackwelder, Maranda Moran, Jeff Moran, and Shannon Dailey at the ISA Education Foundation “Round Up” fundraiser at the Scottsdale Museum of the West.
Maranda and Jeff Moran at a Fine Art Tours visit to the Cara Romero photography exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum— an unforgettable talk with one of the country’s most acclaimed contemporary photographers!
Palm Springs Modernism Show & Sale, February 2026
Mariam Whitten, ISA AM Managing Director, Appraisals
In the world of fine art and collectibles, value is never static. It is a living reflection of provenance, rarity, and the ever-shifting currents of global demand.
As we move through the second quarter of 2026, having already appraised over $2 million in personal property this year, the importance of accurate, USPAPcompliant appraisals has never been more apparent. Whether for insurance coverage, estate planning, or potential consignment, knowing the true worth of your collection is the cornerstone of responsible stewardship. Our appraisal team has been on the move, documenting everything from fine art and rare books to specialized Western Americana, modern design, and jewelry.
An appraisal is more than just a number on a page; it is a technical deep dive. Our specialists look beyond the surface, investigating bibliographic details in first editions, analyzing the specific states of midcentury linocuts, and meticulously researching the provenance and stylistic evolution of fine art paintings. By keeping a constant eye on the market and tracking the global auction performance of diverse asset classes, we provide a valuation rooted in market reality. Whether it is the precious metals markets, bibliographic points, or painting provenance, it all comes down to meeting the specific needs of the appraisal. This rigorous approach ensures that our clients receive a document that adheres to the standards of insurers and the IRS alike.
Our commitment to providing expert valuations knows no borders. Since the start of the year, our team has been active across the West, providing on-site inspections and comprehensive reports throughout Northern and Southern California, with extensive work in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. Beyond California, our specialists have been on the ground conducting specialized valuations for mountain-region estates in Idaho, assessing private collections in the southwestern desert of Arizona, and exploring the vibrant markets of Washington, Oregon, and Colorado. We take pride in our ability to offer coverage in and beyond California; by combining local market knowledge with a national reach, we ensure that no matter where a collection is located, it receives the highest level of professional attention and expertise. If you have been considering
an updated valuation for estate planning, insurance, or are curious about the current auction estimate for a family heirloom, now is the time to reach out. The market is active, and our team is ready to help you navigate it with confidence.
Julia and Sophia Kelley share their perspective on navigating the practical realities of estate transitions, and how to bridge the gap between handling real and personal property.
Christie’s International Real Estate Sophia@ciresocal.com | License #01962713
A home, much like one’s collection of art and antiques, can be deeply personal. Our homes often reflect our personalities: one person dreams of a butterfly-themed powder room, while another installs an indoor rock-climbing wall in what was once the garage. Selfexpression has no limits, yet when it comes time to sell a property, every design decision falls under scrutiny. Let me offer a more nuanced perspective:
My first goal is to understand the property’s architectural or historical significance - its provenance, if you
will. A home with a story carries a sense of prestige and draws buyer interest. With the help of skilled interior designers and stagers, we bring the home to its best possible showing condition, while keeping the process manageable for the sellers. It is widely understood that both staged and vacant homes tend to elicit stronger responses from prospective buyers. Conversely, a property filled with personal items can stifle buyers’ abilities to envision themselves and their future in the home.
In an ideal scenario, I am tasked with selling a vacant home that can
be thoughtfully furnished. However, that is not always the reality. Every property, and every sale, comes with its own nuances.
Approach the sale of your home and all its contents with the understanding that you are passing the torch to the next steward. People part with their homes and treasured belongings for many reasons, often at deeply emotional moments in life. It’s crucial to work with a team of professionals that can determine what should remain in the home while it is being marketed and what should be removed – to ultimately yield the best sale result. Achieving this balance requires close collaboration between the listing agent, estate managers, auction houses handling art and antiques, and of course the sellers themselves.
Navigating the “What Happens Next?” Phase
We’ve established that selling a home is often the catalyst for auction consignment, but this begs the question – once the home sells, what happens to all the “stuff” inside? Sophia and I often discuss the harsh reality that many of our clients face, which is having to decide which prized, personal possessions to keep, which to sell, and how to do it in the eleventh hour. As an auction representative, I urge you to consider the following:
Divide and conquer – Assess your family dynamic and delegate tasks like inventorying, organizing, communicating with vendors, etc., if possible.
Legal and financial counsel –Review your current estate plan with an attorney and/or financial advisor to ensure you are well
informed, and to prevent any hiccups during the process.
Setting realistic goals - Your home might sell sooner than expected; prepare to make firm decisions about how your artwork, jewelry, furniture, etc. will be handled ahead of time. The standard escrow period of 30-45 days can be a rude awakening for the uninformed and ill-prepared.
Above all, the process should be handled with care and sensitivity. Behind every sale is a story, and often, a family navigating a significant life transition. Working with a thoughtful and collaborative team ensures that both the property and the people connected to it are treated with the respect they deserve.
-Sophia Kelley, Estate Agent, Christie’s International Real Estate -Julia Kelley, Administrator, Trusts & Estates, John Moran Auctioneers
About Sophia and Julia Kelley
Sophia and Julia Kelley were born and raised in Pasadena/Glendale to a family with a background in fine art and have since established their careers in respective fields. Sophia has earned a reputation in real estate for her refined sensibilities in servicing clients with ranging needs – from starter homes to architecturally significant properties across Southern California.
As a member of the Trusts & Estates department at Moran’s, Julia oversees consignments ranging from vast estates to single works of art. Her specialized experience with high-net-worth clientele in the design, architecture, and fine art realm has lent itself to a strong foundation for the department.
Capturing the Essence of Moran’s 2025 Auctions. SO Fun!
The Traditional Collector
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10am PDT
Modern + Contemporary Art
Tuesday, June 16, 2026 12pm PDT
Art of the American West | Day 2
Wednesday, July 1, 2026 10am PDT
Studio Jewelry & Luxury Online
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 10am PDT
Art of the American West | Day 1
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 10am PDT
Latin American Art + Design
Tuesday, July 14, 2026 12pm PDT
We are currently accepting consignments for all upcoming auctions; Contact us today for your no-obligation auction valuation johnmoran.com - info@johnmoran.com - 626.793.1833
