A visually arresting flying boat art glass sculpture by Lino Tagliapietra (Italian, b. 1934), a large-scale Chinese Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.) prancing horse, and a gorgeous late 19th century Russian year calendar icon are just a few of the items set to cross the auction block in an online-only Fresh & Neue auction on Saturday, March 2nd by Neue Auctions.

“Our Fresh & Neue sale features 341 lots of market fresh antiques, fine art, sterling and jewelry – everything you don't need but definitely want,” said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions. All the items can be previewed through March 1st, from 10-5 Eastern time, weekdays, in the Neue Auctions gallery at 23533 Mercantile Road (Suite 100), in Beachwood.

The Tagliapietra sculpture, titled Flying Boat (2002), was crafted from blown and hot worked glass and battuto-cut glass. It’s mounted on an 18-inch-tall bronze stand has an engraved signature, “Lino Tagliapietra 2002.’ The glass is 65 inches in length (est. $8,000-$12,000).

The Chinese Tang Dynasty prancing horse is accompanied by an Oxford Authentication Thermoluminescence test indicating the date of the last firing was 900-1500 years ago. It’s 23 ½ inches tall, head turned and mouth open, on a custom Lucite stand (est. $3,000-$5,000).

The 19th century Russian year calendar icon is centered by the Anastasis (Resurrection) and the calendar for the year with groups of saints surrounded by images of the Mother of God. It’s mounted on an ultra-suede panel and is 30 inches by 27 inches, framed (est. $2,000-$4,000).

There are two dance-themed oil on canvas paintings in the auction, both of them beautiful. One is titled Flamenco Dancers, by Benjamin A. Stahl (American, 1910-1987). It’s signed and 28 ½ inches by 70 inches, less frame (est. $3,000-$5,000). The other is titled Dancers and was done by the noted Ethiopian artist Afewerke Tekle. The work is signed and inscribed in Amharic lower left and measures 38 ½ inches by 30 inches, less frame (est. $2,000-$4,000).

Furniture will feature a fine and rare circa 1790 small George III rosewood and satinwood Pembroke table having an oval top with two drop leaves in rosewood, diminutive at 28 ½ inches tall and 12 inches wide (24 inches with leaves extended (est. $3,000-$5,000); and a George Mulhauser for Plycraft Sultana swivel chair with a curved padded back over bentwood scroll arms and circular seat, raised on a tapering pedestal bentwood base (est. $800-$1,200).

Setting the table can become much more elegant, with the 102-piece International Sterling partial service in the “Spring Floral” pattern, weighing 105.91 ozt. overall (est. $1,800-$2,500); a group of 12 early Ginori porcelain plates with hand-painted and named Italian urban views (Doccia, circa 1810-1825 (est. $1,500-$2,500); and a set of eleven Juliska style hand-blown flute glasses of conical tapering swirl form, 6 ½ inches tall (est. $300-$500).

In addition to the Chinese prancing horse, Asian lots will include these intriguing items:

- A fine Japanese bronze Shibuichi Okimono of Hana-Saka-Jisan and His Dog by Katsura Mitsuharu (1871-1962), based on the story of The Old Man Who Made the Withered Trees Flower, cast and detailed with Shibuichi copper (est. $3,000-$5,000).

- A 2014 mixed media sculpture by Hiroshi Yamano (Japanese, b. 1956), titled From East to West, made from blown, sculpted and cast glass with painting, drawing and copper electroplate, from the series of the same name, signed (est. $3,000-$5,000).

- A large, circa 1750-1760 Japanese Nabeshima bowl with a Peony design, 12 inches in diameter, decorated to the interior with a large blooming peony in underglaze blue and the underside of the bowl decorated with stylized peony sprigs (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Returning to the visual arts, a leather-bound folio containing 31 finely painted veduta watercolors of famous named Italian Grand Tour sites, with temple ruins and other sites of interest, has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000; an oil on canvas board painting by Max Kuehne (German/American, 1880-1968), titled Brooklyn Bridge with View of Manhattan (circa 1911, signed, dated and framed) has an estimate of $3,000-$5,000; and an oil on canvas by James Duffield Harding (British, 1798-1863), titled Alpine Landscape, should bring $1,000-$2,000.

