Hindman to offer prizes from Atlanta philanthropist’s collection in spring sales

Le Pho, ‘Les Dahlias Blanches,’ est. $60,000-$80,000

CHICAGO — Hindman will present property from the estate of Celestia B. Smithgall, a distinguished Atlanta philanthropist, in two of its spring auctions. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

Smithgall and her husband, Charles Smithgall, Jr., cofounded the Gainesville Times in 1974 and earned recognition for their patronage of many causes throughout Georgia. The couple, whose interests extended to conservation, is particularly known for the Smithgall Woods conservation area in Helen, Georgia, as well as the Smithgall Arts Center in Gainesville and the North Georgia Community Foundation. Celestia demonstrated her passion for the arts through her strong support of organizations that included the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors and the Woodruff Arts Alliance Board of Trustees. She also established the botanical garden in Gainesville, and upon her death, her home and outbuildings became part of the 186 acres she had already donated for the Atlanta Botanical Garden Smithgall Woodland Legacy.

Rosewood and brass console table, est. $500-$700

Bidders will have the opportunity to acquire fine art and decorative arts from this renowned Georgia name in Hindman’s Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27 Atlanta Collections auction and also the Tuesday, May 10 American and European Art auction.

Headlining the collection will be Le Pho’s 1974 oil-on-canvas Les Dahlias Blanches. Estimated at $60,000-$80,000, it will be offered in the May 10 auction. Another work from the Smithgall collection that will be offered in this sale is Heywood Hardy’s A Parting Lord, estimated at $6,000-$8,000.

Herbert Davis Richter, ‘Still Life,’ est. $1,500-$2,500

The April 26 and April 27 Atlanta Collections auction will feature fine art by artists such as Thomas Baker, Albertus Verhoesen and Herbert Davis Richter, who is represented by a piece simply titled Still Life, estimated at $1,500-$2,500.

Decorative arts highlights include a contemporary rosewood and brass console table, estimated at $500-$700; a George III oak serving table, estimated at $800-$1,200; and also a William IV mahogany dining table and a pair of Empire style gilt and patinated bronze and marble candelabra.

View top auction results on LiveAuctioneers here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/pages/recent-auction-sales/