Huge multi-estate sale planned for Sept. 29-30 by Crescent City Auction Gallery in New Orleans, La.

Sept. 13, 2012 - PRLog -- (NEW ORLEANS, La.) – Original artworks by Sister Gertrude Morgan, William Aiken Walker and Walter Inglis Anderson, a rare Tiffany lava glass lamp, Newcomb pottery pieces, a fine selection of mens' and ladies’ Rolex wristwatches and more will be sold at a weekend multi-estate sale planned for Sept. 29-30 by Crescent City Auction Gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue.

   The auction will be sizable – nearly 1,500 lots in all – and feature quality merchandise from numerous important area estates. Chief among these are items descended from the family of Chevalier Guy Joseph Soniat du Fossat, a prominent New Orleans figure in his day (1727-94), the estate Buzz Harper, the late antiques dealer from Natchez, Miss., and other prominent estates.

   The categories will include fine Southern art, European and American antiques, lighting, rugs, jewelry, bric-a-brac and objets d’art. Internet bidding will be provided by Artfact.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted (until Sept. 28). Start times both days will be 10 a.m. (CDT). Previews will be held from Sept. 20-28, from 10-5 (excluding Sunday). The Wednesday, Sept. 26 preview will be a late evening event, lasting until 8 p.m.

   Artworks by the renowned folk artist Sister Gertrude Morgan (La., 1900-1980) are highly prized by collectors, and the painting offered in this sale will be no exception. Titled Revelations (1973), the signed watercolor and pen is one of the largest of the artist’s paintings ever offered at auction (21 ¼ inches by 25 ¼ inches). It was presented as a gift by Ms. Morgan to the consignor.

   The signed and framed oil on board by William Aiken Walker (S.C./Md., 1838-1921) is titled Cabin Scene and measures 5 ¾ inches by 12 ¼ inches. It was rendered in the 19th century. The signed and framed watercolor by Walter Inglis Anderson (Miss., 1903-1965) is titled Horn Island (8 ¼ inches by 11 inches). It was acquired from the artist by the consignor around 1960.

   The rare and unusual Tiffany lamp (circa 1900) has a fluted favrile glass trumpet shade on a brass base with a central lava glass vase. Tiffany made lava glass for a very short period after Louis Comfort Tiffany himself visited Italy and became enthralled with volcanoes. Also offered will be a circa 1900 nine-piece Tiffany bronze desk set in the American Indian pattern.

   Two lots are certain to attract attention, for their beauty and unique presentations. One is a parcel gilt, gesso and maple parlor harp (patent #6808), engraved “Sebastian and Pierre Erard” (makers to the Royal Family, 18 Great Marlborough Street, London, England). The harp’s fluted column depicts classical figures in relief and conforming figures below, around seven pedals.

   The other is a Fisher Bodies sterling and gilt sterling coach, designed by Silver Creations, Ltd., for Fisher in 1973 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The coach boasts articulated pieces, including wheels, doors, folding stairs and more. These coaches were made available to General Motors dealers for $2,000. This one weighs a staggering 99.7 troy silver ounces (or 6.8 pounds).

   A few of the better furniture pieces will include a French carved rosewood brass inlaid bronze ormolu three-piece bedroom suite, crafted around 1900; a circa 1840 carved walnut Louis XV-style armoire, 106 inches tall, with a stepped arch Chapeau de Gendarme crown; and a 19th century inlaid burled walnut and mahogany cave a liqueur set with four cut crystal decanters.

   Returning to artwork, Sister Gertrude won’t be the only noteworthy folk artist to be represented. A pair of works by the almost equally revered Clementine Hunter (La., 1886-1988) will also be sold. One is a circa 1960 oil on board titled The Baptism With a Bell (16 inches by 20 inches). The other is a circa 1955 oil on board titled Buzzards (also 16 inches by 20 inches).

   Collectors of works by the Louisiana painter Robert M. Rucker (1932-2001) will be pleased to learn that multiple works of his oils on canvas will cross the block. One is titled Ancient Oak on Bayou Lafourche (18 inches by 24 inches, framed and signed lower left). Another is titled Along the Levee at Jackson Barracks (20 inches by 24 inches, framed, signed).

   Other artworks of note will include a magnificent 17th century Scottish School oil on canvas portrait of Alexander, 4th Lord Elphinstone, High Treasurer of Scotland (titled lower left, framed, 30 inches by 25 inches); and an early 20th century signed oil wash on cardboard by Alexander J. Drysdale (La., 1870-1934), titled Moss Draped Oaks (9 ½ inches by 29 2/4 inches).   

   Also offered Sept. 29-30 will be three Italian wooden Santos, carved in the 18th century; a dazzling selection of estate jewelry (to include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls and more); a collection of Steele Burden ceramic groups; a Mardi Gras ball invitation, dated March 3, 1908, unframed; and a Mardi Gras parade bulletin from Feb. 1923, titled A Fantasy of the Sea.

   Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is a locally owned and operated full-service auction house based in New Orleans. The firm conducts sales featuring fine art (particularly works from Louisiana and the Southern United States), pottery, silver, jewelry, art glass, furniture (especially American, English and Continental), lighting, rugs, bric-a-brac, decorative accessories and more.

   Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the Sept. 29-30 sale is available on request. All lots can be seen online, at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming Sept. 29-30 auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.
            
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