New Orleans, LA (August 8, 2011) – In the midst of the government’s debt crisis deliberations, New Orleans Auction Galleries hosted one of its most successful sales to date, showing signs of strength in the luxury and auction markets.  New Orleans Auction Galleries’ Summer Estates Auction, held July 30 and 31, 2011, brought in strong prices from bidders around the world. The Summer Estates lots, which were on public display in the Magazine Street gallery for two weeks prior to the Auction, featured a plethora of pieces including fine arts, antique furniture, Asian porcelain, jewelry, silver, glass and books. Buyers were able to place bids in person, on the phone and online.
 
New Orleans Auction Galleries’ latest sale included several Asian pieces, a hot commodity in the collectors’ industry. An elaborate Chinese carved coral group brought $67,650, far surpassing the pre-auction estimate of $3,000 to $5,000. Other notable sales in the category included a colorful Chinese Famille Rose porcelain plaque set in a custom wooden frame and stand hammered for an astounding $67,650, and a Mughal-style jade handled dagger which sold for $34,440 following ten minutes of bidding.
 
Pieces from local artists brought in some of the weekend’s highest numbers. The weekend’s highest selling lot was a recently discovered canvas oil painting from Louisiana artist Helen Turner (1858-1958). The painting was sold to a private collector for $92,250 after an intense bidding war. An abstract oil on board by New Orleans artist Ida Kohlmeyer (1912-1997) fetched $18,450.
 
Other highlights from the sale include a fine George III sterling silver cup with dramatic entwined serpent handles by Daniel Smith and Robert Sharp (London, 1774-1775) which sold for $19,680. An ornate Persian Serapi patterned carpet, measuring 16’ by 25’, brought in $22,140. Perhaps one of the most rare and unusual pieces featured was a Salvador Dali “Tree of Life” 18K gold necklace from 1941. The lot sold to a collector for $34,440.
 
New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc. will be hosting its next sale on October 1 and 2, 2011. Consignments for the sale will be accepted through Friday, September 2, 2011. For a complimentary evaluation and auction estimate of your property, please call 504-566-1849 or email photos to info@neworleansauction.com. For more information about the Summer Estates Auction or the Gallery, please visit www.neworleansauction.com.
 
 Editor’s Note: Photos are available upon request.
 
Founded in 1991 by President Jean R. Vidos, New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc. is the preeminent auction house of the South. The company has received worldwide recognition for the quality and variety of pieces sold. For more information on New Orleans Auction Galleries, Inc. please visit www.neworleansauction.com, call 504-566-1849 or visit the Gallery at 801 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.