Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. of Hillsborough, NC and Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. of Rockingham, NC were proud to offer, at public auction, the personal property assets of the Chinqua Penn Plantation. Featured auction results can be viewed below, or the complete results can be found online. [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Pair of Continental Carved Court Figures, $32,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Italian Silk Painted Panel, $26,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Important Group of Four Limoges Enamel Plaques, $34,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Napoleonic Gilt Wood Eagle Console Table, $52,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Chinese Qianlong Panther Sculptures, $120,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Important Continental Two Part Vargueno, $57,500"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="The Chinqua Penn Wrought Iron Entrance Gates, $34,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Pair of Chinese Gilt Bronze Pricket Sticks, $25,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Pallazo Carrara Marble Urn and Pedestal, $77,500"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Pair of Chinese Porcelain Panels, $25,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="Egyptian Revival King Tut Arm Chair, $34,000"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_1594" align="alignnone" width="485" caption="John Gamble (Am., 1863-1957), Lupine in California, $55,000"][/caption]

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales (LLAES), Ltd. opened the 2012 auction year with a landmark $2.4 Million auction, anchored by a collection of photography by Alfred Stieglitz (Am, 1864-1946), who was husband to famed artist Georgia O’Keeffe. The complete auction results for the Two-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction can be found on-line. This sale follows three consecutive $1 Million sales the company conducted during 2011, in June, September, and December, respectively. The auction gallery was pleased to host nearly 300 floor bidders who attended the Two-Day Spring Estate Catalogued auction, held March 16 & 17, 2012. Bidders unable to attend the sale left over 1900 absentee and phone bids. In addition, over 1200 bidders watched and participated in the auction on-line, from more than 50 countries around the world. LLAES, Ltd. continues to acquire and offer top-level consignments from the Southeast region, with owner Leland Little saying, "Our current state-of-the-art auction facility, combined with the investment of this team, continues to reward both sellers and buyers." The showstopper of the sale was the Rhoades collection of Alfred Stieglitz photographs, which included the top-lot of the auction, "View from Studio," (pictured at right) which sold for $519,200. "Studio 291," also from the Rhoades' collection, sold for $200,600. The remainder of the 866 lot catalogued auction saw strength and consistency from start to finish (all prices include the 18% buyers premium). Fine Arts offerings were diverse and of top quality, including a portrait of General Jackson, by Thomas Sully (PA, 1783-1872), which, driven by strong phone and on-line bidding, achieved $73,750. A striking floral still life by Sebastian Wegmayr (1776-1857) brought $16,520. Jewelry lots demonstrated strength, led by a round brilliant cut unmounted diamond that sold for $13,570. A Michalis designed Gold and Ruby Lariat sold for $12,980, and an Art Deco Diamond & Sapphire Ring by J.E. Caldwell achieved $9,145. Strong on-line bidding drove the price of an 18KT Vintage Gentleman's Watch by Patek Philippe to $5,900. Other lots of interest include an Antique Chinese Handscroll that attracted international bidders and soared to $212,400, a modern Bakalowits and Sohne "Miracle" Chandelier that sold for $7,375, and a Meissen Porcelain Figural Clock and Stand that achieved $18,880. Offerings from the Lamont Estate were strong, featuring the Michalis designed Gold and Ruby Lariat and Antique Chinese Handscroll mentioned above, and an etching by James A. M. Whistler (1834-1903) entitled "The Wine Glass," that sold for $6,490. Sculpture was highlighted by two bronzes; one by Harriet Frishmuth (NY, 1880-1980) which achieved $21,240, the other by Aase Texmon Rygh (Norwegian, b. 1925) that sold for $8,555. Fine silver was led by an Important Baltic Parcel Gilt Silver Monteith, which soared to $56,640, and a Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Water Pitcher that sold for $2,360. The Fine Wine session, which was held Friday, March 16th at 6:00 P.M., was energized by four bottles of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild that climbed to $4,248. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. and Iron Horse Auction Company will hold the Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation Estate Auction at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC, April 25th and 26th, 2012. LLAES, Ltd. will also hold their Two-Day Summer Estate Catalogued Auction at their auction gallery in Historic Hillsborough, NC, on June 15th and 16th, 2012. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call the gallery at 919-644-1243 or email at info@llauctions.com.

By Nancy Blount, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. The jewelry from the collection of the late Mrs. Lorna Lamont of Boston, Massachusetts, is a visual journey that tells the story of her travels to Europe with her husband, their love of Greek philosophy, and a loyalty to the jewelers whose pieces she admired and purchased. Dr. and Mrs. Lamont visited England and Greece on several occasions, and it was on these trips that they established a friendship with the proprietors of Michalis Jeweller of Athens, Greece and Garrard & Co., Ltd. of London that would endure for years to come. A letter written to Mrs. Lamont from D.P. Rayner of Garrard & Co. Ltd. wishes Mrs. Lamont luck with her ear piercing and states that he has set aside the sapphire and diamond earrings for her. The correspondence that Mrs. Lamont preserved for approximately fifty years between herself and Michalis and with Garrard & Co. builds a historical context for the assemblage of her collection. One of her most exquisite pieces from Michalis is a gold and ruby lariat (pictured at right) that speaks to her interest, as well as her husband’s, in Greek philosophy. The gold and plique a jour disc pendant from Garrard & Co. is true to her quest for quality and craftsmanship. In addition to her friends across the sea, Mrs. Lamont had loyalties at home. She remained steadfast to Brodney Gallery of Fine Arts and Shreve, Crump, and Low, both of Boston. Estate pieces from Brodney, many in their original boxes and with receipts, reflect her interest in the Art Deco period and her appreciation of the elegance of the design, as in her JE Caldwell sapphire and diamond ring and her Spaulding & Co. platinum and pearl ring. From Shreve, Crump, and Low of Boston, Mrs. Lamont bought her pearls and her tiger bead necklace and earrings. Her younger son, Robert Burtman of Hillsborough, North Carolina, describes his mother as “a Depression era kid” who did not have the opportunity to travel and whose university studies were interrupted when she married. She later returned to Boston University as a single mother and completed her undergraduate degree in philosophy. Upon obtaining a Master’s degree in social work from Simmons School of Social Work, she ventured into a world of service, working primarily with young women in the greater Boston area. Mrs. Lamont’s personal interest in philosophy, her interest in the people around her, and her appreciation of jewelry as an art form are evident in the direction she took in creating a collection that our auction company, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is proud to present.

By Luke Newbold, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. When you walk through the doors of the Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. Auction Gallery to preview our Two-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction, to be held March 16 & 17, 2012, take special note of the room settings, object placement and arrangement of items. Much like a fine art gallery, museum or special collection, the auction gallery is curated by our staff and arranged studiously for display. It is mind boggling to imagine how each piece arrived on our gallery floor; some items are single consignments that have been passed down from generations, while other items are part of an entire estate brought to auction. To view these estates combined in one gallery setting is truly an art of its own, and even more exciting to think it is all to be sold at auction. The main gallery floor is divided into several rooms. Room 3 features a fine assortment of American antiques and art; including a rare Joel Palmer paint decorated blanket chest (Lot 145) of fantastic diminutive size with an exceptionally well preserved and whimsical paint scheme; a Georgia Federal Huntboard (Lot 146) by direct descent through the family of Paul Johnston, Rome, Georgia. For our North Carolina collectors, an attributed Thomas Day rocking chair (Lot 164) seems to be pulled right from the pages of Patricia Phillips Marshal and Jo Ramsey Leimenstoll’s “Thomas Day: Master Craftsman and Freeman of Color”; and “Low-Tide Moonlight” (Lot 87) by Robertson Mygatt retaining its original Carnegie Institute label on the verso. Room 7 pops the gallery with vibrant colors from art deco to mid-century modern periods. Some of this room’s highlights include: an attributed Kai Kristiansen, Danish Modern Sideboard (Lot 203) with clean lines floating on turned legs and well crafted tambour doors, and a modern table with Phillippe Starck J. Chairs (Lot 202), consigned as a set, the chairs are clearly labeled and include a fantastic architectural metal, wood and glass table featured in Andrew Hollingsworth’s “Danish Modern” as a partner’s desk. The room is lit by several period art deco lamps (Lot 207-210) from the Greensboro collection of James and Virginia Tucker, a couple who deserve praise as true art deco collectors and lovers of the arts. Suspended above is a Bakalowits and Sohne “Miracle” Chandelier (Lot 205), with a very unique and eye catching design, this is the first time being offered for sale since its original purchase in the 1960s, NY. Gallery B is fashioned as one large room setting primarily featuring collections from the Arthur Danielson estate. The lit glass display cases contain exceptional Chinese porcelains, ivories and figures; as well as a cabinet dedicated to the Alfred Stieglitz photography of the Rhoades’ Estate (Lots 44-51) including one of his most famous images, “The Steerage” (Lot 44). The excitement behind these photographs is the underlying connection of their original owner Katharine N. Rhoades. The Metropolitan Museum of Art includes the following on Rhoades relationship with Stieglitz: “Katharine Nash Rhoades was an American beauty who caught Stieglitz's eye during her many visits to "291" and who was one of the few female painters to show there… (and) in June 1915 Stieglitz took several photographs of Rhoades, arm bent in an elegant V across her chest…” The photographs and book are inscribed to Katharine Rhoades from Alfred Stieglitz and is their first time being offered for sale since their dedication. Other powerful areas of interest include the jewelry and wine. The fine jewelry selection ranges from Vicotrian to modern; featuring a Victorian Diamond and Sapphire Arrow Brooch (Lot 594), a piece that transcends in design and style to compliment current fashion trends; the modern jewelry includes an Alexander Calder style necklace (Lot 585) with similar elements to a 1941 necklace in the MOMA’s collection. This Spring features the largest wine auction to date of rare and fine wines; including a Remy Martin Louis XIII & Baccarat Decanter – Vintage mid-19th Century, Cognac (Lot 1108), with a comparable selling price of $70,000 in May 2011. There are 760 lots in the art and antiques portion of the sale and each lot has a special story, which our auction company is pleased to share with you. It is fun gathering the items to build a quarterly catalog sale, but even more fun is to see it all come together. This Two-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction has a special energy all its own with several exciting and extraordinary lots. Sources: Hollingsworth, Andrew; “Danish Modern”, 2008, p.182. Leimenstoll, Jo Ramsey; Marshal, Patricia Phillips; “Thomas Day: Master Craftsman and Freeman of Color”, 2010, fig.5.38, p.98. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/collections/search-the-collections/210008639, Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1949; March 4, 2012. The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/collection/browse_results.php?criteria=O%3AAD%3AE%3A922&page_number=39&template_id=1&sort_order=1, Necklace, 748.1943, Alexander Calder; March 6, 2012.

While much is known of the work and contribution of Alfred Stieglitz, we know little of Katherine N. Rhoades, the woman whose beauty and artistic skills captured the eye and interest of Stieglitz, resulting in a life-long friendship between the two. Our auction company, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is proud to offer, March 17th, 2012, during our Two-Day Spring Estate Catalogued Auction, a collection of photographs by Stieglitz, each individually chosen and given to Katherine Rhoades by Stieglitz himself. It is through the words of her grandniece, Barbara Rhoades, that we begin to recognize the presence and being of the woman whose influence helped shape the landscape of early 20th century American art. Ms. Barbara Rhoades reflects on Katherine Rhoades (known as Aunty K), in this insightful piece:[caption id="" width="650" align="alignright" caption="Group of artists seated on the ground, among the trees. Identification on verso (handwritten): Left to right - Paul Haviland, Abraham Walkowitz, Katharine N. Rhoades, Mrs. Alfred Stieglitz, Agnes Ernst (Mrs. Eugene Meyer), Alfred Stieglitz, J.B. Kerfoot, John, Marin. (Source: The Smithsonian Archives from the Abraham Walkowitz papers, 1904-1966)"][/caption] [caption id="" width="650" align="alignright" caption="The same group of artists pictured dining at Mount Kisco (Source: The Smithsonian Archives from the Abraham Walkowitz papers, 1904-1966)"][/caption]I met Aunty K once when I was 9 years old, in 1959. She was my father’s aunt and a very gentle soul. I spent the day with her walking about New York and sitting in her apartment. She wore dark clothing brightened by a floral wool challis shawl. Around her neck hung an Episcopal cross. Though she was in her mid-70s and wore no make-up, her beauty seemed timeless. She had a way of looking at you as if she could see to the depth of your soul and the truth within. With the slightest tilt of the head and a gentle smile, you knew that what she saw through her eyes, she embraced with love and acceptance. In my immediate family, Aunty K was kept as a mystery. It wasn’t until her death, when my father served as executor of her estate, that I learned of how deeply she had been involved in the world of art and the famous people whose paths were intertwined with hers. Over the years I have read inscriptions in books from Carl Sandburg, Alfred Stieglitz and others, writing as dear friends of K’s. I learned that Katherine Graham, of the Washington Post, was named after Aunty K. Katherine Graham’s mother, Agnes Meyer, was one of the "Three Graces," along with Aunty K and Marion Beckett. I saw photos of Aunty K (in her quintessential pose of her hand resting gently on her long neck [pictured, top right]) at Mount Kisco with Meyer, Stieglitz, Paul Marin and others. There were beautiful portraits of my father's parents and him as a baby by Steichen, but none as creative and intimate as the images Steichen took of Aunty K, smiling through a fanned veil of pine needles or melting onto an outcropped rock. I read an inscription on a photo by Stieglitz of poplars blowing in the breeze, on which Stieglitz, as a birthday gift to K, wrote, "…this is how I see you." I have seen the exhibition catalogue from the 1913 Armory exhibit where Aunty K, among countless artists, exhibited their work with Duchamps, Picasso, Cezanne, Matisse, and Gaugin – artists who turned the 20th century into Modern Art. I have seen the portrait of K hanging as tribute to her long friendship with Freer and her commitment to establishing his collection in the National Museum, and the Chinese coin that Freer gave to my father along with a personal letter explaining the meaning of the coin. I have a library of books on Stieglitz and Steichen, in which her name is a gentle thread in their lives. What I gather from my Aunt Lib, who lived with K in her later years, is that it was through painting a mural for a religious library that K found a turning point that defined the rest of her life. Many of the books speculate about the relationships K had with Steichen, Stieglitz and others, and why she destroyed most of her paintings to spend the rest of her years in humble servitude for the church and the religious library. Much has been written about her and yet she remains an enigma. Many don’t understand, what is to them, an unexplainable abandonment of her place with the shakers and movers of Modern Art. I had a chance to glance at K’s journals about her trips to Europe, her poems (many of them sent to Stieglitz in her letters), her dreams, and her symbolic choices of color in her paintings. I saw her notes beside her sketches and watercolor studies, and I had a few moments to read some lines of her handwritten poems. I believe that K’s path was consistent. Her art, her poems, her life, were connected to the presence of a greater spirit within each of us, revealed, and set free, by nature. In her art you will see a predominance of blue, which embodies the spirit. This spirit elevates us to a higher sense of truth and humanity, and it reaches to the depth of our souls. As Sandburg wrote to K inside her edition of "Rootabaga Stories," "To K who…understands the meaning of blue."