Decorative accessories will be plentiful, to include a large pair of early 19th century Sevres jeweled covered baluster form vases, each one 23 inches tall and painted with a charming scene, the squared gilt bronze bases engraved "Louis Seize a Marie Antoinette, 1772” (est. ($1,500-$2,500); and a giant size Bisazza Murano blown glass underwater aquarium, titled Immersion I (model 3325), internally decorated with tropical fish, sea horses, jellyfish and plant life, 13 inches tall, signed to the base Muranite Murano Venezia (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Also offered will be a colorful, 24-piece fused glass Rondelay screen by Michael and Frances Higgins, comprised of fused glass circles and squares with original connectors, 36 inches by 24 inches, unsigned (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a monumental, contemporary chandelier made by Rose Iron Works in Cleveland circa 1990s, having a concentric graduated ring design with cut outs and baluster, twist and floral elements, the total drop 129 inches (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Jewelry will feature a 14kt yellow gold bracelet set with around seven carats of round brilliant cut diamonds 42 stones of about 18 points each, prong set, with tension clasp, the stones appearing to be SI1/VS2, F/G color (est. $3,000-$4,000); and a “Daphne” ring by Polly Wales with the original box, papers and box, a retired design not easily found (est. $1,000-$2,000).

The nice selection of wool rugs will be led by a circa 1880s antique Persian woven wool Serapi carpet, 13 feet 6 inches by 10 feet 7 inches, with a large-scale geometric pattern in rust, cream and blues (est. $4,000-$6,000); a custom Doris Leslie Blau (N.Y.) Bessarabian wool carpet with floral and foliate scroll designs, 14 feet 9 inches by 10 feet (est. $1,000-$2,000); and a semi-antique Persian wool carpet, Bijar, 7 feet by 4 feet 6 inches (est. $1,000-$2,000).

Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. The auction will be clerked live on auction day by Neue Auctions team members. The catalog is up now on the two bidding sites.

To learn more about Neue Auctions and the 341-lot, online-only Fresh & Neue auction planned for Saturday, March 2nd, starting promptly at 10 am Eastern time, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Cynthia Maciejewksi and Bridget McWilliams can be reached by phone: 216-245-6707; or via email: cynthia@neueauctions.com, bridget@neueauctions.com.

About Neue Auctions:
Neue Auctions invites everyone to be added to its email list to receive notices and info regarding current and future sales. The firm is always seeking quality consignments. To learn more about Neue Auctions, please visit www.neueauctions.com. Cynthia Maciejewksi and Bridget McWilliams can be reached by phone: 216-245-6707; or via email: cynthia@neueauctions.com, bridget@neueauctions.com.

Richmond, VA, USA, February 22, 2024 -- A rare and important early first state map of the Carolinas from 1685 sold for $29,325 and an extraordinary map of the Americas and surrounding oceans from 1740 rose to $20,125 in Old World Auctions’ online-only Auction #196, which went live on January 24th and ended on February 7th. Nearly 800 lots came up for bid in the auction, which totaled $420,277.

Taking top lot honors was A New Map of Carolina by Thornton, Morden & Lea. The map showed early settlements and landowners, and included depictions of Native Americans and animals, such as a turkey and even an ostrich. It sold within its $25,000 - $30,000 estimate.

Andries & Hendrik de Leth’s Carte Nouvelle de la Mer du Sud depicting the Americas and surrounding oceans is one of the most decorative ever engraved. The map featured the Island of California, the sea routes of famous explorers, and scenes of cannibalism and human sacrifice. The map, in full contemporary color and in pristine condition, bested the $17,000 high estimate.

“The map market continues to be robust,” said Eliane Dotson, who co-owns Old World Auctions with her husband, Jon. “We saw numerous items sell for well above their estimates, and there was strong bidder participation overall. Several of the categories that did particularly well were early world maps and 19th century Americana.”

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Of the 790 lots offered, 698 were sold. “That was an 88 percent sell-through rate, the highest we’ve seen in the last two years,” Ms. Dotson said. All prices quoted include the buyer’s premium.

