(NORTHPORT, Ala.) – A magnificent, nearly flawless diamond and platinum ring, boasting VVS1 quality, with a 6-carat center stone and a total weight of 8.22 carats, soared to $77,000 at a multi-estate sale held June 28 by Hal Hunt Auctions. Multiple bidders in the room battled for the ring before one determined participant finally claimed the prize. The ring was the top achiever of the 285 lots sold.
“For a little summer estate sale, I’d say we had a pretty good day,” said Hal Hunt of Hal Hunt Auctions. “There were plenty of good bargains in the furniture category, and jewelry, silver and smalls all sold within range.” The results were made more impressive by the fact that there were no phone, left or Internet bidding components. “We sold entirely to the room, around 150 people,” Mr. Hunt remarked.
The ring featured 2.22 carats of surrounding stones and a $5,000 mounting. It was one of more than 30 pieces of estate jewelry that changed hands. Others included a 2.83-carat emerald ring with 1.80 carats of surrounding diamonds ($6,600); a 2.29-carat total weight, 3-diamond past-present-future ring ($3,575); and an antique platinum 1.29-carat emerald and diamond pendant on pearl necklace ($2,310).
Additional highlights from the sale follow. All prices quoted include a 10 percent buyer’s premium.
A monumental English secretary desk with inlay from a prominent Georgia estate, more than 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide, coasted to $3,080; a beautiful carved French armoire, the cover piece for the auction catalog and standing 9 feet tall by 5 feet 10 inches wide, brought $2,750; a Bombay French armoire, nearly 9 feet tall, fetched $2,640; and a walnut European bookcase, over 8 feet tall, hit $1,760.
A handsome rosewood 4-drawer marble-top French chest topped out at $1,980; a nice pair of antique English leather wingback chairs realized $770 each; a Scottish mahogany tall chest (circa 1860) hammered for $1,650; a 1920s-era French gold leaf curio cabinet breezed to $770; a stately English-style carved pub bar commanded $3,575; and an early 19th century French wine tasting table made $990.
Large, boxed sterling silver sets did extremely well. A spectacular service in the Violet pattern chalked up $8,800; another service in the Grand Baroque pattern climbed to $6,600; and a nice set in the King Richard pattern achieved $4,400. Also, a set of 12 sterling silver goblets sold for just under $200 each (or $2,322 for the set), while a set of 8 sterling goblets fetched $148.50 each (or $1,188 for the set).
An antique bronze candelabra with cherub decoration, 2 feet 3 inches tall, went for $440; an Art Deco alabaster statue lamp, 1 feet 3 inches tall, realized $330; an artist-signed antique bronze statue of a figure playing a mandolin, 2 feet tall, brought $1,980; another antique bronze statue reached $1,100; and a Regency French marble-top curved-end sideboard (circa 1880s), 6 feet wide, hit the mark for $2,200.
Hal Hunt Auctions is a direct importer of Persian rugs, and there was a large selection of them at this auction. Turkish, Oushak, antique Heriz, Bakatari, Mahal and Tabriz pieces went for prices ranging from $1,100 to $9,900 each. Also, a dazzling stainless steel and gold Rolex man’s wristwatch found a new owner for $3,850, while a woman’s Rolex watch of comparable quality and condition hit $3,700.
Hal Hunt Auctions’ next big sale will be an on-site affair, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 10 a.m. Sold will be the contents of the historic Kirkwood Mansion in Eutaw, Ala., built in 1860, comprising the lifetime estate collections of Al and Danky Blanton. The Kirkwood Mansion is located at 111 Kirkwood Dr. in Eutaw, about 35 miles southwest of Tuscaloosa, Ala., off exit 40 of I-20.
An on-site preview will be held the day before the sale, on Friday, Sept. 4, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information as the sale date approaches, log on to www.halhunt.com. 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 send them an e-mail at [email protected].
Hal Hunt Auctions conducts most of its sales in its spacious showroom gallery, located at 5925 Highway 43 in Northport, Ala. The firm is dedicated to bringing the Northport-Tuscaloosa area, and the state of Alabama overall, a large supply of merchandised for dealers, rare items for collectors, and fine furnishings and accessories for decorators and individual buyers. The firm specializes in fine European and American antiques, large bronze sculptures, garden statuary, Persian rugs, fine artwork and more.
Auctions may consist of one estate or a combination of estates, or a direct import container from Europe. Sales are typically held every 4-6 weeks. Hal Hunt Auctions is open daily for wholesale, and retail by appointment. Hal Hunt represents the third generation of Hunts in the auction and import business. His father, Harry Hunt Sr., is still active in the auction business, as are two of his brothers.
For more information about Hal Hunt Auctions and the upcoming Sept. 5 on-site sale in Eutaw, Ala., you may log on to www.halhunt.com