Sheafer + King Modern
Live Auction

Fine Art + Modern Design

Tue, Jan 21, 2025 11:00AM EST
  2025-01-21 11:00:00 2025-01-21 11:00:00 America/New_York Sheafer + King Modern Sheafer + King Modern : Fine Art + Modern Design https://auctions.sheaferking.com/auctions/sheafer-king-modern/fine-art-modern-design-17468
Sheafer + King Modern is pleased to present our first auction of 2025 featuring a wonderful collection of modern and fine art, exceptional designer furniture, art glass, and ceramics. Highlights include a sculpture by Jimmie Durham, print by Salvador Dali, Philip & Kelvin Laverne coffee table, Arne Vodder sofa and dresser, original sculpture by Gordon Martz, art by James L. Bruch, paintings from Indiana artists Bob Berkshire, Steve Redman, Harry Engel, Mae Engron, and Stephen Stoller as well as collections of Blenko, Kosta Boda, Bitossi, art glass, photography, and other designer furniture.
Sheafer + King Modern auctions@sheaferking.com
Lot 158

William Wesley Mobile

Estimate: $400 - $800
Starting Bid
$200

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$200 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$30,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
$300,000 $25,000
$500,000 $50,000
$1,000,000 $100,000

William Wesley (Wisconsin; 20th/21st century).  Painted Steel.  Signed.

Measurements: 32” W x 35” H x 22” D (approximate measurement of mobile hanging).

In-house shipping available.

William Wesley is a contemporary Wisconsin artist specializing in kinetic metal sculpture. While working security for Milwaukee's Summerfest for over 40 years, Wesley sought a creative outlet to reduce stress during his free time. Wesley's lifelong fascination with art led him to a special admiration of Alexander Calder, who has inspired Wesley to create his own mobiles and stabiles. 

"(Calder) is relatable to me. I read in one of his biographies that when asked by an interviewer 'how do you know when you are done with a piece?'' his answer was 'when my wife says it's time for dinner." -William Wesley

In the 1970s, Wesley was first introduced to Calder through Braniff Airlines. Wesley's sister worked for the airline during their "Flying Colors" campaign, which commissioned artists to paint planes and jets. Calder's painting was completed on a DC 8-62 airplane in 1973. 

Wesley produces 5-15 of these mobiles and stabiles per year. He sees his artistic practice as a balancing act itself, "fighting that balance of keeping my art fun for me but also producing pieces for people to enjoy without it becoming a burden to produce." 

All lots have imperfections or the effects of aging. Sheafer + King Modern shall have no responsibility for any errors or omissions.

Available payment options

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • Amex
  • Diners
  • Discover
  • JCB
  • Union Pay
PayPal

Buyer pays shipping and handling costs. Items eligible for in-house shipping will be marked as such on the catalog entry for the item. Large items and certain high value items we do not ship and a third party shipping company will need to be used. We can refer you to several local 3rd party shipping companies.

 

For items eligible for in-house shipping, within 1-3 days of the auction ending, you will receive by email an invoice with the balance for your auction item(s) and a shipping quote from our in-house shipping department. If you agree to our shipping quote, you can pay the invoice online and the item will be packed and shipped within 5-10 business days for most items. If you do not agree to our shipping quote, we can refer you to one of our 3rd party shipping partners. International orders (outside of Canada) will be considered on a case by case basis whether in-house shipping will be offered.  Local orders will not have a shipping quote included on their invoice.

 

For in-house shipping, our fees include all packaging time and materials, handling, insurance and freight charges unless otherwise noted. Shipping costs are calculated on dimensional weight. The costs to ship may exceed the value of the item(s). You can contact us before a sale to request a shipping estimate, the estimate might be slightly more or less than the final cost. Packages shipped to multi-unit addresses or those valued at $200 or more will require signature confirmation. For international shipping, buyer is responsible for all customs fees, import taxes, VAT, duties and any other fee associated with the purchase. All customs forms completed by Sheafer & King LLC will reflect the accurate sales price including Hammer Price, Buyer’s Premium, and any other fees.

From the artist.