A rare first plate map of the New World from 1573 by Abraham Ortelius, titled Americae sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio, is one of the most famous maps of America, and one that had enormous influence on the future cartography of the New World. It blew past estimate to finish at $10,925.

A New Chart of the Coast of North America from Port Royal Entrance to Matanza Inlet, by Laurie & Whittle from 1809 – a rare, separately-issued chart focusing on the coastline of Georgia, extending north to Hilton Head and south to St. Augustine, gaveled for $10,350.

A 1633 world map engraved by Jodocus Hondius for Parisian publisher Jean Le Clerc, was based on Rumold Mercator's double-hemisphere map from 1587, and featured a Northwest Passage, a huge Terra Australis, and an elaborate decorative border. It sold past high estimate for $8,050.

William Blaeu’s 1642 map titled Nova Virginiae Tabula is derived from Captain John Smith's map of 1612 and is one of the most important 17th century maps of the Chesapeake Bay. The pre-sale estimate was $1,800-$2,100 but the map ended up bringing a robust $9,775.

A Journal of the Proceedings in Georgia by William Stephens from 1742 is a fascinating and exceedingly rare journal written by Stephens prior to his term as governor of the Province of Georgia. The two-volume set was published in only 70 copies, made for the Trustees of Georgia. It was expected to achieve $3,000-$4,000 but in the end changed hands for $6,900.

A Map of the Rail Roads of Virginia by Ludwig von Bucholtz dated 1858 is a rare railroad map graphically representing von Bucholtz’s earliest work under the Virginia Board of Public Works. It presented the sizeable transportation network in the state and sold within estimate for $6,900.

A French armillary sphere depicted on the Ptolemaic model with the earth at its center, created in 1800 by an anonymous maker, featured a miniature terrestrial globe flanked by two small metal discs representing the sun and moon that orbited by rotating brass arms. It was a lovely piece on an ebonized stand that attracted bidders, who drove the final price past high estimate for $3,900.

A wonderful 1927 Map of San Francisco Showing Principal Streets and Places of Interest by Harrison Godwin is “one of the most ambitious of the early pictorial maps” and is packed full with illustrations of important sites, buildings, parks, and scores of cartoonish characters. Estimated to sell for $1,500-$1,800, the map knocked down at a final price of $2,880.

All the results of the auction can be seen by clicking this link: https://www.oldworldauctions.com/catalog/archive?auction_id=196.

Old World Auctions next online-only sale – Auction #197 – is slated for April 10th thru 24th. To learn more, visit www.OldWorldAuctions.com.

About Old World Auctions:
Established in 1977, Old World Auctions is the leading specialist in antique maps. The company has researched and listed over 100,000 maps and atlases in its auctions and offers its research free to the public through its online archive. Old World Auctions maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. To learn more, visit www.OldWorldAuctions.com.

Media Contact:
Eliane Dotson
Old World Auctions
3850 Gaskins Road / Suite 220
Henrico, VA 21233 USA
804-290-8090
eliane@oldworldauctions.com
http://www.OldWorldAuctions.com

Atlanta, GA, USA, February 19, 2024 -- A first edition, first state copy of Mark Twain’s classic book Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1876) sold for $22,990; a letter from 1793 signed by both George Washington and Thomas Jefferson brought $21,780; and a first edition, first state three-volume set of Charles Dickens’ novel Great Expectations realized $16,940 in three days of sales held February 7th-9th by Ahlers & Ogletree.

The event, held online and in Ahlers & Ogletree’s Atlanta gallery, comprised the lifetime collection of important historical books and documents from the estate of Fred Bentley, Sr. – over 900 lots in all. Mr. Bentley gave generously to his community in support of his passion for books and reading by founding the rare book rooms at a college and a university, both in Georgia.

Session 1, on Wednesday, February 7th, featured Dickens, Shakespeare, Incunabula and early documents. The star lot of the day was Dickens’s three-volume set of Great Expectations, published in 1861 by Chapman and Hall. The books were finely bound in tan calf with raised bands on the spine and there was gilt tilting and decoration on the spine. The pages were clean.

