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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 45, NO. 1 FRIDAY JANUARY 3, 2014
John W. Coker Presents Jan. 4 Auction Featuring Southern Folk Art, Collection Of Antique Indian Baskets, And Much More A
n old Tennessee estate that includes collections of important antique Indian baskets and Southern folk art serves as the centerpiece of John W. Coker’s Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, auction. All forms of bidding will be available, including live bidding via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers. “As we delved into the contents of this estate, it very quickly became evident to us that the owner had the heart of a collector and the eye of a knowledgeable buyer. This is by no means an average estate,” said auction company owner and principal auctioneer John W. Coker. More than 125 Cherokee Indian baskets display a pleasing variety of forms and intricate patterns, some incorporating color. They are joined by a selection of beautiful Western Indian baskets whose motifs feature human and deer figures. Others are woven in
sophisticated abstract patterns. A would be safe to say is ‘legendary’ particular highlight is a tightly in these parts. Their collection woven 1880-1900 Olla. includes some marvelous forms and designs. I think collectors are going to be very excited about the opportunities here.” An abundance of Southern folk art pottery and s t o n e w a r e includes designs by M.P. Harmon of Mohawk, Tenn., and William Long of Crawford County, Ga., as well as rare Tennessee pots by W.W. McFarland and Hull Mohawk. Also to be auctioned is a large collection of impressively sized, highly expresHere is a sive Southern “ugly” face jugs. Western Indian basket whose motifs includes human Each is a well-detailed, distinctive work of art. figures and deer. An outstanding textile, an 1824 “It is highly unusual to bordered cross-stitch sampler by encounter a collection of Indian Susanna Thomas, is richly handbaskets (where) contents are of decorated with doves, flowers, such consistently high artistic qual- trees, butterflies, bowls of fruit, ity and condition throughout,” and many additional embellishCoker observed. “This grouping ments. Its motto reads: “This work comes from a well-known private in hand my friends may have / collector of Indian baskets whom it When I am dead and in my grave / And when my work each time you see / With fond remembrance think on me.” At the bottom it is handstitched “Susanna Thomas’s Work made in the 17th year of her age 1824.” More than 60 pieces are included in a collection of early glass candy containers. Rare forms are offered, some with paint or metal components, include a handled handbag, a red-suited Santa standing next to a chimney, a rocking horse, a Chinese man, Charlie
Chaplin, and a large rabbit upright on its haunches. A well-detailed windmill retains its original red, white and blue metal “pinwheel”
with all masts facing the wind, the work is signed “Feininger” at lower left. Feininger was a versatile artist with a background as an
Selections of Southern folk pottery include pieces by M. P. Harmon, Mohawk, Tenn.; William Long, Crawford County, Ga.; and J.A. Bishop, Georgia. Also, rare pots by W.W. McFarland and Hull, Mohawk, Tenn.
topper with windmill blades and accessory piece marked “Teddy.” Two fine men’s gold Rolex watches will be offered, one of them an Oyster Perpetual Date model. Joining them is an especially fine 18K gold Tiffany pocket watch. The top ephemera lot is an 1865 document hand-signed by President Andrew Johnson in which he pardons a man named Jerry Cowles of Macon, Ga. It is presented in a beveled dark wood frame that may be the original. An abstract artwork of note is an original 1934 nautical watercolor by Expressionist artist Lyonel Feininger (German/American, 1871-1956). Depicting a ship at sea
illustrator, and cartoonist. “Many who were not previously aware of his work realized his importance as an artist when the Whitney Museum of American Art hosted a major Feininger retrospective in 2011,” said Coker. Three large dovetailed blanket chests hold what appears to be an untapped trove of antique and vintage toys and cruise ship mementos, Coker said. “These chests belonged to a family that traveled extensively and always brought back toys from Europe. We haven’t even begun to delve into the contents, but it all looks very intriguing,” he said. The (Continued on page 2)
This is a prized Indian Olla, circa These examples are from a collection 1880-1900. of 60+ early glass candy containers.
A large-size grouping of Southern ‘ugly’ face jugs, part of an extensive private collection. A collection of Western Indian baskets.
Two men’s gold Rolex wristwatches A dated 1824 needlework sampler by (left and right) and an 18K gold Susanna Thomas. Tiffany pocket watch.
More than 125 Cherokee Indian Here is a signed Lyonel Feininger (German/American, 1871-1956) 1934 This 1865 Andrew Johnson Presidential pardon was for Jerry Cowles of Macon, Ga. baskets are included in the auction. watercolor.