Emory Schwall was born in Moultrie, Georgia in April 1928 and came to Atlanta in 1945, where he studied architecture at Georgia Tech. But he gave that up in favor of a career in law. He was admitted to the state bar of Georgia in 1950 and enjoyed a stellar, 70-year career as a trial attorney. He was a tremendous orator with a keen intellect and sharp wit.
Ashford met his future bride, Margaret Peggy McCready, in the late 1940s, in midfield at a Georgia Tech/Auburn game. Emory was playing clarinet in the Tech marching band at the time. The couple married in June 1951 and became devoted to numerous charities, including the Shepherd Center, the American Heart Association and Piedmont Hospital.
Mrs. Schwall passed away suddenly in 2002 and Mr. Schwall passed away in June 2021. Prior to their deaths, the couple appointed their two homes with the fine items in the sale.
In the running for top lot of the auction is a monumental oil on canvas painting by the British artist David Bates (1840-1921) titled Mill North Wales (estimate: $5,000-$8,000). The rendering, signed and dated lower right, is housed in a giltwood frame measuring 54 ½ inches by 79 inches. It has David Rasmus (Atlanta) and Christopher Wood (London) labels verso. Bates was an “open-air” rural landscape artist who worked in watercolors and oils.
A gorgeous pair of 19th century porcelain bronze mounted urns attributed to Sevres (French) and Victor Paillard (French, 1805-1886) are expected to realize $4,000-$6,000. The 16-inch-tall urns were painted by Charles Barriat (French, b. 1821). Each has floral decorated gilt bronze rims and are raised on gilt bronze bases, with trumpet playing putti and acanthus leaf feet. The urns came from the collection of cosmetics czar Max Factor, according to family history.
A vintage textured wide 14kt yellow gold bracelet with an attached diamond watch, having modern round brilliant and single-cut 1.60 cwt. diamonds (G-H color, VS2-Si1 clarity), has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-$4,000. The piece has a fineness and R in circle mark to the clasp and a Hamilton makers mark to the watch. The watch is not working.
A 146-piece Towle Silver (American, 20th century) sterling flatware set in the King Richard pattern, first introduced in 1932, should bring $4,000-$6,000. All pieces are appropriately marked and the service has an approximate total weight of 180.19 ozt.
A visually arresting French 18th century oil on canvas portrait painting of a gentleman and his dog, titled (appropriately enough) Nobleman and His Dog, is expected to reach $3,000-$5,000. The unsigned work is impressive at 46 inches by 34 inches (less frame).
A 19th century Continental Grand Tour style oil on canvas View of Palazzo del Quirinale, Rome, after the original painting by Antonio Canaletto (Italian, 1697-1768), apparently unsigned and contained in a 35 inch by 50 inch giltwood frame, should hit $3,000-$5,000.
To learn more about Ahlers & Ogletree Auction Gallery and the sale of the estate of Emory Ashford Schwall, Sr. on Saturday, February 27th, or to join their email list for information on upcoming sales, please visit www.aandoauctions.com. Updates are posted often. You can also follow Ahlers & Ogletree through social media on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.
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