NEW ORLEANS, La. – An important figural oil on canvas painting by the renowned Brazilian artist Emiliano di Cavalcanti (1897-1976), rendered in 1948 and titled Pescadores (Portuguese for “Fishermen”), is expected to bring $150,000-$250,000 at an estates auction scheduled for July 26th and 27th by Crescent City Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue.

The framed work, measuring 21 ½ inches tall by 29 ¾ inches wide, is signed lower left by the artist and depicts fishermen hauling in their netted catch, with a fishing boat and setting sun in the background. Di Cavalcanti was friends with many famous artists, among them Pablo Picasso. In May, one of his paintings sold at Sotheby’s for $360,000.

The painting is the expected top lot in a sale packed with quality items. Headlining the auction will be the estate of the late Barbara Mequet Ochsner (1928-2011). Mrs. Ochsner was a graduate of the Charity School of Nursing in New Orleans, where she met her future husband, Dr. Alton ('Akky') Ochsner, Jr. The couple appointed their home with original artwork and other fine items.

The Ochsner name will be familiar to residents of Louisiana, where he practiced medicine and became internationally known for the various medical devices he invented and his findings that linked smoking with cancer. He was a visionary, and hospitals and clinics are named after him. The auction will also feature quality merchandise from other prominent estates and collections.

In all, more than 1,350 lots will come up for bid, in categories ranging from fine art to French provincial furniture to dazzling estate jewelry to sterling silver pieces to pottery and decorative accessories. Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Phone and absentee bids will also be accepted. Start times will be 9 a.m. Central time both days.

Figures on horseback will be among the auction’s top lots. A 19th century bronze sculpture by Antoine-Louis Barye (Fr., 1796-1875), titled A Mounted Tatar Warrior Checking His Mount, 13 inches tall, should make $10,000-$20,000, while a pair of Chinese Tang Dynasty pottery archers on horseback (circa 900 AD), unglazed with traces of original paint, should hit $15,000-$25,000.

Three early 20th century Continental sterling silver sculptures of jousting knights on horseback with ivory faces, decorated with cabochon agate stones, a foot tall and weighing 59.5 troy ounces each, are expected to fetch $6,000-$9,000 each. Also, a late 19th century patinated bronze after Vasili Grachev (Russ., 1831-1905), titled Cossack’s Farewell Kiss, should go for $2,500-$3,500.

In the sterling silver category, a rare George Shiebler sugar and creamer set (circa 1885), in the Naturalistic Taste, both mounted with large spiders and weighing 7.7 troy ounces, is expected to hammer for $5,000-$7,500; while a suite of four George V weighted candlesticks made in the early 20th century, hallmarked Sheffield, in the Neoclassical Taste, should garner $1,500-$2,500.

The top lot in the estate jewelry category is an unusual three-piece gold overlay on silver and enamel diamond parure (matching set of jewelry), consisting of a necklace and a pair of pendant earrings mounted with numerous bezel set diamonds of varying shapes. The necklace is 17 inches long and the set has a total diamond weight of 29.81 carats. The lot should realize $20,000-$30,000.

French provincial furniture will feature a Louis XV-style carved apple wood vaisselier made in the 19th century, 84 inches tall (est. $1,000-$2,000); a monumental Louis XV-style carved walnut double door armoire made circa 1815, 92 ½ inches tall (est. $1,000-$2,000); and an early 19th century Louis XV-style parquetry inlaid cherry sideboard, 53 ½ inches wide (est. $900-$1,500).

Artwork will be offered in abundance. An early 20th century oil wash on cardboard by Alexander J. Drysdale (La., 1870-1934) titled Moss Draped Oak Tree, pencil signed, is estimated at $6,000-$9,000; and a 20th century woodblock print by noted Newcomb College artist Sadie Irvine (La., 1887-1970), titled Evening (Lake Ponchartrain), also pencil signed, should make $3,000-$5,000.

A signed oil on board by the renowned Louisiana folk artist Clementine Hunter (1886-1988), titled Mary and Angels Awaiting the Birth of Jesus, painted circa 1960, carries a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000; while a 20th century mixed media work by Louisiana artist George Valentine Dureau (1930-2014), titled Reclining Black Nude Dwarf, should fetch $2,500-$4,500.

Four artworks by the Ohio-born Louisiana artist Alberta Kinsey (1875-1952) will cross the auction block. One is a signed oil on board titled Still Life on a Table Top, 23 ½ inches by 18 ½ inches (est. $5,000-$7,000). The other is a 20th century watercolor work, signed and titled Pirates Alley, diminutive at just 8 ¾ inches by 5 ¾ inches. It’s been estimated accordingly, at $400-$800.

A lovely 20th century oil on canvas landscape scene by the Swedish-born Louisiana artist Knute Heldner (1877-1952), titled Lake Scene With Birches in Spring, in the original frame, should command $8,000-$12,000; and a watercolor painting by the Illinois-born Louisiana artist Morris Henry Hobbs (1892-1967), titled Pygmy Owl and Bromeliad, should hammer for $1,500-$2,500.

Switching to wonderful decorative accessories, an 18th century French 18K yellow gold patch box, possibly made by Cellier Freres, just 1 ½ inches tall by 3 ¾ inches wide and weighing 5.43 troy ounces, is estimated at $6,500-$7,500; and a Shearwater pottery vase (made circa 1955), decorated by Walter Inglis Anderson (1903-1965), 4 ¼ inches tall, should bring $2,000-$4,000.

A three-piece patinated spelter and marble clock set from the late 19th century, with a figural group of Psyche Revived By Cupid’s Kiss (after the original by Antonio Canova), together with a pair of garniture urns, should change hands for $1,200-$2,400; and a circa 1920 gilt bronze French School statue titled Winged Victory, 19 inches in height, is estimated at $1,400-$1,800.

Lots 1-800 will be sold on Saturday, July 26th, while lots 801-1,354 will be sold on Sunday, July 27th. Preview exhibitions will be held from Thursday, July 17th, through Friday, July 25th, from 10-5 (except on Sunday, when the gallery is closed). A late evening preview will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd, until 8 p.m. A 22 percent buyer’s premium will apply to all purchases.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the July 26th-27th auction is available on request. All lots can now be viewed online, at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming July 26th-27th estates auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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