Lenzkirch grandfather clock made circa 1860 chimes on time for $39,200 at Stevens Auction

BROOKHAVEN, MI, November 19, 2010 (Press-News.org) A magnificent Lenzkirch grandfather clock crafted circa 1860, 8 feet 2 inches tall and featuring a music box that plays 15 ½ inch discs, soared to $39,200 at an on-site auction held Nov. 6 by Stevens Auction Company, based in Aberdeen, Miss. A pair of architecturally important homes headlined the event, held in Brookhaven, along Interstate 55.

The sale was held at one of the homes, known as Edgewood, a Greek Revival structure begun in 1908 and completed in 1912. The mansion was not for sale, only its contents, which included antique furniture, porcelains, marble structures, palace-sized rugs, crystal chandeliers and lighting fixtures, original works of art, rare clocks, china, glassware and Civil War items.

Edgewood was originally built by Charles S. Butterfield, a wealthy turn-of-the-century timber baron. Also sold were the original furnishings from another historic Brookhaven home, the Captain Jack C. Hardy House, built in 1877. The home is a rare surviving example of an Italianate town villa, one of just nine houses in this form in the state. It's for sale by the owner.

About 560 lots crossed the block at the auction, which was heavily attended despite the cool weather. "We had around 400 people," said Dwight Stevens of Stevens Auction Company, "and there was very active phone and absentee bidding. It showed me that the market for good antiques is holding very strong. The lesser items with condition issues brought weaker prices."

Mr. Stevens observed that when he looks around, he sees retail merchants that are hurting, victims of a continuing sour economy. But, so far, the bad news hasn't hit his auction business. "People want to own and appreciate fine objects, and they come to my auctions to find what they want," he said. "I'm selling more and more to individuals and less and less to dealers."

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 12 percent buyer's premium.

The Lenzkirch grandfather clock was by far the top lot of the sale. Runner-up honors went to a rosewood parlor suite by John H. Belter in the Rosalie pattern. The suite - two sofas, four side chairs and one armchair, all made circa 1855 - brought $22,400. Rounding out the top lot trifecta, a round rosewood marble-top table, also made by Belter circa 1855, realized $17,920.

Two other lots topped the $10,000 mark. One was a full-size, all original mahogany Empire full tester plantation bed, made circa 1840 and standing 10 feet 6 inches tall. It fetched $11,760. The other was another monumental bed: a rosewood half tester plantation bed, signed C. Lee and crafted circa 1850. Despite needing some restoration work, it also went for $11,760.

A palace-sized solid mahogany with veneer top banquet table, a massive 18 feet 7 inches long and 5 feet 6 inches wide, with eight leaves, sold to a local bed and breakfast for $8,960. The accompanying 24 straight-leg Chippendale dining chairs (circa 1890) gaveled for $8,736. Also, a large and fine needlepoint Persian rug, 7 feet 6 inches by 9 feet 7 inches, topped out at $8,960.

A walnut sideboard with marble top attributed to Alexander Roux (circa 1860), 7 feet 9 inches tall by 6 feet wide, went to a determined bidder for $8,400; a rosewood parlor cabinet with Sevres plaque attributed to Herter Brothers (circa 1870), 4 feet 5 inches high by 4 feet 9 inches wide, made $7,280; and a large mirror made around 1880, 8 feet 2 inches tall, hit $7,280.

A rosewood marble-top parlor cabinet with pierce-carved etagère, attributed to J. & J.W. Meeks (circa 1855), 7 feet tall, commanded $6,720; a pair of bronze Tiffany light fixtures with signed Quoizel shades, each made around 1910, both brought $6,160; and a large 6-light crystal chandelier that was lit by gas before being electrified, 4 feet wide and circa 1880, rose to $6,048.

A rare Black Forest clock by Lenzkirch that had been made into a miniature house with a cylinder music box (circa 1880) chimed on time for $5,600; a period Empire double-wide mint julep bar, made circa 1840 and measuring 55 inches wide by 36 inches tall, commanded $5,152; and a pair of monumental fantasy pedestals (circa 1880), 4 feet 11 inches tall, made $4,704 each.

A stunning 314-piece Wedgwood dinner service in the Queens pattern garnered $4,704, while three lots drew identical winning bids of $4,480 each: an oak Gothic bracket clock with a rack of bells and chimes, 25 inches tall (circa 1900); a rare Federal butler's chest with an original built-in 8-day clock by E. Terry & Son (circa 1830); and two sizable 19th century figural bronze wall sconces signed by J.E. Caldwell that were gas at one time (each sconce gaveled for $4,480).

Other top achievers included a nice mahogany four-door Empire wardrobe by William McCracken (circa 1845), 8 feet 2 inches tall ($3,136); a mahogany game box with the original antique game pieces made circa 1880 ($2,128); and a pair of rosewood John H. Belter parlor side chairs with blue upholstery in the Rosalie With Grapes pattern made circa 1855 ($1,792 each).

Stevens Auction Company's next big sale is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 15, at the firm's gallery in Aberdeen. Featured will be two prominent estates, one of which is from Savannah, Ga. The sale will include beautiful antique furniture, porcelain, glassware, artwork, rugs and more. Then, sometime in the spring (time and date still TBD), the contents of a Coca-Cola Museum will be liquidated. For a sneak peak at some of the lots, log on to http://www.stevensauction.com.

Stevens Auction Company is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign a single item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (662) 369-2200; or, you can e-mail them at stevensauction@bellsouth.net. To learn more about Stevens Auction Company and the upcoming 2011 calendar of events, please log on to http://www.stevensauction.com.