December 12, 2003
For Immediate Release

Bidding good tidings of holiday cheer, the Neal Auction Company’s Holiday Estates Auction, held December 6th and 7th, produced superb prices for fine antique furniture, decorative objects, jewelry, and particularly Southern regionalist works, including some record-breaking prices for art. Over the two auction days, a crowd of locals, national and international collectors and dealers filled both Neal Co. galleries.

Neal Auction Company was pleased to present selections of estate property from the Old Governor’s Mansion in Milledgeville, Georgia, property from the Calhoun Mansion of Charleston, South Carolina, the Estate of Elka Diefenthal of New Orleans, and the Succession of Raymond H. Weill, featuring a large collection of Japanese Netsuke (lots 686 – 710), which totaled $16,732.50.

In the midst of the holiday excitement, the offerings stimulated enthusiastic bidding with notable paintings by Walter Inglis Anderson (lots 582, 583, 588 & 589) and Hyppolite Victor Valentin Sebron (lot 517), Newcomb Pottery and Decorative Objects (lots 574 – 579 and 581), attractive American and Southern regionalist works, an Antique Georgian-Style Mahogany Partner’s Desk (lot 273), and several other English and Continental furniture pieces. Total sales for the auction reached over $2 million.

Highlights from the Neal Auction Company Holiday’s Estate Auction are as follows:

Setting the auction record, Walter Inglis Anderson’s oil on wood “Study for the Mural of the History of the South” (lot 582), c. 1945, achieved $159,500.00. Anderson watercolors sold included “Rice Birds on Horn Island” (lot 583), at $12,650.00 and “Two Reclining Tigers” (lot 589) for $10,925.00.

The oil on canvas “River Shacks” (lot 561A) by Louisiana artist Clarence Millet, A.N.A. brought $17,250.00 and “Mallard Duck,” (lot 566) a watercolor by George Louis Viavant of New Orleans brought $8,740.00. The Sebron (b. French, 1801-1879, active New Orleans, 1850-54), “Bateaux á Vapeur Geants (Study for Giant Steamboats on the Sugar Levee at New Orleans)”, oil on canvas, (lot 517) realized $20,125.00.

English and Continental paintings performed well. The paintings In the Manner of Thomas Bardwell, “A Pair of Court Portraits depicting Thomas, Second Earl of Strafford (1665-1723) and the Countess Anne” (lot 284) fetched $36,800.00 and, “Falls of Tivoli”, after Richard Wilson (lot 444) realized $7,475.00.

English and Continental estate furniture throughout the sale attracted strong bidding. A good antique Mahogany Partner’s Desk in the Chippendale Taste (lot 273) brought $26,450.00. Stand-out Regency pieces included a fine Regency Pedestal Sideboard and Cellarette, c. 1815 (lot 308) that brought $16,000.00, an important Early Regency Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase and Secretaire/Cabinet, c. 1805 (lot 309) that achieved $27,600.00, and from the Old Governor’s Mansion, an early 19th c. Regency Giltwood and Verre Eglomisé Pier Mirror (lot 307) sold for $10,350.00. Another great offering from the Calhoun Mansion, a fine 19th c. Louis XV-Style Parcel Gilt Walnut and “Aubusson” 9 Piece Salon Suite, retaining its original upholstery (lot 168) fetched $23,000.00.

American furniture also realized solid prices. From the Titus-Edmondson Family of Tennessee, an American Full Tester Bed from the mid-19th c. by “C. Lee” (lot 462) brought $14,950.00. From the Succession of Elka Diefenthal, notable pieces by maker Rupert Kohlmaier, Sr. of New Orleans were a George III-Style Mahogany Three Pedestal Dining Table, (lot 331) realizing $12,650.00 and a set of sixteen George III-Style carved Mahogany Dining Chairs (lot 332) selling for $14,375.00.

Highlights of silver included a fine Monumental Late Georgian Sheffield Mirrored Table Plateau, from the early 19th c. for $8,912.50, a Georg Jensen Sterling Silver Demitasse Coffee Service, designed by Johan Rohde (lot 728) fetching $4,600.00, and a Late Georgian Sheffield Venison Dish and Cover, 19th c. (lot 20) for $3,450.00. Also, a 14 kt. Gold Kentucky Mint Julet Cup (lot 509) sold for $2,300.00.

A large Newcomb College Art Pottery Vase, 1913, decorated by Henrietta Bailey (lot 578) sold at $9,200.00 and a rare Newcomb College Brass Bound and Inlaid Rosewood Desk Box, c. 1886-1887 (lot 579) for $3,737.50.

A Meissen Porcelain Dinner Service for Twelve, early 20th c., 104 pieces (lot 353) sold for $5,175.00. Estate porcelain also included a Monumental Pair of Antique Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Lidded Urns (lot 144) from the Succession of Elka Diefenthal that brought $8,625.00 and an English Staffordshire Porcelain Dessert Service by Davenport, c. 1880 (lot 58) from The Old Governor’s Mansion for $5,750.00.

A stand out work on paper from the selection of After John James Audubon Plates (lots 470- 473) was “Blue Jay, No. 21. Plate 102”, Havell edition, hand-colored engraving, 1834 (lot 472) reaching $10,925.00.

At our evening jewelry session, a Diamond and Platinum Necklace with 97 diamonds, totaling approximate 12.95 cts. N.Y., H, VS1, and probably commissioned from Oscar Heymann and Bros, Provenance: A New Orleans collection (lot 803) achieved $16,100.00. Also doing well, a Fine Platinum and Diamond Engagement Ring, 3.71 cts., clarity VS-2, color I, with a platinum wedding band (lot 794) sold for $11,500.00

Decorative Objects throughout the auction generated great interest. Items from The Old Governor’s Mansion included a highly sought Pair of George III Maple and Satinwood Fitted Knife Boxes, late 18th c. (lot 14) that sold for $4,600.00 and a Late Regency Cut Crystal and Gilt Bronze Two-Light Argand Lamp, c. 1820 (lot 195) for $3,565.00. A Federal Style Giltwood and Eglomisé Banjo Clock, Willard’s patent, mid 19th c., h. 42 in., Provenance: Will C. Hogg Collection, Houston, TX (lot 981) brought $4,888.00, while a Fine Napoleon III Burlwood and Kingwood Cave à Liqueur, c. 1860, (lot 240)
fetched $1,610.00.

Neal Auction Company’s Winter Estates Auction will be held February 7th and 8th, 2004. Please contact Vice President Katie Hovas for additional questions.

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