CINCINNATI - Cowan's May 21 Spring Fine and Decorative Art Auction was hailed a success as a grouping of 80 lots of Chinese decorative arts in the auction sold for significantly higher than their pre-auction estimates. Sales of these Chinese decorative arts, totaling just over $378,500, accounted for over a third of the auction's $820,000 gross.  Overall, the auction attracted 995 bidders from 34 countries who competed for 368 lots. 

The highest selling lot of the sale was a Sino-Tibetan Porcelain Bodhisattva which realized $44,650, more than quadrupling its pre-auction estimate of $8,000/10,000. An enameled and gilded porcelain figure, probably of Tara, a female buddhist deity, is remarkable for its elaborate jewelry.

An Outstanding Chinese Polychrome Ivory Figural Group previously estimated at $2,000/3,000, hammered down at $27,600. This carved and polychrome ivory group consists of eight seperate pieces, including an elaborately carved and painted lamp, and a scroll and fan on a wooden stand.

A Chinese Silver Enameled Bowl sold for $21,150 over its $1,500/2,500 estimate.

A lot of three very rare Chinese Carved Ivory Cultural Revolution Figures piece trounced its pre-auction estimate of $1,000/1,500 and realized $30,000.  These figures, early 20th century from the republic period, include a pair of workers and a young girl holding a torch. 

A set of Coral Glass Vases on Ivory Stands sold for $14,100 over its estimate of $800/1,200. These Chinese coral glass vases have flaring lips, bosses on the shoulders, and carved character motifs on the body.

A George II Sterling Cake Basket by Godfrey tripled its pre-auction estimate of $5,000/7,000 and sold for $15,275. 

A Regina Music Box, encased in mahogany with a stained glass bow-front door, realized $28,200, over its pre-auction estimate of $10,000/15,000. 

A Model 1929 Ford Woody Truck  sold for $14,391, within its $12,000/16,000 estimate.

A Still Life by Henry Faulkner, Oil on Panel sold for $7,637.50, within its estimate of $7,000/10,000. Henry Faulkner was born in Falling Timber, near Egypt, Kentucky. Faulkner was the eccentric rebel who brought his bourbon-drinking goat Alice to parties and exhibitions of his paintings. The technique of applying paint over black gesso which appears to "edge" the subjects as seen here, provides dramatic highlights and is characteristic of Faulkner's work after his return to Lexington, Kentucky in the 1960's.

A Genre Scene titled Wisdom of the Tea Leaves by Harry Roseland, Oil on Board realized $22,524.75. Roseland painted realistic depictions of the scenes around him. Many of his works captured scenes from the South after the Civil War. Like others by Roseland, this painting depicts African Americans in everyday activities.

An Anna Pottery Pig Flask realized $15,016.50 over its  $5,000/7,000 estimate. American made and circa 1880, this unglazed redware pig flask is attributed to Cornwall and Wallace Kirkpatrick, Anna Pottery, Union County, Illinois.

A Meeks Rococo Revival Parlor, previously estimated at $3,000/4,000, sold for $25,850. Made in New York circa 1840-1850, this seven piece parlor suite is rosewood laminated and attributed to J.W. Meeks.

A painting by Cincinnati Impressionist Wilbur Adam. A Chicago "L" Train Scene, Oil on Canvas hammered down at 

$16,450 over its $4,000/6,000. 

An English Polychrome Creamware Teapot, estimated at $2,000/4,000, realized $2,702.50

A Charleston Queen Anne Dressing Table doubled its pre-auction estimate of $2,000/4,000 and realized $7,050. Made in Charleston, South Carolina circa 1740-1760, this table is made in mahogany with cypress secondary. 

About Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.

As one of the nation’s leading auction houses with sales approaching $20 million, Cowan’s has been helping individuals and institutions build important collections for more than a decade.  The company’s five divisions of American History, American Indian and Western Art, American and European Fine and Decorative Art, Modern and Contemporary Ceramics, and Historic Firearms & Early Militaria hold semi-annual cataloged sales that routinely set records for rare offerings.  

Through its extensive mailing list of more than 35,000 collectors, dealers and institutional clients, each Cowan’s auction typically attracts more than 1,000 bidders from across the globe.  To learn more about Cowan’s visit our website at www.cowans.com.