Crescent City Auction Gallery to serve up diverse offering Nov. 16-18

NEW ORLEANS – A 1956 oil painting by Japanese artist Kumi Sugai (1919-1996), an early 20th-century Gustav Stickley American Mission oak double costumer rack and a 1980 color relief multiple from Israeli artist Yaacov Agam (b. 1928) are a few expected highlights in Crescent City Auction Gallery’s Major Fall Estates Auction, slated for the weekend of Nov. 16, 17 and 18. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

Start times will be 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16 (lots 1-600); 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17 (lots 601-1350); and 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18 (lots 1351-1788). All times are Central.

With a presale estimate of $10,000-$20,000, the oil on canvas painting by Kumi Sugai – titled Hiver (Winter) – is signed lower right, artist signed, dated and titled verso. The work measures 24 inches by 19¾ inches.

The color relief multiple from Yaacov Agam is titled Black Hole (above) and is signed by the artist lower right. It is 27 inches by 27 inches and should gavel for $3,000-$5,000.

The Stickley brothers burst into international prominence in the early 20th century with their fine Mission Oak designs. The double customer rack in the auction is a prime example of their work and dates from the very beginnings of the storied company’s past. Measuring  67¼ inches tall by 12½ inches wide by 22 inches deep, the coat rack has an estimate of $1,500-$2,500.

With nearly 1,800 lots packed into three days, the auction features many of the categories people have come to expect from Crescent City Auction Gallery: French and English period furniture, lamps and lighting, antique French clocks, original works of art by New Orleans and regional artists, artwork by European artists, Russian icons, fine estate jewelry and decorative accessories.

An 1893 Russian icon of the Virgin of Vladimir (Moscow), having a gilt silver, enamel and faux jewel mounted oklad and measuring 14¾ inches by 12¼ inches, is expected to sell for $5,000-$7,000. The estate jewelry category features an array of diamonds, sapphires, rubies, tanzanites, gold coin rings and women’s watches.

A mid-20th-century American molded composition and iron Carnival aquarium, 74½ inches tall by 72 inches wide, should realize $2,500-$4,500. A rare Rex Ducal badge from 1897, the theme of that year titled “On the Water, Real and Fanciful,” with the original ribbon, is estimated at $1,200-$1,800. A 19th-century French three-piece ormolu mounted marble clock set should hit $700-$1,200.

Works by New Orleans and Louisiana artists are a staple at Crescent City auctions. Offered in the sale will include an unsigned oil on canvas by Steele Burden (Louisiana, 1900-1995), titled Moss Gatherers in Pirogues in the Swamp (est. $5,000-$8,000); and a watercolor by Jim Blanchard (New Orleans, b. 1955), titled Creole Townhouse and signed (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Other paintings by notable New Orleans artists will include Moss Draped Oak with Pirogue, done in the early 20th century by Alexander J. Drysdale (1870-1934), 17 inches by 27¼ inches (est. $2,500-$3,500); and a marker and ink work rendered in 1978 by Robert Gordy (1933-1986), titled To the North #2, artist signed and dated lower left and titled verso (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Period French furniture pieces will be served up in abundance, with lots that will be led by an early 19th-century Louis XV-style inlaid ormolu mounted carved mahogany secretary (est. $1,500-$2,500); and a pair of imposing Louis Philippe-style corner cabinets, 101 inches tall, along with a matching carved oak marble-top sideboard (as two lots, each est. $1,500-$2,500).

The category continues with a 19th-century French provincial Louis XV-style carved cherry sideboard (est. $800-$1,200); a 19th-century French inlaid burled elm cave a liqueur (lockable decanter box) (est. $1,000-$2,000); a late 19th-century French Louis XV-style five-piece carved walnut parlor suite with settee (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a 19th-century French provincial Louis XV-style carved oak double door armoire, 88 inches tall by 64 inches wide (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Lamps and lighting will include a pair of early 20th-century large French cast-iron figural Newel post lamps (est. $1,000-$2,000).

A gorgeous early 20th-century patinated bronze and bone figure by the French artist Claire Jeanne Robertine Colinet (1880-1950), titled Danseuse, 17¼ inches tall, should finish at $3,000-$5,000.

A printed catalog is available on request. Contact Crescent City Auction Gallery at 504-529-5057 or info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.