BY CAROLE DEUTSCH

ORANGE, Calif. — The “Cactus” form console table, designed in 1951 by Marc Lalique as a window display, was the highlight of the April 7 sale at Don Presley’s Southern California auction house.

The “Cactus” console table was one of the most presentational forms made by Lalique, and it was among the 538 lots sold at the auction. The dramatic piece was appealing to bidders and can be used as a table and console – both having a crystal base that resembles cactus leaves serving as table legs.

This is one of Lalique’s coveted designs and is typically found in museums and in elite, private collections.

The 52 inch wide console that sold at Presley’s was signed on each of the four cactus leafs, had the original top and was in good condition. It was just one item from a Los Angeles estate at this auction. The bidding opened at $4,000 and quickly escalated to a closing price of $31,050. Prices reflect a 15 percent buyer’s premium.

A Lalique “Rinceaux” mirror, 59 1/2 inches tall by 25 3/4 inches wide, that came from the same estate realized $10,350.

Four 21 inch tall, Empire-style wall sconces were made of gilt bronze and each had a central mythological female winged figure standing on a black ball. The figure held four-armed candelabras that swirled theatrically from both sides. This lot commanded the sum of $5,060.

A price of $4,600 was achieved for a large Llardo porcelain figurine, The Rescue, that depicted three figures in a rowboat battling a violent storm in wind-tossed waves to rescue a boy and his dog. The 28 inch wide by 17 1/2 inch tall piece was sold with the original paperwork and pedestal stand.

A KPM porcelain plaque, circa 1920s, that portrayed a reclining nude was mounted in a heavy gilded frame and realized $3,450. A price of $3,105 was paid for a bronze and ivory figure of a barefoot dancing lady, signed “Omerth.” The 11 inch tall figure’s face, arms and legs were made of ivory and
her costume was done in Dore bronze.

This was a classic image of George Omerth (French, 1895-1925). A 19th century Meissen snowball covered tureen that bore a depiction of a small herd of elk, as well as a graphic image of a fallen elk on the top (antlers as handle), measured 12 inches tall and sold for $3,450.

The first leg of the April auction was offered on April 6, in which all proceeds from 40 lots were donated to charity. Presley was touched by the story of Dr. Alfonsina “Nina” Davies, who recently died from SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy). Davies’ parents, Tom and Nadia Davies, consigned a number of items in the auction to help raise funds for her dream to endow a chair at UCLA, to be called the Dr. Alfonsina Q. Davies Endowed Chair for Epilepsy Research in honor of Paul Crandall, M.D.

“It was a very good auction, maybe we’re starting to see a turnaround in the auction business, but I also think we have the online bidders to thank for that because if they don’t succeed in buying the item they are for sure keeping the in-house bidders honest,” Presley explained. “I sold a Lalique ‘Cactus’ console table for $31,050, the under bidder was in Canada. I sold a Lalique ‘Rinceaux’ mirror for $10,350, the under bidder in France; a Llardo, The Rescue, for $4,600, under bidder on the phone. But what I’m most proud of in this auction is the small part we played in raising awareness about epilepsy by working with Tom and Nadia Davies, and I want to especially thank all the folks that bid on lots 400 to 440 and purchased books – 100 percent of the proceeds went to the fundraising, in which all monies will help endow a chair at UCLA for much needed research. If interested, folks can go to my site and see what it’s all about. The information will remain on my website and we will continue trying
to help raise enough money to endow this chair. As it stands right now we are still one million dollars short, but we can get there even if it’s a little at a time. All of us at Don Presley Auction thank you.”

Nadia Davies authored a biography of her daughter, titled Nina, A Story of Uncommon Courage, which can be purchased from Presley for $20 – all of the proceeds go to the fundraising. Visit UCLA’s site to learn more or visit www.NinasCourage.org or Presley’s website at www.donpresley.com.

As usual, Don has assembled an incredible array of hundreds of fresh-to-market lots from the best estates and collections in Beverly Hills, Palm Springs, and Newport Beach.

The sale begins 12 Noon Pacific on Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7, 2013.

“This sale features some of the nicest items I’ve ever seen, and I’m excited for my customers to get a chance to own them,” says Don Presley. “And with our worldwide clientele now, we’re on track to have our best year ever.”

Don’s sales have been very successful, year to date, beginning with his famous New Year’s Event and his March 2-3 auction that produced some amazing prices realized. “Our bidders just love some of the items and that means that our consignors enjoy the best the auction can offer,” says Don. “And with our gallery bidding this time around, we’re sure to have a lot of fun and see items go to new homes.”

The April 6-7 sale features amazing items, starting with a Meissen Group Depicting Winter (lot 517), estimated to bring between $900-$1500.

Another fine item is an inlaid ivory cabinet “needing some repairs” but estimated to bring between $6000-$12,000. It’s lot 571.

Fine French antiques are covered, as always: lot 895 is a French Limoges enamel in frame from the 19^th century and in good condition. It carries a presale estimate of $2000-$3000.

