Black Forest tobacco jar, fine and decorative art in Auctions Neapolitan's May 22 sale Can lightning strike twice in the Black Forest? A 19th-century carved-wood tobacco canister in the form of a fox and hare, which will be auctioned on May 22 at Auctions Neapolitan, holds the answer.
News-Antique.com - May 19,2010 - NAPLES, Fla. – Can lightning strike twice in the Black Forest? Auctions Neapolitan’s owner Kathleen Pica thinks there’s a good chance it could happen on May 22 at her company’s Estate and Consignment auction, which features an unusual 19th-century carved-wood tobacco canister in the form of a fox and hare.
Reviewing Auctions Neapolitan’s recent successes with Black Forest items, a circa-1900 Walter Mader (attrib.) Black Forest tableau carved as a St. Bernard dog with pups garnered international attention and a $30,590 selling price in a Jan. 23, 2010 sale. In so doing, it revealed the extent of interest worldwide in premier Black Forest art.
“The word spread quickly about the St. Bernard grouping. Now we’re wondering if the same bidders will find the fox and hare tobacco figures equally charming,” said Pica.
The 20½-inch-tall canister is carved to represent two figures – a fox holding an umbrella aloft and a hare resting his paw atop an upright cane. Beautifully patinated, both animal figures have removable heads and comprise a piece that is both decorative and functional, and weighs in at 5 lbs. (see online catalog for full description). It is expected to make $4,000-$6,000 on auction day.
A unique hand-made art object is the ivory tusk carved to replicate an Alaskan Eskimo with sled and seven-member dog team. The tusk weighs 3 lbs. and is 23½ inches long. It is expected to make $500-$800.
A variety of genres awaits buyers in the fine-art section, which is led by a collection of 20th-century paintings previously purchased from the Darvish Collection Inc., a gallery in Olde Naples (Fla.). “Each of the artworks from the Darvish Collection will be offered with an attractive opening bid,” said Pica. “This will be a buying opportunity for many.” Among the artworks coming from the Darvish Collection are six oils on canvas by Hagob Gasparian.
The auction inventory also includes several works by Florida “Highwaymen” Harold Newton and Al Hair; American, Asian and Continental antiques, home furnishings and accessories; a large selection of sterling silver, including a Poole coffee/tea service with tray (237 troy oz.) and three Buccellati birds; Chinese carved ivory figures, and a lovely enameled china dessert service from Tiffany & Co.
For additional information on any item in the May 22 sale, call Kathleen Pica at Auctions Neapolitan, 239-262-7333 or e-mail sales@auctionsn.com.
View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet on auction day at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
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CAPTION FOR IMAGE AT TOP:
19th-century carved Black Forest tobacco canister with in the form of a fox and hare, 20½ inches tall by 11 inches wide by 8 inches deep. Estimate $4,000-$6,000. Auctions Neapolitan image.
