NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – A folk art oil on panel painting by Clementine Hunter, beautiful 19th century clocks and clock sets, a portrait attributed to Sir William Beechey and another after Guido Reni, and dazzling estate jewels are all part of Crescent City Important Spring Estates Auction Gallery’s Auction, scheduled for the weekend of March 18-19.

The auction will be held online and in the gallery at 1330 Saint Charles Avenue in New Orleans. Departure times are 10 a.m. Central Time on both days. Over 900 lots will be auctioned over the two days, in categories including French period furniture, original works of art by renowned local and regional artists, clocks, estate jewellery, couture, silverware, bronzes and decorative objects.

The oil painting on panel by Clementine Hunter (La., 1887-1987), titled Fried fish, is a magnificent example of the artist’s work. The 16-by-24-inch artwork is signed lower right and is expected to fetch between $4,000 and $8,000. Ms Hunter was a self-taught artist who worked as a farm laborer when she was young and did not start painting until she was 50. She sold her first paintings for as little as 25 cents.

Clocks in the sale will include an unusual late 19th-century French gilt-brass and copper clock (clock and two fittings) that carries a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-$2,000; and a 19th century MT Kaltenberger gilt bronze and porcelain mantel clock, 17 inches high, valued as a hammer for $800 to $1,200. Jewels at the estate include emeralds, sapphires, tanzanites, diamonds, South Sea pearls and other enticing pieces.

the Portrait of Mrs. Ford attributed to Sir William Beechey (British, 1753-1839) dates from the 19th century and is unsigned. The 30 inch by 25 ½ inch job should fetch between $1,000 and $2,000. The unsigned 19th-century oil on canvas portrait after Guido Reni (Italian, 1575-1642), is titled Portrait of Beatrice Cenci. The 23 ½ inch by 19 ½ inch work has an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000.

An unusual and striking patinated bronze seahorse fountain, made in the 20th or 21st century, measuring 67 inches high by 36 ½ inches wide, is expected to fetch $5,000 to $7,000. Also, a 20th-century patinated bronze on an oval verde antico marble plinth after Charles Valton (French, 1851-1918), titled hunting dogsoverall 18 ½ inches, is estimated between $700 and $1,200.

A 94-piece set of Durgin’s sterling flatware in the Fairfax pattern, circa 1910, weighing 98.7 troy oz, is expected to fetch $2,000-4,000. Also, a pair of large gilt-bronze mounted Imari baluster porcelain vases made in the 20th century, each 14 inches high, has an estimate of $1,000 to $2,000. Couture items include names such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Fendi, Hermès and Gucci.

Paintings by recognized and listed regional artists will be numerous and will include a 20th century oil on panel by William Hemmerling (LA, 1943-2009), titled Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, signed lower right and 35 ½ inches by 23 ½ inches (est. $2,000-$4,000); and an oil on canvas circa 1972

By Joe Moran (Miss, 1915-1999), titled shrimp boatssigned and dated (estimated between $1,500 and $2,500).

A 20th century oil wash on board by Alexander John Drysdale (LA, 1870-1934), titled Bayou landscape at sunset, 16 inches by 15 inches, signed lower left, is expected to fetch $1,500-$2,500; while a 20th century oil on canvas by Alberta Kinsey (LA/Ohio, 1875-1952), titled Little Theater Court, French Quarter of New Orleanssigned, has the same estimate.

An oil on canvas by Colette Pope Heldner (LA/Minn., 1902-1990), titled swamp idyll, signed lower left and measuring 23 ½ inches by 29 ¾ inches, carries an estimate of $700 to $1,200; while an early 20th century watercolor on paper by Charles Oglesby Longbaugh (LA/Ill., 1885-1944), titled French Quarter Scenesigned and 13 ½ inches by 11 inches, should go for between $500 and $1,000.

An acrylic on panel signed upper right and titled lower left by Noel Rockmore (New Orleans, 1928-1995), titled Yolande LL (1963), 23 ½ inches by 19 ½ inches, is expected to fetch $700 to $1,200.

French period furniture will be equally plentiful, including an early 20th-century cherry and rosewood chiffonier inlaid with gilt parquetry, 45 inches high by 22 ½ inches wide (est. $800-$1,200 ); a late 19th century Louis XV style carved cherry marble chest of drawers, measuring 37 ¼ inches high by 50 ½ inches wide (est. $1,000-$2,000); and an Empire style carved cherry marble quay table circa 1840, 35 ½ inches high by 44 ½ inches wide (est. $1,200-$1,800).

Additional French furniture will include an early 20th century carved oak monastery table, 30 ¼ inches high by 86 inches wide by 35 inches deep (est. $900-$1,200); a circa 1880 Henri II French Provincial style carved oak sideboard (108 inches wide by 21 inches deep (est. $1,200-$1,800); a 19th century French Provincial Louis XV style carved cherry sideboard, 38 ¼ inches high by 50 ½ inches wide by 19 inches deep (estimated between $700 and $1,200) and other wonderful examples.

The English furnishings will be highlighted by a 20th century Georgian three-pedestal mahogany banquet table, inlaid and banded, two leaves, open: 151 ¾ inches wide (est. $1,000-$2,000) .

The openings of the exhibitions will take place every day (except Saturday and Sunday), by appointment only, at the Crescent City gallery, from Wednesday, March 9. To schedule a preview appointment, call 504-529-5057 or email [email protected]

Internet auctions will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and BidSquare.com. Remote and telephone bids will be accepted until 1:00 p.m. Central Time the day before the auction. A 25% buyer’s commission will be applied internally (3% cashback or check). A printed catalog is available; call 504-529-5057 or email [email protected]

Crescent City Auction Gallery is always looking for quality submissions for future auctions. To consign a unique item, estate, or collection, you can call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can email [email protected] All phone calls and emails are confidential.

To learn more about the Crescent City Auction Gallery and the major Spring Estates auction scheduled for the weekend of March 18-19, visit www.crescentcityauctiongallery.com.

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