From opulent jewelry and historic furniture to fine art by Modern masters, the Estates Auction staged by New Orleans Auction Galleries brings together an expansive breadth of rare—and in some cases never publicly offered—pieces this October 18–19, 2025. Drawn from a diverse range of estates, the sale traces collectorship as well as art and craft history.
New Orleans Auction Galleries President Taylor Eichenwald said, “Our October Estates Auction celebrates craftsmanship, storytelling, and a love of collecting. From the intricately carved Rococo Revival furniture of Belter and Meeks to the warmly patinated 17th-century Italian pieces and beautifully woven Flemish tapestries, this sale’s offerings span centuries. I invite you to explore these items and stories in more detail within the pages of our October catalogue.”
Below, we dive into just a few of the sale’s highlights.
Ferdinand du Puigaudeau, Bretonne dans une allee (n.d.)
Ferdinand du Puigaudeau, Bretonne dans une allee (n.d.). Est. $18,000–$25,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
French painter Ferdinand du Puigaudeau (1864–1930) was a turn-of-the-century artist best known for his atmospheric landscapes as well as depictions of cultural traditions of the Breton village of Pont-Aven. Immersed in the local creative community, which included such contemporaries as Paul Gauguin, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pont-Aven School artists laid the groundwork for future creative movements. Bretonne dans une allee (n.d.), or “Breton woman in an alley,” is exemplary of the artist’s style, featuring meticulous brushwork and a nuanced approach to vibrant hues to convey the atmosphere of a rural vignette through a romantic light.
American Gothic Revival Rosewood and Marble-Top Center Table
American Gothic Revival Rosewood and Marble-Top Center Table (mid-19th century). Est. $20,000–$40,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
In the mid-19th century, the style of Gothic Revival exploded in popularity in America. With a design attributed to architect Alexander Jackson Davies (1803–1892), this rosewood and marble-top table echoes the hallmark details of Gothic Revival architecture, including scalloped edge, acorn pendants, and trefoil feet. Davis was the designer for the famed Kenwood country villa near Albany, New York, of which a historical illustration of the drawing rooms features an example of this table as its centerpiece, emphasizing its significance within both the architect’s and the movement’s evolution.
Regency Rosewood and Bronze-Mounted Desk
Regency Rosewood and Bronze-Mounted Desk. Est. $$8,000–$12,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Part of a larger move toward neoclassical ideals that emerged in the mid-18th century through mid-19th century in response to the hyper-decorative Rococo style, Regency-era furniture was sleek in design and luxurious in detail. The present desk bears exotic rosewood and intricate bronze details, coupled with legs that evoke architectural columns of antiquity and scrolled feet. Likely by Morel and Hughes, it is a consummate example of Regency design and quality.
Scottish School, Portrait of a Gentleman with a Rifle and Faithful Companion (n.d.)
Scottish School, Portrait of a Gentleman with a Rifle and Faithful Companion (n.d.). Est. $4,000–$7,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
The 19th-century Scottish School of Painting heralded the beginnings of Modernism in Scotland. Influenced by international art movements, artists in Scotland turned their focus to their immediate surroundings for inspiration—depicting everything from local landscapes to scenes of everyday life and people. This portrait of a young gentleman contains all the elements of a hunt, including a rifle across his lap, ready hound at his knee, and—over his shoulder—a glimpse of the landscape, together offering a window into the life and world of historic Scotland.
Italian Baroque Parquetry and Giltwood-Mounted Commode
Italian Baroque Parquetry and Giltwood-Mounted Commode. Est. $5,000–$8,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
Dating to roughly 1700, and hailing from either Rome or Venice, with its gilt details and intricate parquetry, this commode reilluminates the opulence of Baroque design. The pulls of each drawer are in the form of various commedia dell’arte heads, which, in the period of this piece’s creation, reflected various widely recognized character personalities. At the two front canted corners, additional theatrical detail is shown in the inclusion of grotesque masques. Combined, the elements demonstrate the opulence and the drama of the Baroque style.
Ruby and Diamond Ring. Est. $50,000–$80,000. Courtesy of New Orleans Auction Galleries.
No discussion of the Estates Sale would be complete without mention of the dynamic range of fine jewelry. Made from 14k yellow gold and a combined weight of 2.25 carats of diamonds, at the center of this ring is a showstopping 6.13 carat ruby. With a streamlined design, the elements of this ring are no less lavish, making a timeless addition to any jewelry collection.
New Orleans Auction Galleries’ Estates Auction will be held October 18–19, 2025.
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