ATLANTA, Ga. – An untitled watercolor on paper rendering of a young woman with a flower by the renowned Pakistani artist Abdur Rahman Chughtai (1897-1975), sold for $70,800 at a Signature Estates and Modern & Contemporary Collections Auction held Jan. 2-3 by Ahlers & Ogletree, in the firm’s gallery located at 715 Miami Circle, in Atlanta’s Buckhead design district.

The painting was one in a collection of enchanting artworks by Chughtai offered and was the top lot of the auction. In all, more than 1,200 exceptional lots, mostly pulled from prominent local estates and collections, came up for bid over the two days. Around 300 people attended the event in person, while 7,200+ registered bidders participated online via LiveAuctioneers.com each day.

The highest number of internet bidders for any one Ahlers & Ogletree auction was recorded, as better than 32 percent of sell-through was attributed to bidders on LiveAuctioneers.com alone. Online bidding was also provided by Invaluable.com and BidSquare.com. Phone and absentee bids totaled 478 combined. By the time it was all over, the sale’s final gross was $1.078 million.

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

The runner-ups for top lot honors included a 1976 oil on canvas seascape by Andre Hambourg (Fr., 1909-1999), titled Fetes des Marins, Honfleur, artist signed, that soared to $41,300; and an artist’s proof screenprint on paper depiction of actress Marilyn Monroe by the iconic American pop artist Andy Warhol (1928-1987), pencil signed and titled simply Marilyn. It rose to $22,420.

A 1980 etching, aquatint and engraving on wove paper by Roy Lichtenstein (1923-1997), titled Two Figures with Teepee (#12 of 32), from the artist’s “American Indian Theme” series, realized $7,080; and an acrylic on canvas painting by German-American artist Peter Max (b. 1937), titled Umbrella Man (2008), of a figure carrying an umbrella, apparently without a head, made $5,015.

A color lithograph on wove paper by the noted African-American artist Romare Bearden (1911-1988), titled The Lamp, signed and numbered (#23 of 100), showing an African-American mother and her child reading beside an oil lamp, went for $11,800; and a cibachrome print on board by Nan Goldin (Am., b. 1953), titled Jimmy Paulette After the Parade NYC, hit $3,835.

Turning to furniture, a circa 1970s Hollywood Regency-style large figural cast brass ram (or wild goat) glass-top dining table, attributed to Alain Chervet (Fr., b. 1944), coasted to $10,830; a Mid-Century Modern two drawer vanity (or desk) with chrome and teak finish, unmarked, sold for $2,950; and a Mid-Century Modern cocktail table attributed to Philippe Starck (Fr., b. 1949), having a ½-inch thick green frosted glass circular top supported by fin-shaped legs, made $2,124.

Two settees wowed the crowd. One was a rare, circa-1966 Mid-Century Modern bronzed steel wire settee covered in terra cotta boucle, made by Warren Platner (Am., 1919-2006) for Knoll International ($7,670). The other was a ‘Molar’ group settee (or loveseat) in white gel-coated and molded fiberglass with a black trim base by Wendell Castle (Am., b. 1932), circa 1969 ($3,835).

Leading the decorative arts category were 70 pieces of Royal Copenhagen, spread out over five lots that sold for a combined $7,729. Also sold was a fine similar pair of Persian silver overlay glass decanters or bottles, made in the 20th century and each one 11 ½ inches tall and probably 875 silver, both having a tree of life design with foliage, birds and animal decorations ($2,124).

Sculptures are always a crowd-pleaser. A pair of figural bronze panthers by Anna Hyatt Vaughn Huntington (Am., 1876), with verdi gras patina comprising Reaching Jaguar and Descending Jaguar (both circa 1906 and 6 ½ inches tall), topped out at $8,850; and a patinated bronze sculpture of Five Men in Hats (1964), by Roger Prince (Am., 20th century), coasted to $5,605.

A limited edition (#32 of 50) woodcut in colors on paper by Tom Wesselmann (1931-2004), titled Bedroom Dropout (1983), pencil signed and dated and depicting an abstracted intimate figural scene, finished at $7,080; and a woodcut on paper by James L. Wells (Am., 1903-1991), titled Star Gazing (1939), depicting two tribal figures against an enormous sun, made $1,416.

A 19th century Continental School oil on canvas painting of sailboats under a cloudy sky, 33 inches by 50 inches, indistinguishably signed lower right (possibly “L. Lobusof”), hammered for $5,310; and two Italian-made 20th century micromosaic table-top frames, each in the shape of an artist’s paint palette, both with oval beveled glazed cartouche for photos or art, fetched $1,062.

An oil and acrylic on fir wood by Kimo Minton (Am., b. 1950), titled Away Back Home (2008), signed lower right and depicting a compilation of abstracted tribal elements in various tones and colors, realized $5,015; and a modern oil on wood panel by Louis Bosa (Am., 1905-1981), titled Bride with Umbrella, showing a whimsical view of a bride with rosy cheeks, signed, hit $3,245.

An etching and aquatint on wove paper by Doel Reed (Am., 1895-1985), titled Rest (1941), pencil signed and published by the Associated American Artists in an edition of 100, knocked down at $1,652; and an aquatint etching by Blanche McVeigh (Tex./Mo., 1895-1970), titled Idle Hour Club, depicting four African-American women sitting and playing cards, reached $1,180.

Ahlers & Ogletree’s next big auction is planned for the weekend of March 5th and 6th, also in the Atlanta gallery. Included will be items from the private collections of Helen Ballard of Atlanta, and Ann Jacob of Atlanta and Highlands, N.C., plus items from other prominent local estates.

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 the upcoming March 5th and 6th auction, please visit www.AandOauctions.com. Updates are posted often.

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