Art & Culture - News

Contemporary Art Collection Fetches Over $1.37M at Leland Little Auctions

HILLSBOROUGH, N.C., Jan. 22, 2025 – The latest auction from Leland Little has caused quite a stir in the art world. Held on January 16, 2025, the auction featured the Contemporary Art Collection of Francine and Benson Pilloff from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The event saw all 224 lots sold, amassing an impressive total of over $1.37 million.

The Pilloff collection, which includes works from renowned artists such as Dale Chihuly, Nick Cave, Richard Jolley, and many others, has been meticulously curated over a lifetime. Their collection is a testament to their deep connections with the artists and their passion for contemporary art. The auction showcased a wide array of contemporary glass, fine art, photography, sculpture, and more.

“We were honored to collaborate with the Pilloffs, whose journey as stewards of their collection evolved from meaningful conversations with artists to the heartfelt sharing of their passion with new owners,” said Claire Fraser, Vice President of Estates & Consignments at Leland Little.

The auction was preceded by an exclusive evening preview event, allowing potential buyers to experience the collection firsthand and interact with Francine and Benson Pilloff. The auction kicked off at 10:00 AM on January 16th, with strong international participation.

Top lots included:

  • Lost Image No. 15 by Olga de Amaral (Colombian, b. 1932), which sold for $324,000.
  • Pilloff Installation: Marquis Decade Archive Unit (1985-1995) by Richard Marquis (American, b. 1945), fetching $48,000.
  • Signum 1, a cast glass sculpture by Libensky and Brychtová, achieving $39,600.

For more details on the auction and future events, visit Leland Little Auctions.

Source: PR Newswire