ATLANTA, Ga. – A 1923 oil on canvas painting by the noted American landscape artist John Fulton Folinsbee (1892-1972), titled River at New Hope, knocked down for $165,200, and an important 18kt gold, emerald and diamond necklace pendant found a new owner for $35,400 at Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery’s annual New Year’s Signature Estates Auction held Jan. 6-7.

The two-day event, typically one of the bigger auctions on Ahlers & Ogletree’s calendar, was held in the firm’s gallery at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta. More than 1,000 quality lots, mostly pulled from prominent local estates and collections, came up for bid in a sale that grossed around $1.17 million. A stout 460 people attended the auction in person, despite the cold winter weather.

John Fulton Folinsbee was a member of the art colony at New Hope, Pa. He’s best known for his impressionist scenes of New Hope (the painting sold was an example), and Lambertville, N.J. River at New Hope measured 31 ½ inches by 37 ½ inches in the frame and came with a letter from Folinsbee to Hugh Richardson, the Atlanta collector who acquired the painting in 1924.

A determined phone bidder claimed the gold, emerald and diamond necklace pendant, made in 18kt white gold (25 grams) and set with 18 modern round brilliant cut diamonds (1.29 carat total weight), plus one rose cut diamond and six fancy shape diamonds. The pendant also boasted 19 cabochon emeralds (22.99 total carats) and one large faceted oval emerald (11.17 total carats).

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com (over 5,000 registered bidders, 1,027 bids placed); Invaluable.com (over 4,000 registered bidders, 1,314 bids placed); and bid.AandOAuctions.com (247 registered bidders, 312 bids placed). The 95 phone and absentee bidders combined to place 371 bids.

Session 1, on Saturday, January 6th, focused on American art, furniture, decorative arts, modern design, contemporary art and an important collection of black and white photography. Session 2, the following day, featured English and continental art, period antique furniture, antique lighting and textiles, and fine pieces of sterling silver. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.

The collection of black and white photographs included signed works by such luminaries as Robert Mapplethorpe, Joel-Peter Wiltkin, John Coplans, Jimmy de Sana, George Platt Lynes and others. A gelatin silver print signed by the renowned photographer Robert Mapplethorpe (Am., 1946-1989), titled Patrice (1977), dated and numbered (3 of 5) in ink, hammered for $14,880.

One lot combined photography with artwork. It was a mixed media charcoal on photograph self-portrait by Arnulf Rainer (Austrian, b. 1929), titled Stupid Prayers for Forgiveness (1976). The 25 ¾ inch by 30 ¾ inch work (in the frame) was signed, dated and inscribed and was previously exhibited at the Emory University Museum of Art & Archaeology in Atlanta. It brought $13,640.

A collage of acrylic and charcoal on papers by Juliao Sarmento (Portuguese, b. 1948), titled Arena (1985), apparently unsigned and impressive at 69 ¼ inches by 59 ½ inches (framed), went for $19,360; and a late 19th century oil on canvas mounted on board by William Picknell (Am., 1853-1897), titled Coast of France, artist signed and 42 ¾ inches by 54 ½ inches, made $14,160.

A scarce set of “Black Shoulder” hand-painted French china designed by Van Day Truex (Am., 1904-1979) for Tiffany & Co., with all 103 pieces in the private stock set inscribed by Tiffany on the base, along with Atelier Le Talec marks, realized $12,400; while a large set of sterling silver flatware by Tiffany & Company in the Chrysanthemum pattern sold for the exact same amount.

In the furniture category, an English Arts & Crafts mahogany inlaid wing arm chair, made in the 20th century and from the estate of the historical and architectural author William R. Mitchell, Jr., breezed to $8,470; and a 19th century French Louis XV-style parquetry inlaid serpentine front commode made from satinwood, gilt metal and marble, unmarked, changed hands for $6,050.

Rounding out the auction’s primary achievers, a gorgeous Chinese Qing dynasty porcelain vase, 15 inches tall, fetched $3,025. The hand-painted famille rose enamel decorated tianqiuping bottle vase boasted a motif of peaches, birds, flowering vases, ruyi scepters and other precious objects. Made 19th century or a bit earlier, the vase was marked to the underside with double cobalt rings.

Ahlers & Ogletree is a multi-faceted, family-owned business that spans the antiques, estate sale, wholesale, liquidation, auction and related industries. Ahlers & Ogletree is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at 404-869-2478; or, you can send them an e-mail, to robert@aandoauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery, visit www.AandOAuctions.com. Updates are posted often. You can follow Ahlers & Ogletree on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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