"Antiquarian, connoisseur, historian, kind friend; words that come to mind when describing Arthur Danielson, a man whose prominent presence dominated the Raleigh antiques scene for 40 years. Arthur conducted his antiques business from his elegant downtown home, where clients were always welcomed as honored guests. His home was filled to over-flowing with treasures collected during his world travels; each piece painstakingly researched and documented. One of Arthur's greatest delights was explaining the history and merits of his acquisitions. If your host excused himself for a few minutes, the lucky visitor was likely to find himself served with a silver tray of fresh madeleines and home brewed coffee with thick cream, served by Arthur smiling and saying, “Let's sit a spell and I'll tell you all about that Carolean table.” And they did!" - Pam Briggs Arthur's collection dominates the sale being offered February 25, 2012. His collection ranges from hand tied carpets to antique engravings and paintings, leather bound books, antique pewter and brass to 18th century furnishings, staffordshire and export Chinese porcelains. Some of the pieces of interest include, photo 72, a 19th century black hard-stone Chinese brush washer in the form of a resting ram. The art being offered features a multitude of ranges from folk, early English to mid century modern. One particularly peculiar lot is photo 191, a vintage oil on canvas in the manor of Piet Mondrian. Another intriguing work of art is photo 173, a 19th century folk assemblage of feathers and painting showcasing a variety of birds among a landscape, all housed in a wonderfully pierce carved folk art frame. The sale of Arthur Danielson antiques is a rare opportunity to gather from a prestigious local collector. We are proud and privileged to offer this quality collection Saturday, February 25, 2012. Call now to reserve your seat!

By Nancy Blount, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. The allure of diamonds to the classic sophistication of pearls, the fire of rubies and calm of sapphires, the craftsmanship of sterling combined with the textures of turquoise and coral, and the delightful fantasy of costume…are all represented in the jewelry collection being sold in the Estate Catalogued Auction of Dr. Clyde Nolan on February 18, 2012. This is a collection that speaks to the versatility and individuality of a collector who had great appreciation for a diversity of styles, periods, and materials. The collection includes the prestige and tradition of Tiffany and Richard Krementz and the flair of English designer Kiki McDonough, whose work was favored by the late Princess Diana and worn by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, on Christmas Day. Additionally represented in the collection are many pieces by regional artists and pieces retailed by local galleries, many of the pieces still in their original retailers’ gift boxes. A pair of Mabe pearl earrings set in 22KT gold, purchased from Somerhill Gallery, and an Art Deco style diamond and sapphire bracelet from Schiffman’s of Greensboro join the company of a pair of Tahitian pearl and diamond ear pendants, still with a Sotheby’s auction tag. Strands of pearls and multi-strand necklaces of turquoise and coral accented with sterling are in the midst of earrings, rings, and pendants set with peridot, tourmaline, and topaz gemstones. The focus of this collector went toward color, and the greens and blues of these stones deftly dominate the collection. Adding dimension to and completing the jewel chest are the selections representative of the Victorian period, such as a diamond and ruby ring with the maker’s mark for Cornelius Saunder and Frank Shepard Silversmiths of London, 1910, and the whimsical costume jewelry of the Post WWII era from Mariam Haskell, Schiaparelli, Hattie Carnegie, and others. It is a collection of jewelry for all seasons for its diversity and for its depth.

By Claire Fraser, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. - (Photograph by Alex Harris) A shock of red first catches your eye as you walk into the gallery displaying the collection of Dr. Clyde Nolan, Jr. It is impossible to miss with its bold color and geometric composition – a photograph by Durham resident and co-founder of Duke’s founder of the Center for Documentary Studies, Alex Harris. Harris studied under Walker Evans while attending Yale. He credits Evans’ notion “that photography is essentially a matter of collecting and editing images” as being influential in the development of his own style. This sentiment is evident in many of Harris’ photographs – including the one offered in Dr. Nolan’s collection - “Sol and Cuba, Old Havana, Looking North from Alberto Roja’s 1951 Plymouth, Havana.” Harris even literally followed in his mentor’s footsteps; like Evans in 1933, Harris traveled to Cuba between 1998 and 2003 – documenting his experience and viewpoint on film. In an interview with CNN, Harris speaks of using the windshields of what may at first seem to be behemoths of western capitalism as “lenses” for the viewer of the photograph, as well as Cubans themselves. In the interview he describes these classic cars from the 1950s as reinvented vehicles, completely rebuilt and lacking original parts, testaments to the ingenuity and perseverance of the Cuban people. It is through this “lens” that Harris captures and incorporates multiple generations of Cuban experience – the streets of old colonial Havana, pre-1959 Revolution, and present day. These generations are revealed in the hardscape, while close inspection reveal ghostly apparitions of passersby. People inhabited the past and continue to live in the present, molding their surroundings and adapting to constant, and often difficult, changes. This photograph is a powerful image from a preeminent North Carolina photographer. It was included in his 2007 book, The Idea of Cuba, and was included in “A Revolutionary Project: Cuba from Walker Evans to Now” at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles, CA, May 17-October 2, 2011). References: http://www.alex-harris.com http://www.annstewartfineart.com/ http://www.getty.edu/news/press/center/revolutionary_project.html http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/10/17/cha.alex.harris.cnn http://mbabramgalleries.com/video_alex_harris.html http://blog.rosegallery.net/2011/05/27/la-times-review-of-a-revolutionary-project-cuba-from-walker-evans-to-now-by-reed-johnson/

Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales (LLAES), Ltd. wrapped up 2011 with a surge in fine wine consignments and sales. Over the last 4 quarterly Fine Wine auctions, LLAES, Ltd. grossed approximately US $347,000. Top hammer prices (prices include the 15% buyers premium) included the following: - 9 bottles of 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild that sold for US $25,960 - 11 bottles of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild that earned US $10,620 - 11 bottles of 1969 Romanee Conti Richebourg that went for US $9,775 Other highlights were two stellar cases of 1982 Chateau Haut Brion that sold for US $7,820 per case. Many top growth wines exceeded international expectations and auction estimates. Online bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. LLAES, Ltd. will hold their next Fine Wine Auction on March 16th, 2012, at 6:00 P.M., with the strongest collection of sought-after California wines to date, including 5 individual lots of Opus One. LLAES, Ltd. is always accepting quality wine consignments for future sales. All consignments are stored in our newly constructed 5,000 bottle climate-controlled wine cellar. To consign, you may email the fine wine director, Mark Solomon (mark@llauctions.com). Or you can call him at (919) 225-5916. For more information, please visit LLAES, Ltd.'s Fine Wine Department.

By Luke Newbold, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. When Leland told me we had to make room in storage for a large estate to be sold in February, I had no idea what we were in for! The Dr. Nolan estate, a court ordered sale, I imagined would be one tightly packed lane of furniture, art and smalls, like most “large” estates in our storage facility… Four truck loads later and without a square inch to spare, storage met its capacity. Our freshly poured concrete floor now hosts hundreds of plastic totes and bins full of mysterious merchandise, piles of fine furnishings, a mountain of hand tied rugs, a pile of art and racks of clothing and shoes, all to be unpacked, inventoried and sold in the Estate Collection Catalogued Auction of Dr. Clyde Nolan, Jr. on February 18th, 2012! Three days into unpacking boxes, we discovered an assortment of fine antiques including a hoard of fine sterling silver objects, dating from the 18th-20th century. The silver varies from a monumental sterling trumpet vase to Victorian gilt silver mugs by Tiffany & Co. There are several fine English antiquities such as: silver and gold tipped riding crops, tea caddies, perfume bottles, a Chinoiserie perfume box, paperweights, enameled pill boxes, antique and decorative table lamps, toleware and the list goes on and on. Today the final truck delivered an assorted collection of ultra fine fashion clothing; with such names as: Chanel, Michael Kors, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Saks Fifth Avenue, etc. The items range from chinchilla, mink and fox coats to leather dresses, custom outfits and size 6-7.5 heels all in their original boxes, all in like new condition, some even with tags still remaining. Several of these handbags are the exact designs once owned by Elizabeth Taylor. Over 160 works of art were included in the final truck load as well. The works include 19th century oil on canvas landscapes, still lives and portraits; also with contemporary paintings, prints and photography. All of the pristine works are presented in fine period frames. I imagine you won’t see a bit of the yellow paint of the gallery walls once all the art is hung for this sale! How could I forget the jewels? Yes, there will be a fine selection of jewelry offered at this auction including: a platinum, diamond and sapphire bracelet, an art deco style platinum ruby and diamond bracelet, a large diamond tennis bracelet, pearl and diamond earrings, multiple lots of gold jewelry and boxes upon boxes of sterling and semi-precious stone necklaces, bracelets and earrings! Most of the jewelry is in excellent condition, having records of being purchased at Sothebys and other high end jewelers. The rugs and furniture have yet to been vetted, but just from a glance I can tell it will be equally as powerful. Two of the rugs I’ve encountered for this sale are of the highest quality I have seen at auction; their extremely high knot count and quality are superb. Also a 19th century mahogany sleigh bed will be offered and a custom fancy inlaid corner cupboard. If this wets your appetite, as it has mine, that’s just the beginning of this enormous collection, as we have yet another week’s worth of unpacking ahead of us. It is anyone’s guess what fine jewels, hand bags, and antiquities will be pulled out and offered for auction. There will be a catalog listing online for this auction; however, due to the nature of this sale, it is an exciting and rare opportunity at owning parts of a fresh-to-market prestigious collection. Keep checking our website for updates, listings and photos for this sale and be sure to reserve a seat for this all-day gala event, on February 18th.

By Luke Newbold, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. As our parents or grandparents “modern tastes” become rediscovered, the term “Danish Modern” is often used; the term has come to symbolize a high style of Mid-20th century furnishings for the modern home. But how and why was Danish furniture introduced to the United States? How: Danish Modern design is classified by organic shape and seemingly light construction, many pieces appearing to float from the floor. Woods used vary from light European Oak to the more exotic and rich Brazilian Rosewood, often used in the solid. Many of the furnishings, such as chairs, tables and cabinets can easily be disassembled; therefore, allowing for easy and lower cost import into the U.S. Architect/Designers Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wagner and Finn Juhl are some of the hailed Danish/American designers who directly introduced strong Danish design into the American home. Their avant-garde designs would later become streamlined and produced by such manufacturers as Haywood Wakefield, Lane, Knoll etc., including several Highpoint, NC vendors. Why: Fashion trends are much of the cause for design, whether it be in art, clothing, architecture and the same is true for furniture. Noted author Andrew Hollingsworth states, “(Danish Modern furniture)…is still only beginning to be appreciated in the homes of twenty-first-century America.” He also states that much of what is known of the Danish-Modern style is infused with ancient designs from Greece, Egypt and Asia. Designers and craftsmen incorporated the best designs of foreign antiquities and made it their own by using native woods and reduced form construction, thus creating a design that is said to transcend time. Aside from fashion, industrialization played a key role in the formation of Danish modern design. Production lines formed to create affordable furnishings to the public, and with that came the first step towards modernism: the Arts and Crafts movement of 1880. Styles drastically changed and revolted against the heavy ornamentation of high Victorian furniture. Makers such as Gustav Stickley replaced carved floral crest-rails and Rococo-style armoires with bold, simple lines and lighter tone oaks. Fifty years later the designs were reduced and improved upon, creating “Danish-Modern”; preempting “Mid-Century Modern” by a decade. This influence of design is noted in the January 14th auction gallery. Objects include a set of three matching long dressers manufactured by Columbia and Myers of Boston; two “Contemporary” tambour cabinets of Brookline, Massachusetts; pair of Rosewood candlesticks by Jacaranda, Jac-arte, Made in Brasil S. Paulo; two wooden floor lamps and a fantastic Danish-Modern Wooten desk. The Wooten Desk (likely designed by Leif Elvestad), photo 141, is a classic example of Danish modern design reaching back to antique designs. William S. Wooton patented his design for the “Wooten Desk” in 1870 and had the basic form and function as the Danish Modern Wooten Desk up for auction this Saturday. However, the original designs were in high Victorian fashion with dark mahogany and walnut used as primary woods with ebonized and gilt decoration atop carved mountings. Elvestad’s design for the Wooten Desk reduces it down to its basic form, a rectangle, supported by an ‘H’ bracket base; opening to reveal useful pigeon holes, folding desk top, files and even a locked compartment with key. Instead of the dark woods used at its origination, the Danish Modern desk is made of a light stained teak wood, deceptively altering its mass. If you are starting to take after your parents or grandparents taste for Danish Modern and Mid Century Modern, be sure to check out the sale on Saturday, January 14th at 12pm, with preview the day before. Also, take note that finer Mid-Century and Danish Modern items are sold at our catalog sales, all of which can be viewed through our website as the dates of the sales grow near.

