NEW ORLEANS, La. – A gorgeous pair of 19th century Russian icons, both depicting the Virgin Mary, plus a nine-piece carved oak Gothic-style dining room suite made in America in the 19th century, an outstanding circa 1840 French directoire-style gilt bronze mantle clock and original artworks by Demetre Chiparus and Julius Lange will all come up for bid on March 11th and 12th.

They’re a few of the many expected top lots in a two-day estates auction planned by Crescent City Auction Gallery, in the firm’s gallery at 1330 St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans, starting at 9 am on Saturday and 10 am on Sunday, Central time both days. For those unable to attend live, online bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, Bidsquare.com and Invaluable.com.

Over 1,350 lots will come up for bid over the course of the two days – items that people have come to expect from Crescent City Auction Gallery: period furniture (much of it French, but also American), original artwork by New Orleans and other regional painters plus European artists, antique French clocks, Russian icons, Newcomb College art pottery and fine decorative items.

The two Russian icons, each with pre-sale estimates of $1,000-$1,500, are certain to attract keen bidder interest. One is of Virgin with Child, with a gilt silver enamel oklad (Moscow, 1825); the other depicts The Virgin of Vladimir (Moscow, 1855). They average about 13 inches by 11 inches in size and are just two examples in a very large single collector’s collection of icons being sold.

The American nine-piece carved oak Gothic-style dining room suite consists of a set of eight high-back chairs and a matching carved oak banquet table with seven leaves. The magnificent suite is expected to bring $3,000-$5,000. The French directoire-style gilt bronze mantle clock has a blown glass dome and base and stands 16 inches tall. It is estimated to realize $2,000-$3,000.

The bronze sculpture with carved face and hands by Demetre Chiparus (Fr., 1886-1947), is titled Dourga, from circa 1925. Signed and perched on a carved onyx plinth, the sculpture is expected to gavel for $10,000-$12,000. The signed and dated oil on canvas by Julius Lange (Germ., 1817-1878) is an 1854 work titled Alpine Landscape with Valley Below. It should bring $3,000-$5,000.

A sculpture by Russian artist Pavel Akimov Ovchinnikov, titled Russian Silver Knight on Horseback (1893), mounted on a tan marble base and standing 8 ¾ inches tall, carries a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-$2,500. A Newcomb College art pottery matte glaze baluster vase by Sadie Irvine, titled Moon and Moss, made in 1929, is 5 inches tall and should rise to $1,200-$1,800.

Original artworks by New Orleans artists will include an acrylic on paper, signed by William Tolliver (1951-2000), titled Mammies Carrying Baskets (est. $1,500-$2,500); an oil on canvas signed and dated (1973) by Henry Casselli (b. 1946), titled Durphy (est. $3,000-$5,000); and a signed 1978 oil on canvas by Al Federico, titled Preservation Hall Jazz Band (est. $400-$800). 

An Art Deco cold patinated bronze and carved figure after Roland Paris (Fr., 1894-1945), titled The Aesthete, created circa 1928 and just shy of 10 inches in height, is estimated to hammer for $1,500-$2,500. Also, a French ebonized and marquetry inlaid walnut liqueur set from the late 19th century, would be a fine addition to anyone’s at-home bar, with an estimate of $800-$1,200.

Staying in France, and turning to clocks, a monumental French patinated bronze cartel mantle clock, manufactured around 1880 by Vincentie and Cie, is expected to chime on time for $1,800-$2,500; while a three-piece patinated spelter champlevé and alabaster clock set from the late 19th century and made by Samuel Marti, carries a surprisingly modest estimate of just $800-$1,200.

Anyone in the hunt for fine French furniture will be attending the right auction. The offerings will be plentiful and will include several lovely commodes, a First Empire-style mahogany ormolu mounted marble-top sideboard, a Louis XV-style marquetry inlaid rosewood bookcase, a Louis XV-style bowfront marble-top bonheur du jour (small writing table), a Louis XV-style carved oak vaisselier (dresser), and a Louis XV-style buffet a deux corps (two-bodied buffet).

For fans of Mardi Gras memorabilia  - and there are legions of them – a parade bulletin from Comus, 1899, titled Josephus, beautifully presented in a double-sided gilt frame measuring 27 ¾ inches by 42 inches, should find a new owner for $400-$600. Other Mardi Gras items in the auction will include Rex ducal badges, favors, invitations, dance cards, bulletins and more.

Preview exhibitions will be held starting on Thursday, March 2nd, through Friday, March 10th, from 10 am to 5 pm Central time (except on Sunday, when the gallery is closed). A late evening preview will be held on Wednesday, March 8th, that will last until 8 pm, also Central time.

A full color catalog is up now, online at www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. A printed catalog is also available on request. Crescent City Auction Gallery is accepting quality consignments for all of its future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can send an inquiring e-mail to info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

For more information about Crescent City Auction Gallery and the upcoming March 11th-12th estates auction, please visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com. Updates are posted frequently.

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