Bidder sinks fangs into vampire killing kit for $14,850 An authentic vampire killing kit, made around 1800, sold for $14,850 at the estate sale of the late interior designer Jimmy Pippen, held Oct. 3-4 at the Natchez Convention Center in Natchez, Miss.
coasted to $14,400; a Louisiana-made cypress plantation cupboard, made by slaves around 1800 and measuring 8 feet tall by 52 inches wide, earned $11,550; and a rosewood armoire with birdseye maple interior, attributed to P. Mallard (circa 1855), hit $7,700.
Continuing the category, an 11-piece Louis Philippe salon suite with needlepoint (circa 1860) realized $18,700; a Meeks Rococo rosewood marble-top parlor sideboard (circa 1850) changed hands for $5,040; a Meeks rosewood Rococo marble-top dressing table crossed the block at $3,520; and an ebonized parlor cabinet with Sevres plaque and bronze Armolu mounts (circa 1870) gaveled for $3,300.
From the fine art selection, an oil on canvas portrait of a Frenchman in its original gilt frame (39 inches by 50 inches) brought $5,280; an oil on canvas portrait of a young boy, signed C. Campbell (circa 1886, 30 inches by 44 inches), went for $3,520; and a 19th-Century copy of a 16th-Century oil on canvas painting of soldiers on horses taking two nude ladies (58 inches by 4 feet) climbed to $1,760.
Decorative accessories were in abundance. A 19th-Century copy of a marble sculpture of winged figures, with a green marble pedestal, garnered $3,960; an Old Paris 3-piece mantle set, with two vases 19 inches tall and a centerpiece 10 inches tall by 12 inches wide (circa 1850), made $3,740; and a pair of Victorian crystal candelabras, signed Baccarat (circa 1900) realized $3,740 for the pair.
Also from the decorative accessories category: a Sevres capped urn made around 1880 hit the mark at $1,980; a gilt bronze mantle clock with Roman figure (circa 1800) also chalked up $1,980; and a hand-painted portrait on porcelain of a lady (circa 1880, 12 inches by 3-1/2 inches) brought $660. Also, a Sebastian Erard rosewood harp (circa 1825, Patent No. 4596) played a sweet tune for $7,920.
A marvelous fairy lamp collection came up for bid. All were made around the 1880s. Top lots included a double Burmese fairy lamp ($3,080); a Burmese epergne with four-fairy lamp ($2,860); a Royal Worchester figural double fairy lamp ($2,420); and a pair of Cricklite Royal Worchester fairy lamps ($1,980). Also, a Baccarat banquet lamp made around 1860, 32 inches tall, commanded $1,980.
Rounding out the weekend's top lots: a 19th-century American Empire mahogany slipper seat (circa 1840) hammered for $6,160; an unusually tall bronze Astral lamp (36 inches tall, with 10-inch prisms, circa 1850) fetched $4,070; a Victorian sterling repose tea service 5-piece set (circa 1900) went for $3,740; and a 19th-Century Old Sheffield plate epergne, silver on copper (circa 1890), hit $2,860.
Normally, Stevens Auction Company wraps up its auction year in October, but Mr. Stevens said he has so many top-quality consignments stacked up waiting for sale, he has no choice but to conduct at least one auction in November, maybe two. The firm's calendar shows a late October estate sale planned, but so far the November date(s) have not been posted. Further details will be forthcoming.
Stevens Auction Company conducts on-site sales throughout the Southeast