By Claire Fraser, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. How often do you sit down to dinner? It’s likely not as often as you would choose. In today’s world we find the time too fleeting and tempers too short to truly sit down and enjoy a meal. This Saturday’s Estate Treasures Auction, to be held January 14th, 2012 at 12:00 P.M., shows us a glimpse of when dinner was fully relished and a true art was laid out on the table. This auction’s featured estate of Dr. John and Mrs. Lorna Lamont of Boston includes a fine collection of hand-painted china and sterling silver flatware. Much of the china was hand-painted by “R. Epstein,” likely a personal friend or relative of the Lamonts. There are teacups, saucers, teapots, plates, and candlesticks galore! All different – but how pretty they would look set up for a spring shower! No need to be matchy – in fact, it could be the start of a new collection focused on a color, flower, or an artist’s name. China painting was a popular pastime for woman during the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. Blanks (undecorated porcelain pieces) could be purchased from china producers and then painted at home or in studios. A woman in Wisconsin, Susan Frackelton, even developed her own gas-powered portable kiln, paints, and more, which she sold from a retail location. Her success grew and in 1886 she published a manual for artists titled Tried by Fire: A Work on China-Painting. Another tabletop art form featured in this weekend’s sale is sterling silver. Up on the block is everything from an asparagus fork to a cheese scoop. But don’t get fixated on the object’s original purpose – these items can be put to all sorts of uses. Imagine a cheese scoop set in a bowl of candy to dole out the perfect portion. But a bit of warm brie with pesto scooped onto a plate does sound divine – just don’t forget the butter pick to elegantly extract the gooey goodness! Silver is among the strongest collecting fields on the secondary market today. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a lot of work. Silver rarely needs polishing as long as it is used! I don’t advocate dumping it in the dishwasher, but a quick soapy soak in the sink will do the trick. So here is a call to arms – in today’s hectic world, carve out an extra five minutes to set your table. Pull out the silver and the china; add another piece to your collection. Many of the silver patterns offered in the Lamont estate have been in production for over a hundred years and will never go out of style. They will be around for another hundred years, passed from one generation to the next, the epitome of green living! Sources: Wisconsin Historical Society (www.wisconsinhistory.com)

By Luke Newbold, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. We at LLAES are privileged to work with great collections on a regular basis. Recently we located a fresh period estate in Greensboro, NC, that is everything deco. Upon entering the home one is greeted by a Chinese art deco rug of deep purples and cobalt that sets the stage for an array of prominently featured sculptures, lamps and flower frogs. We have sold parts of this collection in past auctions, and are pleased to be offering additional items during our New Year’s Eve Estate Auction, to be held December 31st at 1:00 P.M. One lot of particular interest is a pair of art deco oil on board “dreamscapes” with nude silhouettes. Each of the paintings places the viewer in a seductive yet secluded location behind fantasized deco floral foliage. Both scenes are painted at dusk with a gilt full moon. One panel is focused on two female figures leaping through a grassy knoll with a bouncing bunny on their trail; the other with a female figure chasing a cherub atop a galloping goat. Both scenes with whimsical design and color choices as the flowers are sporting shades of turquoise, orange, and mauve with scrolled flower petals and coffee bean shaped leaves. Unfortunately these pieces are unsigned and the consignor doesn’t know much about their history other than her husband picked them up years ago to add to their collection. Popular since the 18th century, silhouettes document fashion trends while capturing the subject's profile. Our art deco silhouette panels were created in the same manner as their colonial predecessors but showcase styles of the 1920's-30s with lithe nude female in whimsical settings. The silhouette was widely used throughout art deco décor from panel pictures to bookends to lamps. The silhouette has even remained a popular medium in modern and contemporary art. Kara Walker is one such major contemporary artist that comes to mind, who strongly uses the silhouette in her works. While Walker’s pieces have detailed ties to the harsh reality of the early African-American, the two panels being offered for auction New Year’s Eve may bring a slightly more fun and relaxed tone to any interior. The art deco collection for the New Year's Eve auction features an array of early Phoenix glass, figural globe lamps, Italian glass, bookends, ash stands, and an amazing adjustable figural magazine stand (photo 96). Other original works include a statue of a young stylish couple in the hard-edged deco design, signed “Harriet Dexter,” (photo 103). Unfortunately again, we are unable to discover and information regarding Harriet Dexter, but her sculpture is exquisitely done in the hand of the 1930’s.

Description: Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. of Hillsborough, NC and Iron Horse Auction Company, Inc. of Rockingham, NC proudly announce the public auction of the personal property assets of the Chinqua Penn Plantation. Selling by order of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Court Ordered Auction, Case # 09-50140, In the matter of Renegade Holdings, Inc., et al Illustrated color catalogues for the sale are available ($50 at-the-door, $55 USPS postage paid, $70 shipped internationally). You may place an order now, on our homepage, or by contacting us. Sale Location: Greensboro Coliseum Complex: Special Events Center, West Wing Greensboro, NC Sale Dates: The Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation Estate Auction Day 1: Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 10:00 A.M., Lots 1 - 595 Day 2: Thursday, April 26, 2012, 10:00 A.M., Lots 596 - 1074 Sale Previews (To be held at Chinqua Penn Plantation, Reidsville, NC): Sunday, April 22, 2:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. (Wine Reception) Monday, April 23, 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 24, 10:00 A.M. - 6:00 P.M. Terms: Terms and Conditions of the sale are available online. Photos and Additional Lot Information: Please click here for the complete listing, including images and descriptions...

December 30, 2012 Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales (LLAES), Ltd. conducted their third consecutive million-dollar-sale with their Two-Day Winter Estate Catalogued Auction, held at their newly expanded auction gallery, December 2nd & 3rd, 2011. This landmark auction demonstrated continued growth for LLAES, Ltd., with the hammer falling at just over US$1.5 million for the sale, which featured their Fine Wine Auction as well as their Fine & Decorative Arts Auction. The auction gallery was at capacity with nearly 400 floor bidders attending the sale. In addition, over 1200 bidders participated on-line, from more than 50 countries around the world. Bidders unable to attend the sale left over 1600 absentee and phone bids which were executed. Highlights from the sale included multiple works by North Carolina artists, some achieving record-highs for their works (prices include buyer's premium): John Beerman (NC), Joe's View Looking North - 6AM ($13,800) John Beerman (NC), "Seven Lombardi Poplars...and Sandia Mountain" ($27,600) Maud Gatewood (NC, 1934-2004), "Green Shade" ($21,850) Maud Gatewood (NC, 1934-2004), "Big Bungle - Looking Up" ($20,700) Maud Gatewood (NC, 1934-2004), Abstract ($8,050) Claude Howell (NC, 1915-1977), Boy with Watermelon ($19,550) Claude Howell (NC, 1915-1977), Self-Portrait ($10,350) Furniture performed exceptionally well, led by a Pennsylvania Paint Decorated Dower Chest: Pennsylvania Paint Decorated Dower Chest, 18th c. ($41,400) George Nakashima Trestle Table ($7,475) Timothy Philbrick Sideboard ($10,350) New York Federal Drop Leaf Parlor Table ($5,290) American and International Fine Art was strong: Anthony Thieme (MA, 1888-1954), "Pigeon Cove" ($7,475) Dale Nichols (1904-1995), Red Barn in Snow ($3,220) Peter Hanson (NY, 1821-1887), Interlaken ($2,530) Alfred Hutty (NY/SC, 1877-1954), River in Snow ($8,050) Robert Vickrey (Am., 1926-2011), "Boy and Bike" ($10,350) Thomas Wightman (SC, 1811-1888), Still Life ($10,925) Sarah Blakeslee (NC, 1912-2005), NC Mountains ($2,070) Mary Tannahill (NC/NY, 1863-1951), "The Noon Hour" ($2,185) Julia Dillon (NY, 1834-1918), Chrysanthemums ($3,680) Erté (Russian, 1892-1990), Two Serigraphs ($2,300) Wladyslaw Chmielinski (1911-1979), Winter Race ($2,645) Wladyslaw Chmielinski (1911-1979), Warsaw Winter ($2,760) Two Estate Jewelry lots of note: Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Bracelet ($5,520) Art Deco Platinum Diamond and Sapphire Bracelet ($4,830) Sculpture was led by a bronze by Pierre Le Faguays: Pierre Le Faguays (1892-1962), Dancer with Thyrsus ($4,140) Martine Vaugel (Fr./Am.), Bronze Female Nude ($3,910) Laura Gardin Fraser (1889-1966), George Washington ($2,185) Silver offerings brought strong bidding: Georg Jensen "Pyramid" Sterling Flatware ($13,225) George III Silver Coffee Pot by William Grundy ($1,265) Hector Aguilar "Aztec" Silver & Rosewood Flatware ($6,325) Tiffany & Co. "Palm" Sterling Silver Flatware ($2,760) Tiffany & Co. Sterling Silver Lidded Urn ($2,070) Pottery and Art Glass excited bidders, featuring works by Mark Hewitt, Daniel Seagle, and Dale Chihuly: Impressive Early Mark Hewitt Planter ($2,070) Mark Hewitt, Lidded Four-Handled Ovoid Vessel ($2,990) Daniel Seagle Five Gallon Jug, NC Pottery ($8,625) Dale Chihuly Seaform Basket ($4,370) Asian art lots of note: Six Polished Hardstone Chinese Snuff Bottles ($5,290) Chinese Famille Rose Porcelain Jardiniere ($1,495) Chinese Northern Qi Dynasty Buddha Head ($2,185) Chinese Porcelain Plaque, Republic Period ($3,680) LLAES, Ltd. will hold its Two-Day Spring Catalogued Auction March 16th & 17th, 2012. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments for upcoming catalogued auctions, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please contact us.

Over 1000 lots of fine art, silver, estate jewelry, furniture and rare and fine wine to be offered at LLAES, Ltd.’s Two-Day Winter Catalogue Auction. Fine Wine to be sold Friday December 2nd at 5:30 PM, The Personal Collection of Joseph D. Rowand to be sold Friday, December 2nd at 7 PM, and Fine & Decorative Arts to be sold Saturday, December 3rd at 9 AM. Following on the heels of two consecutive million dollar sales, LLAES, Ltd. is proud to announce their last catalogue sale of the year. Leland Little states, “This sale promises to maintain the momentum that has been generated at our previous two catalogue auctions.” The sale will feature the personal collection of Joseph D. Rowand, founder of Somerhill Gallery, Chapel Hill, NC, the largest collection of rare and fine wine to date, and a quality collection of fine and decorative arts. This event will be held at the firm’s newly expanded state-of-the-art auction gallery in Hillsborough, NC. Little elaborates, “We are pleased to announce the completion and use of our 5,500 square foot extension which offers an additional 2,000 square feet of gallery display combined with the largest walk in wine cooler in the Southeast.” Floor, absentee, telephone, and live online bidding through Live Auctioneers will be available both days. The two day schedule will begin on Friday, December 2nd with an Hors D’oeuvre and Wine Reception for floor bidders. The Rare and Fine Wine Auction will begin promptly at 5:30 PM. Particular lots of note include: nine bottles of vintage 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (est. $21,000-$26,000), twelve bottles of vintage 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild (est. $27,500-$32,000), and two bottles of vintage 1985 Montrachet (est. $4,500-$6,500). These lots have all been removed from the subterranean wine cellar of an avid collector. Following the same evening at 7PM, LLAES, Ltd. will offer the personal collection of Joseph D. Rowand, founder of Somerhill Gallery in Chapel Hill, NC. 164 lots will be offered at this second session. There are no pre-sale estimates for this session as it constitutes an estate collection with all items to be sold to the highest bidder. Lots of interest include the Catalogue cover lot, an oil on canvas by Maud Gatewood, entitled, “Green Shade,” which is one of twelve works offered by the famed Gatewood. Other lots of note include an oil on canvas by Claude Howell (NC, 1915-1977) entitled, “Boy with Watermelon,” a ceramic sculpture entitled, “Two Figures,” by Mark Chatterley, a Saarinan “Tulip” Table and a pair of chairs, and an oil on canvas by John Beerman (NC) entitled, “Seven Lombardi Poplars...” On Saturday, December 3rd at 9AM, over 700 lots of fine and decorative arts will be offered. This session features multi-estate national and international level collections, beginning with 106 fresh to the market Asian Art offerings. Lots to watch include a pair of Chinese Famille Rose Lidded Bowls with a mark for Qianlong (est. $800-$1,200), a Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Pear Form Vase with a six character mark for Tongzhi reign (est. $800-$1,200), and a Chinese Carved Rose Quartz Elephant (est. $2,000-$4,000). American Art offerings will be a highlight of the sale. An acrylic on canvas by Rafael Cauduro, who is considered to be among the finest muralists and artists currently living and working in Mexico, entitled, “My Grandfather” (est. $6,000-$9,000) will generate excitement. Other strong lots include an oil on canvas by Anthony Thieme (MA, 1888-1954), entitled, “Pigeon Cove” (est. $6,000-$8,000), a mixed media on board signed and dated “Dale Nichols 1947,” entitled “Red Barn in Snow” (est. $2,000-$4,000), a drypoint on heavy wove paper by Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944) signed and entitled “Kleine Welten XII” (est. $8,000-$12,000), and a still life oil on canvas by Thomas Wightman, Charleston, SC (est. $3,000-$5,000). American Furniture will be led by a New York Renaissance Revival Bedroom Suite, circa 1870s with elaborate relief carving as well as incised and pierced details (est. $10,000-$20,000), a Philadelphia Tall Post Tester Bed, circa 1820-30 (est. $8,000-$12,000), and a Pennsylvania Paint Decorated Dower Chest, 18th century (est. $4,000-$8,000). Other fine lots include an American Classical Breakfront, second quarter 19th century (est. $4,000-$8,000) and a New York Federal Drop Leaf Parlor Table, circa 1810-30 (est. $3,000-$5,000). A Continental offering of note is a Pair of Regency Inlaid Card Tables, circa 1810 (est. $3,000-$5,000). Fine Jewelry offerings include 71 extremely strong lots that are sure to generate animated bidding. An Impressive 9.90 carat Platinum and Diamond ring centering on one emerald cut diamond (est. $80,000-$100,000) will certainly be a lot to watch. Other one of a kind pieces include a Diamond Line Bracelet comprised of 33 round brilliant cut diamonds (est. $10,000-$20,000), an Art Deco Platinum and Diamond Bracelet (est. $2,500-$5,500), an 18KT Diamond, Sapphire, Turquoise Toucan Brooch (est. $1,500-$2,500), an 18KT Gold and Diamond Cartier Brooch (est. $1,000-$3,000), and an 18KT Diamond En Tremblant Brooch, Hammerman Bros. (est. $1,000-$2,000). Fine Silver offerings, both American and Continental, will excite and satisfy silver buyers. American offerings will be led by a Gorham “Maintenon” Sterling Tea & Coffee Service (est. $10,000-$12,000) and Hector Aguilar “Aztec” Silver & Rosewood Flatware, circa 1940-1950 (est. $6,000-$9,000). Continental Silver lots of note include a Georg Jensen “Pyramid” Sterling Flatware Service for eight (est. $5,000-$7,000), a Pair of Georgian Silver Salvers bearing the date letter for 1798 (est. $1,000-$3,000), and a Russian Silver Vodka Bucket, circa 1908 (est. $800-$1,200). Rounding out the sale will be ten lots of fine musical instruments from an Eastern North Carolina Private Collection, led by a 1958 Gibson Les Paul Jr. Electric Guitar, 3/4 Size (est. $3,000-$5,000), sixteen lots of sculpture in various mediums, led by a cold painted gilt bronze by Pierre Le Faguays (est. $1,000-$3,000), and a 1977 Rolls Royce Silver Wraith III four door sedan (est. $10,000-$15,000). Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Spring Catalogue Auction will be held in March of 2012. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their new website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

