ATLANTA – Ahlers & Ogletree’s auction June 25-26 featured such an eclectic mix of merchandise that the top two selling lots were a portrait painting of American jazz icons and a 1936 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The 1,204 lot, two-session auction grossed around $925,000, with buyer’s premium.
Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.com.
The painting, by the noted African-American artist Wadsworth Jarrell (b. 1929) depicted the jazz greats Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie. Titled Diz E Bird (a nod to the 1950 jazz album the men released as a collaborative effort, titled Bird and Diz), the acrylic on canvas work was the sale’s top lot, earning $21,240. The painting was large, at 53 1/4 inches by 41 1/2 inches (framed).
The vintage, restored 1936 Harley-Davidson VLH flathead motorcycle (below) sported a 34-horsepower engine, three-speed transmission and a cream and a light blue teal finish to the fenders. The bike had no odometer (so no record of mileage), but that didn’t seem to deter bidders at all, who pushed the final sale price up to $12,000.
The auction attracted over 200 registered in-house bidders to Ahlers & Ogletree’s gallery.
The sale featured items from the collection of Saudi Arabian Prince Faisal M. Saud al Kabir, African-American fine art, mid-century modern furniture, Asian antiques, decorative items and more.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.
A carved cinnabar lacquer censer table stand of round form, from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), showing ducks, lotus blossoms and calligraphic inscriptions, 18 1/4 inches tall, went for $4,500; and an important circa-1873 sterling silver lidded box having an exterior chased with Japanese-style decorations, marked Tiffany & Co. and weighing 8.96 troy silver ounces, hit $4,720.
A fine pair of 20th century blue and white Chinese porcelain vases of baluster form, with gilt bronze accent and base, 27 inches tall and beautifully decorated with leaves, berries and birds, brought $4,720. In the jewelry category, a platinum and diamond tennis bracelet with round, brilliant, full and transitional cut diamonds weighing 8.75 carats, breezed to $16,520.
An oil painting by William Tolliver (1951-2000), one of the greatest African-American artists of the 20th century, titled Statuesque Woman (1993), a signed abstract figural work, sizable at 52 inches by 40 inches (framed) reached $11,210.
Also, a pair of French mid-19th century mirrored Second Empire dore bronze three-light trumpet sconces, 38 1/4 inches in height, earned $3,540.
England’s King George III made more than one appearance that weekend. A splendid, circa 1800 George III mahogany breakfront bookcase in two sections, monumental at 106 inches tall by 96 inches wide, achieved $7,670; while an extraordinary late 18th century George III giltwood girandole mirror from the circle of Thomas Johnson knocked down at $7,080.
A Mid-Century Modern high-back easy lounge chair with matching ottoman (below), made by Warren Platner (American, 1919-2006) for Knoll, realized $4,425.
An Italian School oil on canvas painting, unsigned and very large at 74 ½ inches by 88 ½ inches, titled Capriccio with Philosopher, from the first half of the 20th century, depicting adults and children in an outdoor setting, sold for $5,310; and a signed watercolor on paper on artist’s board landscape painting by Julian Falat (Polish/Austrian, 1853-1929), titled Niewiez, rose to $4,130.
For details contact Ahlers & Ogletree at 404-869-2478 or email info@AandOauctions.com.
Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.
