#Insights #Auction #Sales #January #WorthPoint
Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, enjoys watching the items sold at auctions held by our WorthPoint Industry Partners. We thought it would be a great idea for him to select some of his favorite sold items and explain why those sales stood out to him. Gaining insights from Will is an excellent way to learn about buying and selling trends in our industry. We want to empower you to buy and sell with confidence. Take a look at his thoughts on a few of our partners’ recent sales.
Let’s kick off today with some exciting finds from the latest WorthPoint update. On January 21, 2025, we added over 251,000 items, totaling more than $15.2 million in value. That’s an average of about $60 per item, showcasing the incredible variety and potential treasures hidden in these auctions.
Out of the Ordinary Items
First, let’s talk about a truly standout piece we came across—a French Regency Tombstone Chest from our friends at Antikeo. The Regency period might sound like a brief chapter in history, but it actually marks some intriguing moments. In France, this was when Louis XV was too young to rule (1715-1723), while across the Channel, the UK was dealing with King George III’s…well, let’s say, “eccentricities.” So, the chest is officially attributed to the French Regency style of 1715-1723. The chest doesn’t seem to have a maker’s stamp, but it still radiates that classic period elegance.
Now, about that name—tombstone chest. It’s a bit of a mystery, but it likely refers to the idea of a chest at a gravesite holding the deceased’s final belongings. That is a strange comparison for a piece of furniture, right? But the name stuck. What’s really striking about this one is the craftsmanship: violet wood veneer, gilded copper channels, and intricate bronze ormolu pulls and mounts. The cherry-red marble top? Absolutely stunning. The chest sold for $10,652.60, and I have to believe it carried some secrets—or at least some well-kept treasures.
What really caught my eye, though, were the copper drawer guides—something I hadn’t seen before. Little details like that make this piece stand out, adding a layer of craftsmanship that’s hard to ignore. It is a true testament to the artistry of the French Regency era.
Antikeo had another piece that left me intrigued and skeptical: an 18th-century Canivet Reliquary. In layman’s terms, it’s a cabinet designed to house holy relics, and this one was said to contain 140 of them, including a piece of Christ’s clothing. Created in 1735, it raises the question—how do you prove a relic that’s supposed to be from Christ’s time? I mean, unless someone’s got a time machine, it’s hard to know for sure. Despite the uncertainty around the authenticity of that particular relic, the reliquary itself is a work of art. The piece features 12 symbolic niches and 15 medallions, all framed in a beautifully carved and gilded structure, making it a striking display of craftsmanship.
While the history and mystery are captivating, the price tag of $8,000 feels more like a nod to its religious and historical significance than any concrete proof of the relics’ origin. A fascinating item, no doubt, but one that leaves you wondering about the stories behind the relics it houses.
Worth a Shot
I love the work of Karl Fabergé—and I love vodka. So when I saw Helios had a cased Russian Fabergé Vodka set, I couldn’t help but think, this is the perfect combination of luxury and fun. Forget the supernatural or spiritual relics; I’d rather enjoy this set with five close friends and a chilled martini in hand. After all, some things never go out of style, and a beautiful vodka service like this one certainly fits the bill. With six cups, a jug with stopper, and a tray, all crafted by Fabergé in 1890, this set sold for $12,065—proving that good taste never goes out of fashion.
Two Valuable Negatives
Lastly, one lot that caught my eye in the latest eMoviePoster sale was a pair of studio negatives featuring the legendary Grace Kelly. These two original 4″ x 5″ photographic negatives brought in $3,000, and it’s a price that makes you stop and think. Studio negatives, and negatives in general, have often been overlooked as art forms, but this sale may signal a shift. The negatives capture iconic moments like Grace Kelly receiving her Oscar from Natalie Wood or her with William Holden—timeless images of Hollywood glamour.
Will Seippel is the founder, president, and CEO of WorthPoint. Will has been an avid collector since 1974 and dealer of just about all things antique—with an emphasis on ephemera— since 1984. He is also the creator and founder of HIP, a website devoted to recording the best of the world’s history that has been saved on film.
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