LLAES, Ltd. Conducts Second Consecutive Million Dollar Sale with their September 16th & 17th Two-Day Fall Catalogue Auction. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. is proud to announce their second consecutive million dollar sale. As with all LLAES, Ltd. catalogued auctions, this sale garnered an international audience and a packed house. Over 1200 absentee and phone bids were executed on sale day, with an additional 800 bidders registered through Live Auctioneers. More than 200 bidders energized the house with traditional floor bidding. This auction was held at LLAES, Ltd’s auction gallery in Hillsborough, North Carolina, which is currently being expanded by 5,500 square feet, bringing their overall square footage to 15,500 square feet. This expansion will offer 2000 square feet of additional gallery space, a state of the art walk in wine cooler, and ample storage space for consignors. Construction is expected to be complete by December of 2011. This landmark auction was led by the catalogue cover lot, a 19th century French Parcel Gilt & Gem Set Jewel Casket, which brought top honors selling for $69,000 (prices include the 15% buyers premium). Despite strong international interest, this casket will remain in the United States. Another top lot was a bronze by Janet Scudder (Am., 1869-1940) which breezed past its estimate to achieve $52,900. The remainder of the 700 lot Catalogue Auction saw strength and consistency from start to finish. An outstanding Confederate and militaria collection opened the bidding on sale day. A Confederate North Carolina Contract Forage Cap more than doubled its estimate, hammering for $14,375. With fervent bidding between phone and floor bidders a rare Mendenhall, Jones & Gardner Confederate Rifle rose to $17,250. Another top lot was a McElroy Confederate Foot Officer’s Sword, which sold for $10,350. This sale offered an impressive collection of North Carolina and southern pottery, the quality of which was reflected by bidding activity on sale day. An Alamance County Redware plate, circa 1880, North Carolina, which was a property deaccession from the Museum of Southern Decorative Arts to benefit their acquisitions fund, sailed past its estimate to achieve $13,225. Other top sellers include a NC Slip Decorated Redware Plate which sold for $5,750 and a NC Slip Decorated Redware Pitcher which hammered for $4,370. American Furniture brought solid and strong bidding throughout the sale. Top lots include a Southern Federal Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard which achieved $21,850 and an outstanding American Classical Secretary Bookcase which rose to $7,475. Estate Jewelry was led by an Edwardian Platinum & Aquamarine Pendant, which blew past its estimate with heated bidding between phone bidders and brought $13,800. Other lots of note include a 44-carat Amethyst, Turquoise, Diamond, and Pearl Choker, which brought $6,900 and a Platinum and Three Stone Diamond Ring which hammered for $6,612.50. Asian lots elicited much excitement from both floor and telephone bidders. Two exciting lots to watch were a Carved Soapstone Buddha, which exploded to $17,825 and a Large Chinese Porcelain Jardiniere which rallied to $17,250 and left with a floor bidder. Fine Arts offerings were diverse and of top quality. Lots of note include an oil on canvas by Lendall Pitts (1875-1938) entitled, “Source of Romanche” which sold for $4,600; a woodcut on wove paper by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528), “The Annunciation,” which hammered for $3,910; an etching by Adriaen van Ostade (Dutch, 1610-1685), “The Gossips,” which brought $2,300; a pencil signed screen print on paper by Andy Warhol (Am. 1928-1987) which brought $3,910; and an untitled Alexander Calder (Am. 1898-1976) which sold for $2,185. The Decorative Category was led by the sale of an outstanding Ormolu & Cut Glass Chandelier, 19th century, which between phone and floor bidding rose to $8,050 and a Northwest Coast Polychrome Bentwood Box which soared past its estimate and brought $20,700. Another lot of note was a Swedish Gilt Bronze Garniture Set, 19th century, which hammered for $4,600. The Fine Wine session, which was held Friday, September 16th at 6PM, was energized by a magnum bottle of La Tache, vintage 2005, which hammered for $8,912.50. Other top achievers include: four bottles of Chateau Margaux, vintage 1985, which sold for $1,380 and two lots of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, vintage 1981 and 1985, which both sailed past their $300-$400 estimates to achieve $977.50 and $920 respectively. The next Fine Wine Auction is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd at 5:30PM. To discuss buying or selling fine wines contact Mark Solomon, Fine Wine Director, at mark@llauctions.com. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Two Day Winter Catalogue Auction will be held on December 2nd and 3rd, 2011. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call the gallery at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

Over 700 lots of fine art, decorative arts, and fine wine will be offered at LLAES Ltd.’s Two-Day Fall Catalogue Auction. Fine Wine to be sold Friday, September 16th at 6PM, Fine & Decorative Arts to be sold Saturday, September 17th at 9AM. This event will be held at the firm’s state of the art auction gallery in Hillsborough, NC. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. is proud to announce their Two-Day Fall Catalogue Auction. The fine offerings at this sale will feature property deaccessioned from the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, the North Carolina Museum of History, the New Bern Historical Society, as well as other select estates and collections. Floor, absentee, and telephone bidding will be available both days, as well as live online bidding through Live Auctioneers. Of special note, LLAES, Ltd. is under current construction to expand their gallery space by 5500 square feet, bringing the total square footage to 15,500 square feet. This expansion will offer 2000 square feet of additional gallery space, a state of the art walk in wine cooler, and ample storage for consignors. LLAES, Ltd. expects the construction to be completed by December of 2011. The first session on Friday evening will offer 107 lots of fine wine and will be led by a magnum bottle of La Tache, vintage 2005 (est. $6,000-$8,000). This sale will also feature vintage 1996 Petrus, one bottle (est. $1,200 -$1,500), vintage 1959 Chateau d’Yquem, one bottle (est. $1,000-$1,500), as well as vintage 1985 Chateau Margaux, four bottles (est. $800-$1,100). To discuss buying or selling fine wines contact Mark Solomon, Fine Wine Director, at mark@llauctions.com. Starting at 9AM on Saturday morning, over 600 lots of Fine and Decorative Arts will be offered. This session will start off with an outstanding Confederate and Militaria collection. A rare Mendenhall, Jones & Gardner Confederate Rifle, made in Guilford County, North Carolina (est. $12,000-$16,000) should generate excitement. Other lots of note include a McElroy Confederate Foot Officer’s Sword (est. $9,000-$12,000), a Confederate North Carolina Contract Forage Cap, circa 1860-62 ($4,000-$6,000), and an Identified Rhode Island Civil War Gillmore Medal (est. $3,500 - $4,500), which was awarded “For Gallant and Meritorious Conduct” at Fort Sumter. Fine Silver will be strong, as usual, led by an Important French Parcel Gilt & Gem Set Jewel Casket with the mark for Paul Rigaux and Pierre Leblanc (est. $20,000-$40,000). Other top lots include a Tiffany & Co. Japanese Style Sterling Bowl (est. $1,000-$2,000) and a Swedish Silver Tea Urn by Gustaf Mollenborg (est. $4,000-$6,000). Over seventy lots of Fine American Art will energize the sale throughout the day. Top lots include a series of four bas relief sculptures of calla lilies by Donald Sultan (est. $8,000-$12,000), an oil on canvas by Francis Flanagan, entitled, “Monhegan Island, Maine” (est. $4,000-$6,000), and an oil on canvas by Lendall Pitts entitled, “Source of Romanche” (est. $3,000-$6,000). An unusually fine offering of contemporary American art and photography will also generate excitement, led by an untitled lithograph by Richard Diebenkorn (est. $4,000-$6,000) and a screen print on paper, pencil signed on the lower left by Andy Warhol (est. $2,000-$4,000). Sculpture will be well represented at this auction, led by a bronze bird fountain with remnants of gilding by Janet Scudder (est. $15,000-$25,000). This sculpture bears a foundry mark reading “GORHAM Co. Foundeurs,” and was included in a 1919 exhibition of 22 garden sculptures organized by W. Frank Purdy, president of the Art Alliance in New York City. Other fine offerings include a bronze fluid abstract modernist sculpture by Oded Halahmy (est. $500-$1,000) and a 19th century carved wood with gesso and polychrome paint statue of Our Lady of Guadelupe (est. $1,000-$2,000). American Furniture offerings are extremely strong and provide an outstanding sampling ranging from 18th century to modern forms. Top lots include a Southern Federal Inlaid Serpentine Sideboard, circa 1800 (est. $10,000-$15,000), a North Carolina Paint Decorated Blanket Chest, attributed to Alamance County, the first half of the 19th century (est. $5,000-$10,000), a circa 1810 New York Federal Linen Press (est. $4,000-$8,000), an American Classical Secretary Bookcase, circa 1820-1840 (est. $4,000-$6,000), a North Carolina Country Sheraton Sideboard attributed to Guilford County, early 19th century (est. $2,000-$4,000), and a Philadelphia Chippendale Arm Chair, second half of the 18th century, attributed to William Savery (est. $1,000-$2,000). The Jewelry Department at LLAES, Ltd. has again brought a fine collection of estate jewelry and watches to market, led by an Amethyst, Turquoise, Diamond, and Pearl Choker consisting of one round amethyst weighing approximately 44 carats (est. $4,500-$6,500). Other lots of note include a Platinum and Three Stone Diamond Ring (est. $3,500-$5,500), an Antique Red Coral Bracelet (est. $600-$800), and an 18KT Diamond and Emerald Link Bracelet (est. $1,000-$3,000). Decorative Accessories, led by a Tiffany Studios collection including a Tiffany Blown Glass and Bronze Candelabrum (est. $4,000-$8,000) and a Tiffany Studios 16 Piece “Grapevine” Desk Set (est. $4,0000-$8,000), will be a highlight of the sale. Other exciting lots include an Alamance County Redware Plate, circa 1800 (est. $2,000-$4,000), a Navajo Germantown Blanket (est. $2,000-$4,000), and a Fine Ormolu and Cut Glass Chandelier, 19th century (est. $2,000 - $4,000). LLAES, Ltd. continues to bring fresh Asian Art offerings to market. Lots of note include a Chinese Millefleur Bottle Vase, 20th century (est. $1,000-$2,000), a Large Chinese Famille Jaune Porcelain Vase, 19th century (est. $1,000-$2,000), and a Large Chinese Scholar’s Brush Pot, likely 18th century (est. $600-$900). Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Two-Day Winter Catalogue Auction will be held on December 2nd and 3rd, 2011. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

LLAES, Ltd. conducts first million dollar sale with their June 18th Summer Catalogue Auction.  Gross sales hit 1.15 million dollars. Held at LLAES, Ltd.’s new auction gallery in Hillsborough, North Carolina, this record sale garnered an international audience and a packed house.  Over 1000 bidders registered through Live Auctioneers, with a sell through rate of 24% for online bidders.  1350 bidders were pre-registered as telephone or absentee bidders.   More than 200 bidders energized the house with traditional floor bidding. This milestone auction was led by a North Carolina Paint Decorated Blanket Chest which sold for $80,500 (prices include the 15% buyers premium).  This regional treasure will find its new home in public collection.  Another top lot was a three piece Cloisonne Scholars Set, which blew past its estimate with fervent bidding between phone bidders and brought $57,500.  This 19th century beauty will return to China. The remainder of the 700 lot Catalogue Auction saw strength from beginning to end, from category to category.  The quality of the Fine Art offerings, both American and Continental, were reflected in the bidding activity on sale day. 

