Sheraton-style dining room suite brings $11,550 at Hal Hunt multi-estate sale held May 3

May 15, 2009 - PRLog -- (NORTHPORT, Ala.) - A monumental Sheraton-style dining room suite – comprising a 10-foot Regency table, a set of ten Maitland Smith dining chairs and a massive breakfront – sold for $11,550 at a multi estate sale held May 3 by Hal Hunt Auctions. The suite was only made within the last 20 years, “which proves that quality merchandise doesn't need to be antique to bring high prices,” Hal Hunt said.

   Around 175 people attended the event, held on a balmy Sunday afternoon in Hal Hunt Auctions' showroom, located at 5925 Highway 43 North in Northport. By the time the final gavel fell, 325 lots had changed hands and everyone went home happy. “A lot of folks got some great bargains,” Mr. Hunt remarked. “Prices were generally lower than expected, but the good news is people are still buying.”

   The auction comprised several prominent local estates, to include one from North Carolina and the estate of Dr. David Mason of Hamilton, Ala. Sold were porcelains; oil paintings; fine furniture; sterling silver; tapestries; chests; dining tables and chairs; and more. It was an old-fashioned country sale – no Internet or phone bidding – although absentee bids were allowed (and several were winners).

   Following are additional highlights from the sale. All prices quoted include a 10 percent buyer's premium.

   Spectacular period furniture pieces dominated the day's offerings. A 1920s-era high-style French nine-piece dining room suite gaveled for $4,950; a late 19th-century antique French sofa with original tapestry fabric realized $3,025; a flip-top console table that converts to a dining table (circa 1920s) rose to $2,200; and a gorgeous bronze mounted French bureauplat desk found a new owner for $2,200.

   An antique Biedermeier chest commanded $3,520; an antique English chest-on-chest earned $3,850; a sweeping three-piece Victorian burl walnut marble-top bedroom suite achieved $2,750; a majestic Victorian walnut four-door bookcase coasted to $2,475; and a nice Centennial Chippendale highboy climbed to $1,450. Also, a Victorian walnut pier mirror with carved figure bust made $1,650.  

   A spectacular 337-piece Chantilly sterling silver service housed in a handsome case realized $7,700; a Francis I 87-piece sterling silver service topped out at $1,100; a 32-piece Buttercup sterling silver service went to a determined bidder for $3,575; a five-piece sterling silver tea set with original sterling tray garnered $3,575; and a set of twelve sterling silver goblets went for a combined $1,782.

   A 19th-century Sevres porcelain urn with figures, 29 inches tall, chalked up $3,850; a pair of contemporary wrought-iron driveway gates (12 feet high by 8 feet 6 inches wide) went for $2,200 for the pair; a pair of Meissen 19th-century figural groups needing minor cosmetic restorations (17 inches tall each) attained $1,760 each; and two bronze candelabras with alabaster bases sold for $1,100 each.

   Rounding out the day's top lots: a pair of two Rose Medallion candelabras, 21 inches high, reached $825 for the pair; an adorable set of two 19th-century Jacob Petit porcelain cachepots brought $825 for the pair; a pair of Meissen candlesticks with cherubs, 15 inches high, hammered for $660 each; a wall-mount moose head hit $1,045; and several display showcases went for $440-$660 each.

   Hal Hunt Auctions' next big sale will be a multi-estate auction, slated for Sunday, June 28, beginning at 12:30 p.m. A preview will be held Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Then, on Saturday, June 5, an on-site sale will be held in Eutaw, Ala., to sell the contents of the antebellum Kirkwood Mansion. Sold will be 400 lots of high-quality Empire, Federal and Victorian furniture.

   Hal Hunt Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future sales. To consign an item, an estate or a collection, you may call them directly, at (205) 333-2517, or you can e-mail them at halhunt@bellsouth.net. Hal Hunt Auctions also purchases entire estate collections for cash. To learn more about the company and the upcoming June 28 and Sept. 5 auctions, log on to www.halhunt.com.


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Ken Hall writes pre-sale and post-sale press releases for auction houses, for a fee. He writes, submits and tracks stories for clients. Submissions are published in trade magazines, posted on industry websites and appear in local newspapers.