NEW YORK – Three watercolor paintings by African American artist Thornton Dial are among the highlights of a 500-lot auction of Americana, folk art and outsider art that will be conducted by Jasper52 on Thursday, Dec. 19. Handcrafted tramp art boxes, vintage signage, baskets and quilts are just a few of the added attractions in this expansive Americana sale. Bid absentee or live online through LiveAuctioneers.
Thornton Dial (1928-2016) came to prominence in the late 1980s. With little schooling or formal art training, Dial created powerfully evocative assemblages, sculptures, collages, paintings and drawings that reflected his personal history and events in the world. One of the original Dial works in the auction is a 30- by 22-inch watercolor, charcoal and pencil on rag paper titled Lady Holds the Long Neck Bird, from 1991 (est. $6,000-$7,000).
A rare shooting gallery target is in the form of a mule that kicks up its hind legs when hit. This cast-iron target is attributed to the A.J. Smith Co., which was purchased by the Evans Co. of Chicago in 1923. It measures 24 ¼ by 23 inches (est. $2,500-$2,800).
A late 19th century weathervane in the auction depicts Black Hawk (1833-1856), a well-known Morgan horse that sired more than 1,700 foals. The copper and zinc weathervane is 25 inches long by 18 inches high (est. $3,500-$4,000).
Having the highest estimate in the sale is an early 20th century cigar store Indian that greeted customers at a Chicago shoe store for many years. Nicknamed “Minnie,” the 4-foot-tall carved wood figure retains its original paint. He’s expected to sell for $12,000-$14,000.
Two miniature stoneware pitchers by contemporary Catawba Valley, North Carolina, potter Steve Abee are offered in separate lots. Each dates to the mid-1990s and is a mere 3 inches high (est. $40-$50).
The Jasper52 auction of Americana, folk art and outsider art will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 19, beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time.
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