ATLANTA, GA.- A 1,204-lot, two-session auction featuring items from the collection of Saudi Arabian Prince Faisal M. Saud al Kabir, plus an important collection of African-American fine art, as well as Mid-Century Modern furniture, Asian objects, antique furniture and decorative arts will be held on June 25th and 26th by
Ahlers & Ogletree in the firm’s gallery at 715 Miami Circle.
What’s being billed as a Notable Private Collections Auction will also feature the collection of Dr. Calvin McLarin, plus antiques and other objects from prominent local estates and collections. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and BidSquare.com, as well as through the Ahlers & Ogletree app, available for iPhone and Android in the app store.
Start times both days will be 11 am Eastern time. Session I, on Saturday, June 25th, will feature a vintage, restored 1936 Harley Davidson VLH flathead motorcycle with a 34 horsepower engine, three-speed transmission and a cream and light blue finish to the fenders and body. Of course, the bike also shows the iconic Harley Davidson logo. It is estimated to bring $15,000-$30,000.
Another highlight of Session I will be an original oil painting by William Tolliver (La./Miss., 1951-2000), regarded as one of the greatest African-American artists of the 20th century. The work, titled Guitar Player in Green (1989), is an abstract and Cubist figural rendering of a man playing the guitar. The unframed 48 inch by 36 inch work should hammer for $8,000-$12,000.
Additional works by African-American artists will include an acrylic on canvas by Wadsworth Jarrell (Am., b. 1929), titled Diz E Bird, depicting the two iconic jazz greats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie (est. $10,000-$20,000); and a 1980 limited-edition screen print (3/18) signed by Romare Bearden (N.Y./N.C., 1911-1988), titled Morning of the Rooster (est. $4,000-$6,000).
A mixed media collage with lithograph and gouache elements by Allan Rohan Crite (Am., 1910-2007), titled Deble Rhythm Pounder Senufo Republic of the Ivory Coast (1981), should bring $6,000-$8,000; and a mixed media on canvas by Paul Rousso (active N.C., 20th /21st cent.), titled Supper Club Girls, depicting women, girls, dolls and angels, should garner $2,000-$4,000.
A collection of three Muhammad Ali memorabilia items, all signed by Ali and from the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games (an Olympic Torch, a photo and an Olympic Games commemorative collection) is expected to command $10,000-$20,000. Also, a circa-1881 Tiffany & Company Aesthetic Movement hand-hammered sterling silver wine cooler should sell for $4,000-$6,000.
Two furniture lots carry identical pre-sale estimates of $3,000-$5,000. One is a matched pair of signed marquetry inlaid, two-tier side (or occasional) tables, by Emile Galle (Fr., 1846-1904), made circa 1900. The other is a Mid-Century Modern high-back easy lounge chair with matching ottoman by Warren Platner (Am., 1919-2006) for Knoll, with blue and yellow striped upholstery.
On to Session II, where two lots in particular are expected to attract keen bidder interest. The first is an extraordinary George III rococo pierced giltwood girandole mirror, made in the last half of the 18th century and from the circle of Thomas Johnson (Br., 1714-1778). The mirror is of shield form, with multiple shaped looking glass elements. It should rise to $10,000-$20,000.
The second is a bronze sculpture by Frederick William MacMonnies (Am., 1863-1937), titled Bacchante and Infant Fawn, inscribed on the base and dated 1890. The figural group depicts a jovial and sprightly nude Bacchante, skipping as she holds a sweet infant (or fawn) in her left arm, and a grape cluster in her right. The 16-inch-tall work should hammer for $5,000-$7,000.
Two other artworks are also expected to do well. They are an oil on canvas painting, unsigned, by a follower of Richard Wilson (Br., 1713-1782), titled Wooded River Landscape with Ruins (est. $8,000-$12,000); and a marble statue by the Italian artist Pasquale Romanelli (1812-1887), titled Paolo e Francesca, depicting a scene from Dante’s Divine Comedy (est. $5,000-$7,000).
Wonderful Chinese objects will come under the gavel during Session II, but the one that may get the most attention was actually created by a Scotsman: Christopher Dresser (1834-1904). It’s a majolica glazed ceramic “Chinese” vase, done circa 1865 in the form of a jar with a beautiful celadon glaze, with a flare mouth. The 36-inch-tall piece is expected to reach $4,000-$6,000.
Two actual Chinese lots carry pre-sale estimates of $2,000-$4,000. One is an impressive carved cinnabar lacquer censer table stand of round form, from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). The other is a palatial Chinese Export Rose Canton (also known as Mandarin Palette) center bowl of round form, raised on a ring foot, 23 ¾ inches in diameter.
The furniture category will be led by a pair of lots with $4,000-$6,000 estimates. The first is a splendid English George III mahogany breakfront bookcase in two sections, made circa 1800, impressive at 106 inches tall. The second is a French 18th century white oak provincial cabinet (or buffet a deux corps), with a serpentine cornice above a three-part display, 100 inches tall.
From America, an exceptional Sheraton mahogany (pine secondary) pedestal-end sideboard, likely made in New York around 1810 and attributed to Duncan Phyfe, having a raised scalloped backsplash, should realize $3,000-$5,000. Also, an Adirondack-style antler and horn wall mirror, made circa 1970 by Englishman Anthony Redmile, 54 ½ inches tall, should hit $3,000-$5,000.
Previews will be held Monday through Wednesday, June 21-23, from 10-6; and on Thursday, June 24, also from 10-6 (but with an extended evening preview from 6-9 pm; light refreshments will be served). Doors will open both auction days, June 25th and 26th, at 11 am Eastern time.