Over 700 lots of fine and decorative arts will be offered at LLAES Ltd.’s major Summer Catalogue Auction. Starting promptly at 9AM, the event will be held at the firm’s state of the art gallery in Hillsborough, NC. Representing several major estates, Leland Little states, “this is one of our finest offerings in a single catalogue auction to date.” The auction will feature national and international level silver, fine art, furniture, mid-century modern, Asian art, militaria, fine jewelry, and other choice decorative arts. Little elaborates, “with internet bidding by LiveAuctioneers.com and in house bidding, combined with telephone and absentee bidding, we expect to receive a great deal of interest in this important sale.” At 9AM on Saturday, June 18th over 700 lots of art and antiques will be offered, starting off with fine silver, in particular an outstanding Georg Jensen Sterling Silver “Grape” Pitcher (est. $3,000-$5,000). The silver department at LLAES, Ltd. consistently brings exceedingly fine offerings to market. Over 100 lots of fine silver will be offered at this sale and are sure to draw international attention. Offerings include an exuberant hand-chased Art Nouveau Whiting Sterling Silver Tea & Coffee Service (est. $8,000-$12,000) and a George V English Sterling Silver Epergne by Stewart Dawson Ltd. and retailed at their Regent Street address (est. $1,000-$2,000). LLAES, Ltd. continues to bring fresh Asian art offerings to market. This sale is no exception. One unique and exciting lot of note is a Qing Dynasty Chinese Ivory Doctor’s Model, complete with small bound feet (est. $600-$1000). A 19th century Carved Jade Censer with Cover (est. $500-$1000) carved from a single piece of chloromelanite jade, ranging in color from a semi-translucent milky white to deep green to tan to an opaque almost black, will garner much interest. Other lots of note include a pair of 19th century Chinese Porcelain “Chicken Skin” Vases (est. $1,000-$1,500) and an important watercolor on paper by Bunsai Loki (Japanese, 1863-1906), entitled, “Rinno-ji Temple” (est. $6,000-$9,000). American Art offerings will be confidently led by a Grandma Moses (NY/VA, 1860-1961), oil on cardboard entitled, “The Red Bridge” (est. $10,000-$20,000). This lot retains the original card from the artist dating the painting to circa 1940 and titling the work, “The Red Bridge, Cambridge, New York.” Also offered are a Pair of Portraits attributed to Sheldon Peck (est. $10,000-$20,000) and three Adele Williams (VA, 1868-1952) works, two oil on canvases, “Provincetown” (est. $3,000-$5,000) and “The Garden Hat” (est. $2,000-$4,000), and one Still Life watercolor (est. $800-$1,200). English and Continental Art offerings will certainly be a highlight of the sale. An Edouard Cortes (Fr., 1882-1969), entitled, “Porte St. Denis” (est. $15,000-$25,000) will undoubtedly cause excitement. Other strong lots include and oil on canvas by Antoine Bouvard (Fr., 1912-1972), entitled, “Doge’s Palace” (est. $6,000-$9,000) and an oil on canvas by Carlo Grubacs (It., 1802-1878), entitled, “View of Venice” (est. $10,000-$20,000). The Mid-Century Modern Department at LLAES, Ltd. offers five important fresh to the market lots of furniture crafted by George Nakashima (Japanese-American 1905-1990), who is known for his balance between art-form, everyday use, and respect for the beauty in nature. These five lots include the Minguren I Table (est. $10,000-$20,000), Trestle Table (est. $8,000-$12,000), Six Grass Seat Chairs (est. $5,000-$10,000), Two Grass Seat Stools (est. $2,000-$4,000), and a George Nakashima Hanging Wall Case (est. $3,000-$6,000), all from an original owner collection. A letter of provenance accompanies each lot. Another lot to watch is an original Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair (est. $5,000-$8,000). American Furniture will be led by an outstanding circa 1840 Paint Decorated Blanket Chest (est. $10,000-$15,000) from Chatham County, North Carolina. Another important lot is a Philadelphia, PA Arm Chair (est. $10,000-$15,000) attributed to William Savery (1721-1787). Other fine offerings include a North Carolina Inlaid Sugar Chest on Stand (est. $4,000-$8,000), circa 1820-30, with a Western Piedmont origin, a 19th century North Carolina Corner Cupboard (est. $2,000-$4,000) attributed to Yadkin County, and a 19th century North Carolina Child’s Tiger Maple Chest of Drawers (est. $800-$1,500). The Jewelry Department at LLAES, Ltd. again brings exceedingly fine estate jewelry and watches to market. Highlighted by an untreated Natural Blue Sapphire Pendant (ext. $7,000-$14,000), weighing 5.01 carats, the jewelry offerings will create excitement on sale day. Other pieces of note include a Pair of circa 1930 Platinum and Diamond Floral Spray Design Clips/Brooches (est. 3,000-$5,000), an Art Deco Diamond and Sapphire Brooch/Pendant (est. $3,500-$6,500), a French Art Deco 14KT Gold and Sapphire Compact (est. $2,000-$4,000), and a Platinum and Royal Asscher Cut Diamond Ring (est. $3,000-$6,000). A highlight of note includes two important military collections, one a US Civil War collection including a Pennsylvania Civil War Regimental History (est. $600-$900) and a 19th century Eastern NC Archive and Sword from Beaufort and Hyde Counties (est. $200-$400), the other a Napoleonic collection including a French Cuirass and Helmet ($1,200-$1,800) and a Napoleon a First Consul Document (est. $600-$900), signed, “Bonaparte,” Paris, August 22, 1800. Rounding out the sale will be exciting art glass offerings highlighted by a piece by Dale Chihuly (b. 1941) entitled, “Five-Piece Seaforms Set” (est. $8,000-$12,000), a strong collection of lighting led by an early 20th century Tiffany Favrile Fabrique Glass Table Lamp (est. $8,000-$12,000), and according to Leland Little, “one of the finest collection of 15th -18th century brass candlesticks we have ever had.” Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Fall Catalogue Auction will be held on September 16th and 17th, 2011. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their new website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

Leland Little Auction - Thinking Globally In Metropolitan Raleigh, Apr 12th, 2011, By Laura Beach The Internet is dramatically changing the landscape for most auctioneers. For Leland Little, an auctioneer in the metropolitan Raleigh area, it means bringing property culled regionally to a national and international audience. Little entered the auction arena in the late 1980s and launched his own firm in 1998. Two years ago, he opened a new, purpose-built gallery in Hillsborough, central to the triangle communities of Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Well managed and ambitious, Leland Little Auctions & Estate Sales, Ltd, aims to be a major regional force. "We are growing in a number of professional directions," Little said on a brisk walk-through of his spacious quarters on the evening of his March 18 and 19 spring estate cataloged auction. Little's staff structure is increasingly specialized. In recent years, he has sharpened his focus on fine art, jewelry, Asian art and Twentieth Century design. His newest innovation is a fine wines department, headed by wine specialist Mark Solomon. Little currently grosses around $4.5 million annually and has about 20 employees. Leland Little, Ltd, conducts around 35 events a year, including onsite tag sales and monthly, uncataloged estate treasures auctions. The company saves its best material for four quarterly auctions that are fully cataloged, heavily promoted and conducted live and online. Catalogs include documentation and details on condition. The company's searchable website compiles results from the past 28 cataloged sales, making it easy for users to retrieve comparable sales data for any category, object or artist that the auction house has handled. "We are very happy with our partnership with Live Auctioneers," says Little, for whom online selling has meant a much larger audience. Property is listed in more than 20 digital databases. More than 1,700 bidders — most of them on the telephone, absentee and live online — registered for the March 18 and 19 sale, which grossed $750,000, including the 15 percent buyer's premium. "This was our first cataloged sale of 2011. I was pleased to see consistency from the front to the back of the sale, with many lots falling within their estimated ranges. It's a good sign for the market overall," says the auctioneer. Leading two days of sales was "The Pantheon," an oil on canvas by the highly collectible French painter of Paris street life, Édouard Cortes. The signed view of flower sellers and a strolling mother and child with the Pantheon, a Paris landmark, in the background sold to an area collector for $28,750. Little maintains a high profile in the affluent resort communities of Pinehurst and Southern Pines, an hour south of Chapel Hill. A small collection of German and Austrian painted porcelain plaques from a Pinehurst consignor, Jacqueline R. Stroupe, sparked international competition. Heading the group was a Nineteenth Century Berlin KPM plaque of a pretty young woman with a fan, in a later giltwood frame, which made $8,338. Works of art of Southern interest also fared well. Three portraits of a Frederick, Md., family, together with the locket worn by the child depicted with her doll in one of the portraits, made a combined $17,566 from an Asheboro, N.C., collector. "Flower Vendor," a signed pastel on silk by the noted Charleston, S.C., artist Elizabeth O'Neill Verner, called the "matriarch of the Charleston Renaissance," crossed the block at $5,175. Little has twice sold Verner pastels on silk for $28,750. Influenced by George Inness, Albert Pinkham Ryder and Ralph Blakelock, Elliott Daingerfield, called "the American Millet," grew up in Fayetteville, N.C., kept a studio in Blowing Rock, N.C., but studied at the Art Students League in New York. "Allegory" and "Blowing Rock," both expressionist landscapes by Daingerfield, hammered down at $12,650 and $13,800, respectively. In 2008, Little sold a Venice view by Daingerfield for $83,950. Another North Carolina view, "Still Fishing," an oil on canvas by Eugene Thomason, went for $4,830. Southern furniture included an inlaid walnut bonnet top corner cupboard, $16,100, a favorite North Carolina form. Fresh to the market, this new discovery has a reeded and diamond-inlaid plinth reminiscent of pieces from the Swisegood group of Davidson County, N.C. Research on Piedmont furniture is still in its infancy. Organized by June Lucas and currently on view at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts in Winston-Salem, "The Neatest Pieces of Any Description" is an outstanding introduction to this lively but little-known group of furniture. "Prominent architects affiliated with University North Carolina Chapel Hill, Duke and North Carolina State contributed to this area's reputation for Modernist design," says Little, who is building sales of Twentieth Century decorative arts. Highlights included a Phillip and Kelvin LaVerne "Chan" cocktail table, $6,900; a Svend Madsen midcentury desk, $1,265; a Hans Olsen dining set, $1,150; a Milo Baughman bedroom suite, $2,185; and five Hanova of Pasadena enameled serving dishes, $316. "Pottery is a stable category for us," Little says of one of North Carolina's best known art forms. Pieces this session ranged from a Nineteenth Century 5-gallon stoneware jug by Daniel Seagle, $4,370, to a face jug by Burlon Craig of Vale, N.C., $748. Silver also sells well at Little's. Of interest was a set of 12 sterling julep cups by Manchester Silver Co., $3,220; an 1829 Irish silver repousse jug, $2,070; and a stylish Art Deco cocktail shaker of Russian origin, $2,875. The biggest prices these days for Asian art at auction tend to be for works made for domestic consumption. "I saw a little softness in our Export porcelain," said Little, who nevertheless coaxed a bid of $4,600 on a 16½-inch-diameter Rose Mandarin punchbowl. A selection of antique and estate jewelry assembled by specialist Nancy Blount provided both some nice buys and high prices. Buyers favored Art Deco designs and diamonds. A handsome Mexican silver and amethyst necklace by Fred Davis, circa 1940, brought $4,140, but the sale's cover lot, a purplish pink sapphire and diamond ring ($40/60,000), passed. The company enjoyed its highest grossing wine auction to date with three times the number of pre-registered absentee, telephone and online bidders. Highlights included 11 bottles of 1969 Richebourg, $9,775; two bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, $3,450; and 12 bottles of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, $3,105. The weekend after his spring estates sale, Little was off to Ellerbe, N.C., to conduct a live and online sale of Native American artifacts and Americana from the collection of Dr P.R. Rankin. The auction grossed $207,000. Little's summer estate catalog auction, including a Grandma Moses canvas and a strong selection of silver, is set for June 17 and 18. William Ivey, an independent scholar and collector of North Carolina decorative arts, will talk about his new book, North Carolina School of Long Rifles, 1765–1865, on June 17. Little plans subsequent catalog sales for September 16 and 17 and December 2 and 3. All prices given include the 15 percent buyer's premium. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd, is at 620 Cornerstone Court. For information, 919-644-1243 or www.llauctions.com . Antiques and the Arts Editorial Content View the full article on the Antiques and the Arts Website

Over 700 lots of fine art, estate jewelry, fine wine, and antiques garnered strong and steady bidding at LLAES, Ltd’s Spring Catalogue Auction.  This auction was held at LLAES, Ltd’s gallery in Hillsborough, N.C. The Two Day Spring Catalogue Auction has provided a strong start to the year for LLAES, Ltd.  Over 1700 bidders registered for this auction, 200 plus of which were on the auction floor, leaving standing room only.  The remainder of bidders were telephone, absentee, and live online bidders, which was facilitated through LiveAuctioneers.com.  Leland Little of LLAES, Ltd. remarked, “For the first time in a while we saw consistent strength across the sale, with the majority of lots falling within or above their pre-sale estimate.”  He then added, “The quality of lots offered at our recent Fine & Decorative Arts Auction is a reflection of the trust our consignors place in our ability to offer their estates and collections at market.” The Fine & Decorative Arts session, which was held Saturday March 19th at 9AM was a lively and exciting auction with strong bidding across the floor, telephones, and the Internet.  Lots of note (not including the 15% buyer’s premium) include a Berlin (KPM) Painting on Porcelain Plaque which generated much interest and brought $7,250; a Philip & Kelvin LaVerne “Chan” Cocktail Table, which sold for $6,000; a Dutch Delft Figural Bobbejak, although unsigned, brought about much excitement and sold for $4,400; and an oil on canvas by Edouard Cortes, entitled “The Pantheon,” hammered for $25,000. Estate jewelry, a growing department for the firm, was led by a Large Natural Fancy Color Diamond Ring Pendant, which sold for $9,750; a Diamond and Sapphire Ring, which brought $4,400, and a rare Mexican Sterling and Amethyst Necklace by Fred Davis sold for $3,600.  Other lots of note include a Wide Diamond Band, Cartier, which brought $2,300 and a Gentleman’s Tank Wristwatch, Le Must de Cartier, which brought just under $1000. Fine Art was steady and strong, led by the sale of the Cortes painting.  Other strong and distinguished lots include two Elliott Daingerfield oil on canvases, “Allegory” and “Blowing Rock,” which sold for $11,000 and $12,000 respectively; Eugene Thomason’s, “Still Fishing,” which brought $4,200; and Elizabeth Verner’s pastel on silk portrait, entitled, “Flower Vendor,” which hammered for $4,500. Asian art generated much interest and active bidding with top lots including a Chinese Flambe Glazed Meiping Vase, which hammered for $4,600; a Chinese Rose Mandarin Large Punch Bowl, rising to $4,000; Two Similar Chinese Porcelain Floor Vases, Gangxu period, which brought $3,200; and Two Chinese Silver Overlay Miniatures, which sold for $2,000. Top silver lots include a George III Irish Sterling Silver Jug, Dublin, selling for $1,800; an Art Deco Silver Cocktail Shaker, Russian, which brought $2,500; and a set of twelve American Sterling Silver Julep Cups by Manchester Silver Co., which hammered for $2,800. American furniture lots were highlighted by a North Carolina Federal Semi-Tall Chest of Drawers, which brought $4,400 and an important North Carolina Inlaid Corner Cupboard, which sold for $14,000. North Carolina Silhouettes performed strongly with two lots of note, one a Silhouette of a Lady, NC, which sold for $1,700, and the other, A Pair of North Carolina Silhouettes, cut by Isaac Todd, sold for $2,000. A highlight of note includes the highly animated bidding of a grouping of four family items.  These items included three oil on canvas portraits (mother, father, and daughter) and the gold-filled and enamel locket that was depicted in the portrait of the young girl.  All items went to a single collector. The Fine Wine session, which was held Friday March 18th at 6PM, was the highest grossing wine auction for LLAES, Ltd. to date.  The Friday evening session brought triple to number of pre-registered absentee, telephone, and live online bidders than previous sales.  Top achievers at the fine wine auction include: eleven bottles of 1969 Richebourg, which sold for $8,500; two bottles of Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which sold for $3,000; and twelve bottles of Chateau Mouton Rothschild, which sold for $2,700.  The Fine Wine department at LLAES, Ltd. continues to grow and garner a national and international following.  The firm has several more Fine Wine Auctions scheduled for the year.  To discuss buying or selling fine wines contact Mark Solomon, Fine Wine Director, at mark@llauctions.com. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Two Day Summer Catalogue Auction will be held on June 17th and 18th, 2011.  LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it be an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com.  To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their new website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