Another Don Presley specialty is fine Asian art, with an emphasis on items from China. As always, Don does not disappoint, with some amazing items up for bid.

Lot 648 is a large pair of Chinese ivory vases, impressive at 21 inches in height and in good condition with only minor cracks revealing their age. They are estimated to sell for between $3000-$4000.

A fine Japanese show cabinet is features as lot 921, measuring 88 inches in height by 46 inches in width and 24 inches in depth. In fair condition, it is estimated to bring between $1500-$2500.

Antique timepieces are another Don Presley specialty, and lot 601 is a fine example of this: a gilt bronze French clock by Beurdeley. The presale estimate is $5000-$9000.

Nineteenth century European ivory busts – a pair of them – are included as lot 690. Measuring 9 inches in height, the busts carry a $3000-$5000 presale estimate.

There are a number of Judaica items in Don’s sale, headed up by this impressive sterling silver Hanukkah lamp estimated to bring between $1200-$1500. It appears as lot 614.

One of the physically largest items – and one of the most valuable – is lot 684, an impressive, “very large” German drug store cabinet. It measures a whopping 12 feet-6 inches in height and 20 feet-7 inches in width. It requires restoration, but is expected to bring between $9000-$15,000.

With so much variety and quality, bidders are encouraged to visit Don’s website for more details, or to visit the sale’s online catalogs for April 6 and April 7, respectively, to view the complete selection of lots.

Absentee and phone bidders are welcome to participate in the sale by visiting Don’s website and completing the absentee bid or telephone bid forms.

And of course, no one throws a live auction event like Don Presley, so all bidders are encouraged to attend the sale in person, at Don’s Gallery located at 1319 West Katella Avenue in Orange, California. Click here for Google Maps directions.

Don Presley’s April 6-7 Fine Art, Antiques and Collectibles Auction will commence at 12 noon Pacific time on Saturday, April 6, 2013, and Sunday, April 7, 2013. For more information, please contact Don at 714-633-2437 or info@donpresley.com.

Click here to view Don’s catalogs at LiveAuctioneers, where online bidding will be available.

Dr. Alfonsina Davies

Please consider helping Don Raise Money and Awareness for Epilepsy Research – We Need Your Help

Don Presley has been deeply touched by the story of Dr. Alfonsina Davies, who recently passed away from SUDEP (Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy).

Nina's mother Nadia authored a biography of Nina (which you can purchase from Don for $20 – 100% of proceeds go to the fundraising discussed below), and Nadia has also consigned a number of items in Don's April 6-7 auction event to help raise funds for her dream.

And what is that dream? To endow a chair at UCLA, to be called the Dr. Alfonsina Q. Davies Endowed Chair for Epilepsy Research in honor of Paul Crandall, MD.

Please click here to visit UCLA's site to learn more, and to donate.

Click here to visit NinasCourage.org.

Nadia's consignments are lots 401-440A – please click here to view these lots, and please consider bidding to win on any of them, to help support funding of this important mission to establish the chair at UCLA in Nina's memory.

Again, the link to donate directly at UCLA to help endow Nina's epilepsy chair can be reached by clicking here.

We encourage you to click here to view Nadia's video discussing Nina's life, her struggle with debilitating epileptic seizures, and how Dr. Crandall and UCLA helped her overcome this disability so that she could become the success she was in life.

All of us at Don Presley Auction thank you for taking the time to read this, and to consider donating, and to bid on lots 401-440A in our April 6-7 auction event.

Thinking of consigning? Now is the time to call Don DIRECTLY at 714-633-2437 to discuss your consignment. Let Don help you achieve the highest possible value from your items by consigning for our April event – we still have room for quality items only! CALL TODAY!

MEISSEN “ELEMENT OF FIRE” EWER – SOLD FOR $17,250

LIU KUO SUNG SCROLL – Visitation of spring 1977 – SOLD FOR $26,450

MEISSEN PORCELAIN CUP & SAUCER – SOLD FOR $2006

CARVED JADE PENDANT – SOLD FOR $2242

PAIR OF RUSSIAN CUPS & SAUCERS – SOLD FOR $9200

RUSSIAN ZVEREV ENAMEL CIGARETTE BOX – SOLD FOR $4600

HUANGHUALI & MIXED WOOD CHAIRS & SIDE TABLE – SOLD FOR $5750

KPM PORCELAIN PLAQUE – SOLD FOR $11,800

HEAVILY CARVED IVORY TANKARD – SOLD FOR $9200

WATERCOLOR BY SIR LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA – Sold For $11,500

DOULTON BURSLEM ‘PORTIA’ FIGURE – Sold For $3105

DOULTON BURSLEM ‘SHYLOCK’ FIGURE – Sold For $3910

GILT BRONZE CENTERPIECE – Sold For $11,500

BOULLE TORTOISE SHELL & ORMOLU CLOCK – Sold For $6,325

OIL PAINTING BY ANTOINE BLANCHARD – Sold For $5,750

MONUMENTAL METTLACH CASTLE STEIN – Sold For $3,220