16th century suit of armor charges to $31K at Moran’s

MONROVIA, Calif. – Moran’s Traditional Collector auction July 21 lit up the summer auction season with a fine selection of decorative items, furniture and fine art. Steadfast silver, unique armor and quality furnishings appealed to seasoned and novice collectors alike. Absentee and Internet live bidding was available through LiveAuctioneers.

The Traditional Collector auction featured an exciting collection of antique arms and armor consigned from a single collection. A 16th century German cuirassier suit of armor (above) with a beautifully etched breastplate prompted a bidding war when it hit the block, surpassing its $15,000-$25,000 estimate and selling for $31,250 (all prices realized include Moran’s 25 percent buyer’s premium). A second suit of armor marched past its $8,000-$12,000 estimate to bring $16,250.

An English officer’s light cavalry saber with a distinctive curved blade set with a lion’s head handle brought $1,000. A Continental rapier (below) was one of the most popular items on preview leading up to the auction and sold for $2,812.50.

Those looking to add to their next dinner party found plenty of tempting options at the auction. Moran’s offered several lots of Royal Danica porcelain, including a set of demitasse cups that brought $3,750. A rare porcelain dinner service in the Paradise Maroon pattern from Royal Crown Derby (below) soared past its $1,000-$2,000 estimate to sell for $5,937.50. A stunning and hard to find chocolate service in the Adam pattern by San Francisco’s Shreve & Co. sold for $1,125, far above its conservative $400-$600 estimate. An exquisite Whiting & Co. Lily flatware service was one of the most highly anticipated lots in the sale, selling a phone bidder for $3,437.50.

European furnishings brought out collectors to the auction as well. A beautifully made Spanish desk dating to the 18th century caused a bidding war among two floor bidders, with one winning out at $5,000. Several English and Irish buckets consigned from an Orange County collection inspired strong interest before the auction. A gorgeous pair of Irish peat buckets surpassed their $800-$1,200 estimate to bring $5,625. A pair of Continental pricket sticks caused a bidding war when they hit the block and sold for $4,062.50.

French works of art performed strongly during the day. A Marcel Dyf vase with flowers rendered in the artist’s imitable style sailed past its $3,000-$5,000 estimate to bring $8,125.

A gorgeous Pierre Puvis de Chavannes pastel portrait of a young woman caused a stir when it hit the block. A determined phone bidder won out and took the lot home for $13,750.

An orientalist painting from a follower of Frederick Arthur Bridgman was one of the most popular lots in the preview and sold for $6,875 at the auction.