NEW ORLEANS, La. – A 1918 collage by the French artist Henri Laurens (1885-1954), a 19th century French bronze figural mantel clock by Vincenti & Cie., a pair of 19th century Venetian parcel gilt polychrome and lacquer carved wood blackamoors, and an early 19th century Chinese Export black lacquer and ivory painted fan will all be sold at auction March 7-8 in New Orleans.

They are just a few of the expected highlights at Crescent City Auction Gallery’s next big two-day estates auction, to be held in the firm’s gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue, beginning at 9 a.m. Central time on Saturday, March 7th, and at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th. Over 1,100 lots will come up for bid. Internet bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com.

The auction will feature original artworks (some of it by noted New Orleans painters and other regional artists); period American, French and Italian furniture; antique French clocks; Mardi Gras items (including Rex favors and Ducal badges); estate jewelry (including vintage bracelets, diamonds, rubies, pearls, tanzanites, emeralds and sapphires); and fine decorative accessories.

With a pre-sale estimate of $30,000-$60,000, the Henri Laurens collage, titled La Guitare Rose, is one of the expected top lots of the auction. The work is signed and dated lower right. It was previously housed at The Higgins Maxwell Gallery in Louisville, Ky. Laurens was born in Paris, the son of a workman. He learned many crafts, including hewing stone and architectural design drawing.

A fine French gilt and patinated bronze figural time-and-strike mantel clock, made in the 19th century by Vincenti & Cie, is expected to realize $2,200-$3,200. Staying with fine French clocks, a gilt bronze Renaissance-style mantel clock, made in the 19th century by S. Marti, a time-and-strike model, should sell for $400-$600; while another example by S. Marti, an ebonized boulle inlaid portico clock, made circa 1870, time-and-strike, with a square blown glass dome and ornate gilt bronze pendulum, is expected to hit $900-$1,200.

A lovely early 19th century Chinese Export black lacquer and ivory painted fan, presented in a double-sided gilt frame, 17 inches by 31 inches, should command $1,000-$1,500.

A pair of Venetian parcel gilt polychrome and lacquer blackamoors, made in the 19th century and each standing 56 ¼ inches tall, carries a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000. Also, a French Louis XV-style gilt and gesso over-mantle cushion mirror, made in the 19th century and quite impressive at 70 inches tall by 40 ¾ inches wide, is expected to change hands for $1,500-$2,500.

Original artwork by noted regional artists will include an oil on paper by Joseph Jefferson IV (La./Fla., 1829-1905), titled Wooded Louisiana Landscape, possibly depicting Jefferson Island, La., and 19 inches by 30 inches, (est. $1,500-$2,500); and an oil on canvas by Charles Richards (La./Miss., 1906-1992), titled Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, signed (also est. $1,500-$2,500).

Other artworks will feature a late 19th century painting by Peter H. Wynne (La., 1858-1907), titled Louisiana Cabin With Moss-Draped Oaks, signed lower left (est. $3,000-$5,000); a signed 1937 oil on canvas by George F. Castleden (La., 1861-1945), titled Louisiana Country Road (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a mid-19th century Louisiana School oil on canvas portrait (possibly New Orleans), titled Portrait of a Young Man at a Lap Desk, that is expected to reach $1,000-$1,500.

Period French furniture pieces will be served up in abundance. Offerings will include a French provincial Louis Philippe-style inlaid cherry double-door armoire, made in the 19th century and standing a majestic 98 ¾ inches tall (est. $1,100-$1,800); and a French Louis Philippe carved walnut double-door armoire, mid-19th century, even taller at 100 ½ inches (est. $1,000-$2,000).

A 19th century French Empire-style carved mahogany marble-top commode, 37 inches tall by 52 inches wide, should sell between $850-$1,250; and an early 20th century French Belle Epoque ormolu mounted parquetry inlaid mahogany diminutive bombe marble-top commode, 34 inches tall by 46 ½ inches wide, has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$3,000.

A pair of French Louis XV-style ormolu mounted parquetry inlaid bombe rosewood marble-top commodes, early 20th century, should hit $1,400-$1,800; a French Louis Philippe carved walnut marble-top commode, early 19th century, should garner $1,000-$2,000; and a 20th century French Empire-style ormolu mounted mahogany marble-top commode should sell between $900-$1,500.

A 19th century French Louis Philippe inlaid cherry buffet a deux corps, 78 inches wide by 55 ¾ inches wide, is estimated to bring $1,000-$2,000. Furniture pieces not from France will feature an early 19th century Italian rococo style parcel gilt, gesso and polychromed pine double-door armoire, 96 inches tall (est. $2,000-$3,000); and a Southern Louisiana Creole carved walnut armoire, made 18th century and later, standing 72 inches by 50 ½ inches (est. $8,000-$12,000).

A full color catalog is available online at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A printed catalog is also available on request. Exhibition previews will start on Thursday, Feb. 26th, and continue up through Friday, March 6th, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day (except on Sunday, when the gallery is closed). There will also be a late evening preview on Wednesday, March 4th, lasting until 8 p.m.

Crescent City Auction Gallery is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057 or e-mail info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com. To learn more about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming March 7th-8th auction, please visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

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