Over 700 lots of fine art, antiques, estate jewelry, and fine wine will be offered at LLAES, Ltd’s Spring Catalogue Auction. Fine Wine to be sold Friday, March 18th at 6PM, Fine & Decorative Arts to be sold Saturday, March 19th at 9AM. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. is proud to offer over 700 lots of fine offerings from regional estates at their upcoming March 18th & 19th two day Spring Catalogue Auction. Floor, absentee, telephone, and live online bidding through Live Auctioneers will be available both days. The sale will be conducted at the LLAES, Ltd. Gallery, located at 620 Cornerstone Court, Hillsborough, NC. 2010 was a record sales year for the gallery, both in sale volume and quality. 2011 has started strong for LLAES, Ltd. with seven Estate Treasures Sales as well as preparations for the Spring Catalogue Sale. LLAES, Ltd. has also launched a new and updated website. Visitors can download the print catalogue for the Spring Catalogue Auction. LLAES, Ltd. will continue the two-day auction program, which proved successful in 2010, starting with 106 lots of fine wine on Friday, March 18th at 6PM. The Fine Wine Department, the most recent at LLAES, Ltd., consistently represents quality offerings and has garnered an international following. This sale will feature vintage 1990, 1998, and 2000 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The 2000 vintage has been described as, “...A compelling wine, with extraordinary precision, great intensity, and a seamlessness...” (est. $1500 to $3000). This sale will also feature vintage 1964 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 12 bottles (est. $1,000 - $1,500), vintage 1973 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, 12 bottles (est. $2,000 - $3,000), as well as other Chateau Mouton Rothschild vintages from 1973, 1982, 1990, and 1998. On Saturday, March 19th at 9AM, 600 lots of art and antiques will be offered. The jewelry department at LLAES, Ltd. continues to grow with leaps and bounds and has been entrusted to represent exceedingly fine estate jewelry and watches. One of the most exciting lots of the sale is the Important Purplish Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring (est. $40,000 to $60,000). The color stone for this ring falls into the category of less than one percent of color stones worldwide. The GIA Report describes the sapphire as Purplish Pink with no heating and having a geographic origin of Sri Lanka. The diamonds on this ring are described as “transparent near colorless.” Other lots of interest are a Wide Diamond Band, Cartier (est. $2,500 to $4,500), a Lady’s Diamond Wristwatch, Bertolucci (est. $3,000 to $5,000), a Diamond and Sapphire Ring (est. $2,500 to $3,500), a Large Natural Fancy Color Diamond Ring Pendant (est. $8,000 to $12,000), and a Rare Sterling and Amethyst Necklace by Fred Davis, Mexico (est. $1,000 to $1,500). A series of 19th century porcelain plaques, from the estate of Mrs. Jacqueline R. Stroupe of Pinehurst, North Carolina, will enhance the sale. One such lot, a Berlin (KPM) Painting on Porcelain Plaque (est. $3,000 to $5,000) depicts a young woman in remarkable detail and pleasing tones. Other porcelain lots of note include five lots of Herend, including the “Market Garden,” “Black Dynasty,” and “Chinese Bouquet Green” patterns. Asian consignments at LLAES, Ltd. continue to be exciting and bring outstanding fresh lots to market. One lot to watch is the Chinese Flambe Glazed Meiping Vase (est. $1,000 to $2,000). This bold Meiping form with a bottle neck has a purplish crimson glaze and milky blue drips. Other fine lots are the 18th century Chinese Rose Mandarin Large Punch Bowl (est. $3,000 to $5,000) and the 19th century Chinese Export Porcelain Garden Seat (est. $800 to $1,500) from the Estate of the Late Charles Williams of Washington, DC. LLAES, Ltd. continues to have strength and consistency in their fine art offerings, leading off early in the sale with Edouard Cortes’ (Fr., 1882-1969), The Pantheon (est. $12,000 to $18,000). LLAES, Ltd. is privileged and excited to offer two fresh to the market Elliott Daingerfield (NC/NY, 1859-1932) works -- Allegory (est. $5,000 to $7,000) and “Sunset at Blowing Rock” (est. $7,000 to $10,000). Another lot to watch is Elizabeth Verner’s (SC, 1883-1979), Flower Vendor (est. $5,000 to $8,000). This work is signed “E. O’N Verner” on the lower right. The verso retains the mailing label from the Studio of Elizabeth O’Neil Verner. A work by John Coughlin (NY, 20th c.), Leatherheads (est. $1,000 to $2,000) has garnered much interest. Other very strong lots of note are a pair of still lifes by George Goodman (est. $4,000 to $6,000) and Eugene Thomason’s (NC, 1895-1972), “Still Fishing” (est. $2,000 to $4,000). The Mid-Century Modern Furniture Department at LLAES, Ltd. continues to grow. Offerings include lots such as Milo Baughman’s Mid Century Bedroom Suite, six pieces (est. $2,000 to $2,500) and Philip & Kelvin LaVerne’s “Chan” Cocktail Table (est. $3,000 to $5,000). American Furniture will be lead by an Important North Carolina Inlaid Corner Cupboard from Davidson or Guilford County, NC, circa 1820 (est. $15,000 to $25,000) and a North Carolina Federal Semi-Tall Chest of Drawers, circa 1800-1820 (est. $1,000 to $3,000). Fine Silver will be strong as usual, with offerings such as the George III Irish Sterling Silver Jug (est. $600 to $900), a Set of Four Silver Gilt Salt Spoons by Paul Storr (est. $400 - $600), an Elkington Silverplate and Cut Glass Epergne (est. $2,000 to $3,000), and a Set of Twelve American Sterling Silver Julep Cups by Manchester Silver Co. (est. $1,000 to $2,000). A highlight of note includes the offering of a fresh to the market collection of very rare 19th century Italian Pole Puppets. Proceeds from the sale of these lots will benefit the American Dance Festival of Durham, North Carolina. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Summer Catalogue Auction will be held on June 17th and 18th, 2011. LLAES, Ltd. is always seeking quality consignments, whether it is an entire estate or a significant item. If you would like to discuss selling please call at 919-644-1243 or email at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. please visit their new website at www.LLAUCTIONS.com.

A stunning early 20th century Tiffany & Company Favrile lava glass three-handled vase soared to $62,100 at a two-session multi-estate auction dedicated to Fine Wine and Fine & Decorative Arts held Sept. 17-18 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. The event was held in the firm’s new, state-of-the-art gallery, at 620 Cornerstone Court. The vase was the top lot in a sale that saw more than 100 fine wine lots change hands in the Sept. 17 session and around 550 lots cross the block the following day. Overall, the auction grossed $750,000. Leland Little of Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. remarked that Asian objects, estate jewelry, fine art and ceramics were all strong performers in the sale, while English and American furniture prices (which aren't being as rewarded financially due to tepid demand) didn’t do quite as well. “But even there,” he added, “we saw exceptions at the top level of merchandise. In the end, quality will override a soft market.” He cited as an example an American Classical stencil-decorated center table, made in the 1820s, mahogany with mahogany veneers, attributed to Deming & Bulkley, New York cabinet makers. It went for $9,200, about triple the high estimate. Also, a Renaissance-style American marble-top buffet, made around the 1870s, walnut with poplar and pine, also did well at $4,140. The Tiffany vase was the undisputed star lot of the auction, wowing bidders with its organic baluster form and rich gold overlay on a bluish-purple body. Another Tiffany decorated Favrile glass vase, baluster form with a green ground and pulled gold decoration, made $7,475, while a signed Daum Nancy French art glass low vase with nice forest scene garnered $3,680. Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. Online bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Americana did very well. A watercolor on ivory portrait miniature of Dr. Alexander Ladson Baron (1810-1842) by Charles Fraser (S.C., 1782-1860) fetched $14,950; an oil on panel portrait of Alexander Hamilton by William J. Weaver (1759-1817) brought $9,200; a 1773 letter signed by Patrick Henry hit $3,450; and ship’s papers signed by James Madison realized $1,035. From the European art category, an unsigned oil on canvas portrait of James Lockhart by Sir Henry Raeburn (Br., 1756-1823), in a gilt wood frame, achieved $12,650; an original oil on canvas by German painter Carl Triebel (1823-1885), depicting Lake Brienz in Switzerland, rose to $5,290; and a 19th century Italian School oil on canvas of Aphrodite and Adionis made $2,185. Bronzes also hit the mark, with lots such as a work titled L’Eclipse by Emmanuel Villanis (Fr., 1858-1914), with a deep brown patina ($9,200); a nude titled Vingt Ans (Twenty Years Old), by Raoul Larche (Fr., 1860-1912), signed on the base and originally retailed by Tiffany ($2,645); and an equestrian work by Peggy Kauffman (Am., 20th century), signed and numbered ($2,070). Fine estate jewelry was a strong feature category in the Sept. 18 session. An Art Deco diamond and sapphire bracelet made in the 1930s brought $12,075; a diamond solitaire ring with a stone weighing 5.56 carats set in platinum peaked at $41,400; a magnificent mid-to-late 20th century diamond brooch went for $7,188; and a platinum and diamond cut bracelet (Jewelsmith, 1998) also made $7,188. Export porcelain and Asian objects featured a woodblock in colors by Hasui Kawase (Jap., 1883-1957), titled Zojoji Temple ($6,325); a pair of 19th century Chinese Export porcelain hexagonal form tall vases ($3,680); a pair of Famille Rose bowls with Fencai glaze, Republican period ($3,450); and a 19th century Chinese Export porcelain Famille Rose floor vase ($3,220). Asian porcelains also included a rare set of ten fully intact Canton porcelain nesting bowls, each decorated with a different figural scene ($5,060); a pair of Chinese Qing Dynasty ivory plaques, both etched and colored with figural and landscape depictions ($1,725); and a Chinese tin-wrapped teapot from the Qing Dynasty, angular form with ceramic body ($1,265). European porcelain performed well, too. A bisque figure of the Barberini Faun by 19th century artist Volpato (after the antique by Barberini), impressed with an artist’s mark to the base, breezed to $5,520, while a gorgeous Meissen figural group with seven figures on a rocky outcropping with a musical theme and a bottom with under glaze blue crossed swords hit $2,530. Sterling offerings were led by creations by Georg Jensen. These included a pair of Jensen sterling compotes with applied grape design and circular footed base ($6,037), and a Jensen silver pitcher with ebony handle, ovoid body and beaded base ($4,830). Also, a fine set of four sterling candlesticks by Gorham of classic form with Corinthian capitals coasted to $2,645. Prices realized for European furniture from France weren’t flat at all. A pair of early 20th century ormolu mounted arm chairs in the “Second Empire” style, beautifully crafted from mahogany and beech, climbed to $4,600, and a pair of carved eagle console tables made in the 19th century, with a mottled black marble top over an egg and dart molding, commanded $3,680. 20th Century and Modern pieces also held their own. A vintage Louis Vuitton trunk with the classic brown monogram canvas exterior brought $3,335; a bulbous form bottle vase with tapered neck by Peter Voulkos (Am., 1924-2002) hit $2,875; a teak rectangular form sideboard by Finn Juhl for Baker made $1,955; and a pair of vintage Barcelona chairs (1929) hit $1,322. Many wild and wonderful items that defied category crossed the block that weekend. A few examples include a Richardson’s New Map of the State of Texas (1860), colored lithograph, went for $4,140; a set of five illuminated Korans and Islamic prayer books from the 18th or 19th century brought $2,185; and an English wax portrait of Prince Leopold (circa 1816) hit $1,955. As stated, the entire Sept. 17 session was dedicated to Fine Wine, a burgeoning genre of collecting that has been getting prominent attention at recent Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. auctions. “On a per-bottle basis, many lots sold for above the international average,” Mr. Little said. “We see that our wine department is strong and our prices are very competitive.” Top achievers included one lot of seven bottles of 1996 Chateau Mouton Rothschild from Pauillac, France ($2,185); one lot of three bottles of 1982 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion from Graves, France ($2,185); one lot of five bottles of 1980 Chateau Lafite-Rothschild from Pauillac, France ($1,725); and two bottles of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, from 1981 and 1988 ($1,495). Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. will conclude 2010 with another two-day sale that will feature Fine Wine (Fri., Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., EST) and Fine & Decorative Arts (Sat., Dec. 4, at 9 a.m., EST). The firm is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate, or collection, you may call them at (919) 644-1243, or you can e-mail them at info@LLAuctions.com. For more information, please log on to www.LLAuctions.com.

