Items from Historic Mt. Hope Plantation Go to the Highest Bidder

A pair of 20th century Italian-style composition Blackamoor torchieres, a mid-19th century French three-piece gilt and patinated bronze and white marble clock set, a large pair of French carved giltwood Corinthian columns, and an oil-on-canvas painting by Louisiana artist Robert M. Rucker (1932-2000) all came up for bid June 24th and 25th in New Orleans.

They’re only a few of the best items in Crescent City Auction Gallery’s June Estates Auction, a summer sale packed with over 1,000 premium lots in the categories people have come to expect from Crescent City’s major two-day auction events: French and American period furniture, original artwork by New Orleans and regional artists, fine jewelry and decorative accessories.

Headlining the auction were estate items from Mt. Hope Plantation in Mississippi. Nearly 100 lots—about 10 percent of the auction—will come out of this gem of a home built in 1820, and all are early American. The house is the oldest standing structure in Copiah County. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized as a Mississippi State Landmark.

Mt. Hope Plantation, an historic home in Hazelhurst, Mississippi.

(Above right) Large 20th century pair of French carved giltwood Corinthian columns, 98 ½ inches tall and 24 inches in diameter.

Mt. Hope Plantation has been lovingly restored, with no detail overlooked, and has four large bedrooms, four full baths and seven fireplaces, in a 5,500-square-foot floor plan that’s conducive to comfortable country living.

The 20th century Italian-style composition Blackamoor torchieres, also known as candlestands, are impressive at 86 inches in height. The pair of French carved giltwood Corinthium columns, also from the 20th century, were even taller at 98½ inches and 24 inches in diameter.

(Left) Pair of 20th century Italian-style composition Blackamoor torchieres (or candlestands), impressive at 86 inches in height.

Robert M. Rucker was a New Orleans-born impressionist artist who opened his first gallery in the city’s French Quarter at the age of 16. His oil painting titled The Steamboat Natchez, signed lower right, was included in the auction. The French three-piece clock set, circa 1850, is by Societe Regeneratrice & Mutuelle de l’Horlogerie in Paris, France.

There were four paintings by Rucker in the sale, one a watercolor titled French Quarter Street in a Full Moon. The jewelry selection at the auction was exceptional, a broad array that included dazzling diamonds, sparkling sapphires, red rubies, exotic Alexandrite, shimmering emeralds, Tanzanites and Tahitian pearls.

(Left) Oil-on-canvas by Louisiana painter Robert M. Rucker, titled "The Steamboat Natchez," one of four paintings by Rucker in the auction.

A French ebonized ormolu mounted center table, manufactured around 1870 and measuring 46 ½ inches in diameter, led the French furniture category. An additional three lots included a carved walnut Louis XV-style double door armoire, made in the 19th century and 102¼ inches tall by 66 inches wide.

French three-piece gilt and patinated bronze and white marble clock set, circa 1850, by Societe Regeneratrice & Mutuelle de l’Horlogerie of Paris.

The second was a 19th century French Empire-style carved mahogany marble-top commode, 32 ½ inches tall and 31 ½ inches wide. The fourth was a 19th century Louis XV-style ormolu mounted marquetry inlaid rosewood marble-top secretaire abattant (fall-front writing desk), 56 inches tall.

The English furniture category featured a Regency-style carved mahogany leather-top rent table, crafted in the late 19th century and a set of six 20th century carved walnut Queen Anne-style dining chairs, two armchairs and four without arms.

Federal carved mahogany settee (or long, squared-ended seat with upholstered sides and back), made in the 19th century.

Furniture pieces from other European countries included a German (or Austrian) Biedermeier carved walnut secretaire abattant, made circa 1830 and standing 65½ inches tall by 43 inches wide, and an unusual 20th-century Italian Empire-style Breche d’Alpes marble-top center table on dolphin supports, expansive at 56 ¾ inches wide.

Two lots of American period furniture were also part of the auction. One was an unusual late 19th-century Classical Revival lift-top petticoat table. The other is a Federal carved mahogany settee, or long, squared-ended seat with upholstered sides and back, made in the early 19th century.

Artwork by New Orleans artists included a signed oil- on-canvas by Alan Genise Flattman, titled "Sunset Over the Marsh," a signed charcoal study by George Valentine Dureau, "Standing Male Angel," and a signed watercolor by George F. Castleden, "New Orleans Harbor, The Mississippi River."

Additional works by artists from the region featured a silkscreen by the renowned “Blue Dog” artist George Rodrigue, titled "Take Me to Your Leader" done in  1997 and silver pen signed and numbered. A pair of oils-on-board by Louisana artist Jack R. Meyers, titled "The General Store and Laundry Day," and four crackle glazed ceramic figural groups by Steele Burden, also from Louisiana.

(Above) Silkscreen (46/120) by renowned “Blue Dog” artist George Rodrigue, titled "Take Me to Your Leader," silver pen signed and numbered

Decorative items included an American Aesthetic gilt and gesso pier mirror and marble-top console table, possibly made in New Orleans around 1880.

 (To the right>) a nickel-plated puzzle sculpture by Spanish artist Miguel Berrocal, titled "Mini David," executed around 1970, and a pair of mid-19th century Royal Crown Derby Imari pattern handled vases now mounted on giltwood bases as lamps and each one 14 inches tall.

Information about upcoming auctions is available at the  Crescent City Auction Gallery site. A printed catalog is also available on request. Crescent City Auction Gallery is accepting quality consignments for all of its future auctions. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them at (504) 529-5057; or, you can send them an inquiring e-mail.

 

< Back to Antiques News