Watercolor and pen work by renowned folk artist Sister Gertrude Morgan, titled ‘Revelations.’ Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The auction will be big – nearly 1,500 lots in all – and feature quality merchandise from numerous important area estates. Chief among these are items descended from the family of Chevalier Guy Joseph Soniat du Fossat, a prominent New Orleans figure in his day (1727-94), the estate of Buzz Harper, an antiques dealer from Natchez, Miss., and other prominent estates.
The categories will include fine Southern art, European and American antiques, lighting, rugs, jewelry, bric-a-brac and objets d’art.
Start times both days will be 10 a.m. CDT.
Artworks by the renowned folk artist Sister Gertrude Morgan (La., 1900-1980) are highly prized by collectors, and the painting offered in this sale will be no exception. Titled Revelations (1973), the signed watercolor and pen is one of the largest of the artist’s paintings ever offered at auction (21 1/4 inches by 25 1/4 inches). It was presented as a gift by Morgan to the consignor.
The signed and framed oil on board by William Aiken Walker (S.C./Md., 1838-1921) is titled Cabin Scene and measures 5 3/4 inches by 12 1/4 inches. It was rendered in the 19th century. The signed and framed watercolor by Walter Inglis Anderson (Miss., 1903-1965) is titled Horn Island (8 1/4 inches by 11 inches). It was acquired from the artist by the consignor around 1960.
The rare and unusual Tiffany lamp (circa 1900) has a fluted Favrile glass trumpet shade on a brass base with a central lava glass vase. Tiffany made lava glass for a very short period after Louis Comfort Tiffany visited Italy and became enthralled with volcanoes. Also offered will be a circa 1900 nine-piece Tiffany bronze desk set in the American Indian pattern.
Two lots are certain to attract attention, for their beauty and unique presentations. One is a parcel gilt, gesso and maple parlor harp (patent #6808), engraved “Sebastian and Pierre Erard” (makers to the Royal Family, 18 Great Marlborough Street, London, England). The harp’s fluted column depicts classical figures in relief and conforming figures below, around seven pedals.
The other is a Fisher Bodies sterling and gilt sterling coach, designed by Silver Creations Ltd. for Fisher in 1973 to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The coach boasts articulated pieces, including wheels, doors, folding stairs and more. These coaches were made available to General Motors dealers for $2,000. This one weighs a staggering 99.7 troy silver ounces (or 6.8 pounds).
A few of the better furniture pieces will include a French carved rosewood brass inlaid bronze ormolu three-piece bedroom suite, crafted around 1900; a circa 1840 carved walnut Louis XV-style armoire, 106 inches tall, with a stepped arch Chapeau de Gendarme crown; and a 19th century inlaid burled walnut and mahogany cave a liqueur set with four cut crystal decanters.
Returning to artwork, Sister Gertrude won’t be the only noteworthy folk artist to be represented. A pair of works by the revered Clementine Hunter (La., 1886-1988) will also be sold. One is a circa 1960 oil on board titled The Baptism With a Bell (16 inches by 20 inches). The other is a circa 1955 oil on board titled Buzzards (also 16 inches by 20 inches).
Collectors of works by the Louisiana painter Robert M. Rucker (1932-2001) will be pleased to learn that multiple works of his oils on canvas will cross the block. One is titled Ancient Oak on Bayou Lafourche (18 inches by 24 inches, framed and signed lower left). Another is titled Along the Levee at Jackson Barracks (20 inches by 24 inches, framed, signed).
Other works of note will include a magnificent 17th century Scottish School oil on canvas portrait of Alexander, 4th Lord Elphinstone, High Treasurer of Scotland (titled lower left, framed, 30 inches by 25 inches); and an early 20th century signed oil wash on cardboard by Alexander J. Drysdale (La., 1870-1934), titled Moss Draped Oaks (9 1/2 inches by 29 2/4 inches).
Also offered will be three Italian wooden santos, carved in the 18th century; a dazzling selection of estate jewelry (to include diamonds, emeralds, rubies, sapphires, pearls and more); a collection of Steele Burden ceramic groups; a Mardi Gras ball invitation dated March 3, 1908, unframed; and a Mardi Gras parade bulletin from February 1923 titled A Fantasy of the Sea.
For details about the Sept. 29-30 auction or consigning quality antiques and art, email Crescent City Auction Gallery at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com or call 504-529-5057.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Watercolor and pen work by renowned folk artist Sister Gertrude Morgan, titled ‘Revelations.’ Crescent City Auction Gallery image. Rare and unusual Tiffany lava glass lamp, circa 1900, 21 1/2 inches tall, etched ‘L.C.T.’ Crescent City Auction Gallery image. Parcel gilt, gesso and maple parlor harp made by Sebastian and Pierre Erard, London. Crescent City Auction Gallery image. Original watercolor painting by Walter Inglis Anderson, titled ‘Horn Island,’ artist signed. Crescent City Auction Gallery image. The auction will feature a fine selection of handsome Rolex wristwatches. Crescent City Auction Gallery image. Many examples of Newcomb pottery will be offered. Crescent City Auction Gallery image.
