Presley will feature 350 of Father Al’s artworks and Teplitz, Pickard and Amphora ceramics as the special highlight of his New Year’s Day auction of fine art and antiques from upscale Southern California estates and residences. LiveAuctioneers will provide the absentee and Internet live bidding for the sale.
“Father Al has been an admirer of art and antiques since childhood. His mother was, and still is, a collector of decorative ceramics – in particular Pickard – and provided expert guidance to her son when he decided to start his own collection,” said auctioneer Presley. “She also gave him many exquisite pieces as gifts. Most of the collection is in mint condition and of museum quality.”
In addition to the porcelain, china and pottery, Father Al’s collection includes fine artworks. Most notable among the American paintings is a picturesque waterscape by New Hope School artist Fern Isobel Coppedge (1883-1951). The framed 16½ by 21½-inch oil-on-canvas laid to board depicts multiple two-story residences and a boat shed amid towering trees, overlooking a large body of water with sailboats. It is a quintessential expression of the factors that Coppedge considered so important: light, color and time of day. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.
Another important painting from the Baca collection is an 18th-century Cuzco school oil-on-canvas titled Nuestra Senora del Rosario de Pomata (Our Lady of the Rosary of Pomata). This accomplished work measures 41 by 31¼ inches and is estimated at $20,000-$25,000.
Presley said the sale of Father Al’s collection should provide “a significant financial blessing” for St. Cecilia Church because the objects and artworks are a reflection of “many years of astute collecting.”
“Father Al doesn’t need to buy insurance for the afterlife,” Presley said with a chuckle. “I think he already has that well covered. He’s a beloved priest who continues to be a devoted servant to God and his parish. Over and above everything else, he’s making good on a personal vow. He is very humble, and we had to talk him into letting us publicly reveal what he is doing.”
The remainder of the 700-lot New Year’s Day Auction consists of superior-quality estate items and private consignments. Among the categories represented are Russian enamelwork, Baccarat, pietra dura, sterling silver, Tiffany, bronzes, jewelry, fine clock and watches. A late entry was a sizable and choice collection of art glass.
Estate paintings include a Paul Emanuel Peraire (French, 1829-1893) oil-on-canvas landscape titled Paysage, estimate $2,000-$3,000; and a watercolor portrait of a woman by Dada pioneer and modernist Francis Picabia (French, 1879-1953), estimate $35,000-$40,000.
The furniture section is led by a pair of matching 19th-century Napoleon III ormolu mounted black-and-cream lacquered cabinets on winged dragon feet. Each cabinet stands 5ft 6in tall by 4ft 2in wide. In 2000, the elegant duo was appraised by Sotheby’s for $100,000-$120,000. Its estimate in the New Year’s Day Auction is $100,000-$150,000.
Of an entirely different but equally sophisticated taste is the pair of heavily carved 19th-century chinoiserie cabinets. The double doors on each cabinet are hand-painted and open to reveal 12 hand-decorated drawers and other receptacles. The pair is expected to make $50,000-$75,000.
Don Presley’s annual New Year’s Day Auction is always a popular affair. Many consider it his most exciting event of the year.
“In addition to the most exceptional estate antiques and art available anywhere, this sale includes many items that will be offered with no minimum and no reserve. If there is a reserve, it will be the opening bid. We try to be as transparent and up front as possible so our customers can bid in confidence,” Presley said.
The Jan. 1 auction will start at noon Pacific Time / 3 p.m. Eastern Time. The auction gallery is located at 2202 S. Main St. in Santa Ana, CA 92707. For additional information on any item in the auction, call 714-633-2437 or email info@donpresley.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