A gorgeous pair of gilt bronze figural dancers, executed by the renowned French artist and sculptor Agathon Léonard (1841-1923) sold for a combined $60,950 at a Fine & Decorative Arts Cataloged Auction held Dec. 5 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. It was the final sale of the year for the firm in its new state-of-the art gallery, at 620 Cornerstone Court. Agathon Léonard was the pseudonym of Van Weydveldt. He gained fame in 1900 with the debut of “Jeu l’echarpe,” originally created for Sevres in fine porcelain as a centerpiece and based on the fluid movements of Loïe Fuller in her famous scarf dances. The sets sold out and Léonard created the figures in bronze in varying sizes. The two sold are 21-¾ inches tall and epitomize the Art Nouveau movement. The bronzes were the top lots in a sale that saw nearly 750 lots change hands. Around 250 people packed the building, while over 700 bidders registered online, through LiveAuctioneers.com, prior to the sale. Also, pre-absentee and phone bids numbered 1,300. “This was a great sale to wrap up the first year in our new showroom,” Leland Little commented. “We look forward to continued success next year.” The auction was preceded by previews, an evening reception and a special lecture by June Lucas, the director of research at Old Salem Museums and Gardens in Winston-Salem, N.C. Ms. Lucas’ talk was titled Wood on Canvas: the Paint-Decorated Furniture of Piedmont, N.C. It centered on the late 18th and 19th century furniture makers in the Piedmont region of the state and their use of paint decoration. Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. The next top lot after the Leonard bronzes was an extremely rare Edgefield District “Dave the Slave” 5-gallon ovoid form jug, with applied ear handles and an even medium brown alkaline glaze. The inscribed and dated (1857) piece sold for $26,450. Also, a Jugtown (North Carolina) Chinese blue “Tang” vase, Oriental translation form, with applied extruded handles and wine glaze fetched $1,495. Fine art commanded strong prices. A still life on canvas by Paul Lacroix (NJ/NY, 1827-1869), housed in the likely original gilt wood frame and signed lower left, brought $21,850; an oil on canvas by Aldro T. Hibbard (MA/VT, 1886-1972), titled Snow Scene in Moonlight, signed and framed, hammered for $17,250; and a bronze creation by Anna Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973), titled Bear, realized $4,600. American period furniture got paddles wagging. An early 19th century Southern chest on frame (Rowan County, N.C.), walnut with yellow pine secondary, rose to $17,250; a Southern Chippendale step-back cupboard (Western N.C., circa 1800-1820), one piece form, climbed to $13,800; and a fine Southern Hepplewhite inlaid cellaret (probably Virginia, circa 1800), mahogany, topped out at $6,900. Also, a mid-19th century Southern Sheraton server (Guilford County, N.C.), cherry with poplar secondary, earned $2,760, about double the high estimate. Tops among Continental furniture pieces were a Louis XV-style Belle Epoque French escritoire, mahogany with ormolu mounts ($8,338); and a pair of Bagues-style wall sconces of molded glass and gilt metal, each with a bird on an urn ($2,070). In the folk art category, a large late 19th century carved American eagle, made in New England of white pine with a dark red-brown tone, breezed to $14,950; an untitled mixed media on paper work of angels and winged animals by Minnie Evans (NC, 1892-1987, circa 1970s) garnered $5,520; and a 19th century Virginia leather key basket, oblong form, hand-stitched of brown tinted leather, made $4,830. Asian pieces wowed the crowd. A 19th century six-panel coromandel dressing screen, with each panel relief carved at the top and bottom, 73 inches by 90 inches, achieved $14,375; a matched pair of 19th century antique carved wooden doors with a landscape scene on one side and a carved dragon on the other went for $12,650; and an unsigned Sino-Tibetan style painting depicting Buddha hit $6,612. Also, a pair of late 18th or early 19th century Chinese porcelain vases, baluster form and hand-painted in polychrome overglaze enamels, coasted to $3,910; an ancient Chinese bronze sword with provenance (circa 700-400 B.C.), in a silk-lined presentation box, sold for $2,990; and an 18th century Chinese Huanghuali document box with dovetail joints and later Chinese hardware commanded $2,760. In art glass and lighting, a Tiffany Studios bronze and Favrile lamp in a four-arm electrified “candelabra” form, with five glass shades (all signed) and attractive, colorful patina attained $14,375; a signed Tiffany Favrile decanter and six cordials of gold iridescent glass, all etched “L.C.T.,” gaveled for $2,990; and a late 19th or early 20th century Peking glass bottle vase, red cut to frosted, realized $2,300. Among porcelains, a late 19th century Meissen nodder with underglaze blue crossed swords mark to the bottom and depicting a male figure seated cross-legged demanded $4,370; a Meissen figural of an elephant and blackamoor, finely molded and painted, hit $3,220; a late 19th century Viennese enameled jewelry casket made $1,955; and an early 20th century Pickard signed jardinière topped out at $1,610. Vintage clocks were in the house. A 19th century French gilt brass cartel clock with two sconces, time and strike, brass movement and porcelain dial chimes on time for $1,840; and a French gilt bronze mantel clock in the form of a black enameled globe clock with Roman numeral markers brought $1,610. Also, an early 20th century authentic stock exchange ticker machine in original condition fetched $9,200. Musical instruments were real crowd-pleasers. A beautiful Gibson Master Model F-5 mandolin by Derrington (2001, serial #V70314), signed by Derringer and with a spirit varnish finish over a bound spruce top, garnered $9,890; a vintage Gretsch electric guitar (circa 1960s-‘70s, serial #50848) brought $1,725; and a vintage 1976 Les Paul custom Gibson guitar with gold-plated hardware reached $2,415. Beautiful estate jewelry is a staple at most Leland Little auctions, and this one was no exception. A circa 1955 14kt white gold diamond brooch in floral spray design changed hands for $3,910; a 14kt marquise diamond ring with one 1.29-ct. diamond and 24 round brilliant cut diamonds rose to $3,200; and a David Yurman sterling silver and diamond bracelet with twisted and braided links reached $2,760. Gold coins sailed past their high estimates (probably a reflection of market conditions). A 1926 $2.50 Indian gold quarter eagle coin graded NGC MS65 found a new owner for $2,760; a 1928 $20 St. Gaudens gold double eagle coin with minimal marks and graded NGC MS 65 finished at $2,530; and an 1879 Indian Princess $3 gold coin, one of only 3,030 struck and graded NGC AU58, garnered $2,300. Rounding out the top lots, an important Southern coin silver cup by Leinbach, a footed cup with applied handle and beaded border to the foot and mouth, sold for $4,830; an early 19th century Mexican Soldado de Cuera shield with bull-hide construction and decorated with an Aztec eagle soared to $4,140; and a Northampton County (PA) needlework sampler by Susanna Lerch (Oct. 7,. 1832) rose to $2,530. Next up for Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is a New Year’s Day non-cataloged sale, followed by a cataloged auction slated for March 20, 2010. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or an entire collection, you may call them at (919) 644-1243. Or, you can e-mail them at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., and their calendar of upcoming auctions, please log on to www.LLAuctions.com.

A gorgeous late 18th century Pennsylvania Chippendale tiger maple desk, probably Lancaster County and crafted from strikingly figured tiger maple with poplar secondary, sold for $41,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000-$10,000 at a multi-estate Historic Hillsborough Auction held Sept. 19 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. The desk was the top achiever of the more than 700 quality lots that changed hands. It was just the second major auction held at Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s new, state-of-the-art gallery facility, located at 620 Cornerstone Court in Hillsborough. Sold were hundreds of lots of fine art, period furniture, decorative accessories and more. Featured was the estate collection of the late W. Samuel Tarlton, the former respected art dealer and co-owner of an antiques shop in Raleigh. “This was quite simply the best sale we’ve ever had,” said Leland Little of Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. “I feel a renewed freshness and energy in the auction business I haven’t experienced in some time. The mid-range market items, especially, such as jewelry and decorative accessories, did extremely well, much better than in previous sales. This is all very encouraging to us and the industry.” Mr. Little added, “Our decision last year to build a new facility, which gives us greater access and visibility near the interstate, was a timely and prudent one. The new location is equipped with specialized gallery lighting, greatly expanded exhibit space and green building components. This building is a major asset to our business.” The auction, which grossed a little under $1 million, attracted a standing room only crowd of more than 300 people. In addition, 752 bidders were registered online and over 700 pre-bids were posted via LiveAuctioneers.com. Phone and absentee bidding was active, as 1,200 pre-absentee and phone bids were lined up prior to sale. In all, close to 1,000 people registered to bid live, by phone and through absentee bids. Additional highlights from the sale follow. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. The Chippendale desk came out of the Tarlton collection. Other furniture pieces from his estate included a set of six Knoll & Saarinen white tulip chairs (circa 1960) and pedestal dining table ($3,336, pre-sale est. $800-$1,500); a mid-18th century American Queen Anne maple center table, possibly from the North Carolina Chowan River Basin ($4,830); and an 18th century Massachusetts Chippendale oxbow slant lid desk ($4,600, pre-sale est. $2,000-$3,000). Also from the Tarlton estate: a New Hampshire Federal bowfront chest of drawers (circa 1800-1810), 12-panel form ($5,750, pre-sale est. $2,000-$4,000); and an American miniature Hepplewhite inlaid chest, early 19th century ($2,530). Mr. Tarlton’s artwork featured a bronze by Anna Hyatt Huntington (Am., 1876-1973) titled Yawning Tiger ($12,075, pre-sale est. $3,000-$5,000); and a still life oil on board by Jacques Blanche (Fr., 1861-1942, $4,140). Staying in the fine art category, the sale also included many pieces acquired in the 1960s and ‘70s by the Mead Corporation of Richmond, Va. Top earners included an oil on canvas painting by Robert Harvey (b. 1924), titled Brother Home on Leave and signed and dated 1964 ($4,370, pre-ssale est. $1,000-$2,000); and an oil on canvas work by Jim Herbert (Ga., b. 1938), titled Oriental and housed in the original frame ($1,840). A nice pair of clocks got paddles wagging. One was a French cloisonné mantel clock with two matching candlesticks, stamped to indicate the maker won a silver medal in 1855 ($5,520, pre-sale est. $400-$800); and a late 18th century English Chippendale tall case clock, mahogany, 89 inches tall ($3,220). Also, a Tiffany Studios counterbalance desk lamp with a bronze base and green damascene shade hammered for $8,050 (pre-sale est. $5,000-$8,000). Intriguing offerings included a Turkoman Asmalyk (circa 1890), wool and silk with all-over decoration, woven edging and five-sided camel decoration for the wedding procession carrying the bride ($7,762, pre-sale est. $300-$600); a pair of vintage concrete foxes with bushy tails and attractive weathering ($2,415); and an antique toleware tray, 19th century, with a painted harbor scene depicting a Spanish galleon ($1,265). A 163-piece sterling silver flatware service in the Pointed Antique pattern by Dominick & Haff and Reed & Barton climbed to $4,370 (pre-sale est. $1,500-$2,500), while a beautiful Southern coin silver ladle by Linebach of Salem, N.C., went for $3,680 (pre-sale est. $600-$900). In estate jewelry, a 1.15 carat round brilliant cut diamond stone brought $2,070 (pre-sale est. $1,000-$1,500), and a 1.09 carat emerald cut diamond stone garnered $2,070. Returning to fine art, a signed oil on panel by Julian Onderdonck (Tex., 1882-1922), titled Rock Quarries, fetched $29,900; an oil on linen signed by French artist Adolphe Binet (1854-1897) and titled Les Alezans, breezed to $23,000; an acrylic on canvas by John McCracken (N.Y./Calif., b. 1934), titled Mandala IV, made $19,550; and a gilt bronze creation by Giorgio de Chirico (It., 1888-1978) hit $3,680. A pair of works by Richard Anuskziewicz (N.J., b. 1930) got the attention of bidders. An acrylic on canvas, titled Soft Cover Vermilion, topped out at $25,300, while an untitled oil on pressed board realized $10,350. Also, two large French School murals, 18th century oil on canvas, each measuring 120 inches by 96 inches and depicting tranquil landscape scenes, sold for a respectable $18,400 and $14,950 (against pre-sale estimates of $3,000-$5,000 each). Cellarets wowed the crowd. A George III example with mahogany veneer in the rare diminutive form, soared to $4,830, while an English wine cellaret (circa 1830), casket form on carved paw feet, hit $4,370. Also, a 19th century tortoise shell tea caddy, octagonal form with pagoda lid, rose to $1,725; and an Eero Saarinen for Knoll grasshopper chair (circa 1950s) with laminated wood frame garnered $1,265. Vintage car enthusiasts weren’t disappointed. A bright red 1985 Ferrari 308 GTS Quattrovalvole with just 49,013 miles sped off for $24,150. Also, a 1930s Jugtown Chinese blue Persian jar, rich red with a strong blue contrast, achieved $16,100 (pre-sale est. $3,000-$6,000); a rare group of six Baccarat “Czar” crystal-stem blown and cut glasses coasted to $4,600; and a unique pair of 19th century famille rose garden seats hit $2,990. From the entertainment and movie memorabilia collection of Bill Morrison, former art critic of the Raleigh News & Observer, a 1935 lobby card for the Alfred Hitchcock thriller 39 Steps (Gaumont, British) went for $2,530, while a 1977 Star Wars movie poster (20th Century Fox) fetched $920. Also, a rare 18th century cookbook and an inscribed first-edition book by author Ayn Rand each brought $1,265. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s next Historic Hillsborough Auction will be held Dec. 5-6, also in its new gallery at 620 Cornerstone Court. The firm is still accepting quality consignments for that sale, as well as for all future estate auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (919) 644-1243. Or, e-mail them, at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., log on to www.LLAuctions.com.

