Maliavin’s Russian Ladies Attract Merrill’s Bidders

WILLISTON, VT. — On August 16, Merrill’s Auctioneers & Appraisers conducted its 502-lot Americana & Fine Art Estate Auction. The sale comprised an “outstanding” collection of fine art, historical ephemera and photographs, American and Continental furniture, jewelry, books and various other antiques from the estates of Hesterly Fearing Black (1933-2023) of Stowe, Vt., and others. At the apex was “Three Babas,” an oil on canvas painting by Philippe Andreevich Maliavin (Russian, 1869-1940), signed by the artist to the lower right. The three women in the work were depicted outdoors in a village, each wearing a long colorful dress and two with head scarves. In a later frame, the painting had minor craquelure but was recently cleaned and stabilized and sold for $88,200 with buyer’s premium. Further discussion of the sale will be in a future issue.