ATLANTA, Ga. – A rare early 16th century German Gothic tapestry panel climbed to $48,380 and a large 17th or 18th century Tibetan gilt bronze seated Buddha figure coasted to $42,480 at an estates auction held April 30th and May 1st by Ahlers & Ogletree, in the firm’s gallery located at 715 Miami Circle in Atlanta. Over 1,160 lots came up for bid in a sale that grossed $1.3 million.

The German Gothic figural tapestry panel was horizontally aligned and measured 39 ¼ inches by 72 inches. It depicted three scenes divided by ribbon banderoles, with German text inscriptions. The central scene was of a young woman in a gown (presumably a queen), walking in a forest and looking back at a man (possibly a king). The piece was last sold at auction in April 1968.

The finely cast gilt and polychrome bronze Buddha was imposing, at 28 ½ inches tall, with the sculpture affixed to a later veneered block pedestal. The Siddhartha Gautama Buddha figure was depicted seated on a lotus throne with closed meditative eyes, a third eye to the forehead, and the palm of one hand facing up, with the thumb touching the index finger in a classic Buddhist pose.

The two lots were the top earners in an auction that was officially titled The Atlanta Collection, a two-day sale featuring 17th-19th century furniture, important Asian arts, fine estate silver, period oil paintings, Modern art, medieval Ecclesiastical carvings and decorative accessories. Prominent estates included Dr. Woody and Mrs. Honor Cobbs, and Mr. Joseph Gilbert, both from Atlanta.

About 350 people registered to bid at the event in person, while the number of registered online bidders approached 10,000 (7,793 on LiveAuctioneers.com, 1,112 on Invaluable.com and 178 on BidSquare). Bidders could also access the Ahlers & Ogletree app, available for Android and the Apple iPhone. Over 762 phone bids were cast, and there were 280 registered absentee bidders.

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

Two other of the auction's top lots also depicted Buddha figures. A 19th century Southeast Asian polychrome and parcel gilt bronze sculpture of Dhyani Buddha Amitabha seated on a throne, 21 ¼ inches tall, brought $29,500; and a circa 15th century Tibetan painting on thick, fibrous organic textile material, depicting the 13 Buddhist Guardians from the Epic of King Gesar, made $8,260.

An impressive English (or possibly Irish) George III mahogany library bookcase cabinet, dating to the third quarter 18th century, in two sections with the upper section in breakfront form and the piece overall standing tall at 119 inches, rose to $24,780; while an English late 15th or early 16th century carved oak misericord seat (a small projection on the underside of a hinged seat of a church stall), with a round carving in high relief depicting the Garden of Eden, fetched $16,520.

Three artworks by Denis Adeane Mitchell (Br., 1912-1993) came up for bid. One of them, an abstract polished bronze sculpture (#6 of 9) titled Selena (1969), featuring a pieced rhombus form on the body and two pointed horns curving inward, 7 ½ inches tall, garnered $18,880. Also, a group of five botanical studies by La Roche Lafitte (Fr., b. 1943), each one a watercolor on silk laid down on paper, signed lower right and measuring 21 inches by 16 inches (sight), hit $5,310.

An oil on canvas painting by Irish-born artist Joseph M. Kavanagh (active Fr./Belg., 1856-1918), titled Cherry Blossom Time, depicting a young girl picking flowers with a boy nearby, signed and dated 1894, breezed to $11,800; and a lovely oil on cradled wood panel by the French artist Hippolyte Camille Delpy (1842-1910), titled Bord de la Seine, depicting the Seine River at dusk and fishermen at work, done in a manner characteristic of the Barbizon style, sold for $10,030.

An early 16th century Netherlandish carved oak figural group sculpture depicting a young Virgin Mary wedding the elderly Joseph, with the High Priest Zacharias behind the couple gesturing a blessing, plus additional figures, changed hands for $15,340. Also, a circa 1889 sterling silver four-arm epergne (centerpiece surrounded by four dishes), by Gorham (Rhode Island, founded in 1831), about 11 inches tall and with a total estimated weight of 155 troy ounces, made $11,800. This was a unique piece, created by Gorham for exhibition or custom order, adding to its caché.

Rounding out just some of the auction’s high achievers, a 15th century French giltwood reliquary box (or chasse) in the French Gothic style, with the rectangular casket boasting ornately carved reticulated tracery and the box body and roof gables lined with textured red fabric, gaveled for $7,080; and a photogravure on paper by Man Ray (Fr./Am., 1890-1976), originally created circa 1929 and titled Spider Woman, #125 in a limited edition of 125 and artist signed, fetched $4,425.

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, at consign@AandOauctions.com.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree and their upcoming estates auction planned for June 25th and 26th in Atlanta, please visit www.AandOauctions.com. Updates are posted frequently. You can also follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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