Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT ∙ BETTINE FIELD CARROLL
+1 504.899.5329
estates@nealauction.com

• Neal Auction Company attracts bidders from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom

• Neal Auction Company sets world record prices for six internationally known artists, including modernist artist Blanche Lazzell – $56.4K

• Neal Auction Company sets world record price for John Gould’s “Family of Toucans” – $67K

• In keeping with market trend, 19th Century Continental Furniture and Decorations perform exceptionally well

May 24, 2006 – Neal Auction Company’s May 20 and 21 Spring Estates Auction, featuring fine and decorative arts and antiques, witnessed considerable attention.

With the advent of the Internet, the art business has become a truly global market where everyone has access to the best at the simple click of a button. Neal Auction Company’s sale last weekend saw bidders not only from across the country but from all around the globe. There were registered bidders from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom

FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS ∙ 19th Century Continental Furniture & Works of Art As a testament to recent market trend and the resurgent worldwide interest in 19th century Continental furniture and decorative objects, Neal Auction Company had an outstanding representation in their May 20 and 21 Summer Estates Auction. Bidding on lots was exceptionally strong, particularly with out-of-state collectors bidding over the telephone.
In terms of 19th century Continental furniture, lot 971, an exquisitely detailed 19th century, Louis XV-Style Kingwood and Bronze Mounted Commode – consigned by a New Orleans family badly affected by Katrina floodwaters – was the vanguard lot of the day. With fervent bidding on 14 phone lines linked to Nice, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Miami and New York to name a few, the piece eventually sold to a California collector for $43,475.00.

Lot 971 An Antique Louis XV-Style Kingwood and Bronze Mounted Commode SOLD $43,475.00

A 19th century Louis XVI-Style Ormolu Mounted Marquetry and Parquetry Escritoire (lot 52) also did very well, exceeding its presale estimates and selling on the telephone for $17,625.00. Lot 465, a late 19th century Louis XV-Style Bureau Plat sold on the phone to a West Coast collector for $10,575 while lot 470, a Pair of Italian Paint-Decorated Commodes sold on the telephone for $11,025.00 to a South West collector. A late 19th century, Louis XVI-Style Kingwood, Parquetry and Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet, signed Francoise Linke, (lot 741) sold just above its high estimate at $17,625 to an out-of-state telephone buyer.

Lot 741 A Fine Louis XVI-Style Kingwood, Parquetry and Ormolu-Mounted Cabinet attributed to Francois Linke (1855-1946) SOLD $17,625.00

And at $24,675, a c.1840, Architectonic Continental Mahogany Fall Front Desk, lot 824, sold well above its presale estimates of $8,000-$12,000 to a collector within the salesroom.

19th century Decorative Objects had tremendous appeal as well. Again, out of state telephone and absentee bidders were the principal buyers.

Lot 23, a 19th century Belle Époque Gilt Bronze Chandelier sold for $11,750.00 (estimate $4,000-6,000) to a California phone bidder.

Lot 23 A Fine Belle Époque Gilt Bronze Figural Sixteen-Light Chandelier late 19th c. SOLD $11,750.00

Against a presale estimate of $2,000-4,000, a KPM Porcelain Plaque (lot 72) decorated by Karl Wagner circa 1870-1880 and depicting a half length young maiden sold to a New York collector on the phone for $9,106.25. Another New Yorker purchased lot 138, a large Continental Neo-Classical Style Polished Bronze Mirrored Plateau, for $8,225.00 - well above its high estimate of $2,500-$3,500. Lot 275, a large, mid-19th century Italian Rococo Reticulated Giltwood Mirror also sold above its high estimate to an absentee bidder for $7,050.00. Lot 298, a mid-19th century Napoleon III Carved and Gilded Three Panel Screen with two large “Sevres” porcelain panels flanking a central dressing mirror more than doubled its low estimate, bringing $10,868.75 and selling to a New York phone bidder. A 19th century “Sevres” Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock (lot 381) with an estimate of $3,000 - $5,000, was purchased by a Californian for $12,337.50. Another California collector purchased lot 683, a mid-19th century Louis XV-Style Carved Giltwood Mirror for $7,637.50. And lastly, a Vieux Paris Porcelain Coffee and Tea Service (lot 954) more than doubled its low estimate of $6,000, selling for $12,631.25 to yet another West Coast bidder.

