A Festive Finish: December Sale Realizes $2,439,042 with 90% of Lots Sold

Asheville, North Carolina, 7 December, 2019 - With its inlaid surfaces, fitted interior, and mellow color, an important North Carolina Walnut cellarette (lot 1579) captured the attention of the southern furniture collecting community. Bidding came from all quarters – with excitement and energy.  Numerous phones, as well as live and internet bidders, pushed the hammer price well beyond the estimate. The final price of $196,800 makes it a record for a southern cellarette and the second highest priced example of North Carolina Furniture ever sold.

Lot 1579, Important North Carolina Inlaid Mahogany Cellarette; Sold for $196,800

Attributed to Micajah Wilkes, this late 18th century-early 19th century Roanoke River Valley cellarette is an extraordinary example of Southern craftsmanship. It’s quality, historical significance, very fine condition, and newness to market created an environment of intense competition – one by one the phones went silent until the successful bidder stood alone. The sale of this important Southern cellarette demonstrates Brunk Auctions’ continuing tradition of delivering exceptional results for this iconic form and many other examples of fine Southern furniture. 

With strong results for American Furniture, Fine Art, Coins and Currency, Jewelry, and Photography and an auction total of $2,439,042 with a 90% sell through rate, Brunk Auctions’ has finished an excellent year on a high note..

Lot 1734, Henry Merwin Shrady, Buffalo-Monarch of the Plains; Sold for $184,500

Lot 1734, the patinated bronze sculpture, Buffalo-Monarch of the Plains, by noted American Renaissance sculptor, Henry Merwin Shrady, secured the second highest total of the sale, finishing at a final price of $184,500. Other American Fine Art highlights included Lot 1684, John Koch’s The Visitors, which sold for $61,500, Lot 1721, John Frederick Kensett’s work, Niagara Falls, which achieved $44,280, and Lot 1368, Claude Howell’s oil on canvas, Sorting the Catch, which realized $34,440.

The Silver and Coins and Currency departments both posted 97% sell through rates–the highest across the categories of sale. Notable Coins and Currency results include Lot 1273, Twelve Rolls of High Grade Peace Dollars which realized $7,995 and Lot 1271, Five American Gold Eagles which finished at a final total of $7,995. Lot 1224, a Spanish Colonial Silver Lion Pomander claimed the top lot of the silver category, achieving $7,040. 

A Platinum 5.58ct. Diamond Ring, Lot 1092, held the top lot of the Jewelry category, achieving a final total of $31,980. The Jewelry department continues to post strong sell through rates with 95% of lots sold in the December sale.

Neil Leifer’s Muhammed Ali Vs. Cleveland Williams, Houston, Texas, 1966, vintage chromogenic print claimed the top lot of the Photography category, realizing $24,600. Eadweard Muybridge’s Cottonwood Bend, Yosemite, a mammoth albumen print, achieved a final total of $10,880 –well over its $5,000-$7,000 estimate. Overall, 87% of lots sold in the Photography category.

Andrew Brunk, President of Brunk Auctions, remarked that, “it was a solid December sale, with several “A+” offerings. The high sell through rates and prices realized demonstrate the continuing demand across categories and reinforces our reputation for bringing the best to market.”

With a 90% sell through rate, Brunk Auctions posted good results and looks forward to following up on its success for both collectors and consignors, inviting potential consignments at all our locations for Emporium and Premier auctions in 2020.