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Lot 51: Prince Twins Seven Seven (Nigeria, 1944-2011), ‘Conference of Noisy Birds,’ ink, watercolor and oil on wood, a sculptor's painting on two carved and tiered layers of wood; Osogbo, 1978-1979, 4 x 8 feet. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Material Culture image.

Material Culture to auction international folk art Nov. 3

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

Lot 51: Prince Twins Seven Seven (Nigeria, 1944-2011), ‘Conference of Noisy Birds,’ ink, watercolor and oil on wood, a sculptor's painting on two carved and tiered layers of wood; Osogbo, 1978-1979, 4 x 8 feet. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 51: Prince Twins Seven Seven (Nigeria, 1944-2011), ‘Conference of Noisy Birds,’ ink, watercolor and oil on wood, a sculptor’s painting on two carved and tiered layers of wood; Osogbo, 1978-1979, 4 x 8 feet. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Material Culture image.

PHILA., Pa. – Material Culture brings an astonishing gathering of important folk and self-taught art to auction on Nov. 3 at 11 a.m. Eastern. Comprising over 700 lots, its sale, “Candles in the Light: International Folk and Self-Taught Art,” revels in the spirit and diversity of unique artistic vision around the globe. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding

A leader in self-taught art, Material Culture has once again compiled a stunning array of paintings and drawings in this burgeoning field, led by pieces by Purvis Young, Howard Finster, Justin McCarthy, Ellis Ruley, Prince Twins Seven-Seven, Victor Joseph Gatto, Thornton Dial, Jack Savitsky, Lee Godie, Anna Zemankova, Anne Grgich, and many others.

Self-taught sculpture includes work by S.L. Jones, and Nate Barrow, both also shown in two-dimensional artwork, and folk-art inspired artists R.A. Miller and David Butler. A truly global compendium of folk art at the sale is led by pieces from Haitian metalworker Georges Liautaud, Togolese folk artist Abagli Kossi, and Felippe Archuleta, an American folk artist from New Mexico.

A large assortment of Georgia folk pottery comes to the sale, including the work of Lanier Meaders, Chester Hewell, and others in the same families or tradition. Other substantial categories include a variety of Polish folk sculpture from the 1930s and ’40s, a gathering of Judaica folk art from various countries, African popular art movie posters, Indian Bihar folk painting, and a fine collection of Mexican retablos brought to auction by St. Joseph’s University.

On Friday, Nov. 1, Material Culture will host the “Party of the Year”—an extraordinary free evening of art, exhibitions, music, dance and refreshments, from 6 to 11 p.m.. A special lecture will take place the day before the sale, on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. Joseph F. Chorpenning, the editorial director at St. Joseph’s University Press, will present an illustrated lecture focusing on the Mexican folk devotional retablos that are being offered for sale at the auction the following day. A reception will follow the lecture. All events—the exhibition, the party, and the lecture—are free and open to the public. Material Culture is located at 4700 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 101, Philadelphia, PA 19144.

For details phone 215-438-4700.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

Lot 51: Prince Twins Seven Seven (Nigeria, 1944-2011), ‘Conference of Noisy Birds,’ ink, watercolor and oil on wood, a sculptor's painting on two carved and tiered layers of wood; Osogbo, 1978-1979, 4 x 8 feet. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 51: Prince Twins Seven Seven (Nigeria, 1944-2011), ‘Conference of Noisy Birds,’ ink, watercolor and oil on wood, a sculptor’s painting on two carved and tiered layers of wood; Osogbo, 1978-1979, 4 x 8 feet. Estimate: $8,000-$12,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 4: Georges Liautaud (Haitian, 1889-1991) ‘Christ on Cross,’ circa 1960s, forged iron. Signed. Size: 36 x 22 x 7 inches. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 4: Georges Liautaud (Haitian, 1889-1991) ‘Christ on Cross,’ circa 1960s, forged iron. Signed. Size: 36 x 22 x 7 inches. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 5: Agbagli Kossi (1935-1991) Togo, untitled African sculpture, circa 1980s, painted wood. Size: 36 x 12 x 13 inches. Provenance: Purchased from Gert Chesi. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 5: Agbagli Kossi (1935-1991) Togo, untitled African sculpture, circa 1980s, painted wood. Size: 36 x 12 x 13 inches. Provenance: Purchased from Gert Chesi. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 21: Felipe Benito Archuleta (1910-1991), ‘Bikini Lady and Child,’ (1974), carved and painted wood, signed and dated, 55 x 26 x 36 inches. An early, rare work by one of the major figures in Navajo folk art. Estimate: $12,000-$20,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 21: Felipe Benito Archuleta (1910-1991), ‘Bikini Lady and Child,’ (1974), carved and painted wood, signed and dated, 55 x 26 x 36 inches. An early, rare work by one of the major figures in Navajo folk art. Estimate: $12,000-$20,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 24: Thornton Dial (USA, b. 1928), ‘Listening to the Bird Sing,’ 1994, pastel, 25 x 19 inches. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 24: Thornton Dial (USA, b. 1928), ‘Listening to the Bird Sing,’ 1994, pastel, 25 x 19 inches. Estimate: $2,000-$4,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 62: Ellis Ruley (USA, 1882-1959), ‘Autum [sic] Leaves,’ oil on board, 28 x 22inches (board), 25 x 31 inches (frame). Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Material Culture image.

Lot 62: Ellis Ruley (USA, 1882-1959), ‘Autum [sic] Leaves,’ oil on board, 28 x 22inches (board), 25 x 31 inches (frame). Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Material Culture image.