Lot 381 A Large “Sèvres” Porcelain and Gilt Bronze Mantel Clock, 19th century the works marked by Japy Freres, Paris SOLD $12,337.50

FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS ∙ American Furniture & Works of Art
As usual, American furniture and decorative works of art had loads of national appeal, seeing buyers from Connecticut, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas among others.
A pair of New York Rococo Laminated Rosewood Armchairs attributed to John Henry Belter, lot 166, sold to a salesroom bidder at $9,106.25. Lot 666, an American Classical Carved Mahogany Tall-Post Bed exceeded its presale estimates, selling for $8,518.75 on the telephone. Also on the telephone, Lot 844, an early 19th century New York Classical Carved Mahogany Sideboard, reached $9,106.25. Lot 851, a Federal Inlaid Cherrywood Tall Chest, circa 1790, brought $10,868.75 in the room. Also selling to a collector in the room was lot 890, a small 18th century Queen Anne Maple Highboy which sold well above its $4,500 high estimate for $7,343.75.

Lot 851 A Federal Inlaid Tall Chest c. 1790, probably Virginia or Maryland SOLD $10,868.75

Southern American Furniture also had an excellent turn-around.
Lot 843, a mid-19th century, American Rococo Carved Mahogany Half Tester Bed from New Orleans sold extremely well on the telephone, fetching $36,425.00. And a 19th century Louisiana Cypress Child’s Armoire, lot 1055, more than doubled its high estimate selling over the phone for $10,575.00.
 

Lot 843 An American Rococo Carved Mahogany Half Tester Bed mid-19th century New Orleans SOLD $36,425.00

In terms of American Decorative Objects, Neal Auction Company’s Spring Estates Auction saw strong bidding from across the United States.
Three lots are worth noting for selling well above their presale estimates. Lot 626, a 210 Piece Gorham Sterling Silver Flatware Service in the “Imperial Chrysanthemum” pattern, estimated at $3,000-$5,000 sold to a collector within the salesroom for $9,693.25. A mid-19th century, American Rococo Gilt Brass and Bronze Six-Light Gasolier, lot 693, exceeded its $2,500-$3,500 presale estimate, selling at $8,812.50. And lot 782, a Kentucky Coin-Silver Julep Cup, sold for $2,760.00 against a presale estimate of $800-$1,200.

Lot 693 An American Rococo Gilt Brass and Bronze Six-Light Gasolier mid-19th c., probably Cornelius & Co., Philadelphia SOLD $8,812.50

FURNITURE AND DECORATIONS ∙ English Furniture
As a demonstration of the market stability of English furniture, Neal Auction Company sold several exceptional pieces to both American and English buyers.
An 18th century and later George I Walnut and Oyster Veneered Cabinet (lot 288) sold for $9,400 to a Californian collector on the phone. Ten William IV Carved Mahogany Dining Chairs, lot 325, achieved $8,100 against serious phone bidding. A mid-19th century English Carved Mahogany Dining Table in the Chippendale Taste, lot 700, sold to a Texas phone bidder for $8,812.50. Lot 858, A George III Mahogany Tall Chest of Drawers, circa 1780, brought $8,812.50 to an absentee American bidder. And lot 945, a pair of George III-style Paint-Decorated Demilune Console Tables, sold over the telephone to an English bidder at $12,925.00.

Lot 945 A Pair of Antique George III-Style Paint-Decorated Demilune Console Tables SOLD $12,925.00

FINE ART ∙ Paintings, Drawings and Watercolors
Record prices were realized for several internationally recognized artists on Sunday. Five oil paintings and one watercolor achieved record auction prices for the artists.

Lot 1020, an oil titled “Azaleas, Magnolia Gardens, Charleston, SC” by Ivan Summers (American, 1886-1964) achieved $3,877.50 against a presale estimate of $500-$1,000, selling to an out of state phone bidder. Lot 1027, Karl Ferdinand Wolfe’s (American/Mississippi, 1904-1985) oil “Still Life of Gardenias” made $10,868.75 against a presale estimate of $5,500 to $7,500, selling to a Mid Western absentee bidder. Robert Rucker’s (America/Louisiana, 1932-2001) “Exotic Dancer and Musicians, French Quarter Salon” (lot 1031) sold in the salesroom for $15,862.50 against an estimate of $3,500-$5,500, making it an auction record price for the artist as well. Lot 1089, “Cactus Flowers,” an oil by Texas artist Eloise Polk McGill (1868-1939), achieved a world record price of $7,931.25 against an estimate of $1,000-2,000, selling to an out-of-state telephone bidder. And Neal Auction Company’s star lot (1107), “Early Cubist Landscape: Village Road” by American modernist Blanche Lazzell (1878-1956), saw furious phone bidding from around the world, finally selling for a record auction price of $56,400.00 to a Californian phone bidder. Also setting a world record for the artist was a watercolor, lot 1208, “The Cove” by California artist, Robert E. Wood (1926-1999) which sold to a West Cost absentee bidder for $2,160.00.

