NEW ORLEANS – Three mid-20th century ceramic pitchers by the renowned artist Pablo Picasso, two sterling Communion chalices (one gilt-washed), fine art by noted painters such as Peter Pierobon and Jean Charles Blais, an early 19th century French gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock and more will cross the block July 14-15 at Crescent City Auction Gallery.

It will be just the third auction at the firm’s new gallery, located at 1330 St. Charles Ave. in New Orleans. The July event will begin both days at 10 a.m. CDT. In all, just under 1,400 lots will come up for bid, in a variety of categories. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com.

“This is going to be a very large auction, very strong, with lots to choose from in the mid-range—say, $5,000-$15,000—but with many lots above and below that as well,” said Adam Lambert of Crescent City Auction Gallery. “Items will include English and American furniture, European paintings, Southern and Louisiana art, Chinese porcelain, porcelain plaques and more.”

The Picasso pitchers are expected to generate keen bidder interest. They are titled Visage, Femme and Cheval et Cavalier. The undersides of all three are stamped “Madoura” and “Edition Picasso.” Savvy art aficionados already know a collection of Picasso ceramics from the Madoura Collection—542 pieces in all—recently sold at Christie’s in England for more than $12.5 million.

The Picasso pitchers in this auction should bring handsome prices, making them the expected stars of the artwork category.

Following close behind is an untitled gouache on paper by Jean Charles Blais (French, b. 1956), dated 1985 (est. $6,000-$9,000) and an ebonized and natural mahogany bench titled Amagam by sculptor Peter Pierobon (Canadian, b. 1957, est. $3,000-$5,000).

The French First Empire gilt and patinated bronze mantel clock, circa 1810, has a hill-form top with a gilt bronze figure of a woman at prayer. Also, a late 19th century patinated spelter mantel clock by Japy Freres, depicting Neptune and perched on a marble base, will also be sold.

Beds and bedroom suites will feature a Southern carved mahogany full tester bed, circa 1850, with the ogee tester on cluster columns and an arched headboard with a central relief shell flanked by roundel mounted volutes; and an American carved walnut Renaissance Revival bedroom suite, circa 1870, with a high back bed and a matching marble top drop well dresser.

French provincial furniture will feature a Louis XV-style carved cherry commode, circa 18th century, with a serpentine rounded edge top over two deep drawers with incised carving, flanked by reeded pilasters, all on cabriole legs; and an early 19th century carved cherry armoire from Lorraine, France, with the canted corner crest over double doors with brass fiche hinges.

Also offered will be a Continental carved 19th century walnut bookcase/display cabinet, 111 inches tall by 111 inches wide, featuring an arched top with a central leaf mounted shield over a border of relief scrolled carving, the whole on turned bun feet. Sterling silver will include a set of 20th century goblets (six by Wallace, two by International) weighing 46 troy ounces total.

From the lamps and lighting category will come an early 20th century Tiffany bronze lamp base, the underside impressed with “Tiffany Studios, 7811,” 20 3/4 inches tall; an Art Nouveau gilt bronze five-light chandelier made around 1900, having a twisted central support and the lights affixed to undulating tendrils; and other fine examples of lamps and lighting.

Returning to fine art, two 20th century oil on canvas paintings by Louisiana artist Robert Rucker (1932-2001) will come under the gavel. One, titled The Shack on the Bayou, is signed and framed, measuring 25 1/4 inches by 39 1/2 inches (est. $5,000-$7,000). The other, titled House Through the Trees, is also signed and framed, 7 1/4 inches by 9 1/4 inches (est. $1,500-$2,500).

Rounding out the artwork category will be an oil on Masonite work by Jack Cooley (Louisiana, 1923-2008), titled Jazz Funeral, signed and framed, 20 inches by 24 inches (est. $400-$600); and a 1940s watercolor by Colette Pope Heldner (Minnesota/Louisiana, 1902-1999), titled Courtyard of Old Marchand’s Tin Shop, Rue Royale, Vieux Carre, signed, dated and framed (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Completing a list of just some of the auction’s expected top lots is a fine selection of Elizabeth Locke 18-karat gold jewelry; a pair of carved and ebonized gilt wood Egyptian Revival torcheres, or candlestands (circa 20th century), 80 inches tall, on large winged paw feet; and a nice selection of early 20th century KPM porcelain plaques, including one titled Ruth after Charles Landelle and signed “Schmidt.”

Previews will be held from Thursday, July 5, through Friday, July 13, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., with a late night preview lasting until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11 (a traditional preview party, with live music, will be held that day from 5-8 p.m.; featured will be light hors d’oeuvres). Previews will also be held both auction days, from 9-10 a.m. An 18.5 percent buyer’s premium will apply to all purchases.

For details call Crescent City Auction Gallery 504-529-5057 or email them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A printed catalog for the July 14-15 sale is available on request. To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming July 14-15 auction, log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

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