(ATLANTA, Ga.) – A magnificent Victorian rosewood half tester bed, attributed to the renowned 19th century American furniture maker Prudent Mallard, sold for $24,780 at a Summer Estates Auction held Aug. 4 by Ahlers & Ogletree, in the firm’s gallery located at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta. The bed was the top achiever of the 650 or so lots that came under the gavel.

“There was a lot of positive energy in the room and everybody had a good time,” said Robert Ahlers, president of Ahlers & Ogletree of just the young firm’s fifth auction. “Many lots sold for more than what we expected, which was a nice surprise, and others brought about what we estimated them for. Overall it was an exciting event. We got lots of positive feedback.”

About 150 people attended the auction live, in person, while 850 others registered to bid online, through Artfact.com and LiveAuctioneers.com. Absentee and phone bids were also taken. Ahlers & Ogletree is fast becoming a rising star in the region's auction industry, having already established itself as a premier player in the Southeastern states after just a handful of auctions.

The Aug. 4 auction featured fresh-to-the-market merchandise from three prominent local estates, plus other consignors. Items included fine works of art, American and continental period furniture, antique clocks, lamps and lighting, art glass, estate jewelry, watches and decorative accessories. Already plans are underway for a Fall Estates Auction, scheduled for October 6th. The firm is also handling the liquidation sale on Sept. 21 of Dante's Down the Hatch in Atlanta.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.

Lamps and lighting ignited the crowd and illuminated the room. A Tiffany Studios ten-light lily lamp, marked on the gilt bronze lily plant base and having ten “stems” holding ten gold iridescent favrile glass “lily” shades, realized $21,240; and an early 20th century Duffner & Kimberly table lamp with stained and leaded glass shade on a polished bronze base hit $3,835.

The sale’s number three top lot was an original oil painting by the noted magazine and commercial illustrator Haddon “Sunny” Sundblom (Mich./Ill., 1899-1976). Done in 1963, the painting, titled 1914 Kentucky Derby, showed the horse “Old Rosebud” winning the 1914 Kentucky Derby by eight lengths, a record that lasted 17 years. The work gaveled for $17,700.

Other artwork featured an oil on board painting by William Aiken Walker (S.C., 1838-1921). The 8 ¾ inch by 14 ¾ inch work depicted a sharecropper cabin scene in a pine and gesso molding frame. It fetched $12,980. Also, a mid-19th century unsigned oil on canvas showing the story of Moses, attributed to Constantin Flavitsky (Russ., 1830-1866), hammered for $4,130.

Bronzes and statuary were also offered. A late 19th century bronze bust of an Oriental beauty with red stone drop earrings, singed en verso by French sculptor Henri Ple (1853-1922), 24 inches tall, fetched $11,800. Also, a lifesize garden statue of the mythical creature Pan playing the flute, executed circa 1880-1920, 70 ½ inches tall, with great patina, made $4,425.

From the furniture category, tables seemed to dominate the list of top lots, led by an R.J. Horner banquet table with nine 12-inch-wide leaves ($4,720); a classical Federal New York table attributed to J. & J.W. Meeks, made circa 1830-1840 with D-shaped drop leaf ends ($3,540); and a rare undecorated and signed Kelvin and Laverne table with rectangular molded edge ($3,068).

Also, a modern brass console and mirror by Mastercraft, having six drawers and with Bernhard Rohne acid-etched details, measuring 30 inches tall by 78 inches wide for the console, rose to $4,484; and a late 19th or early 20th century French Art Nouveau table, rectangular, with molded edge and exotic wood veneer marquetry inlay of leaves, 29 ½ inches tall, made $2,006.

A stunning men’s two-tone Rolex Submariner watch in good condition slipped on a new wrist for $8,260; a rare R. Lalique perfume bottle (Jean de Parys L. Gui), with bright gold decoration and original silk tassel breezed to $2,950; and a pair of early 20th century French porcelain urns, having a chrome yellow glaze with white interiors, 12 inches tall, rose to $2,360.

An embroidered velvet panel made for the New York Vanderbilt mansion by the Herter Brothers, having a minor tear and wear that was commensurate for its age, went to a determined bidder for $4,425; and an important 18th century American mourning silk embroidery, depicting a young woman in classical dress weeping at a tomb set in a landscape, hammered for $4,130.

Persian rugs were a big hit with bidders. A Sarouk hand-knotted rug, brick red ground with a navy border and medallion, 9 feet by 12 feet 3 inches, coasted to $5,310; a Fereghan palace-size hand-knotted rug, navy ground with muted designs, 12 feet by 19 feet, garnered $5,015; and a Meyeler hand-knotted rug, 3 feet 1 inch by 4 feet 9 inches, topped out at $1,121.

Ahlers & Ogletree has already attracted some important consignments for the Oct. 6 Fall Estates Auction. These include a banjo once owned by the late Beatle George Harrison (with a 1986 Sotheby’s prior sale tag), a star ruby and diamond spiritual ring once owned and worn by Elvis Presley, and a rare Civil War 36-star “General’s Guide” flag made by Tiffany & Company.

Ahlers & Ogletree will be selling items and equipment from Dante’s Down the Hatch – the iconic Atlanta restaurant and nightclub that stood for more than 30 years in the fashionable Buckhead section of town – on-site, at 3380 Peachtree Road in Atlanta, on Saturday, Sept. 21, starting at 9 a.m. (EST). Dante’s recently closed its doors, having fought unsuccessfully to have a huge property tax bill lowered. Offered will be architectural antiques, vintage cars and more.

Ahlers & Ogletree is a multi-faceted, family-owned business that spans the antiques, estate sale, wholesale, liquidation, auction and related industries. The firm is always accepting 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 info@aandoauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the Oct. 6 Fall Estates Auction, please log on to www.AandOauctions.com.

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