Featured auction results can be viewed below, or the complete results can be found online.

Pair of Continental Carved Court Figures, $32,000

Italian Silk Painted Panel, $26,000

Important Group of Four Limoges Enamel Plaques, $34,000

Napoleonic Gilt Wood Eagle Console Table, $52,000

Chinese Qianlong Panther Sculptures, $120,000

Important Continental Two Part Vargueno, $57,500

The Chinqua Penn Wrought Iron Entrance Gates, $34,000

Pair of Chinese Gilt Bronze Pricket Sticks, $25,000

Pallazo Carrara Marble Urn and Pedestal, $77,500

Pair of Chinese Porcelain Panels, $25,000

Egyptian Revival King Tut Arm Chair, $34,000

John Gamble (Am., 1863-1957), Lupine in California, $55,000

Sale Location:
Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. Auction Gallery
Hillsborough, NC

Sale Dates & Times:
Fine Wine Auction
Friday, November 30, 2012, 6:00 P.M.

Fine & Decorative Arts Auction
Saturday, December 1, 2012, 9:00 A.M.

Sale Previews:
Saturday, November 24, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Friday, November 30, 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Consigning:
Consignments are currently being considered for this sale. Please contact us for more information.

Additional Amenities:
-Catering provided by The Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough, NC.
-Public Wi-Fi is provided for your convenience.

Terms:
No Reserves. All sales subject to the terms & conditions of sale. Cash, check, Visa, MC, AX, and Discover. There is an 18% buyer’s premium and live internet bidding is available on LiveAuctioneers with a 20% buyer’s premium. 7% NC tax. NCFL#7452

Photos and Additional Lot Information:
Photos and additional lot information to be posted soon.

Sale Location:
Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd. Auction Gallery
Hillsborough, NC

Sale Dates & Times:
Fine Wine Auction
Friday, September 14, 2012, 6:00 P.M.

Fine & Decorative Arts Auction
Saturday, September 15, 2012, 9:00 A.M.

Sale Previews:
Saturday, September 8, 10:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
Friday, September 14, 10:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M.

Consigning:
Consignments are currently being considered for this sale. Please contact us for more information.

Additional Amenities:
-Catering provided by The Wooden Nickel in Hillsborough, NC.
-Public Wi-Fi is provided for your convenience.

Terms:
No Reserves. All sales subject to the terms & conditions of sale. Cash, check, Visa, MC, AX, and Discover. There is an 18% buyer’s premium and live internet bidding is available on LiveAuctioneers with a 20% buyer’s premium. 7% NC tax. NCFL#7452

Photos and Additional Lot Information:
Photos and additional lot information to be posted soon.

By Luke Newbold, Leland Little Auction & Estate Sales, Ltd.

North Carolina sports some fantastic estates, and one of its greatest is closing its doors. Chinqua Penn Plantation is making its way to the auction block after nearly fifty years of house tours, weddings and special events. Built in the roaring 1920s, the Penn’s collection rivals the Vanderbilt’s Biltmore Estate, and its contents will soon be available for sale.

Twenty-three years ago my family moved to North Carolina and we were immediately, and kindly, forced to taste, try and visit everything this Tarheel State has to offer. In 2006 we visited the “big house” in Asheville, which everyone recommended we see. After catching a glimpse of the mansion through the tall pines of the estate I said, “I have to work here!” The sight of the house mounted on the hillside literally took my breath away, not to mention the fine art and objects inside. I did work there, for two years, and even interned with Museum Services for a summer.

While working on the upcoming auction, I recently made my first visit to Chinqua Penn Plantation. The estate is nestled in farm country with Black Angus roaming across the street, large red barns to the right and a classic Southern Baptist Church on the street corner. I tried to keep my cool as I entered the massive carved wood doors, but lost it as I recognized the quality, originality and vast collections of the estate.

Biltmore was completed in the winter of 1895 and modeled after European chateaus visited by George Vanderbilt. Many of the rooms are furnished with imported materials and furnishings from Europe. The exterior of the house, made of Indiana limestone, features carved statues and gargoyles much like those on a French cathedral. Edith Vanderbilt opened her home to the public in the 1930s, and with that, changes were made. In the butler’s log book he states that original tapestries were cut to upholster tattered chairs, draperies were altered to hide their wear and tear from the years, and several rooms were re-papered or re-painted; an exterior swimming pool was filled in during the 1970s. With loving intentions, the estate was altered to adjust to its needs. Today many of the rooms are decorated and on display just as they were during George Vanderbilt’s lifetime; however, some of the rooms were never completed during his life.

Chinqua Penn Plantation, built in the 1920s, is based on Thomas Jefferson Penn (1875–1946) and Margaret Beatrice Shoellkopf Penn’s (1881–1965) travels and interests, including three world tours. Each room is fully decorated with priceless works from thirty different countries. The exterior of the house, made of stone and timbers, has the coziness of a mountain retreat with an interior of museum quality collections. “Betsy” Penn resided in the home until 1959. The Penn’s left the estate to the state and opened to the public for house tours. Each room retains its original wallpaper, gilding or paint and is decorated and furnished with original collections. For instance, the Chinese Bedroom is furnished from 1920s Shanghai with bamboo and silver leaf wall decoration which is unbelievably and beautifully untouched; while George Vanderbilt’s bedroom, at Biltmore, has recently been repainted and recovered with burlap and gold leaf.

Both Biltmore and Chinqua Penn hired craftsmen and artists to complete detailed elements of their estates. Local and outside artisans crafted the gargoyles and naturalistic stone carvings of Biltmore; however, most of the walls and ceilings have been recovered or repainted according to their original style. The Penns hired a European artist to stay at their estate for weeks on end to decorate and paint ceilings and walls of the interior of the home, which remain as freshly visible and as un-touched today as it did nearly a century ago. Not only did the Penns have custom designs and monograms incorporated in their estate, they imported and added classical and ancient elements to make their estate an enhanced work of art. Facing the house is a swimming pool with a “Bath House” Pagoda, built 1930, featuring imported Chinese sculpture dating 700 A.D. Renaissance and period tile-works are inset around the great room and old world carved columns flank entrances lit by 18th and 19th century chandeliers. Walking through Chinqua Penn is not “like” seeing early original décor, it “is” seeing early original décor.

Museums, estates and important collections offer de-acquisitions at auction from time to time; however, very rare are the opportunities to take part in an entire sale of fine original historical collections the size and importance of Chinqua Penn. April 25th and 26th mark the dates you can own original furnishings, works of art and priceless masterpieces collected by Thomas Jefferson Penn and Margaret Beatrice Shoellkopf Penn from their Plantation at the Greensboro Coliseum. While the last tour has walked through the house, the objects and furnishings will be re-born at auction.

The online catalogue for The Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation Estate Auction is available online, while illustrated color catalogues are available for order on the home page of our website.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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)

The same group of artists pictured dining at Mount Kisco (Source: The Smithsonian Archives from the Abraham Walkowitz papers, 1904-1966)

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.”

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.