Miller & Miller Canadiana & Folk Art The Marty Osler Collection II
Feb 12,2022
1-833-662-4800
info@millerandmillerauctions.com
www.millerandmillerauctions.com

NEW HAMBURG, ONTARIO, CANADA — Original oil paintings by Franz Johnston and Alexander Young Jackson, both founding members of Canada’s “Group of Seven,” plus a one-piece Adam-style corner cupboard from an estate near Orono, Ontario, are expected top lots in an online-only Canadiana & Folk Art Auction to be conducted by Miller & Miller Auctions on Saturday, February 12.
Categories include folk art, furniture, art, tools, Canadiana, architectural items, vintage toys, pottery and stoneware and beautiful textiles.
The oil on board rendering by Franz Johnston (1888-1949), titled “The Battlement, Lake of the Woods,” measures 13 by 10½ inches and is expected to climb to $17/23,000. It is a vibrant and rare example, with strong brush strokes and content that’s typical of “The Group Impressionism.” Johnston resigned from the Group in 1924 as his style became more “realistic.”
“St Lawrence South Shore Village,” an oil on panel by Alexander Young Jackson (1882-1974) dates to circa 1945 and has an estimate of $14/22,000. Jackson was key in bringing together the artists of Montreal and Toronto; the work features gallery labels on back for Klinkhoff, Montreal and Thielsen, London.
The one-piece Adam-style corner cupboard, made in Canada around 1835, survives in untouched condition, is 84 inches tall by 50 inches wide and is expected to hit $6/9,000.

Also featured will be Part 2 of the many collections of Marty Osler. Part 1, held in April 2021, was led by a select offering of decoys, fishing reels and rods, many by Hardy Bros. of England. The decoy collection was primarily Canadian and included examples by Carl O. Rankin, Frank Dolsen, Billy Ellis and Ken Anger. Part 2 will focus on select Canadiana and decorative arts.
“We are very excited about this second sale of select Canadiana and decorative arts from Marty Osler’s personal collection,” said Peter Baker, who Miller & Miller engaged to serve as an advisor for the sale. “Marty collected exceptional and unusual pieces, including painted country furniture and classic folk art that are the backbone of this sale, but we are also pleased to offer works by prominent artists such as Robert Pilot, Manly Macdonald, A.F. Loemans, Goodridge Roberts, Horatio Walker and Jackson and Johnston.”

“In addition,” Baker continued, “we have the imaginative folk art of Edmond Chatigny, George Cockayne and Ewald Rentz and, rarely seen in Canada, pieces by noted outsider artists Purvis Young, R.A. Miller, Steve Sutch, Howard Finster and Jim Sudduth.”

Baker concluded, “Traditional collectors will find North American beadwork, stoneware, weathervanes, cast iron toys and several book pieces of Canadiana in the sale. This promises to be a truly memorable auction with many pieces having not seen the ‘light-of-day for decades.’”
Sculptures by Edmond Chatigny (1895-1992) include “Bird Sculpture,” made in Quebec circa 1970, and “Farm Scene.”
Decorative accessories will be plentiful, notably a large Eighteenth Century Pennsylvania bride’s box, a ship whirligig and a fretwork panel marked “Elohim.” Prices quoted have been converted from Canadian Dollars into US Dollars based on the exchange rate at press time.

The 376-lot auction has a start time of 9 am Eastern time, with Internet bidding available on the Miller & Miller website, www.millerandmillerauctions.com, as well as www.liveauctioneers.com. Telephone and absentee bids will also be accepted. For more information, 519-573-3710.