Session 2, on Thursday February 8th, contained historical books and documents from the Revolutionary War through the 19th century. The star lot that day was the exceedingly rare sea letter signed by Washington (as President) and Jefferson (as Secretary of State). The four-language cut ship document, dated July 9, 1793, was signed three times by Hodijah Baylies, the collector of customs, for the schooner Rebecca, to the ship’s commander, Samuel Swasey.

Session 3, on February 9th, showcased important works of fiction and poetry from a host of literary superstars, but especially Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain, American, 1835-1910). The top achiever was the first edition copy of Adventures of Tom Sawyer, published by American Publishing Co., bound in the publisher’s three-quarter Morocco binding, one of 200 copies offered in leather. The book came with a custom leather clamshell case with gilt tilting.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. Internet bidding was facilitated by Ahlers & Ogletree’s platform -- bid.AandOAuctions.com -- plus LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com. About 15 people attended the sale in person in the Atlanta gallery located at 1788 Ellsworth Industrial Boulevard and 38 phone and absentee bids were counted. Prices include a 21 percent buyer’s premium.

An 1818 copperplate engraving on paper broadside of The Declaration of Independence by Benjamin Owen Tyler (1789-1855), published by Peter Maverick (1780-1831), changed hands for $13,310. The facsimile, 29 inches by 20 ¼ inches (paper, less frame), had a dedication to Thomas Jefferson at the upper margin and an endorsement to Secretary of State Richard Rush.

A very rare, fully illustrated copy of Albrecht Durer’s first Latin edition of Clarissimi Pictoris et Geometrae de Symetria Partium in Rectis Formis, a masterpiece on anatomy, published 1532 and printed by D. Caroli, Noremberger, gaveled for $10,890. It was the personal copy of Johann Georg Bergmiller, Director of the Augsburg Academy. The 79-page book was bound with paper boards.

A President Abraham Lincoln signed document dated March 21, 1861 for the appointment of Calvin Hudson of New York to be the Commissioner of the United States for which to advocate claims of U.S. citizens over Costa Rica, making him the first-ever consulate there appointed by Lincoln, commanded $9,075. The document was framed, with a large illustration of Lincoln.

A Plan of the New Constitution for the United States of America, Agreed Upon in a Convention of the States, with A Preface by the Editor, published 1787 by J. Debrett (London), was the first separate English edition of the U.S. Constitution. The 30-page volume, having a contemporary quarter tan leather binding with gray boards, was 8 ½ inches by 5 ½ inches and rose to $9,680.

A 19th century sketchbook of the Scottish painter David Roberts (1796-1864), consisting of five sketches, three of them signed by Roberts, knocked down for $9,075. The sketches were of two boats with a background of a large mountain; a-two-page pencil drawing of Naples Italy; a study of cows and a donkey, signed. a two-page pencil drawing of Florence, Italy; and unknown buildings.

A first edition, first state copy of A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, published 1859 by Chapman and Hall, with illustrations by H.K. Browne, made $8,470. The book was bound in the original cloth. The front and back covers were stamped with one thick and two thin line borders.

A copy of Imitatione Christi by Thomas a Kempis, printed in 1489 by Johannes Gerson, an early printing of Kempis’s most famous work, went to a determined bidder for $7,260. It was printed in early Gutenberg type with letters printed in red and black and had a 19th century leather binding.

A copy of the 184-page Sonetti e Canzoni di messer Francesco Petrarcha in vita di madonna Laura by Frencesco Petrarca, printed 1514 by the Aldus Manutius and bound in a highly decorated hand cut double-sided Venetian window design, using mother of pearl as the background canvas and hand painting within each of the 21 compartments located on each of its sides, changed hands for $6,655.

In addition to Adventures of Tom Sawyer, other offerings from Mark Twain included the following:

- A first edition, first state copy of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in the rare blue cloth boards, published in 1885 by Charles L. Webster. Contained all first edition first state error points listed in Johnson (43-50). Gilt decoration adorned on the book’s front ($7,260).

- Bound copies of The Carpet-Bag Weekly, For the Amusement of the Reader, from 1852, the nation’s first humor magazine and the very first national appearance of the writing of Twain, only as Samuel Longhorne Clemens, published when Twain was just 15 years old ($6,655).

