NEW ORLEANS – It’ll be Christmas in July in New Orleans when Crescent City Auction Gallery holds a big, two-day Important Summer Estates Auction the weekend of July 17 and 18. The sale features more than 800 quality lots of fine French, English and American furniture, over-mantel mirrors, original paintings by local and regional artists, fine jewelry and couture pieces, a piano, sterling silver, nativity sets, model boats and more. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

It’s an eclectic sale, with merchandise ranging from vintage couture (Chanel, Hermes, Prada, Louis Vuitton) to fine estate jewelry (white, yellow and black diamonds, tanzanites, emeralds, sapphires, South Seas pearls) to a Russian icon of the Virgin of Kazan by Sergeyevich Lebedkin (Moscow, 1898-1914), featuring a 21K gold and enameled sterling oklad, estimated at $500-$1,000.

Start times both days will be 10 am Central time. Expected top lots include a large 20th century patinated bronze fountain figure of the Four Seasons, estimated at $5,000-$10,000; an oil on canvas painting by the French artist Maurice de Vlaminck (1876-1958), titled Country Road, estimated at $30,000-$50,000; and paintings by Knute Heldner and AJ Drysdale.

Am oil on canvas by Swedish-born Louisiana artist Knute Heldner (1875-1952), shown below, is titled Shrimp Boats, No. 5 and should bring $4,000-$6,000. An oil on canvas laid to board attributed to Norwegian-born Louisiana painter William Buck (1840-1888), titled Covington Scene, is expected to finish at $3,000-$5,000. Both would be fine additions to any Southern collection.

A large oil on canvas painting by Scott Upton (American, b. 1958-), titled Glimpse of the Hidden, signed and titled on verso, is expected to garner $3,000-$5,000.

A 19th century American-made gilt and gesso Rococo Revival figural over-mantel mirror set on a later white marble base is expected to sell for $3,000-$5,000, while an American spelter slag glass lighted base lamp, probably by Edward Miller, should sell for $500-$900.

A circa-1940 44-piece Stieff sterling flatware service in the Williamsburg Queen Anne pattern, having a total weight of 53.75 troy oz., is estimated to ring up $1,000-$2,000. Also, a silverplated epergne or centerpiece, together with a silver-plated circular mirror plateau, with relief fruit and scroll decorated rims should hit $400-$800.

Tops in the American furniture category is a circa 1880 Victorian carved walnut marble-top sideboard estimated at $600-$900. French furniture, a staple at nearly every Crescent City auction, will include a French Provincial Louis XV style carved cherry sideboard from the early 1800s, estimated at $1,000-$2,000; a French Empire carved mahogany marble-top center table made in the 19th century, estimated at $800-$1,200; a 19th century French Empire style carved mahogany marble-top commode, estimated at $700-$1,200; a French Provincial Louis XV carved walnut vaisselier (furniture for storing and displaying china), estimated at $600-$1,200; and 20th century French style ormolu mounted ebonized mahogany bombe Boulle marble-top parlor cabinet, estimated at $600-$900.

Original artwork by New Orleans and regional artists appearing in the sale will be led by an early 20th century oil wash on board painting by Alexander J. Drysdale (American, 1870-1934), titled Louisiana Bayou at Dusk and estimated at $800-$1,200, and a 20th century mixed metal sculpture by New Orleans artist Thomas Mann, titled Techno Rabbit Clock, estimated at $800-$1,200.

An oil on board painting by Colette Pope Heldner (American, 1902-1990), titled Swamp Idyll,  carries a pre-sale estimate of $500-$800. Also, a large silver gelatin photographic print by George Valentine Dureau (American, 1930-2014), titled Two Young Boys, should reach the $400-$800 range.

On to Europe, where an early 20th century oil on canvas painting by Henry Schouten (Belgian, 1857-1927), titled Horse and Donkey, is estimated to fetch $1,500-$2,500. Also, an oil on canvas Portrait of a Lady in White, initialed (“V.J.”) and dated (1836), should finish at $1,200-$1,800.

A 19th century patinated bronze sculpture by Antoine Louis Barye (French, 1796-1875), titled Spread Wing Eagle, has an estimate of $1,000-$2,000, while an early 20th century Continental School gilt bronze figure of a classical male athlete, possibly a Grand Tour souvenir, should rise to $800-$1,200.

Crescent City Auction Gallery is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, call them at 504-529-5057; or send an e-mail to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

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