“The Magic City” by Radcliffe Bailey, 1994, mixed media, 80 by 131¾ inches, $66,550.
ATLANTA, GA. — A large and important early mixed media assemblage by Radcliffe Bailey (American, 1968-2023) sold for $66,550 and a painted iron sculpture by Pietro Consagra (Italian, 1920-2005) climbed to $57,475 during the 458-lot Art Deco to Post-Modern Art & Design auction conducted by Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery on February 23. The auction featured contemporary and Modern art and furniture, plus the private collection of noted Atlanta interior designer Bill Stewart.
The mixed media assemblage by the Southern Black artist Radcliffe Bailey, titled “The Magic City” (1994), was pulled from the outstanding collection of Bill Stewart. It was made from a combination of door, carpet, beeswax, dried flowers, iron brands, collage, tar and photographs. The monumental work, 80 inches tall by 131¾ inches wide, more than doubled its $30,000 high estimate.
“Ferro Transparente Blanco” by Pietro Consagra, 1966, painted iron, signed and dated to the base, 27¼ inches tall, $57,475.
The sculpture by Consagra, executed in 1966, was titled “Ferro Transparente Blanco.” The work was signed and dated to the base and stood 27¼ inches tall. In 1947, Consagra was among the founding members of the Forma 1 group of artists, who advocated both Marxism and structured abstraction.
A large 1988 oil on canvas painting by the French artist Andre Brasilier (b 1929), titled “Chant du Soir (Evening Song),” was artist signed to the lower right, titled and initialed en verso ($36,300). The canvas was impressive, at 38½ inches by 51¼ inches, while the frame measured 48¼ inches by 61 inches.
A large oil on canvas painting by Robert Beauchamp (American, 1923-1995), titled “Number Thirty-Seven,” circa 1982-83, signed and dated en verso, blasted through its $3/5,000 estimate to finish at $36,300. The 78-by-103½-inch work (unframed) was exhibited at the Asheville Museum.
“Number Thirty-Seven” by Robert Beauchamp, circa 1982-83, oil on canvas, 78 by 103½ inches, $36,300.
A mixed media artwork by Todd Murphy (American, 1962-2020), titled “Woman with Microphone” (1995), 96½ by 72¼ inches, was ink signed, dated and inscribed. It was knocked down for $22,990. Murphy’s large-scale paintings, digital prints and sculptures explored images of flora, fauna and bodily forms.
A Samuel Accoceberry for Collection Particuliere (French) “Rough” brushed oak dining table, with a biomorphic top and raised on rounded pillar legs, marked “CP” to underside to the top, more than doubled its $8,000 high estimate to hit $16,940. The table was 96 inches wide by 42½ inches deep.
“Hinged Poem Dress #3” by Lesley Dill, sheet copper and wire, 62 by 22 inches, $13,310.
The sheet copper and wire “Hinged Poem Dress #3” by Lesley Dill (American, b 1950), 62 inches tall by 22 inches wide, fetched $13,310. It was embedded with a quote from Catalan poet Salvador Espriu (1913-1985) saying: “I have given my whole life to words / chewed this dog hunger into a long meal.”
Selling for $13,310, an oil on canvas floral rendering of “Three Gold Iris” (1976) by Lowell Blair Nesbitt (American, 1933-1993), depicting dark yellow flowers on a stem, was signed, titled and dated. The canvas was large, at 85 inches tall by 45 inches wide, while the frame was 85½ inches in height by 46¼ inches wide.
“L’Etreinte” by Pablo Picasso, 1960, collotype with color stencil on Arches paper, pencil signed and numbered, $12,100.
What would an art auction be without Pablo Picasso? A 1960 collotype with color stencil on Arches paper by the Cubist-Surrealist master (1881-1973), titled “L’Etreinte,” was pencil signed to the lower right and numbered “122/125” to the lower left. The framed illustration made $12,100.
A Phoenix Glass Company Vaseline glass “Ruba Rombic” fishbowl designed by Rubin Haley and executed circa 1930 sold within estimate for $10,890. The bowl rested on a cast iron tripod stand with a raised geometric decoration. The bowl was 14¼ inches in diameter and the stand was 25 inches tall.
An untitled paint on wood and foam core rendering of a red shack by Beverly Buchanan (American, 1940-2015), created in 1988 and 15¾ inches tall, was signed and dated underside of the roof overhang and was acquired directly from the artist at a 1988 National Black Arts Festival. It went for $9,680.
A pair of mid-Twentieth Century Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) for Dunbar (North Carolina) mahogany wingback and cane lounge chairs, model 6016, featuring tufted green velvet cushions and marked “Dunbar” on decking fabric, bested their $3/5,000 estimate by realizing $9,075.
“Ruba Rombic” fishbowl designed by Rubin Haley for Phoenix Glass Company, circa 1930, Vaseline glass on cast iron tripod stand, $10,890.
A glazed ceramic vessel by Claude Conover (American, 1907-1994), titled “Octli,” 19 inches tall by 15¾ inches in diameter, was signed and titled to the underside. It changed hands for $8,470. Conover’s large pots were his best work, but he also made other forms, such as bowls, lamps and ceramic animals.
An oil and mixed media on canvas painting by Jose Maria Riera y Arago (Spanish, b 1954), titled “Red and Black Airplane” (2002), signed lower right and dated lower left, came into the auction with a modest estimate of $800-$1,600 but sold for $8,470. It was 27½ by 57¾ inches (canvas, less the frame).
A pair of circa 1960s black walnut grass-seated chairs by George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990), having a round back over spindle supports, resting on a woven grass seat and raised on turned legs, apparently unmarked, from the collection of Debbie Ellis, St Mary’s, Ga., hit $7,865.
Prices include the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. Next up for Ahlers & Ogletree is the March 27-28 Fine Estates auction, followed by a Fine Jewelry & Timepieces auction on April 26. Both will be held online and live in the Atlanta gallery. For more information, www.aandoauctions.com or 404-869-2478.
