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Don Presley

Rare and precious items abound in Don Presley’s Dec. 31-Jan. 1 auction

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Three gem-encrusted daggers that once belonged to a former prime minister of Iran, 10 1/2 to 18 inches long. Estimate: $200,000-$225,000. Don Presley Auction image
Three gem-encrusted daggers that once belonged to a former prime minister of Iran, 10 1/2 to 18 inches long. Estimate: $200,000-$225,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

SANTA ANA, Calif. – Don Presley Auction’s New Year’s sale, Dec. 31-Jan. 1, will feature a fantastic selection of items – from a 1947 Harley-Davidson Rigid Hardtail custom motorcycle to three bejeweled daggers that belonged to a former prime minister of Iran. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available through LiveAuctioneers.

During the two full days of selling, bidders can take their pick of more than 1,000 lots worthy of a palace.

The daggers, believed to be from the 18th and 19th centuries, were passed down through the family of Hasan Ali Mansour (1923–1965), prime minister of Iran during the reign of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. One of the ornate daggers is gold and encrusted with diamonds. Another is gold with rubies and emeralds, and the third is silver with highly engraved gilt work and engraved bone plaques on the handle. The daggers are offered as one lot with a $200,000-$225,000 estimate. Bidding will open at $55,000.

A few of the additional highlights follow:

A seven-piece French champlevé portrait vanity set (below) consists of a footed box, covered urn, pillbox, mirror, brush, comb and picture frame.

 

French champleve portrait vanity set, seven pieces. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. Don Presley Auction image
French champleve portrait vanity set, seven pieces. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

A large 19th century Chinese famille rose porcelain bowl has hand-painted panels and decorated gilt bronze feet, base, handles and rim.

 

Chinese famille rose hand-painted porcelain bowl mounted in bronze, circa 1800, 12 1/2 x 21 x 16 inches. Estimate $2,500-$4,000. Don Presley Auction image
Chinese famille rose hand-painted porcelain bowl mounted in bronze, circa 1800, 12 1/2 x 21 x 16 inches. Estimate $2,500-$4,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

“Christofle” is stamped on a silvered bronze cherub centerpiece, which has its original crystal bowl. The centerpiece was made in the late 1800s by the famed French silversmiths.

 

Christofle silvered bronze cherub centerpiece, circa 1890, 9 x 21 x11 inches. Estimate: $9,000-$15,000. Don Presley Auction image
Christofle silvered bronze cherub centerpiece, circa 1890, 9 x 21 x11 inches. Estimate: $9,000-$15,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

A Grand Baroque sterling silver flatware service by Wallace consists of 100 pieces presented in its fitted storage chest with pull-out drawers. The service for 12 includes many serving pieces.

 

Grand Baroque sterling silver flatware service for 12 by Wallace, 100 pieces. Estimate: $6,000-$9,000. Don Presley Auction image
Grand Baroque sterling silver flatware service for 12 by Wallace, 100 pieces. Estimate: $6,000-$9,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

A ladies platinum sapphire and diamond ring contains three natural blue sapphires having a total weight of 2.00 carats and surrounded by baguette-cut diamonds 1.00 total carats. The ring is stamped “PT900” and weighs 9.5 carats.

 

Platinum, natural blue sapphire and diamond ladies ring, size 7 3/4. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Don Presley Auction image
Platinum, natural blue sapphire and diamond ladies ring, size 7 3/4. Estimate: $3,000-$5,000. Don Presley Auction image

 

Out of the ordinary offerings include a rare 24-cent U.S. postage stamp issued in 1861, the steel-blue variety, Scott No. US 70-b, which is estimated at $15,000-$25,000; and the aforementioned 1947 Harley-Davidson custom motorcycle – ready to ride – which is expected to sell for $20,000-$40,000.

For additional information on any item in the auction, call 714-633-2437.

 

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