NEW ORLEANS, La. – Gorgeous Depression-era Newcomb College art pottery pieces, a fine collection of bronze mounted Sevres items, a mid-19th century American rococo mahogany full tester bed, an unusual French carved poplar and wrought iron horse-drawn hearse, and an oil on board painting by Giuseppe Galli (It., 1866-1953) will all come up for bid November 12 and 13.

They’re just a few of the expected top lots at an estates auction planned by Crescent City Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, starting at 9 am Central time both days. For those unable to attend, online bidding will be provided by BidSquare.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted.

Headlining the event is property from the estate of James C. Westerfield (1933-2016) of Jackson, Miss., plus merchandise from numerous other local and Southern estates and collections. Mr. Westerfield was an interior designer. For 55 years he owned and operated Westerfield Antiques & Interiors in Jackson. His refined good taste is reflected in the items from his estate in this sale.

In all, over 1,450 lots will come up for bid over the course of the two days – items that people have come to expect from Crescent City Auction Gallery’s estate sales: period furniture (much of it French, but also American, English and Asian), original artwork (by New Orleans and other regional artists), antique clocks, sterling silver, jewelry and watches and fine decorative items.

The bright and whimsical oil on board painting by Giuseppe Galli is from Mr. Westerfield’s estate and is titled A Musical Couple. The early 20th century work is presented in a period gilt and gesso frame and measures 19 ¼ inches by 13 ½ inches. It should sell for $3,000-$5,000.

Additional items from the Westerfield estate include a set of eight early 20th century English carved mahogany Chippendale-style dining chairs (est. $1,400-$1,800); a classical 19th century patinated bronze figure, 25 inches tall, possibly a Grand Tour souvenir (est. $800-$1,200); a 19th century Chinese famille rose porcelain punch bowl, 4 ½ inches in diameter (est. $500-$900); and a set of twelve early 20th century sterling silver goblets by Richard Wallace & Sons, 58.6 troy oz.

The Newcomb College art pottery will include a 1938 matte glaze baluster vase in the Moon and Moss pattern, 6 inches tall; a baluster vase made circa 1935 by Paul Cox Pottery, impressed with his foundry, 4 ¾ inches tall; and a glazed baluster bowl, circa 1940, 3 inches tall. All will be sold as individual lots. Crescent City Auction Gallery often features Newcomb College art pottery.

The collection of bronze mounted Sevres pieces includes a jewelry casket, a pair of candlesticks, a pair of vases, a cache pot, a center bowl on a stand and a shaped center bowl. These, too, will be sold as single lots. The American rococo mahogany full tester bed is of the type crafted for the Southern market, and is one of two being offered. It is quite impressive, at 111 inches tall by 72 inches long (est. $4,000-$6,000).

The unusual 19th century French carved poplar and wrought iron horse-drawn hearse is sizable, at 80 ½ inches tall by 60 inches wide and 123 inches deep. It’s estimated to fetch $2,000-$4,000. Also a Franco Lagini creation titled Silverplated Covered Lobster Platter, executed sometime between 1970 and 1990 and standing 8 inches tall, is expected to change hands for $600-$900.

The original works by noted New Orleans artists will include an oil on canvas by Alexander J. Drysdsale (1870-1934), titled Moss Draped Oaks (est. $4,000-$6,000); an oil on canvas board by Knute Heldner (1877-1952), titled Brulatour Courtyard, French Quarter (est. $4,000-$6,000); and an oil on board by Colette Pope Heldner (1902-1990), titled Swamp Idyll (est. $700-$1,000).

A silver gelatin print, signed by New Orleans artist George Valentine Dureau (1930-2014), titled Roosevelt Singleton, should hit $600-$900. Works by other regional artists will include an oil on canvas signed by Don Wright (La., 1938-2007), titled Louisiana Cabin (est. $1,000-$1,500); and a pastel signed by William Tolliver (La., 1951-2000), titled Cotton Picker (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Additional noteworthy artworks will feature a 19th century American School oil on canvas (laid to board) titled Portrait of a Girl with a Dog, nicely presented in a wide gilt frame (est. $1,200-$1,800); and a late 19th century oil on canvas signed by the Spanish painter Alonso Perez (active 1893-1914), titled Street Scene of Woman Cleaning a Shop Sign, unframed (est. $1,000-$1,500).

French period furniture pieces will be plentiful and will feature an Empire-style bronze ormolu mounted mahogany marble-top sideboard, finely made in the 19th century (est. $1,000-$1,500); and a circa 1850 Louis Philippe carved mahogany marble-top commode (est. $900-$1,200).

Two other French furniture pieces have identical estimates of $1,000-$1,500. One is a French Renaissance Gothic-style carved oak cupboard from the 19th century, 72 inches tall. The other is a 91-inch-tall 19th century Louis XV-style marquetry inlaid carved walnut double-door armoire.

Furniture from other countries will be led by a Chinese-style intricately carved mahogany desk, made in the 20th century and standing 78 inches tall by 53 inches wide (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a 19th century English carved banded mahogany chest on stand, expected to sell for $800-$1,200.

Two men’s Rolex wristwatches will come up for bid. One is a circa-1965 14kt yellow gold and stainless Oyster Perpetual wristwatch (est. $2,500-$4,500); the other is a circa-1981 stainless steel Oyster Perpetual wristwatch (est. $2,000-$4,000). Also offered will be a three-piece French marble and alabaster clock set, made in the 19th century and consisting of a bronze mounted marble and alabaster clock and two pierced alabaster covered urn garnitures (est. $1,000-$1,500).

Preview exhibitions will be held from Thursday, November 3rd, through Friday, November 11th, from 10 am to 5 pm Central time (except on Sunday, when the gallery is closed). A late evening preview will be held on Wednesday, November 9th, that will last until 8 pm, also Central time.

A full color catalog is up now, online at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A printed catalog is also available on request. Crescent City Auction Gallery is accepting quality consignments for all of its future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can send an inquiring e-mail to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

For more information about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the November 12th and 13th estates auction, please visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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