A stunning pair of mercury glass obelisks that caught my fancy.
‘A symphony of plates, and vases, and silverware and candlesticks,’ he inevitably shouts my way, but I cannot focus. My peripheral vision has caught sight of a cobalt and salmon lustreware pitcher on the bottom shelf of a glass display case. I fumble inside to inspect the piece firsthand, an activity that involves drawing it to the eye or under my handy magnifying loop, all while twirling and turning it around and upside down for signs of irreparable damage. ‘dances in your head!‘ he continues, ‘Is this (pointing at the lustreware in my death grip with a knowing smirk) going to be part of our symphony?’
‘Mayybe?‘ I husband-probe, ‘How do you feel about it?’
And so goes the way of conversation after conversation hinged on our collecting dreams. Saturday afternoon’s grand tour of Doyle At Home ~ Fine Furniture, Decorations, and Paintings unfolded in much the same way as previous auction previews. Whether collecting for pleasure or the pragmatic, the discussion invariably leads to chat of aesthetics and economics. Do we both love it? Can we afford it?
As young collectors, it is prudent to peruse the wares at as many fleas, estate sales, galleries, art and craft fairs, antique shows, and auction previews long before purchasing.
Below is a short, yet suitable list to familiarize you with the larger auction houses as well as smaller regional auctions. Wherever you are, there is an auction for you.
Interior Designers snap up settees like this for a bargain, refurbishing and reupholstering for a spectacular return.
Dizzy from the symphony of china and crystal dancing through my head, this velvet jewel-toned chaise lounge had just the right Hollywood vibe for a good faint.
Camel back sofa with great bones. The Euro-oriental kitsch and the pearlescent sheen of the fabric was a tad over the top.
Antiques and the Arts Online, offers a comprehensive overview of auctions taking place across the United States
Freeman’s, American Furniture, Decorative & Folk Art, English & Continental Furniture & Decorative Arts, Asian Arts, Fine American & European Paintings, Modern and Contemporary Art, Rare Books, Fine Prints, Oriental Rugs, Fine Jewelry & Silver, and 20th /21st Century Design
iGavel online auctions, fine arts, antiques, and collectibles
Phillips De Pury & Company, specializing in contemporary art
Swann Galleries Auctioneers, specializing in rare books and works on paper
Wes Cowan’s Historic Americana Auctions, specializing in Native American art and antiques
Do you know of any well-regarded large or regional auction houses near you? What treasures can be found there?
22 Responses to “Auction Connection”
ms lydia- I fancy the pr of obelisks too. Up near my old country house there was an auction house; its been years – what’s the name? i’ll come back to that, I’m on my first cup of coffee. It was in the cooperstown area and a good place to cut your auction teeth. At first, I thought things would sell cheap and fast, as I was looking around the room sizing up my fellow paddle holding competitors. And then, minutes after the auction started, ‘they started piling in’. Buyers from NYC. The weekend country house had no chance of being furnished in this sea of barracudas. So I watched and waited, for hours. Luckily you could get up from your seat and get coffee or bowl of chili (odd combo). These buyers came and went. They were there for very specific pieces and left. Tip, the good stuff is always at the end.
The pros either stand or bring a seat cushion; I then learned why. I was able to get into a lovely bidding war with a fellow weekender over the most beautiful turn of the century ornately carved rosewood plant stand I had ever seen. It didn’t come home with me. But it felt good to get into the game. Gosh, nothing memorable comes to mind that I took back home after investing nearly a whole day. But, I returned many times after catching the auction fever and little by little filled up the house with some charming pieces. During that phase in my life, my attitude towards snow was positive, it kept long distance savvy buyers away and gave me opportunity to play. Another tip, at country auctions, always preview, prevents buyers remorse. ox t
trish ´s last blog ..Liberty of London
Trish you set the scene beautifully. The hunt for a meaningful object at auction involves many variables, some we can control and others not. Yes, the onslaught of interior designers from the bigger cities do have a certain amount of purchasing power. The beauty of this, on the flip side, is that they are going for the very specific taste of the client or the specific design aesthetic their firm is known for. You, me, us have a larger scope, a perfect attribute when exploring auctions that are the sum of many estates. We can be creative!
I have yet to get into an intense bidding war, but I’m chomping at the bit. I mentioned in the previous post on auctions, that I relish the competitive nature of the auction environment. It’s the closest thing to a contact sport you’ll get in the art world.
Have you had your second cup of coffee and the chance to recall the auction in Cooperstown area?
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Auction Connection
The pair of obelisks are stunning. They are beautiful pieces
le petit cabinet de curiosites´s last blog ..Mots ..words
The obelisks do make a statement. I was enamored with them, but was unsure of the estimate at $600-900 USD. Bidding typically begins at half of the low estimate, which is important to know if your heart is set on an object.
It’s worth noting here that these sales cater mostly to interior designers and are not auctions where a collector of the rare and the authentic would go. Yes, many of the pieces are antiques, but do to damage and over-restoration, they can no longer be considered anything but “in the style of” (code for similar to, but not regarded as the “real McCoy”).
The obelisks, so I learned, are very popular and are indeed new. A pair can be found at almost every Doyle at Home auction.
Lydia´s last blog ..Auction Connection
Lydia – Oh no! Don’t get me involved. I have brought in container loads with antiques from Sweden to the US (just mentioning antiques & auctions makes my husband nervous!). I am now a follower of your lovely blog! Happy Monday! Monika
Splendid Willow´s last blog ..Meet Camilla At “Moderna Museet” In Stockholm
I wouldn’t think to NOT get you involved, Monika. Now that I know you have container loads of contraband from Sweden, I just may divert my attention to taking a dive in your treasures. What, may I ask, is your favorite piece?
