A late 18th century fine Virginia Chippendale walnut corner chair, attributed to the Isle of Wright Co, was the pick of Jeffrey S Evans' late 2011 auctions.
The excellent condition yellow pine seat frame, incised with "XII", realised $27,600 at the Virginia, US auction house's November sale.
A rare and important Augusta County, Virginia cast-iron stove plate, from the ironworks of Mark Bird and Henry Miller, sold for $12,650 at the same auction.
"Prices have stabilised, and the number of bidders and interest overall continues to increase," commented Jeffrey Evans, president of the company.
"Collectors are recognising the great values that are available in today's market, and that certainly bodes well as we push forward into the future."
The company's December 31 auction saw a Winchester, Virginia, Kentucky-style flintlock long rifle, signed "J. Lauck", with tiger maple stock, pierced brass patch box, silver thumb plate and eight-point star, achieve $10,350, while a Northern Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Federal walnut block-front bureau, made of pine and poplar secondary woods in the late 18th or early 19th century, made $9,200.
 A Chippendale chair sold for $27,600 in November |
For collectors looking for pointers regarding the direction of the antiques market, Evans has some important advice.
Regional material, especially from the southern US, continues to draw strong interest and high prices, he explained.
"Collectors are looking for objects that are relevant and have a story to tell, and are part of a larger narrative within their region," he said, adding that high-end art glass, US free-blown glass, early bottles, firearms, coins and vintage comic books are all currently hot markets.
