LOS ANGELES — In its two-day auction of fine art, jewelry and fine furnishings May 20-21, Abell Auction presented more than 550 works in a sale that tallied just over $3.5 million with more than 95 percent of lots transacting successfully. Taking its place at the head of the sale was a 1955 oil, paper and tape on canvas abstract still life by Michael Goldberg (American, 1924-2008) that racked up a final price of $375,000, including the buyer’s premium. The result was not quite the record for the artist — which currently stands at $461,000 according to AskArt — but tied for the second most expensive work by the artist. According to a representative for the house, the Goldberg “saw a lot of action and was one of the most-watched lots in the sale, with five phone bids.” Large in size at 76¼ by 62¼ inches, the painting had provenance to galleries in Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles and came to Abell from a private collection that had been decorated by decorator Michael Smith. Watch for a more extensive review of the auction in an upcoming issue.