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THBWilliam Edmondson Sculpture, Lady with a Bustle
About Seller
4310 Papermill Dr. NW
Knoxville, TN 37909
United States
Case Auctions is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, where our gallery is located, with satellite offices in Nashville, Tennessee and Kingsport, TN – but our reach is worldwide. Established in 2005, we conduct cataloged auctions of investment-quality art and antiques under the stewardship of knowledgeabl...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJan 25, 2025
Live Auction at our Knoxville Gallery featuring 1,200+ lots from fine Southern estates and private and museum collections. Sale begins Sat. Jan. 25 at 9 AM with lots #1-783 and continues Sun. Jan. 26 at 1 PM with lots #784-1261 (separate catalog). Estates represented include Gertrude S. Caldwell, Nashville; John Z. C. Thomas, Knoxville; Dr. Larry Wolfe, Nashville; Norman Luboff; plus the collection of Jon E. Jones, Cookeville, and deaccessioned art from the Hunter Museum, Vanderbilt University Museum, the Memphis-Brooks Museum, and more. Case Auctions bid@caseantiques.com
View Full Catalog (782)
- Lot Description
William Edmondson (American/Tennessee, 1874-1951) carved limestone sculpture depicting a standing woman with well-defined, shoulder-length hair who wears a dress or apron with a bustle and short train in back, visible shoes, and a necklace or banded collar. She carries a small handbag in her right hand. 13 3/8" H x 5" W x 7" D. Note: This sculpture was acquired through Myron King, owner of Lyzon Gallery in Nashville, which represented Edmondson prior to and for many years after his death. For at least the past forty years, it has been in the same Middle Tennessee family collection as The Preacher, an Edmondson sculpture auctioned by Case in 2020. Unlike the "Preacher," which had been in at least two museum exhibitions, this "Lady" sculpture has never been publicly exhibited until now.
Artist biography: William Edmondson, the first African American artist to have a solo exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, was born in Davidson County, Tennessee. The son of freed slaves, he worked most of his life as a railroad employee and janitor. A spiritual experience at the age of 57 prompted him to begin sculpting limestone using a railroad spike as a chisel, and he claimed divine inspiration for the works produced during his 17-year art career.
In the 1930s, his work caught the attention of Professor Sidney Hirsch, who worked at Peabody College in Nashville, located just a few blocks from where Edmondson lived. Professor Hirsch is credited with introducing Edmondson to well-connected arts patrons Alfred and Elizabeth Starr and Harper’s Bazaar photographer Louise Dahl-Wolfe. Wolfe’s now-famous photographs of Edmondson and his yard full of limestone sculptures brought him to the attention of the New York art world and gained him the acquaintance of Alfred Barr, Jr., director of the Museum of Modern Art, resulting in the landmark 1937 exhibit.
Although Edmondson’s earliest work was more utilitarian in nature, such as tombstones and birdbaths, as his style matured his subject matter grew to include Biblical figures, various animals, and female figures, frequently based on women he knew from his community.
Condition
Very good condition. Slight wear/erosion to base, some natural patination to stone.
- Provenance
Private Middle Tennessee Collection.
- Shipping Info
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The UPS Store of Bearden 865-584-0081 (press 5), fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com Click to get a quote
The UPS Store of Northshore Knoxville Contact – Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com
John & Max Express LLC NOTE: large items & white glove delivery services only (driving range limitations may apply) Contact – Dina 865-230-1568 johnmaxexpress@gmail.com
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- Payment & Auction Policies
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Available payment options
Payment must be received no later than five (5) days after the sale.
If paying with a credit card, a 3% credit card processing fee will be applied to the final sales price (i.e. hammer price + buyer's premium + applicable taxes). If you have a credit card on file with Case, any winning bids will be automatically charged (up to $3000) along with applicable fees 72 hours after you receive your invoice unless other arrangements have been made.
If paying with wire transfer, please use the following information:
Bank: Pinnacle Bank
150 Third Avenue South, Suite 900
Nashville, TN 37201
Phone # (865) 766-3000
Swift Code: PNFPUS44
Routing, Transit, ABA: 064008637
Beneficiary: Case Antiques, Inc.
4310 Papermill Drive
Knoxville, TN 37909
Account #: NOT DISCLOSED (please refer to your invoice email for the Deposit Account Number or contact us )
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