Everyone who saw the A.L. Jewell copper weathervane in the form of a horse soaring through a hoop loved it, but, as is the case at auctions, only one bidder could take it home. The rare vane created quite a stir among the capacity crowd as it crossed the auction block at Skinner’s February 18 Americana auction.

The full bodied and sheet copper vane, from the collection of Meryl and Jay Weiss, opened for bidding at $24,000 and despite keen activity in the room, it ultimately sold to a phone bidder for $160,000.

One of three known American crooked back chairs, a carved and painted maple and cane example from about 1715 to 1725, was another gem in the auction. Bidding opened at $30,000 and ended when the chair sold for $110,500 to a phone bidder. Thought to have been made in Boston, the chair is distinguished by its flowing spooned back and stylish carving.

A complete report of this sale will appear in a future edition.