- Another first edition, first state copy of Adventures of Tom Sawyer, published 1876 by American Publishing Company. Ads in back dated December 1876. Bound in publisher's blue cloth with black and gilt decoration. Wear to boards, particularly at the spine ($4,538).

Next up for Ahlers & Ogletree is a Friday, February 23rd auction dedicated to Art Deco to Post Modern Art & Design, followed by a Wednesday-Thursday Spring Estates Auction March 27th-28th and a Fine Jewelry & Timepieces Auction on Friday, April 26th. Watch the website for details as dates draw near.

To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree, visit www.aandoauctions.com. Updates are posted often. You can follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

About Ahlers & Ogletree:
Ahlers & Ogletree is a multi-faceted, family-owned business that spans the antiques, estate sale, wholesale, liquidation, auction and related industries. Ahlers & Ogletree is always seeking quality consignments for future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly at 404-869-2478; or, you can send them an e-mail, at consign@AandOauctions.com. To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree, visit www.aandoauctions.com. Updates are posted often. You can follow Ahlers & Ogletree via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

Cranston, RI, USA, February 18, 2024 -- An authentic, original oil on velvet Alaskan gold pan painting by Bob Ross, the host of TV’s long-running hit series The Joy of Painting, and a copy of the premiere issue of Marvel Comics’ Fantastic Four #1 from November 1961, are expected top lots in Bruneau & Co.’s Winter Comic, Sport, TCG (Trading Card Games) & Toy auction slated for February 24th.

The 770-lot auction will begin promptly at 10 am Eastern time and will be held online and live in the Bruneau & Co. gallery located at 63 Fourth Avenue in Cranston. “The catalog features an array of comics, sports, TCG, toys and other fun and interesting collectibles, the largest auction in company history,” said Travis Landry, Bruneau & Co.’s Director of Pop Culture.

Highlights include a 1982 Kenner Star Wars Return of the Jedi Lightsaber store display and a factory sealed 1980 Empire Strikes Back Darth Vader's Star Destroyer playset. Other toys include a collection of 1980's and 1990's Hasbro G.I. Joe factory-sealed action figures from a Pennsylvania estate and a collection of 1970's and 1980's Japanese robots.

The second portion of the auction will feature 117 lots of sports, non-sports, and TCG trading cards in both graded and raw condition. The final portion of the catalog will consist of 518 lots of comics and comic art. Comics include a vast selection of Golden through Modern Age era books in both graded and raw condition – a collector’s dream.

Lot #1 is the Bob Ross painting, an adorable winter scene housed in a round frame 16 ½ inches in diameter. The work would have been painted by Ross in the 1970's while he was stationed in Alaska where he began painting with the wet-on-wet technique. The work is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity from Bob Ross Inc. It has an estimate of $5,000-$8,000.

Bob Ross (Alaska/Fla., 1942-1995) is an absolute icon of public television, forever venerated in the world of pop culture today. The Joy of Painting aired on PBS from 1983-1994 and was beloved by many. It is still re-run today on some PBS stations. On it, Ross instructs viewers in the quick, wet-on-wet oil painting technique directly from his imagination, without a sketch.

The Bob Ross painting will be followed by 130 lots of vintage toys and collectibles. The copy of Fantastic Four #1 (lot #441) is graded CGC 5.0 and features the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four (Mister Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch and the monstrous Thing), plus the Mole Man. It should sell for $10,000-$15,000.

Spider-Man will appear more than once in the sale. A copy of Marvel Comics Amazing Spider-Man #1 (March, 1963), graded CGC 2.5 and featuring the first appearance of J. Jonah Jameson and Chameleon, the first Fantastic Four crossover, and a retelling of the origin of Spider-Man, has a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-$5,000; while a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988), graded well at CGC 9.8, featuring the origin and first full appearance of Venom, plus a Thing appearance, should change hands for $2,000-$3,000.

Several desirable lots have identical estimates of $1,000-$1,500. They are as follows:

- A copy of DC Comics Mystery in Space #1 (April-May 1951), graded CGC 5.5, featuring the first appearance of Knights of the Galaxy, cover art by Carmine Infantino. Per the CGC census, 5 are graded 5.5; 61 are graded higher than that.