Lydia´s last blog ..Auction Connection
Well Lydia, aren’t you curious Georgina! (: Nope, dear I did not end up keeping them all! I actually imported Swedish antiques and then sold them to mainly antique dealers. Did quite well for a while. I have a few pieces that
I will NOT sell. Among them a gray painted secretaire from the 18th c. that I have named “Longing Home”. Here I keep sentimental lovelies from good,
old Sweden.
If I am brave enough, I will start featuring little personal DYI projects and design dilemmas from my own home on my blog in the very near future. I just get a little self concious about letting people I don’t know visit my home. What if people start tweeting about my horrible taste…. Horror! Oh well. There is something out there for everybody.
I have been blogging for about a year. But only got serious about it the last 6-7 months or so. I have met so many amazing people and I am blown away
over all the creative and talented souls out there. Such as yourself! This
is a good & very fun world to be part of!
Hug,
Mon
Splendid Willow´s last blog ..Meet Camilla At “Moderna Museet” In Stockholm
I love the scene you set with this post…I felt like I was there with you! (and love the term “husband-probe” :)!!)
The chaise you show is too cool – would love to get my hands on it and have it reupholstered. I usually just hit flea markets & estate sales – have always wanted to attend an auction.
piper @ one sydney road´s last blog ..{shake it up 2010 – week 6 scoop}
Piper I have been, up until recently, an estate and flea market habituee. I’m adding auctions to my repertoire because I enjoy going to the previews and assigning myself homework. It’s fun to dig deeper into an object’s history, to make an informed decision. I didn’t get the same experience from the random estate sale.
Who knows, maybe you’ll add this experience to your list?
Lydia´s last blog ..Auction Connection
You paint such visual experiences!
I would love to be able to ferret out fabulous finds, but I will leave that to you as I am TRULY clueless when it comes to this.
nichole´s last blog ..Metro at Night
Now if only I could use your photography to “paint” an even more captivating experience?!
Lydia´s last blog ..Auction Connection
I’m pretty much in love with that fabulous chaise!
You’ll have to fight me for a square!;-) I’m sure it’s gauche to report, but I am enamored with the jewel green and am quite unsure I’d change the fabric.
Lydia´s last blog ..Auction Connection
Count me clueless as well. I’ve only been to small fundraiser silent auctions.
I think if I went to a “real” auction, I’d be one of those people terrified to stifle a sneeze, lest I inadvertently win the bid on a mercury glass obelisk.
Stacey Cornelius´s last blog ..Make the most of your down time
My son and I buy and sell antiques so auctions are a weekly ordeal. There are many great small auctions going on in most parts of the country. Smaller county type auctions give you a chance to get your feet wet so to speak. A great place to start and find an auction in your area is auctionzip.com. Auctionzip allows you to type in your zip code and find auctions within a 30-300 mile radius. A search will direct you to the auctioneers page that will provide you with pictures, maps and details.
Kathy G´s last blog ..Mysteries
Kathy, that’s new news to me. I didn’t know that you were deeply involved in the auction world. In any event, auctionzip.com is an excellent resource.
Thanks for posting it!
Lydia, Clueless Crafter´s last blog ..Auction Connection
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Oh, that green velvet chaise! It would be so perfect in my bedroom, right in front of the fireplace.
Antiquing is a favorite pastime with my girlfriends. My husband does not have the patience to walk around and look at things. But he does love auctions.
Angie Muresan´s last blog ..the other purpose of flour
I have chaise envy!! Its my dream to have a chaise lounge in a master BR..one to daydream on! Love it
I have done a little of the Sweden thing as well. When I lived in Germany, Swedish auctions were immensely popular. One time my friend and I went up to Skona on the southeastern coast and attended an auction – I found a pair of pine bedside tables with stone tops and fell in love — when they went up to bid things went fast. fem-di-fem-di-fem is all my brain would register. I had no idea whether the price was at 5 Kroner, or 55 Kroner or 555 Kroner and got scared. Turned out that the pair went for 55 Kroner, or about $20. grrrrr.
My guest rooms are filled with Swedish antiques. I love the austere aesthetic of Swedish pine.
Once my parents had a huge auction to get rid of all their contraband they had collected from NYC demolition sites and stuff from derelict properties they had bought. I was in charge of making cheese sandwiches. I still think of that when I see American Cheese paired with mustard and Wonderbread, which, thankfully, ain’t all that often.
I need to head out and start sifting thru some shops around here for certain pieces. I hate ordering new. Only beds. The rest has to come from somewhere else!
I love the chaise as is too!
Diana Strinati Baur´s last blog ..Albisola, Liguria 7.2.10
Wow! My kind of post. And I do so love those mirrored obelisks. Look forward to catching up with you and your blog. . .
Beautiful blog and a great following. However, you’ve neglected to add Clarke Auction of Larchmont – http://www.ClarkeNY.com Sure it’s the burbs, but it’s only 20 minutes from Manhattan via train or car, and the owner Ronan Clarke of Dublin, lives in Harlem. In fact, most of our buyers reverse travel (except the Paris, London, and Milan dealers who bid remotely) here to take advantage of lower fees and extraordinary finds. Tonight’s monthly auction features four fashion lithos, hand-signed by Halston and Warhol, fanastic Asian antiques, Cartier and Baccarat crystal, Lalique, James Mont midcentury etc.