ATLANTA, Ga. – Ahlers & Ogletree’s Notable Private Collections Auction, held June 25th-26th, featured such an eclectic mix of merchandise in a wide array of collecting categories that the top two selling lots were a portrait painting of American jazz icons and a 1936 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The 1,204 lot, two-session auction grossed around $925,000, with buyer’s premium.

The painting, by the noted African-American artist Wadsworth Jarrell (b. 1929) depicted the jazz greats Charlie Parker and Dizzie Gillespie. Titled Diz E Bird (a nod to the 1950 jazz album the men released as a collaborative effort, titled Bird and Diz), the acrylic on canvas work was the sale’s top lot, earning $21,240. The painting was large, at 53 ¼ inches by 41 ½ inches (framed).

The vintage, restored 1936 Harley-Davidson VLH flathead motorcycle sported a 34 hp engine, three-speed transmission and a cream and light blue teal finish to the fenders and body – and, of course, the iconic Harley-Davidson logo. The bike had no odometer (so no record of mileage), but that didn't seem to deter bidders at all, who pushed the final sale price up to a stout $12,000.

The auction attracted over 200 registered in-house bidders to Ahlers & Ogletree’s gallery, at 715 Miami Circle (Suite 210) in Atlanta, plus there were 70 registered absentee bidders. Also, 663 absentee and phone bids were cast. Folks bid online thru LiveAuctioneers.com (8,081 registered bidders); Invaluable.com (2,122 registered bidders); and Bidsquare.com (128 registered bidders).

Over 400 people registered to bid on the Ahlers & Ogletree website (www.AandOAuctions.com) and thru the Ahlers & Ogletree app, now available for iPhone and Android in the app store. The sale featured items from the collection of Saudi Arabian Prince Faisal M. Saud al Kabir, African-American fine art, Mid-Century Modern furniture, Asian antiques, decorative items and more.

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

A carved cinnabar lacquer censer table stand of round form, from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), showing ducks, lotus blossoms and calligraphic inscriptions, 18 ¼ inches tall, went for $4,500; and an important circa-1873 sterling silver lidded box having an exterior chased with Japanese-style decorations, marked Tiffany & Company and weighing 8.96 troy silver ounces, hit $4,720.

A fine pair of 20th century blue and white Chinese porcelain vases of baluster form, with gilt bronze accent and base, 27 inches tall and beautifully decorated with leaves, berries and birds, brought $4,720. In the jewelry category, a ladies’ platinum and diamond tennis bracelet with round, brilliant, full and transitional cut diamonds weighing 8.75 carats, breezed to $16,520.

An oil painting by William Tolliver (1951-2000), one of the greatest African-American artists of the 20th century, titled Statuesque Woman (1993), a signed abstract figural work, sizable at 52 inches by 40 inches (framed) reached $11,210. Also, a pair of French mid-19th century mirrored Second Empire dore bronze three-light trumpet sconces, 38 ¼ inches in height, earned $3,540.

England’s King George III made more than one appearance that weekend. A splendid, circa 1800 George III mahogany breakfront bookcase in two sections, monumental at 106 inches tall by 96 inches wide, achieved $7,670; while an extraordinary late 18th century George III giltwood girandole mirror from the circle of Thomas Johnson (Br., 1714-1778), knocked down at $7,080.

A pair of American 20th century boiserie wooden library doors (also called hidden doors) with a simulated bookshelf motif, each with stained wood framing and with an overall height of 79 ½ inches, coasted to $5,605. Also, a Mid-Century Modern high-back easy lounge chair with matching ottoman, made by Warren Platner (Am., 1919-2006) for Knoll, realized $4,425.

An Italian School oil on canvas painting, unsigned and very large at 74 ½ inches by 88 ½ inches, titled Capriccio with Philosopher, from the first half of the 20th century, depicting adults and children in an outdoor setting, sold for $5,310; and a signed watercolor on paper on artist’s board landscape painting by Julian Falat (Polish/Austrian, 1853-1929), titled Niewiez, rose to $4,130.

Ahlers & Ogletree's next auction is a two-day estates auction, planned for the weekend of August 27-28, also in the Atlanta gallery. Watch the website as dates near: www.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 consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at 404-869-2478; or, you can send them an e-mail, to consign@AandOauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and the firm’s calendar of upcoming events, to include the August 27-28 sale, please visit www.AandOAuctions.com. Updates are posted often. You can also follow Ahlers & Ogletree on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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