- A 1982 Kenner Star Wars Return of the Jedi “The Force” lightsaber sword display, graded C7.5+, with light wear as expected from age and use, areas of creasing along the sides, displays well with vibrant graphics. Includes two green ROTJ lightsabers.

- A 1954 Topps Baseball #128 Hank Aaron rookie card (“Henry” Aaron on the card), graded BVG 1.5 FAIR. For years, Aaron was baseball’s all-time home run leader.

A 1979 Clover Gundam Super Combination DX Gattai diecast gift set, the box graded C7.5+, with just light to moderate wear, overall displays well with great color and gloss, includes cellophane overlay in good condition, the toy graded C8.5+, appearing to have only been opened for inspection, in exceptional condition with all accessories, should hit $700-$1,000.

Internet bidding will be facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com, Invaluable.com, bidLIVE.Bruneauandco.com and the mobile app “Bruneau & Co.” on iTunes or GooglePlay.

Previews will be held on Thursday and Friday, February 22nd and 23rd, from 9-4 Eastern time each day in the Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers gallery. Doors will open on auction day at 8 am. For more info you may call 401-533-9980; or, you can send an email to contact@bruneauandco.com. To learn more about Bruneau & Co. Auctioneers and the Winter Comic, Sport, TCG (Trading Card Games) & Toy auction slated for February 24th, please visit www.bruneauandco.com.

Wolcottville, IN, USA, February 14, 2024 -- The second of three auctions dedicated to the outstanding majolica collection of Edward Flower (1929-2022) and his wife Marilyn (1930-2017) will be held on Saturday, March 16th, online and live in the Holiday Inn ballroom at 1750 Sumneytown Pike in Kulpsville, Pa. The auction will begin at 10 am Eastern time.

The auction catalog in its entirety has been posted online, at LiveAuctioneers.com. To view, click here: https://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/315059_flower-family-majolica-auction-2/.

“We’re honored that the Flower family has continued this important auction with us,” said Michael Strawser of Strawser Auction Group, which has been chosen to handle all three sales. “Ed and Marilyn were longtime customers who have attended our auctions since the mid-1990s.”

The first auction, held on August 23rd of last year, was a huge success. Top lots included two majolica creations by the French artist Charles-Jean Avisseau that sold for a combined $71,340, and a pair of majolica pieces by George Jones that together brought $57,455. The third and final auction will be held later this year, date and time to be announced.

As in the initial auction, the Part 2 sale will feature many of the finest names in all of majolica production: Minton, George Jones, Holdcroft, Wedgwood, Hugo Lonitz, Palissy, Massier, T.C. Brown Westhead Moore & Co., Copelands and others – 185 lots in all. The collection in its entirety comprises over 600 pieces, each one carefully chosen for beauty, rarity and condition.

Two items are expected to vie for top honors. The first is the iconic Minton ‘Hare and Duck’ head game pie dish and cover, the model attributed to Paul Comoléra, the tureen affectionately known among collectors as The Bunny Tureen. The oval body piece, shape #1990, is 11 ½ inches tall by 18 inches wide (est. $25,000-$30,000).

The second is a George Jones teapot, one of only a few known, the angular body formed as a Chinese junk filled with cargo, the spout formed as the helm and the cover formed as a figure in Chinese costume. “In my thirty years of selling majolica this is the first one I’ve ever offered,” Mr. Strawser said (est. $20,000-$25,000).

A circa 1875 Minton tete-a tete tea set in the Chinoiserie taste, one of only three complete sets known, is expected to gavel for $12,000-$15,000. The set consists of a teapot, sugar bowl, creamer, two cups and saucers, and a tray. The teapot is formed as a yellow lychee with a green stem handle and spout, the finial designed as a leaf.

A monumental circa 1890 Jerome Massier jardiniere on a stand, overall 52 inches tall by 19 inches wide, has an estimate of $6,000-$9,000. The pedestal has been designed as a beautifully painted peacock around a column of grasses, supporting a circular jardiniere surmounted by three large, gorgeously colored butterflies.

