Black Forest tobacco jar, plentiful fine art at Auctions Neapolitan, May 22

Reviewing Auctions Neapolitan’s recent successes with Black Forest items, a circa-1900 Walter Mader (attrib.) Black Forest tableau carved as a St. Bernard dog with pups garnered international attention and a $30,590 selling price in a Jan. 23, 2010 sale. In so doing, it revealed the extent of interest worldwide in premier Black Forest art.

“The word spread quickly about the St. Bernard grouping, and the amount of bidding was intense. Now we’re wondering if the same collectors will find the wonderful fox and hare tobacco figures as charming as the larger canines,” said Pica.

The 20½-inch-tall canister is carved to represent two figures – a fox holding an umbrella aloft and a hare resting his paw atop an upright cane. Beautifully patinated, both animal figures have removable heads and comprise a piece that is both decorative and functional, and weighs in at 5 lbs. (see online catalog for full description). It is expected to make $4,000-$6,000 on auction day.

A unique hand-made art object is the ivory tusk carved to replicate an Alaskan Eskimo with sled and seven-member dog team. The tusk weighs 3 lbs. and is 23½ inches long. It is expected to make $500-$800.

A variety of genres awaits buyers in the fine-art section, which is led by a collection of 20th-century paintings previously purchased from the Darvish Collection Inc., a gallery located in Olde Naples (Fla.). “Each of the artworks from the Darvish Collection will be offered with an attractive opening bid,” said Pica. “This will be a buying opportunity for many.” Among the artworks coming from the Darvish Collection are six oils on canvas by Hagob Gasparian.

The auction inventory also includes several works by Florida “Highwaymen” Harold Newton and Al Hair; American, Asian and Continental antiques, home furnishings and accessories; a large selection of sterling silver, including a Poole tea service with tray (237 troy oz.) and three Buccellati birds; Chinese carved ivory figures, and a lovely enameled china dessert service from Tiffany & Co.

For additional information on any item in the May 22 sale, call Kathleen Pica at Auctions Neapolitan, 239-262-7333 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.