Ahlers & Ogletree’s notable private collections auction, held June 25 and 26, 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 $925,000, including 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 53.25-by-41.5-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 to $12,000.
The auction attracted over 200 registered in-house bidders to Ahlers & Ogletree’s gallery, at 715 Miami Circle (Suite 210) in Atlanta, Ga., 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. All prices quoted include an 18 percent buyer’s premium.
A carved cinnabar lacquer censer table stand of round form, from the Qing Dynasty, showing ducks, lotus blossoms and calligraphic inscriptions, 18.25 inches tall, sold 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, sold for $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, at 52-by-40-inches (framed) reached $11,210. Also, a pair of French mid-19th century mirrored second Empire dore bronze three-light trumpet sconces, 38.25 inches in height, earned $3,540.
England’s King George III made more than one appearance that weekend. A 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 (1714-78) realized $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 79.5 inches, coasted to $5,605. Also, a mid-century modern high-back easy lounge chair with matching ottoman, made by Warren Platner (1919-2006) for Knoll, realized $4,425.
An Italian School oil-on-canvas painting, unsigned and very large at 74.5-by-88.5-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. A signed landscape painting by Julian Falat (1853-1929) titled “Niewiez” realized $4,130.
Ahlers & Ogletree's next auction is a two-day estates auction, planned for Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 27 and 28, will also take place in its Atlanta, Ga., gallery.
For more information, call 404-869-2478 or visit www.AandOAuctions.com.