: George Ferrell has been in the business and conducting auctions
for 39 years, as of last month, so he was not surprised by the
good prices he recently received for some excellent antiques.
"When you buy the best you will always do well; the best always
appreciates. I am now selling estates for people who bought the
items from me in the first place and I see it again and again;
the people who bought the great antiques are more than getting
their money back."
The highlights of this sale were from the estate of Ruth Warnke
of North Carolina, and pieces deaccessioned from the Margaret
Woodbury Strong Museum, where they had been kept in storage for
years - thus ensuring their exceptional condition.
"I have only had about three auctions over the years that compare
with this one," Ferrell said. "It proved to me there's only so
much of this really great stuff available so when you see it, buy
it."
There were 285 signed bidders on the floor and phone from New
York, California, Florida, Maine, Illinois, Texas, Kansas, North
Carolina and the Pacific Northwest. International bidders using
eBay Live Auctions to place bids came from England, Italy,
Australia, Canada, China and the United Arab Emirates.
"These were just the successful bidders," said Ferrell, adding,
"We know because we are shipping pieces to all these places." The
total for the two-day sale, according to Ferrell who said that
eBay kept a running total, was $1,158,000. All prices given
include the buyer's premium.
Chiparus bronze and ivory grouping on a marble base sold for
$44,275.
Some of the top items included a Tiffany Arrowroot table lamp
that brought $49,450 and a bronze and ivory grouping on a marble
base, signed Chiparus, that went out for $44,275. There were
several sets of furniture that had bidders very eager to compete.
Two sets that took top honors were a Victorian walnut,
four-piece, marble top bedroom suite that was attributed to
Herder, and sold for $27,600 and a carved oak, 11-piece dining
room set that brought $26,450.
A miniature silver and enameled 15-jewel quarter-hour repeater
carriage clock was just one of many miniature clocks from a large
collection. This one brought $7,935.
This large Victorian carved mahogany étagère sold for $28,750,
one of several very large pieces that did well.
While miniature was good, large seemed to be the word of the
day. A large, coin operated Symphonion floor model disc music box
brought $24,150 and a heavily carved oak huntboard with game and
figures, attributed to Alexander Roux, went for $10,350.
Victorian furniture is becoming more popular and a large
Victorian, carved mahogany étagère sold for $28,750, while a
Victorian walnut cylinder roll desk, with a bookcase top, rolled
out of the gallery for $15,525.
Ferrell had a pair of large, 81-by-41-inch, leaded glass scenic
windows that were purchased for $6,900 and another large item, a
heavily carved, double sided, three-panel floor screen, with
griffins at the top.
The screen is attributed to R.J. Horner and went for $5,465.
Another large piece was a bronze mounted commode with porcelain
plaques marked "B&R" (Burnet & Roux) on bronze that sold
for $23,000.
Ferrell Auction Company is at 5505 West Highway 34. For
information, www.ferrellauction.com, or 970-635-0044.
