Rudolph T. Lux (German/New Orleans, 1815-1858), A Rare Hand Painted Porcelain Pitcher with a portrait of John H. Keller standing in front of his soap

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September Select Auction: Session II

By Crescent City Auction Gallery

Sep 10, 2022

Set Reminder 2022-09-10 11:00:00 2022-09-10 11:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : September Select Auction: Session II https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/crescent-city/september-select-auction-session-ii-10210
Crescent City Auction Gallery is pleased to present our September Select Auction featuring property from the Estate of Dr. Peter Elwood Doresett and Karla Katz Antiques, New Orleans. Including an eclectic selection of paintings, French, English and American Furniture, sterling silver, Oriental rugs, Crescent City Auction Gallery info@crescentcityauctiongallery.com

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• Lot Description
  Rudolph T. Lux (German/New Orleans, 1815-1858), A Rare Hand Painted Porcelain Pitcher with a portrait of John H. Keller standing in front of his soap factory, the gilt decorated lip with gilt letters "John H. Keller," signed proper left of the portrait "R. T. Lux N.O." en verso with a old Paris style painted scene of birds, flowers and insects, descended in the Keller family, H.- 9 1/2 in., W.- 5 3/4 in., D.- 8 1/2 in. Note: Historic New Orleans Encyclopedia of New Orleans Artists states: "Considered the most important painter and gilder of china in N.O., Lux specialized in portraits on cups and saucers. Between 1861-63, he painted prominent military figures of the Civil War including Gens. P.G.T. Beauregard, Benjamin F. Butler, and Nathaniel P. Banks, and Admiral David G. Farragut." page 244. His work is in many museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of New York, and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. ADDITIONAL NOTE: John Keller was a young Swiss man who came to America in the hopes of making a fortune. Upon his arrival in New Orleans, he began working at a soap manufacturing company in Algiers, until he eventually moved from the West Bank of New Orleans to the East Bank and started his own soap manufacturing company - Keller Soap Works. He amassed enough wealth to buy land and build a nice home for himself on Felicity Road and Magnolia Street. Additionally, he owned a large amount of real estate around his dwellings and was a primary figure in all matters relating to city improvements around his area of town. [The Times-Picayune, 10 March 1868] The Keller Market was located on Magnolia Street until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit. In addition to creating a market for the community, he established the Keller School on Dryade Street, which later became McDonough 38. He was a true developer of his time. [Website New Orleans - Makin' Groceries]

  Condition

  Condition is consistent with age and use. There is craquelure to glaze throughout pitcher. The gilt handle has lost most of the paint from years of handling. The interior of handle also has ware to it. There is a notable crack on the top of the pitcher, to the right of the handle on the floral side of the pitcher. This crack is approximately 3 inches in length, but becomes slightly hidden with gilt leaf motif on exterior. Upon looking inside of pitcher, it is also visible. There is craquelure to glaze on the bottom, as well as two cracks to ceramic, which are visible inside and outside on bottom. The gilt paint has additional loss in various spots, particularly on very top of ceramic. The bottom of pitcher has small loss to glaze on right side. There is large craquelure spidering on bottom back of pitcher. Tiny firing flaws are visible on front of pitcher, just to the left of portrait and bellow the “Keller” name. The chest area of Mr. Keller shows very slight rubbing to surface, probably from previous cleaning. There is visible surface dirt in sky of portrait side. It could use a professional cleaning. Lastly, the interior motif by the handle has lost some paint. For the age of the item, this is still a very handsome example of New Orleans history, both in subject and maker. ________________________________________________________________________________ ALL PROPERTY IS SOLD "AS IS." NO STATEMENT REGARDING CONDITION OF ANY ITEM, WHETHER IT IS MADE ORALLY AT THE AUCTION OR ANY OTHER TIME, OR IN WRITING IN THE CATALOGUE OR ELSEWHERE, SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITY.
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