GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich. – Stefek’s Inc., a full-service auction company based in upscale Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich., specializes in estates and lives by the motto: “The most important estate sale we will ever do is … yours.
For the past 10 years, Stefek’s has been a leading name in the dispersal of personal property in southeastern Michigan, offering a “top-to-bottom” service to its clientele. “What this means is that we not only take the best items for auction, but we also help liquidate the remaining residential contents and clean out the home,” said Stefek’s owner, ISA-certified appraiser Lori Stefek.
The company’s estate auctions generally feature paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, better costume jewelry, vintage couture and accessories, mid-century furniture, antique furniture, decorative items and notable collections.
Stefek’s next chance to showcase its experienced staff and professionalism will be on June 25, with a 314-lot Summer Furniture & Decorative Arts sale. Internet live bidding will be provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Among the leading lots is a late 19th/early 20th century Second Empire gilt-bronze mounted porcelain clock with urn finial over a shaped case with round Roman-numeral dial. The elegant timepiece is surrounded by laurel branches and supported by a neo-classical draped maiden, over shaped rectangular body inset with porcelain panels decorated with jeweled motif and vignettes of classical ruins surrounded by pink borders. The 21-inch-tall clock is part of suite that also includes a pair of 5-light candelabra with scrolled candle arms supported by putti and raised on a porcelain inset base. The lot is estimated at $2,000-$4,000.
An outstanding Kirman rug from the second half of the 20th century has a sand-colored field with a light blue, pink, tan and turquoise central diamond surrounded by a pink and blue scrolling floral motif and turquoise, pink and light blue floral reserve and scrolling floral outer border. The rug would fill a sizable room, as it measures 23 feet 10 inches by 11 feet 4 inches. Estimate: $5,000-$7,000.
Every family needs a dining room table, and a very good choice indeed would be the baroque-style walnut trestle-base example raised on scrolled trestle legs joined by a scrolled stretcher. The rectangular table is a full 8-feet long, and is expected to fetch $1,000-$1,500 on auction day.
A late 19th/early 20th century Jacobean Revival oak server of American manufacture features an arched crest with acanthus and mask carving over two beveled mirrored panels above a shelf over mirrored back. It has turned supports and three apron drawers above three cupboard doors, the center carved with a raised foliate and circular roundel on plinth base. The 88-inch-tall server carries a presale estimate of $1,000-$1,500.
A standout within the jewelry section is the ladies’ platinum ring with 3.24 carats of diamonds. Hallmarked “950,” the design consists of a center round brilliant-cut diamond measuring exactly 6.81mm by 6.84 mm, in a 6 prong die-struck platinum finding. This is attached to a platinum semi-mount highlighted by two channels on each side, with three round brilliant-cut diamonds in each channel. It could make $5,000-$6,000 in the sale.
A small selection of firearms includes two important entries: a Colt single-action .45-caliber Model 1873 gun that has a pre-auction estimate of $10,000-$12,000; and a Sharps saddle ring carbine rifle Model 1863, which is estimated at $3,200-$3,500.
For expert consultation regarding any lot in this sale, call 313-881-1800. View the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
