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Auction Talk with Wayne: September 2017 Auction Highlights

woodland indians portar pestle
The artifacts to be offered by Mebane Auctions on Friday September 15, 2017, go far beyond the everyday offerings of your local antique store. Here we have a Woodland Indians mortar and pestle.

Welcome back…

Labor Day is behind us, and auction houses are bringing out their “big guns” to kick off the fall season. If this month’s auction highlights selection could be identified by a single keyword, it would be “rare.” Lots crossing the block in the next few weeks include ethnographic collectibles from American Woodland Indians; authentic Shaker furniture; a selection of exquisite colored diamonds; and a no-reserve “discovery auction,” consisting of unique artworks by new and established artists. Lots are offered live and/or online, and some venues encourage absentee and phone bidding. There’s always a way to bid! Let’s jump right in…

Clovis, Archaic, and Woodland Period Collectibles

Arrowheads and other Native American artifacts seem like run-of-the-mill collectibles; some antique stores display them by the bucket-full. The artifacts to be offered by Mebane Auctions on Friday September 15 2017 go far beyond the everyday offerings of your local antique store. Mebane will be presenting artifacts from the Clovis period (13,500 years ago), the Archaic period (8,000 to 1,000 BC), and the Woodland period (1,000 BC to European settlement). Serious collectors of North American artifacts will not want to miss this auction.

The event will be held at the Mebane Antique Auction Gallery, 7607 Highway 70 West, Mebane, NC 27302, at 6pm. Preview times are on Thursday, September 14 from 3pm to 8pm and at 9am on the day of the sale. Online bidding is offered through AuctionZip. For additional details and information contact Mebane Auctions at 800.563.9095 or 919.563.2424.

Authentic Shaker Furniture

Arriving from England in 1774, the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing (a.k.a. Shakers), established eighteen self-sufficient communities in the United States. Staunch Christians, their guiding principles were simplicity, utility and honesty. The furniture they created reflected their lifestyle. Shaker furniture is prized for its simplicity in form and proportion.

authentic shaker beds
Collectors of Shaker furniture will be pleased to know that on September 16, 2017, Willis Henry Auctions of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, will offer an unparalleled collection of authentic Shaker furniture from private collectors.

Collectors of Shaker furniture will be pleased to know that on September 16, 2017, Willis Henry Auctions of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, will offer an unparalleled collection of authentic Shaker furniture from private collectors. Provenance of the items is assured. Lots will include Sister’s sewing tables, sewing desks, and cupboards over drawers, all in original finishes; blanket chests, rocking chairs, arm and side chairs, baskets, side tables, and more. For a complete list of lots, the catalog may be viewed or purchased here.

The auction will begin at noon on Saturday. The live event will be held at the Hancock Shaker Village, 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA 01201. Lots may be previewed on 9/14 – Thursday, September 14 from 1am-5pm; Friday, September 15 from 10am-5pm, and Saturday, September 16 from 9:30am -11:30am. Online bidding is offered through Invaluable.com; for details click here  or call Willis Henry Auctions Inc. at (781) 834-7774.

A Rainbow of Colored Diamonds

heritage blue diamond
On September 25, 2017, Heritage Auctions will offer an “exceedingly rare” 3.23 carat cushion-shaped blue diamond set into a platinum ring at their Beverly Hills Fine Jewelry Auction. The pre-sale estimate for this ring is $900,000 – $1,200,000.

On September 25, 2017, Heritage Auctions will offer an “exceedingly rare” 3.23 carat cushion-shaped blue diamond set into a platinum ring at their Beverly Hills Fine Jewelry Auction. The sale will be preceded by previews in Dallas on September 7, 8, and 9; New York City on September 14 and 15; and in Beverly Hills from September 22 – 25.  The pre-sale estimate for this ring is $900,000 – $1,200,000.

Gina D’Onofrio, Director of Fine Jewelry for Heritage Auctions, says of this ring: “No two diamonds are alike and all collectors would agree that natural fancy blue diamonds, although possessing the same grade, can be vastly different. You have to see this beautiful gem in person to truly appreciate it. This collection of colored and colorless diamonds is a rarity for a September auction and it is presents a unique opportunity for savvy collectors.”

Other notable lots in this sale include a 5.04 carat Fancy Intense Purplish-Pink Diamond Ring; a 7.48-carat rectangular brilliant-cut Fancy Intense Yellow Diamond; a White Gold Ring; a 10.45-carat Fancy Yellow oval-shaped Ring; and a matched pair of Fancy Yellow Diamond earrings with a total weight of over 6.00 carats.  Of course, a wide selection of colorless diamonds will be offered as well.

The live event will be held at the Heritage Auctions Beverly Hills location, at 9478 West Olympic Blvd., 1st Floor Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Online bidding is available. For registration, bidding, and payment details visit the Heritage website.

No-Reserve “Discovery” Art Auction

discovery auction art
On Thursday, September 28, 2017, Alderfer Auctions of Hatfield, PA will present an outstanding selection of 19th, 20th, and 21st Century artists working in oil, water colors and pencil.

The second-biggest thrill in art collecting is to be one of the first to discover works by a new artist (the first-biggest thrill being finding an Old Master at a thrift shop).

On Thursday, September 28, 2017, Alderfer Auctions of Hatfield, PA will present an outstanding selection of 19th, 20th, and 21st Century artists working in oil, water colors and pencil. Many works by listed, lesser-known artists will be for sale; some works lack attribution; and some are in need of repair or framing. But, since this is a no-reserve auction, you pay what you want to pay! No more haggling with dealers or paying retail for your decorative art!

The live-only auction will be held at 501 Fairgrounds Road in Hatfield, PA 19440, at 9am. Previews will be held on Saturday, September 23rd from 9am – noon; Monday-Wednesday, September 25th – 28th from 9am – 5pm; and beginning at 8am on the day of the auction. For more information or to view catalog, contact Alderfer Auctions at 215-393-3000, or visit their website.

That’s all for now…

There are some great items listed above, and all can be accessed from the convenience of your home. Don’t miss out! Check out the listings and find that rare item you’ve been looking for! Until next month, bid often!


Wayne Jordan is a Virginia-licensed auctioneer, Certified Personal Property Appraiser and Accredited Business Broker. He has held the professional designations of Certified Estate Specialist; Accredited Auctioneer of Real Estate; Certified Auction Specialist, Residential Real Estate and Accredited Business Broker. He also has held state licenses in Real Estate and Insurance. Wayne is a regular columnist for Antique Trader Magazine, a WorthPoint Worthologist (appraiser) and the author of two books. For more info, check out Wayne’s website at resaleretailing.com or visitWayne’s blog.

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