ATLANTA, GA. – An original oil on board painting by the noted Armenian-American artist Hovsep Pushman (1877-1966), titled Sacred Lotus of the Nile and depicting a lady at bust length with dark hair and wearing a jeweled tiara, necklace and emerald green camisole, was sold to a floor bidder for a robust $50,000 at Ahlers & Ogletree’s Fall Estates Auction, held Oct. 4th -5th.

The auction was held in Ahlers & Ogletree’s gallery, located at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta, where more than 300 in-house bidders and more than 900 registered online bidders (who participated via LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com), competed for 1,140 lots in a wide array of categories. Many phone and absentee bids were also fielded, signaling a successful sale.

“We were very happy with the results of this auction, with a good percentage of lots meeting or exceeding their pre-sale estimates and a healthy turnout, both in-person and online,” said Robert Ahlers of Ahlers & Ogletree. “I know I sound repetitive, but the better items brought the better prices, proving that quality matters and people will spend, even in a still-recovering economy.”

The Pushman painting was expected to do well and sold for its high pre-sale estimate. The work was signed by the artist and measured 28 inches by 20 inches, minus the lovely original gilt and ebonized frame. Pushman studied in Paris, France and toured the Orient. He became best known for his contemplative still life paintings that include Asian objects and sensitive portraits of women, often in exotic attire, like the one sold.

The auction appealed to a broad set of tastes and pocketbooks. It included marvelous examples of mid-19th century American furniture pieces, original artwork (much of it by listed artists), a collection of antique Persian rugs, watches and other estate jewelry, scientific objects, sterling silver, Flora Danica china, decorative accessories and select items from prominent collections.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted are hammer and are exclusive of a sliding scale buyer’s premium.

A mid-20th century Modern bikini figural Fenicio vase, made for Venini by Fulvio Bianconi (It., 1915-1996), 14 ½ inches tall and executed in aubergine/black and white against a clear bodice, hammered for $12,500; while an unmarked late 19th or early 20th century English Neo-classical style agateware urn with faux brown marble glazed exterior, 15 ½ inches tall, realized $1,750.

A set of four Chinese Kangxi style porcelain enameled tiles in the famille verte palette, each one depicting a figural scene in a pavilion or garden landscape and all of them housed in rosewood frames, went for $4,500. Also, a 19th century finely crafted Chinese silk tapestry textile panel with figural decoration of robed courtly figures in an outdoor setting, unsigned, made $1,500.

A late 19th/early 20th century Continental enamel carousel form gilt metal music box and clock with hand-painted figural scenes, winged cherubs and a figure playing a harp, all on a hexagonal base with lion’s paw feet, rose to $4,000; and a matching pair of 19th century Continental hand-carved and gilt figural wall brackets with a bird motif (likely phoenix), 20 inches tall, hit $4,000.

A large oil on canvas rendering of a table and potted pink and purple flowering plant beside a footed goblet, bowl and fruit, by Reinhold Krassnigg (Austrian, 1898-1947), titled Stilleben (“Still Life”), 39 ½ inches by 31 ½ inches (minus the frame) earned $4,000; while a patinated bronze sculpture in the style of Paul Edouard Delabrierre (Fr., 1829-1912), titled Horse With Dog Pulling on Reins, indistinguishably signed and standing 9 ¼ inches tall, achieved $3,000.

A Louis XV-style giltwood carved wall appliqué in the form of a baluster urn, carved with draping floral and ribbon tied garlands surmounted with a floral bouquet, 23 ½ inches tall, finished at $2,500; and a brass and leather collapsible folding pole (or library ladder), with six wooden rungs connected to leather rounded supports, 81 inches tall (open), realized $1,500.

A Modern grass seat armchair, made in the 1960s by the renowned designer George Nakashima (Jap./Am., 1905-1990), with a walnut wood frame, curved back, natural grass seat and tapered supports and legs, sold for $2,250; and an Italian-made, 18th century hand-carved polychromed and parcel gilt armchair (or fauteuil), with medallion form back, 45 ½ inches tall, made $2,000.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s top lots, a circa-1920 color woodblock print by the Japanese artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1957), titled Kamino Hashi, Bridge Over the Fukagawa, 14 ¼ inches by 18 ¾ inches (framed), knocked down at $2,500; and a Mid-Century Modern striped and upholstered sofa by the Danish-American designer Jens Risom (b. 1916) climbed to $2,000.

Ahlers & Ogletree has two major multi-estate auctions planned for the coming months. One is slated for Nov. 15-16; the second will ring in the New Year on Jan. 3-4. Quality consignments for the January auction will be accepted through December 1st. To inquire about consigning an item, an estate or a collection, please call (404) 869-2478, or e-mail info@aandoauctions.com.

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 learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the Nov. 15-16 and Jan. 3-4 auctions, please visit www.AandOAuctions.com. Updates are posted often.

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