A circa 1880 Delphin Massier elephant floor jardiniere, 30 ½ inches tall, should hammer for $6,000-$9,000. The jardiniere is naturalistically modeled, the elephant mounted with a beautifully painted standing hexagonal howdah sitting atop a tasseled saddle blanket. It was sold as part of The Gem Collection at Christie’s in 2015.

A circa 1875 Copeland 1876 memorial vase, 10 inches tall, was produced as a souvenir for the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. The vase is modeled as three back-to-back grey eagles guarding the American Flag with spears and three cobalt blue shields. This design being the most coveted example of Copeland's majolica production (est. $4,000-$6,000).

A very rare Hugo Lonitz model of a jay bird, 17 ½ inches tall and produced around 1880, features a bird with sharply modeled feathers perched on a tree stump (est. $4,000-$6,000).

Also expected to bring $4,000-$6,000 is a rare Minton grape chariot, one of only two known, modelled as a cart upon two wheels and draped with vine, showing two boys pulling to the front and a girl pushing behind, all in 18th century style rural dress and all on an oval pedestal base.

A circa 1880 R. M. Krause (Schweidnitz, Prussia) Renaissance Revival jardiniere, 37 inches tall, probably made as an exhibition piece, should finish at $3,000-$5,000. The piece has a central column of leaves and bullrushes with three maidens holding drapes aloft the central bowl, with acanthus border and fruit cornucopia swags, all upon a pedestal base supported by four griffins.

A scarce circa 1875 Minton ink well and cover, shape #1325, is modeled as an upright pinecone, the upper quarter surmounted by a bird forming the lid, all on a shaped edge circular tray with a branch and leaves forming the pen holder. It’s one of only three known (est. $1,500-$2,000).

A circa 1879 Wedgwood Aesthetic Movement palm pattern cheese dish features a domed lid decorated with Japanese style palms, prunus and birds, with a recumbent elephant handle. The base has a border in the Chinese meander pattern. The dish has an estimate of $1,200-$1,500.

A circa 1890 Bordalo Pinheiro Palissy wall plaque is designed as a deep wicker basket brimming with vegetables, a cuttle fish and a large lobster, all mounted on a circular plaque (est. $1,200-$1,500). Also, a circa 1875 T.C. Brown Westhead Moore & Co. glove box, 10 inches long by 3 ½ inches tall, is formed as a rectangular rounded shouldered box and cover bound at each end with a belt and buckle, with the handle formed as coiled rope. The box should realize $300-$500.

In addition to live and online bidding, phone and absentee bids will also be taken.

Several pieces in the Flower collection were recently part of the renowned Majolica Mania Exhibition that was launched in New York City in the fall of 2021, traveled to the Walters Museum in Baltimore in early 2022 and finished at Stoke on Trent in the UK in fall 2022. Only the finest pieces of majolica made their way into the show.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about the Flower collection is the fact that the couple didn’t begin collecting majolica until much later in life – Ed at about age 60. Prior to that, Ed collected other things: coins, stamps and books as a youth, then later on American Impressionist oil paintings, early 20th century American prints and netsuke.

After Ed retired, in the early 2000s, the couple attended nearly every majolica auction held by Strawser Auction Group. And it was a certainty that their hands would go up several times at each auction. The couple simply refused to be outbid when they spotted a piece they had to have. They could also be found at every majolica convention – usually a bi-annual event. Also, Ed served for a time on the Board of Directors of the prestigious Majolica International Society.

To learn more about the Strawser Auction Group and the second of three auctions dedicated to the majolica collection of Edward Flower (1929-2022) and his wife Marilyn (1930-2017) slated for Saturday, March 16th, visit www.strawserauctions.com. To view a flip-booklet for the auction, click here: https://flipbooklets.com/pdfflipbooklets/flower-majolica-2024#page1

About Strawser Auction Group:
The Strawser Auction Group, based in Wolcottville, Indiana, is always in the market for quality items for future auctions, especially majolica, Fenton, Pickard, Mt. Washington and R.S. Prussia. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call Michael Strawser at (office): 260-854-2859 or (cell): 260-336-2204; or, you can email him at michael@strawserauctions.com. To learn more about the Strawser Auction Group, visit www.strawserauctions.com.