ATLANTA, Ga. – A large signed mixed media artwork by the African American Master Wadsworth Jarrell, a cruciform staff inscribed and signed by Martin Luther King, Jr., an important Italian Art Nouveau dining suite by Cutler & Girard dated 1901, and a slant back chair and plant stand by Frank Lloyd Wright with provenance from Christie's will all be part of Ahlers & Ogletree’s auction planned for Sunday, April 22nd, in Atlanta.

The sale – titled Important Art & Design: Art Nouveau to Modern – will feature more than 600 lots of period Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Mid Century, and Modern, as well as 18th-20th century French, Italian, English, Scottish, and American fine art, furniture, silver, and decorative arts. The auction will begin at 10 am Eastern time, online and in Ahlers & Ogletree’s gallery located at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta.

The Cutler & Girard three-piece dining suite consists of a dining table, server and two-tiered sideboard, each with characteristic Art Nouveau carvings. The superior aspects and execution of the suite exemplify the Stile Floreale movement (aka the Liberty Style, the Italian equivalent of Art Nouveau). The dining set has an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

The leather upholstered slant back chair in oak by the renowned American designer Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959) was made around 1903 and originally resided in the William E. Martin House in Oak Park, Ill. It has a “J.E. Ward & Son” upholstery tag and last sold at Christie’s in New York in 2006. It’s also expected to knock down for $10,000-$15,000.

The monumental acrylic on canvas painting by Wadsworth Jarrell (Am., b. 1929), is 50 inches by 73 ¾ inches (framed) and is artist signed lower right. The untitled work depicts a horse race and was originally acquired directly from the artist around 1981. It is a strong candidate for top lot of the auction, with a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$40,000.

The wooden cross signed and inscribed by Martin Luther King, Jr. (“To My Brothers and Sisters, May God Bless You All, Martin Luther King, Jr.”) stands approximately 46 inches in height and carries a pre-auction estimate of $10,000-$20,000. The provenance for the cross will be posted prior to auction, an official with Ahlers & Ogletree reported.

An oil on canvas painting by Belgian artist Philippe Vandenberg (1952-2009), titled (in English): The Simplicity is to be Found (1987), impressive at 81 inches by 61 ½ inches and artist signed verso, should  $10,000-$20,000; while an oil on board by Christopher Patrick Hussey Murphy (Ga., 1869-1939), of a Southern coastal scene (most likely Savannah), signed and 13 ½ inches by 17 ½ inches framed, should bring $800-$1,200. There are 13 other works by Christopher Murphy and Christopher Murphy, Jr. in the sale.

A set of 35 prints in color, with a “Plank” lithograph in black and white and 34 facsimiles in color, by Robert Rauschenberg (Am., 1925-2008), titled XXXIV Drawings for Dante’s Inferno (1964), all contained in a cloth-bound clamshell portfolio, is estimated at $8,000-$12,000. Also, an etching on paper by Damien Hirst (UK, b. 1965), Twist and Shout, one of a portfolio of spin etchings, all of which are in the auction, should hit $1,500-$3,000.

An early 20th century parchment clad three-drawer cabinet, attributed to French furniture designer Jean Pascaud (1903-1996) and having brass pulls and a sycamore interior, is expected to command $6,000-$8,000; while a pair of barrel back leather upholstered armchairs in stained beech wood, made circa 1902 by Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956), both 30 inches tall by 24 ½ inches wide and structurally sound, should fetch $5,000-$7,000.

A portrait bust in blue-to-purple dichroic glass by Richard Jolley (Am., b. 1952), gifted directly from the artist to the consigner and signed and dated along the lower edge of the neck, carries a pre-sale estimate of $6,000-$8,000. Also, a pair of early 19th century English fruit coolers, likely Chamberlain Worcester, complete with covers and liners and nicely decorated in the Imari style, both 10 ¾ inches tall, should finish at $2,000-$4,000.

An early 20th century Louis Vuitton steamer wardrobe trunk with John Wanamaker label, made in France with the interior fitted with drawers and hangars and the brass lock on the front stamped with Vuitton’s London and Paris addresses, is estimated at $5,000-$7,000; and a late 20th century banjo floor clock in lacquered wood made by Tommi Parzinger of Parzinger Originals (NY), around 78 inches tall, should chime on time for $4,000-$6,000.

Rounding out just some of the sale’s expected top lots is a 1960s-era art glass chandelier made in Italy by Venini Glass and Poliedri designed by Carlo Scarpa. The Mid-Century Modern chandelier features abstract geometric tubular blown glass pendants on a multi-armed interior frame. Measuring 29 inches by 17 inches, it should bring $2,000-$4,000.

Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com, as well as through the Ahlers & Ogletree app, available for iPhone and Android in the app store.

Previews will be held Monday through Wednesday, April 16th-18th, from 10 am until 6 pm; Thursday, April 19th, from 10 am until 6 pm (but with an extended evening preview from 6-9 pm; light refreshments will be served); and on Friday, April 20th, also from 10 am until 6 pm. Doors will open on auction day, Sunday, April 22nd, promptly at 9 am Eastern daylight time.

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, at consign@AandOauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and their upcoming estates auction planned for Sunday, April 22nd in Atlanta, visit www.AandOauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently. You can also follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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