Lot 1107 Blanche Lazzell (American, 1878-1956) Early Cubist Landscape: Village Road SOLD $56,400.00 (Record price for the artist)

Of regional interest, Southern paintings also had a very good showing.
Lot 1015, “Oak Alley Plantation Home” by Louisiana artist Clarence Millet (1897-1959) sold well above its high estimate to an out of state phone bidder, achieving $43,200.00 amongst furious bidding.

Lot 1015 Clarence Millet, A.N.A. (American 1897-1959) Oak Alley Plantation Home SOLD $43,200.00

Three Ellis Wilson (American/Kentucky, 1889-1977) oils also sold admirably: lot 1088 “Nuns” achieved $21,150.00 with a South Western bidder; lot 1094, “Children” reached $8,518.75 with an out of state collector on the phone, and lot 1097, “Gardenia” sold for $5,405.00 to the same collector. The three Alexander John Drysdale’s (American/Louisiana, 1870-1934), titled “Twilight on the Bayou” (lot 878), “The Little Pond” (lot 879), and “Louisiana Bayou” (lot 1016) all performed exceptionally well, selling to collectors on the phones for $9,987.50, $5,875.00 and $11,750.00 respectively. Local favorite, William Aiken Walker (American/South Carolina, 1838-1921, active New Orleans 1876-1905) was well represented with five paintings titled “Cabin Scene” (lot 860); “Male Cotton Picker in the Field” (lot 861); “Male cotton Picker in the Field” (lot 876); “Male Cotton Picker” (lot 880) and lastly, “Woman Cotton Picker” (lot 1032) selling for $17,150.00 online; $7,350.00 online; $13,512.00 to a West Coast telephone; $11,750.00 in the salesroom and $15,275.00 on the phone respectively.

Lot 874, an unsigned, mid 19th century Southern School oil depicting a New Orleans Garden District Villa sold extremely well amongst competitive bidding to a South Western telephone bidder for $30,550.00 against an estimate of $10,000-$20,000.

Lot 874 American/Southern School c. 1850-1860 “View of a Garden District Villa in the Style of Architects Henry Howard or the elder Gallier, with Family and Servants in the Garden and Gallery” SOLD $30,550.00

Also worth note, Cuban artist, Antonio Rodrigues Morey (1874-1967) made his auction debut at Neal Auction Company with “Tropical Sunset” (lot 847) and, against a presale estimate of $4,000-$6,000 did exceptionally well, achieving $9,987.50 with a Louisiana phone bidder.

BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, NATURAL HISTORY AND HISTORICAL PRINTS
John Gould’s “Family of Toucans” makes record sale.
A world record price of $67,000.00 was achieved for John Gould's "A Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans," (lot 870) the 1834 first edition folio of 33 hand-colored lithographs by Gould and Lear.

Three lots of historical significance greatly exceeded expectation.
Lot 888, a Diminutive 1861 Louisiana State Secession Flag, estimated at $500-$700 sold within the salesroom for $3,877.50. Lot 886, a Group of fourteen Civil War First Edition Books, estimated at $800-$1200, sold to a salesroom buyer for $3,055.00, while a Rare Civil War Map Book (lot 887) by Jedediah Hotchkiss, estimated at $800-$1,200, sold for $2,702.50.

Lot 870 After John Gould (English 1804-1881) A Monograph of the Ramphastidae or Family of Toucans Detail: one of 33 hand colored lithographs SOLD $67,000.00

RUGS AND CARPETS
Three large Persian Serapi Carpets hit the auction block on Sunday, selling well to collectors within the salesroom. Lot 894 achieved $22,325.00; lot 899 reached $16,450.00 and lot 997 sold for $15,275.00.

Lot 894 A Fine Antique Persian Serapi Rug Measuring 9’ x 14’5” SOLD $22,325.00

For more information about a specific lot, please contact the Consignments Department at +1 504.899.5329 or visit Neal Auction Company’s website at www.nealauction.com to view their online catalogue.

Press inquiries; please call Bettine Carroll at +1 504.899.5329.


**Estimates do not include buyer’s premium.