HILLSBOROUGH, N.C. — Just two hours into Leland Little’s auction on Friday, December 16, a Nineteenth Century, Roman style carved stone urn surpassed all expectations. The classical style vessel featured two carved figural mask handles and foliate carving, the cartouche reading “Servillo Secundo Aug.” It more than tripled its high estimate to hammer at $33,000, totaling $38,940 with the 18 percent buyer’s premium.

A complete report on the full auction will appear in a future edition.