Chinese Antiques were front and center at Antique Helper’s March 19 Art and Antiques Auction Featuring Asian Antiques.  New market prices were set as lot after lot managed to bring prices far beyond expectations.

 The action started in full-swing early in the sale, when the second lot offered, a Chinese Cloisonné footed hexagonal planter brought nearly 20 times expected high estimate of $900.  The bidding ended at a head-spinning $16,000.

Strong bidding continued as bidders watched a blue and white Chinese Kangxi porcelain beaker vase (est. $3,000-$5,000) sail past high estimate as well, bringing an amazing hammer price of $23,000. 

 Strong sales continued throughout this session.  Among a selection of Chinese Sang De Boeuf (Oxblood) glazed porcelain was a pair of late 18th-early 19th Century storage jars (est. $500-$900).  They easily managed to surpass high estimate, with a price of $1,200.  Bringing an even more impressive price was a Chinese Oxblood vase mounted as a lamp (est. 150-$300).  After heavy telephone and Internet bidding, the hammer dropped at $4,000.

 A wonderful collection of Chinese and Japanese bronze censers received much pre-sale attention.  These items sold consistently well, with several exceeding expectations. Among the superstars of this session was a Chinese Ming Dynasty gold splash bronze Xuande tripod censer (est. $1,000-$2,000), which brought $2,300.  Another Ming Dynasty Xuande censer /  incense burner (est. $500-$800) faired even better, brining a winning bid of $4,000.  It was a Ming Dynasty Xuande tripod censer with a Xuande Nian Zhi cast mark that ultimately stole the show.  Equipped with a reasonable estimate of $2,000-$4,000, this desirable piece sold to a Internet bidder for $10,000. 

 A set of Persian Ottoman Empire style onlaid armor, including khula kud (helmet), chain mail and shield received much pre-sale attention.  It sold within estimate, going to an Artfact bidder for $5,000.

 This was a great auction for traditional art and antiques as well.  A pair of tall Victorian Eastlake style display cabinets (est. $400-$700) brought a hammer price of $1,150 from a floor bidder.  Going the same way was an Eastlake style dresser, which sold within estimate at $550.  Fans of Victorian painting had the opportunity to bid on an exceptional British school landscape, signed L. Kubler.  This bucolic scene, featuring grazing sheep and cattle, sold within estimate at $1,000. 

 Among a group of New York City related maps and prints was an 1856 Currier and Ives large format chromolithograph, “The City of New York.”  Expected to bring between $600 and $900, it brought $1,600.  An early map of the Americas (est. $100-$200), from a 1631 imprint also exceeded expectations, with a hammer price of $1,050.   

 An impressive Quezal heart and vine iridescent art glass lamp and shade received much pre-sale attention.  While it was noted that this lamp had some restoration to its foot, it had no trouble surpassing its high estimate of $2,500, bringing a winning bid of $3,500 from an Internet bidder.

 Antique Helper is no stranger to the works of Italian Sculptor, Edgardo Simone (1890-1958).  After making its mark with an historic auction from this early 20th Century artist’s estate in December of 2005, the company has had additional opportunities to sell Simone works at subsequent auctions.  The most recent bronze statue to find its way to an Antique Helper auction catalog was an art deco depiction Diana the Huntress.  Expected to bring between $2,000 and $3,000, this bronze beauty hit the mark at $3,750, selling to an Art Fact bidder. 

 There was plenty of room for whimsy in this auction.  A session that included antique dolls, skateboards, pedal cars and other toys garnered the attention of collectors and generated a great deal of online attention on Antique Helper’s Facebook page. 

The undisputed champion in this area was, without a doubt a Schwinn Grey Ghost Stingray bicycle.  Proving that nothing speaks more loudly to a collector than memories, this Holy Grail of childhood transportation sparked a lively and nostalgic dialog among Antique Helper fans.  It sold just below estimate, at $500, to a very happy floor bidder.

 Another, more grown-up plaything presented itself in the form of a vintage Jennings five cent Sun Chief slot machine.  It sold within estimate for $2,000. 

 Aside from the gold jewelry and rings that were offered in this auction, there was a single piece of sterling jewelry that shone brighter than the rest:  A vintage Spratling silver Aztec sunburst bracelet sold nicely within  estimate at $1,250.

 Antique Helper is now accepting consignments for the April 16 Art and Antiques auction featuring Modern Glass and the Second and Fourth Tuesday Express Auctions.

 For more information, visit www.antiquehelper.com or call 317-251-5635.  Follow Antique Helper on Facebook for up-to-date news about auctions, consignments and upcoming Antique Helper events.