Cowan’s fine and decorative art auction exceeds $450,000

The highest selling lot in the sale was a painting by Elizabeth Nourse (American, 1859-1938) titled Mere et Bebe, which sold for $31,750.

Other regional works did particularly well in the auction as well. A work by Cincinnati artist Frank Duveneck titled Mary Mallon, sold for $8,812.

“I was very pleased with the outcome,“ notes Graydon Sikes, director, paintings and prints. “The Elizabeth Nourse hammered down to a Cincinnati collector, which is evidence that our regional artists are still of considerable interest.”

A collection of George Nakashima furniture also performed well in the sale. A Nakashima armchair realized $4,500. A Nakashima settee sold for $4,406. A set of George Nakashima Mira Chairs hammered down at $3,240.

Pablo Picasso ceramics were also among the top-selling lots offered in the auction. A Pablo Picasso earthenware vase sold for $18,000. A Pablo Picasso Mudoura earthenware jug realized $5,285, and a Pablo Picasso plate realized $3,290.

An Andrew Clemens sand bottle, dated 1888, surpassed its estimate of $3,000-$5,000 and hammered down at $8,225.

A number of Chinese lots also exceeded their estimates. A Chinese export mother-of-pearl inlaid bench and chair, estimated at $3,000-$5,000, sold for $7,800. A set of Chinese porcelain lamps realized $5,100. A Chinese altar table sold for $3,600.

Additional noteworthy lots were a 3-gallon Edgefield, S.C., jar attributed to slave potter Dave Drake, which realized $9,400. A painting by George Phippen, titled No Life for the Easily Bruised, made $6,600. A Rookwood wall mural from the Mills Restaurant, a fixture in downtown Cincinnati for many years, realized $2,350. A Massachusetts slant-front secretary-bookcase attributed to cabinetmaker John Smith (1768-1834) sold for $3,055.

For more information about upcoming sales at Cowan’s Aucton, visit www.cowans.com or call 513-871-1670.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.