A beautifully crafted rosewood Belter bed, made around 1850, made $42,900 at a multi-estate sale held January 18-19 by Stevens Auction Company.

The solid, curved, laminated bed featured carved cupids in the headboard and was the top lot of the sale. In all, over 600 lots changed hands at the weekend event. Belter pieces were in abundance and dominated the auction.

Belter pieces (all made 1845-1860) included: a rosewood Victorian wardrobe with cupid crown and fruit basket finials ($22,000); a large rosewood triple-back sofa with Strong pattern and silk, scalamandre upholstery ($18,700); a Victorian laminated rosewood meridienne with Strong pattern and silk, scalamandre upholstery ($16,500); and a gorgeous laminated rosewood etagere, 76” tall ($17,600).

A pair of Belter rosewood sewing stands, 33” tall, went for $4,070 each, while a rosewood Victorian Belter sofa with Scroll pattern hit $1,980. Belter chairs also did well: a rosewood side chair, Fountain Elm with Napoleonic bees, reached $6,050; a laminated rosewood parlor arm chair, Rosalie with grapes, hit $4,620; and a rosewood pierce-carved slipper chair, Oak Leaf pattern, made $3,520.

“We were nervous going into this sale, what with news of the economy being all gloom and doom,” said Dwight Stevens, “but we had a remarkably strong turnout both days, with nice high prices realized. People will flock to quality, and there was a lot of quality in this auction. There aren’t many things you can buy and enjoy, then sell again at a profit. Quality antiques are a very sound investment.”

www.stevensaucton.com

Posted: 01|29|08 at 10:06 pm. Filed under: Auction News.