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Case Auctions
Live Auction

2023 Summer Fine Art & Antiques (Day 1)

Sat, Jul 8, 2023 09:00AM EDT
Lot 169

Western NC Mountain Landscape with Wagon and Figures, Hudson River School Style

Estimate: $2,800 - $3,200
Sold for

Bid Increments

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$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$3,000 $200
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
American School, Western North Carolina, mid 19th century oil on canvas landscape painting from the Asheville, NC region depicting a view of mountains in the background and a rocky cliffside to the left, with a winding road and wagon with cattle team lead by an African American figure in the foreground, a white figure on horseback in the mid-ground, and an African American sheep herder in the background, all under a cloudy blue sky. Signed in lower left "J.J.[illegible]. Sight: 20 1/4" H x 16 7/8" W. Framed: 26 1/8" H x 22 3/4" W. Note: Although the artist's identity remains unknown, due to the Mears family provenance this painting was likely created by a nineteenth-century artist working in the Hudson River School style and active in Western North Carolina. George Augustus Mears was born in 1838 to James Barnes Mears of Tennessee and Margaret Elvira Mears (born Penland) in North Carolina. He had 8 siblings, including Myra E. Wells (born Mears) and Lieut. Samuel Marion Mears. George married Nancy M. Mears (born Roberts) (1844-1916) and had 9 children, including Samuel Parley Mears and Ella Webster (born Mears). In 1885 he constructed the George A. Mears House located at 137 Biltmore Avenue, a two-and-a-half-story brick Queen Anne-style building listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 26, 1979. After serving in the Confederate 16th Regiment, North Carolina Infantry during the Civil War, Mears was an Asheville merchant who was in business between 1870 and 1910 on South Main Street, principally with his Mears Daylight Store, which burned in the 1920s. (Adapted from the Preservation Society of Asheville and Buncombe Co. and Ancestry.com).

Condition

Fine craquelure throughout. Minute abrasions to edges, primarily lower corners and top edge. Scattered minute exfoliation. Patch repair en verso with corresponding retouching near wheels of wagon. Scratch to varnish lower quadrant measuring approximately 11 1/2" L.

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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 )

Buyer pays shipping and is responsible for making arrangements through our recommended shippers or an outside shipper of your choice. For pre-auction estimates, provide the lot number(s) to the recommended shipper(s) of your choice:

The UPS Store of Bearden Contact - Joe 865-584-0081 (press 5), fax 865-584-0094 store2630@theupsstore.com

The UPS Store of Northshore Contact - Eve 865-951-2499 store6461@theupsstore.com

John & Max Express LLC NOTE: white glove delivery for furniture, fine art, and freight items (driving range limitations may apply, US only) Contact - Yev or Nadiya 865-230-1567 johnmaxexpress@gmail.com

Package Manager (UPS, FedEx, USPS, & DHL) NOTE: Crate and large freight services are also offered Contact - Burak 865-584-3000 Info@packagemanager.net

Descended in the Mears family of Asheville, North Carolina.