Description:

Andrew LaMar Hopkins (American/New Orleans, b. 1977) , "Basile Crokere Fencing Master AKA Cameo Man", 2014, acrylic on canvas board, signed and dated lower right, signed, titled, gallery label with artist and title and artist business card en verso, 11 in. x 14 in., framed. Note: "At a young age when I was first learning about New Orleans free people of color none fascinated me more than Basile Crokere, also known as the ‘Cameo Man’ because of his love of carved cameos. Basile Raphael Crocker was a New Orleans free man of color. Basile owned a small plantation on the right side of Bayou Road in 1835. H was an early real estate developer in Treme. He bought and built houses on the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Ursulines Street. He was a fencing master and had a fencing school on Bayou Road, near Claiborne. His school Salle d’Armes was always crowded with students. The Creole gentry did not scruple to cross swords with him in private assaults. Crokere was said to be one of the handsomest men of New Orleans. With dignity he walked down the street in his green broadcloth suit with spotless linen and the widest of black stocks around his neck. He was famous for his collection of carved cameos. He wore cameo rings, breast pins and even a cameo bracelet. Basile was also a skilled mathematician and a craftsman of some reputation. As a carpenter he became one of the most skilled builders of staircases in New Orleans. Only one other man was his equal in this trade, his friend Noel J. Bacchus. Crokere was 79 at his death in 1879 and was survived by his wife Antoinette Hazeur.” – Andrew LaMar Hopkins Ref.: Hopkins, Andrew. “Colorful Creoles, The Lifestyle & Legacy of New Orleans Free People of Color. Part 2 The Paintings in the Collection.” Andrew Hopkins Art. March 21, 2015. www.andrewhopkinsart.blogspot.com. Accessed Oct. 19, 2021.

  • Condition: Condition is NOT stated in the description of the lot. The absence of a condition report does not indicate the lot is free of damage or condition issues. Available Condition Reports will appear as an additional image. Condition Reports and photographs may be requested on items until the Wednesday prior to the auction. Bid accordingly. All sales are final, no returns are accepted on the basis of condition.

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November 20, 2021 11:00 AM CST
New Orleans, LA, US

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$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
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$30,000 $49,999 $5,000
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