An oil on canvas Paris street scene by the renowned French painter Edouard Cortes (1882-1969), titled Boulevard des Capucines, sold for $34,500 at a two-session Fine & Decorative Arts Catalog Auction held June 19 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., in the firm’s new gallery located at 620 Cornerstone Court in Hillsborough, N.C. The painting was one of the top earners of the nearly 800 fresh-to-the-market lots that crossed the block. Over 200 lots alone were dedicated to the private collection of Daisy Wade Bridges, a collector of fine porcelain and North Carolina pottery. In addition, the entire second session was devoted entirely to fine and vintage wines, a burgeoning genre on the auction circuit. From the wine category, 12 bottles of Pauillac Chateau Latour (1995) gaveled for $4,600; 10 bottles of the same wine but from the 1994 vintage realized $2,070; 12 bottles of Saint-Julien Chateau Ducru-Beaucaillou (1995) brought $1,380; 9 bottles of Pomerol Chateau L’Eglise-Clinet (1995) fetched $1,092; and 9 bottles of Saint-Emilion Chateau Tertre Roteboeuf (1995) hit $805. “There was as positive a response to this sale as we have seen in the past two years,” said Leland Little of Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. “We had 250 people – standing room only – in the gallery, to go with a heavy load of telephone, absentee and online bidding. We were very fortunate have acquired such strong merchandise, which bidders aggressively pursued.” Online bidding was facilitated by LiveAuctioneers.com. Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. The collection of Daisy Wade Bridges was “very well received,” Mr. Little said. Tops among the North Carolina pieces were a jug made by Daniel Seagle (1805-1867) from the Catawba Valley region ($5,520); a wood-fired stoneware jar by Mark Hewitt ($3,430); and one lot of three B.B. Craig miniatures (a pitcher and two face jugs) that brought a record $2,530. Also from Ms. Bridges’ collection: one lot of 16 wonderful Asian jade articles ($11,500); an 18th century Portuguese blue and white tile plaque comprising 35 tiles affixed to a wooden frame board ($6,325); a portrait of sitter W. Boyce by Allan Ramsay (Br., 1713-1784), framed and unsigned ($4,830); and an early 20th century Turkestan tribal carpet with wool base ($3,910). Moving on to other consignments, the rare and vintage cars that came up for bid really fired up the crowd. A pair of overachievers were the 1990 Ferrari Testarossa two-door coupe, white with red interior and just 20,302 miles on the odometer ($44,725, making it the top lot of the sale); and a 1963 Ford Galaxie 500, red, with a 390 engine and only 36,180 miles ($11,500). Continental silver commanded high prices, too. A nice William IV sterling figural wine centerpiece (London, 1833) fetched $16,100, while a Victorian sterling “Warwick” wine cooler rose to $13,225. In American silver, a Southern coin silver footed cup by Leinbach reached $4,830, and a “Federal Cotillion” sterling flatware set by Frank Smith commanded $4,140. In American art, an oil on canvas by Francis Speight (NC/PA, 1896-1989), titled Steamboat (1819), coasted to $14,950; a mixed media work by Jane Peterson (1876-1965), titled Breton Village, brought $6,900; an oil painting by George L. Noyes (MA, 1864-1954), titled Early Spring, hit $2,760; and Comet, an oil painting by Thomas Van Zant (NY, 1814-1886), realized $2,990. Decorative arts featured a pair of patinated bronze statues after Emile Picault (Fr., 1883-1915), depicting ancient Egyptians ($8,050); a pair of French 19th century bronze and ormolu figural candelabra, three light form ($2,415); a figural bronze by Andre Hogommat (Fr., b. 1925, $1,495); and a bronze puma by Charles C. Rumsey (NY, 1873-1922), signed ($1,725). Asian objects were offered in abundance. Top lots included a Chinese curio box with an objets d’art collection inside ($9,488); a pair of antique Chinese porcelain bowls ($5,060); a 7-inch Chinese vase with Qianlong mark, signed on underside ($3,910); two Asian soapstone Foo Lion bookends, male and female ($1,610); and a Chinese green jade Guanyin statuette ($1,725). Continental furniture wowed the crowd. A diminutive French Empire abattant, mahogany with mahogany veneers and a verte marble top over a frieze inlaid with classical elements, went for $9,200; a circa 1830s William IV serving stand, mahogany with rectangular shelves, brought $2,990; and a pair of circa 1900 inlaid Belle Epoque side tables with oval marble top hit $2,185. American furniture was a hit as well. A gorgeous Southern Chippendale chest of drawers (likely Western North Carolina), early 19th century, walnut with yellow pine secondary, fetched $13,800; a rare 18th century Queen Anne drop-leaf table (North Carolina), walnut and pine, sold for $3,680; and a 19th century Southern Moravian School sofa (Forsyth Cty., N.C.), made $3,450. Estate jewelry dazzled bidders. Examples included a Breitling Colt chronometer Swiss-made wristwatch with original box ($1,725); a Mikimoto-designed fine Akoya cultured pearl necklace, with 99 cultured pearls ($1,610); a pair of Retro-style moonstone and sapphire earrings centering on a round sapphire ($1,035); and a simple setting 1-ct. diamond solitaire ring ($920). Rounding out the day’s top lots: a 1985 prismatic Steuben Glass sculpture by Bernard X. Wolff, titled Balloon Rally, hit $6,900; an 1866 Currier & Ives Western lithograph titled Life of a Trapper/A Sudden Halt breezed to $4,830; a mid-18th century stoneware salt-glazed teapot (Staffordshire) went for $3,105; and a group of Indo-Persian armor and weapons brought $3,105. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s next Fine & Decorative Arts Auction is slated for Saturday, Sept. 18, at 9 a.m. The one after that will conclude the year, on Dec. 4. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (919) 644-1243, or you can e-mail them at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., and the calendar of upcoming events, please log on to www.LLAuctions.com.

An important and complete 132-piece modern hammered sterling flatware service for twelve, by the renowned California silversmith Allan Adler sold for $15,525 at an Historic Hillsborough Auction held June 13-14 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. It was the grand opening event for the firm in its new gallery location, at 620 Cornerstone Court in Hillsborough. Allan Adler honed his craft in California in the 1930s, and developed a strong following among many Hollywood celebrities (he once hosted Katharine Hepburn at his workbench as an apprentice), as well as presidents, museum curators and silver collectors. He once described his work as “clean lines with a bent toward the unconventional,” and that was evident in the large service that changed hands. The silver service was the top earner of the more than 800 lots that crossed the block during the two days. About 250 people packed the showroom for the Saturday session, while around 150 bidders were counted on Sunday. A little less than 1,000 pre-absentee and phone bids were recorded going into Saturday. Internet bidding was brisk via LiveAuctioneers.com, with 450-500 registered online bidders. “There was a great deal of anticipation leading up to the premiere event at our new gallery,” said Leland Little of Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. “The results exceeded our expectations. The auction was a hit, and everyone was favorably impressed with our modern, 10,000-square-foot facility. It’s a great environment for buyers and sellers to view items from our collections that come to market.” The sale was preceded by a week-long preview, highlighted by an Opening Night Gala on June 11, at which the noted antiques expert Albert Sack had kind words to say about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.; and a special lecture presentation on June 12 by Johanna M. Brown, director of collections and a curator at the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA). Another MESDA curator, June Lucas, will be the guest speaker at the firm’s cataloged auction scheduled for Dec. 5-6. Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. The runner-up top lot was a French mid-19th century Raingo Freres figural mantle clock that served as cover art for the auction catalog. Featuring a porcelain signed dial and unmarked time and strike brass movement set within a gilt bronze urn on a matching acanthus footed base, the clock brought $9,775. Also, an ornate German wall clock made in 1880 and with nice color and patina realized $2,990. A signed Tiffany Studios counterbalance desk lamp with heavy patinated bronze construction throughout and a webbed damascene shade lit up the room for $8,912; an Irish sterling silver soup tureen with cover (Georgian, 1821), with figural engravings, soared to $8,050; and a Staffordshire historic blue plate (circa 1820s), commemorating Gen. Lafayette’s 1824-25 tour of the U.S., hit $2,530. Fine art was offered in abundance. A 19th-century American still life theorem (watercolor on velvet) rose to $8,625; a pastel on paper portrait of a child by Lila Cabot Perry (Am., 1848-1933), went for $6,038; an 18th-century American School portrait of a young boy, oil on canvas, made $5,750; and a signed oil on canvas depiction of a shepherd by George Turner II (Br., 1843-1910), gaveled for $4,140. An Egyptian bronze statuette depicting a seated Isis suckling the infant Harpokrates coasted to $3,680; an oil on canvas by James Yarborough (Am., 20th century), titled Noreen & Laurie, hit $2,990; an oil on canvas work by Jerome Blum (Ill./ N.Y., 1884-1956), titled Woman in Green (1911), achieved $2,530; and a red chalk drawing on paper by Giovanni Francesco Barbieri (It., 1591-1666) made $1,150. Fine period furniture pieces from prominent local estates wowed the crowd. Top earners included a mid-Atlantic early 19th-century butler’s chest with figured mahogany veneers ($2,300); and an 18th-century Continental pine pewter cupboard with original mustard paint and hardware ($2,070). Also, a Karabagh rug (circa 1910) brought $2,185, and a Shahsavan bag (circa 1900) realized $3,105. Estate jewelry did well. A Mikimoto triple-strand pearl necklace with 18k yellow gold clasp, four diamonds and four pearls fetched $3,680; an 18k yellow gold men’s emerald and diamond ring, appraised at $5,200, went for $2,185; and a 14k platinum and diamond lady’s Hamilton watch found a new wrist for $1,610. Also, a mourning miniature with hair brooch (S.C., 1802) hammered for $2,990. From decorative accessories, a gorgeous pair of Japanese Satsuma vases (circa 1860-1880), in tapering baluster form, went to a determined bidder for $7,188; a Belle Epoque figural centerpiece (French, circa 1880-1920), garnered $1,955; a rare Art Deco cast-iron sundial (circa 1930s), spherical in form, demanded $1,610; and an early 20th century Egyptian Revival Sphinx inkwell sold for $1,150. Regional folk art pottery was a hit, per usual. A Burlon Craig 3-gallon face jug (N.C., circa 1980) breezed to $2,645; a 20th century chip carved figural of a black preacher, titled Man of the Cloth (circa 1900), reached $1,150; and a Billy Ray Hussey cat doorstop, signed on the bottom, went for $748. Also, a restored pre-Columbian Guatemalan pot with polychrome decoration changed hands for $3,450. Decoys struck an impressive pose. A handsome Brant decoy (Ocracoke, N.C.) was a hit for $5,060; a Southern swan decoy by an unknown maker (but probably crafted in Virginia or North Carolina) commanded $1,150; and a Canada goose decoy by Ira Hudson – an early production example, with tack eyes, a belligerent pose and old paint – saw a top bid of $1,610. Other examples did well, too. Top earners among firearms were a flintlock long rifle with no maker’s mark (circa 1790-1820), with an octagonal barrel and 3/8-inch bore ($2,185); a North Carolina percussion long rifle by Enoch Kennedy (Moore Cty., circa 1830-1850), with 36-inch octagonal barrel and walnut half stock ($1,725); and an English flintlock over/under double-barrel pistol (approx. .45 caliber, circa 1780-1820, $920). Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is still accepting quality consignments for its big Sept. 19-20 cataloged sale, as well as for all future estate auctions. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (919) 644-1243. Or, e-mail them, at info@LLAuctions.com. To learn more about Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., log on to www.LLAuctions.com.

A rare North Carolina surveyor’s compass, made around the late 18th century by Guilford County artisan Camm Moore (1755-1845), soared to $28,750 at a quarterly cataloged auction held March 21 by Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. It was the final sale held in the firm’s South Nash Street location. Next month, it moves into new digs, at 620 Cornerstone Court. “With the success of this cataloged auction, we were able to end on a very positive note at our present address,” said Leland Little, owner of the firm, “but we very much look forward to our move in April into a 10,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that is ideal for our needs.” An inaugural sale is slated for Saturday, April 11, and the next cataloged auction will be held the weekend of June 13-14. The surveyor’s compass was in working order, with an untouched natural patina. It had a silver (or silvered brass) dial, engraved with “Made by Camm Moore, Guilford” around the center ring. Four quadrants were marked “0-90” and the compass was set in a brass housing, with a lid and two hinged sighting posts. Moore was primarily known as a silversmith, but he also made surveying instruments. Mr. Little estimated about 250 people packed his showroom to participate in the final sale of a ten-year run on South Nash Street. “It was standing room only all day long,” he said. “As usual, it was a strong collaborative effort that carried the day. We have a wonderful team and support staff.” Also, about 1,000 pre-bids were recorded via phone, absentee and online (through LiveAuctioneers.com). Following are some top earners of the more than 600 quality consignments that crossed the block. All prices quoted include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. The top lot of the sale was a spectacular 84-piece sterling service in the “Aztec” motif by the renowned Mexican silversmith Hector Aguilar. The set, crafted sometime between 1940-1945, brought $37,950. If this sounds vaguely familiar, it’s because a similar service by Aguilar – a 72-piece set, also in the “Aztec” motif – fetched $41,400 at Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.’s Dec. 6-7 auction. Other silver sets and pieces that did well included a coin silver tea service, comprising a teapot, cream jug with hinged cover, lidded sugar bowl and repousse tea ball, totaling 70.1 troy ounces ($4,830); an American coin silver ewer of Southern interest, 14.75 inches tall and 30.6 troy ounces ($2,760); and a 17th-century-style sterling silver chalice bearing the Coat of Arms for James I ($1,495). Original works of art by noted, listed artists included a pastel on silk by Elizabeth O’Neill Verner (S.C., 1883-1979), titled Mary ($28,750); an oil on canvas painting by Margaret Dovaston (English, 1884-1955), titled Minuet ($19,550); an oil on board by Sheldon Parsons (N.M., 1866-1943), titled Springtime ($5,750); and a still life oil on board by George H. Hall (N.Y., 1825-1913) hit $4,370. A vintage Louis Vuitton trunk (circa 1915), originally owned by a French Rear Admiral, rose to $8,309; a Jugtown Chinese blue stoneware footed punchbowl (circa 1930), with overall turquoise blue glaze, climbed to $5,750; an American Arts & Crafts period frame, hand-carved by Walfred Thulin in 1921, reached $2,875; and a Tennessee sampler done by Elizabeth C. Goodner in 1834 reached $2,530. A nice Oriental 4-panel rosewood folding screen (circa 1900) wowed the crowd for $10,235; a 19th-century porcelain and gilt bronze Chinoiserie mounted mantel set, with a globular clock and 8-day French movement by Japy Freres, coasted to $7,475; a set of four gilt metal and silver tone putti wall sconces (circa 1900) realized $1,495; and three 19th-century Tibetan bronze Buddha figures hit $1,265. High-end estate jewelry is abundant at most Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. auctions, and this one was no exception. A gorgeous emerald and diamond ring, with a 3.12 ct. emerald and a 1.05 ct. diamond, slipped on a new finger for $6,037; and a platinum and diamond ring (circa 1930s), with one bead set old European cut diamond and 28 bead set brilliant cut diamonds, fetched $1,265. A lovely 131-piece Minton service in the “Riverton” pattern, from a private collection in North Carolina, brought $5,290; a 74-piece assembled set of Royal Crown Derby china in the “Imari” pattern realized $3,335; a tall tapered stoneware decorated vase by Mrs. F. W. Hilton of North Carolina topped out at $2,415; and a pair of Art Glass vases by Charles Lotton (1990, 1989) rose to $1,150 and $1,093. From the furniture category, a French Empire Revival ormolu mounted rosewood bedroom set (early 20th century) commanded $2,990; a George III linen press (circa 1800), mahogany veneer with oak secondary, hit the mark at $2,990; a Classical mahogany sofa, made in Philadelphia around 1830, earned $1,380; and an American Classical marble-top mahogany pier table (circa 1830) rose to $1,093. Returning to fine art, an oil on canvas painting by Leon Gordon (N.Y., 1899-1943), titled The Soldier’s Tale, went for $4,600; an Italian micro mosaic plaque from the late 19th century, housed in the original frame and titled Madonna della Salute, reached $4,140; and several Portraits Imaginaires color lithographs on Arches paper after Pablo Picasso, signed and dated, realized up to $2,645 each. Rounding out the top lots, a vintage 1965 Fender Jaguar electric guitar (serial #90262 on the back plate), with a light green custom finish, strummed a sweet tune for $2,990; a rare official book from 1796, of speeches to both Houses of Congress by George Washington, chalked up $978; and a signed first-edition copy of the Truman Capote best-selling book In Cold Blood (1965) made $690. Important consignments have already been secured for the June 13-14 quarterly cataloged sale. Two days prior (on Thursday, June 11), Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., will hold a preview party and gala, to officially celebrate the new gallery facility. The next day (Friday, June 12), Johanna Brown from MESDA (The Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) will deliver a guest lecture. Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd., is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (919) 644-1243, or e-mail them at INFO@LLAUCTIONS.COM. To learn more about the company and its calendar of upcoming auctions, log on to www.LLAUCTIONS.com. The April 11 sale’s online catalog has been posted.