ATLANTA, Ga. – A rare 1987 Porsche 911 Turbo Carrera Cabriolet sports car – white with black leather interior and just 61,000 original miles on the odometer – sped off for $79,500 at a Spring Salon Auction held May 2-3 by Ahlers & Ogletree, in the firm’s gallery at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta. It was the top earner in an auction that saw over 1,000 lots come up for bid.

The immaculate, two-owner Porsche had a 3.3 liter, single turbo engine with 283 horse power, power top, 4-speed 930 transmission, original and sport steering wheel, two sets of wheels, two sets of tires, a Blaupunkt stereo, original books and records, tonneau cover and car cover. The car was garage-kept and pampered by its owners, contributing factors in the high final selling price.

The auction was the premier event of the spring calendar for Ahlers & Ogletree, a firm that has built a solid reputation as one of the leading auction firms in the Southeast. Items in the sale were pulled from prominent local estates and collections and included original works of art, Asian objects, watches and estate jewelry, Fabergé items, fine glass pieces and decorative accessories.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Bidsquare.com. Phone and absentee (left) bids were also taken. All prices quoted are hammer, exclusive of a sliding scale buyer’s premium.

Runner-up for top lot of the auction was a matching pair of English 20th century malachite and sterling silver vases, each 13 ¼ inches tall, of hexagonal form with pierced floral and leaved band at the neck above a paneled body, with matching sterling band above the base with scrolled foliates. Marked on the underside “ASPREY LONDON,” the vases changed hands for $13,000.

Asian lots did particularly well. A Chinese Qing Dynasty landscape motif porcelain cylindrical form brush pot with the Qianlong Period mark (1735-1795), but most likely made in the 20th century, 4 ¼ inches tall, brought $9,500; and a Chinese Qing Dynasty porcelain wall pocket, also with the Qianlong Period mark but this piece likely of the period, 7 ¾ inches tall, fetched $9,000.

Two Chinese lots posted identical selling prices of $2,750. One was a red, squat lamp form 20th century Yixing Zisha teapot with smooth exterior and upturned spout, marked to the underside with calligraphic marks (3 inches tall). The other was a cast bronze footed censor of bulbous form, with the Ming Dynasty Xuande Period mark (1425-1435), but dating to a later period.

From the original artwork category, an oil on canvas portrait painting, possibly of President Theodore Roosevelt, by Howard C. Christy (Am., 1872-1952), titled Portrait of a Gentleman With Cane (1907), realized $7,000. In furniture, a pair of Mid-Century Modern walnut lounge chairs, both covered in cream suede, by Jens Risom (Denm./Am., b. 1916), gaveled for $1,800.

Staying with furniture, a pair of Italian 20th century matching marble-top carved walnut demilune console tables, both stamped on the back, “Leone Gei, Wood Carvers & Gilders” (Florence, It.), hammered for $3,000 the pair; while a late 18th century (circa 1780) Pennsylvania Chippendale lowboy with rectangular top above a long, pull-out drawer, about 30 inches tall, rose to $1,900.

From the lamps and lighting category, a matched pair of 19th century Bohemian cranberry glass and gilt mantle lustres, most likely by Moser (circa 1857), with five panels each of flowers and female full-length portraits, made $2,500; while a palatial, Louis XVI-style 20th century gilt metal cylindrical hall lantern, 47 inches tall, with nine foliate electrified candle arms, hit $2,000.

Rounding out the sale’s top lots, an English 20th century miniature mahogany cased table-top letter box, cylindrical in form with hexagonal molded top over a rectangular brass “Letters” plate, went for $2,250; and a French, circa 1879 bisque porcelain doll with a cloth body, human hair and swivel head, with the shoes stamped “3 Nonpareil,” 19 inches tall, finished at $1,700.

Ahlers & Ogletree’s next big sale will be a Summer Estates Auction, planned for June 27-28, also in the firm’s Atlanta gallery at Miami Circle (and online). Over 1,000 exceptional lots will come up for bid over the course of the two days. Previews will be held June 24-25 from 10-6; and June 26 from 10-2. A preview party will be held Thursday evening, June 25, from 5-9 p.m.

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 e-mail them at consignments@AandOauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the June 27-28 Summer Estates Auction, please visit www.AandOAuctions.com. All items being sold can be viewed in a virtual catalog on the website. Light refreshments will be served on both auction days, as well as at the June 25th preview party.

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