Press Release
Garnet Valley, PA, USA, January 25, 2026 — Briggs Auction is pleased to offer a spectacular online-only Fine Estates Auction that promises heated bidding and some hot deals on Friday, January 30, starting at 10am Eastern Time.
Sparks may fly during bidding on a colorful and intriguing watercolor and gouache abstract by Hans Hoffman (German/American, 1880-1966). Hoffman was a painter and teacher, and his work is revered for his influence on the Abstract Expressionism movement. He is also noted for helping to cohesively combine elements of other post-war techniques including Symbolism, Neo-Impressionism and Cubism, which developed into his signature and self-proclaimed “push and pull” style.
Hoffman’s pops of bright and bold colors in this work are expressive symbols, balancing its background of spatial unity and structure. The piece is signed lower right and marked “VII.20.45” and is estimated to sell for $15,000-$25,000. It comes to auction as part of a collection of items from the home of the late Helen E. Scott on the Ardrossan estate in Villanova, Pa.
More frenzied bidding should keep the auction temperature on the rise with two pottery pieces by renowned potter and teacher Hans Coper (German/British, 1920-1981). The first, a large spade-form stoneware vessel with manganese interior glaze and artist’s seal impressed on the underside is estimated at $20,000-$40,000. The work features the artist’s signature abstract yet fully functional form. The other, a slim and elegant stoneware vase of Cycladic form, also features a manganese glazed-interior and the artist’s cypher on the base, and is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.
Pre-auction/absentee bidding will open on the Briggs Auction online bidding platform and on Live Auctioneers on January 16, with real-time online bidding beginning at 10am Eastern Time on Friday, January 30. An in-person preview is available by appointment on Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 29. Please see BriggsAuction.com for auction and preview details.
