Weschler's May 18 Capital Collections Estate Auction will feature a wide selection of furnishings, decorations, jewelry and fine art from various local estates and private collections. Exhibition for the Friday spring sale begins Saturday, May 12th in Weschler's downtown gallery located at 909 E Street, NW Washington, DC.

Highlights of the American and European fine art offerings include an oil on canvas by French artist Maximilien Luce (1858-1941) titled Baigneurs, which is estimated to bring between $80,000-$120,000; a vibrant oil on canvas, Le Pont Saint-Goustan à Auray: Morbihan ($15,000-$25,000), dated 1908, by Maxime Maufra (French 1861-1918); an oil on canvas by Edward Moran (American 1829-1901), Harbor Entrance, After the Storm, estimated at $10,000-$15,000; and two works by American painter Walter Emerson Baum (1884-1956):  Autumn River Landscape, dated 1932, and Zionsville (Autumn Scene), which are expected to fetch $7,000-$10,000 and $3,000-5,000, respectively.

One of the many rugs featured in the May auction is a striking Tabriz silk rug, circa 1950, estimated to bring between $5,000-$10,000. Other offerings include a Tabriz hunting rug ($4,000-$6,000), circa 1950; a second quarter 20th century Agra rug estimated to bring $7,000-$9,000; and a selection from the Estate of His Imperial Highness Prince Ali-Reza Pahlavi of Iran.

Twentieth Century decorative art standouts include a set of four Arne Jacobsen 'Grand Prix' teak side chairs, manufactured by Fritz Hansen, estimated at $1,500-$2,500; a Poul Henningsen 'PH-Artichoke' hanging light fixture with white enamel steel petals, manufactured by Louis Poulson ($2,000-$4,000); and a Gallé cameo glass table lamp which is expected to fetch between $7,000-$10,000.  

Noteworthy offerings among the jewelry, coins & watches include a Rolex gentleman's 18-karat yellow-gold and stainless steel and diamond automatic wristwatch, Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, estimated at $5,000-$7,000; a tested platinum solitaire diamond ring set with one brilliant-cut diamond flanked by two tapered baguette-cut diamonds, totaling 6.39 carats with a copy of a G.I.A. certificate stating the center diamond has G color, SI1 clarity ($40,000-$60,000); a pair of 18-karat yellow-gold, emerald and diamond pendant pierced earrings weighing a total of 2.30 carats, estimated for $4,000-$6,000; and a retro 14-karat yellow-gold and ruby 'Celestial' three-piece ensemble consisting of a crescent moon-shape pin and a pair of matching clip-back earrings, expected to fetch $1,000-$1,500.

Standouts in the European furniture and decorations include a Berlin porcelain plaque depicting a three-quarter length bust of Philippine Welser wearing an emerald necklace and feather and pearl decorated head piece, after Friedrich August von Kaulbach, K.P.M., circa 1900 which is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000; an early 20th century, Louis XV style ormolu mounted red japanned bombé commode estimated at $1,000-$2,000; and a Meissen figure of a putto holding a target with a heart in the center, 1860-1924, which is expected to bring $800-$1,200.

American furniture and decorations will feature an E. Howard & Co. figure-eight eglomisé and walnut 'No. 10' wall clock estimated to bring $5,000-$7,000; a Santa Clara polished blackware vessel, by Nancy Youngblood, dated 1998, expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000; and a pair of Classical rosewood 'Gondola' side chairs, attributed to the Workshop of Duncan Phyfe, New York, circa 1835 ($800-$1,200).   

Among the Asian works of art is a Korean bronze standing figure of the Buddha, from the Silla Dynasty or later, his right hand in abhaya and varada mudras, wearing a pleated and flowing robe exposing his chest, which is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000;  a Qi Baishi (Chinese 1864-1957) ink on paper, titled Three Prawns, ($10,000-$20,000); and a pair of Chinese export puce spattered white glazed biscuit figures of ducks ($1,000-$1,500).

Highlights from the silver portion of the sale include a set of four Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co. weighted repoussé sterling candlesticks, expected to fetch $3,000-$5,000; a Tiffany & Co. sterling center bowl, New York, 1907-1938 ($800-$1,200); a Gorham 'Plymouth' pattern sterling five-piece coffee and tea service with tray, each piece engraved with scrolling leafage and bellflower decoration enclosing a conjoined script monogram, ($5,000-$7,000); and a Persian silver twelve-piece royal guard band set, 20th Century ($2,000-$3000).

Sculpture standouts include a Daniel Chester French (American 1850-1931) bronze maquette for the artist's seated Abraham Lincoln (1920) sculpture at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.($6,000-$8,000); and an alabaster sculpture on a grey marble molded-edge base, titled Arab Slave Trader, signed on the base A. Umgeher (German 19th Century), which is expected to bring $4,000-$6,000.

You can find a complete illustrated catalogue for this auction and details on exhibition hours at www.weschlers.com. For live online bidding, Weschler's is in partnership with Artfact, AuctionZip and Invaluable. Weschler's next Capital Collections Estate Auction will be held September 14, 2012 with a consignment deadline of July 27.