(NEW ORLEANS, La.) – Wonderful pieces of Newcomb and George Ohr pottery, Russian icons (including one depicting Jesus from around 1910, plus a rare 18th century example) and Part 2 of the John Scheffler collection of Mardi Gras items are just a few of the 1,239 items that will come up for bid at a major two-day estates auction slated for Dec. 7-8 by Crescent City Auction Gallery.

The event will be held in the firm’s New Orleans gallery, located at 1330 St. Charles Avenue. Categories will feature original artworks (including oil paintings by renowned regional artists), period American and European furniture, decorative accessories, pottery, estate jewelry, Persian rugs, Asian objects (including carved ivory figures) and Angela Gregory plaster figures.

“This auction will be the perfect ending to a successful year,” said Adam Lambert of Crescent City Auction Gallery. “I know this has often been said before, but there really will be something for just about everybody. With more than 1,200 lots, spread out over two days, it’s safe to say there’s a treasure awaiting anyone who attends in person or bids over the Internet.”

Other lots expected to do well include a magnificent Turkish Oushak palace-size carpet, made in the early 20th century and measuring 12 feet 9 inches by 16 feet 2 inches (est. $15,000-$25,000); an American Gothic Revival carved oak half tester bed, made mid-19th century and standing 97 inches tall (est. $4,500-$6,500); and a fine collection of 19th century Russian silver.

The Russian icon of Jesus, 5 ¼ inches tall by 4 ¼ inches wide, was made by Khlebnikov and features an enameled silver riza, with the imperial double-headed eagle mark for Moscow (St. Petersburg). “Khlebnikov” is in Cyrillic, and there is also a second 84 “Koloskhnik” mark. The icon,is one of several that will be offered in the auction.

Newcomb College art pottery will be represented by a matte glaze vase, made circa 1930, 5 ¼ inches tall and decorated by Sadie Irvine (1887-1970) in the “Moon and Moss” motif (est. $2,500-$3,500). The George Ohr pottery is a collection, to be sold as individual lots. Also sold will be a single-owner collection of Steele Burden pottery figures, all fired in the 20th century.

Part 2 of the John Scheffler Mardi Gras collection will feature numerous ball invitations and bulletins, including a ball invitation from Proteus dated Feb. 10, 1891 and titled Tales of the Genii (est. $500-$800) and a parade bulletin from Feb. 14, 1899, titled Reveries of Rex (lithographed by T. Fitzwillam & Co., est. $500-$700). Also offered will be three Rex Ducal badges, from 1881, 1927 and 1886. Mardi Gras lots not from the Scheffler collection will include a dazzling pair of scepters, probably for the King of Rex (1935) and the Queen of Comus (1917), both est. $4,000-$8,000. These will be sold separately.

The fine art category will feature a pair of works by the Georgia-born New Orleans artist Alexander J. Drysdale (1870-1934). Both carry pre-sale estimates of $6,000-$9,000 and both are bayou scenes titled Moss Draped Oaks and Cypress. Both are framed oil wash works, signed by the artist in pencil. One is 13 ¼ inches by 27 ½ inches, the other is 19 ½ inches by 29 ¼ inches.

Another Louisiana artist with a pair of works in the auction is Alberta Kinsey (1875-1952), who was born in Ohio but lived and worked in New Orleans’ French Quarter for over 30 years. Offered will be the early 20th century oil on boards titled Pirate’s Alley and French Quarter Courtyard. Both are signed and framed, and are expected to gavel for $800-$1,200 each.

One other regional artist of note is Robert Rucker (1932-2001), a New Orleans-born painter whose style combines realism with impressionism. The oil on canvas by Rucker titled Swamp Scene with Fisherman is 16 inches by 20 inches and comes framed (est. $2,500-$3,500). Other artworks by artists from the New Orleans area and outside the region will also be offered.

The period furniture category is packed with spectacular examples. These include a Louis XV-style early 19th century carved cherry vaisselier, 82 ½ inches tall (est. $1,200-$2,000); a 19th century French provincial carved oak Louis XV-style “wedding” armoire having an arched crown with relief lovebirds and floral carving, 95 ½ inches tall (est. $1,400-$2,400); and an early 19th century French provincial Louis XV-style inlaid carved cherry sideboard (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Also slated to cross the auction block is a parcel gilt silver enameled baluster form kovsh by Pavel Ovchinnikov (1899-1908), standing just under four inches tall and weighing 10.05 troy ounces; and estate jewelry pieces, to include diamonds, rubies, emeralds, tanzanites and more.

Online bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com (the new name for Artfact.com). Start times will be 9 a.m. (CST) on Saturday, Dec. 7, and 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8. Exhibitions will be held Friday, Nov. 29, to Friday, Dec. 6, from 10-5, except on Sunday, Dec. 1, when the gallery is closed. A late evening preview will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 4, lasting until 8 p.m. A buyer’s premium of 18.5 percent will be applied to all purchases paid by cash or check.

Crescent City Auction Gallery, LLC is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can e-mail them at info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A catalog for the Dec. 7-8 sale is available on request. All the lots can be seen online, at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming Dec. 7-8 auction, please log on to www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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