An antique Meissen hand-painted oval-covered dresser box with incredible reticulated design throughout sold for $14,375 at a multi-estate sale held on August 27 by Elite Decorative Arts.
The 19th century box was the top lot of the estimated 345 items that changed hands. The auction was held at Elite Decorative Arts' gallery facility in Boynton Beach.
"We had a great sale, an amazing sale," said Scott Cieckiewicz of Elite Decorative Arts.
"We actually saw higher prices realized for some Meissen pieces than what similar lots brought at Christie's recently."
Meissen, the colorful German-made antique porcelain, is highly coveted among collectors. There were many Meissen pieces offered in the Elite Decorative Arts auction.
A little over 400 lots came up for bidding, and 60 failed to meet the reserve. About 100 people attended the event live, while online bidding attracted over 700 registered bidders and more than 1,000 bids.
Around 180 phone bids were also posted. About one-third of the offerings were consigned by a prominent psychiatrist from Deerfield Beach, Florida.
 The Meissen hand-painted oval-covered dresser box |
The Meissen dresser box exhibited stunning workmanship, with female busts and figural cherubs throughout the sides and cover. It also boasted finely detailed floral garlands, with scrolled reticulated designs throughout.
The interior was a gilded bowl, with a flat floral design to the bottom of the cover. Standing 7 inches tall, the box had undergone some minor repairs.
Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a buyer's premium (15 percent for in-house and phone, 18 percent for internet bidders).
The second top lot of the sale was a rare Tiffany & Company sterling silver Revival urn with figural snake handles ($8,555).
One side of the urn showed a depiction of Asclepius, the Greek god of healing, with Greek words. Another Tiffany piece also did well - a sterling silver and cut crystal pitcher with sterling silver stirring spoon in the Chrysanthemum pattern ($5,750).
Overall, Meissen dominated the day's list of top achievers.
