News

Apr 26, 2023

Bronze Tibetan Buddha sells for $200K at auction

BETHEL — A rare and important gilt bronze Tibetan Buddha blasted through its

BETHEL — A rare and important gilt bronze Tibetan Buddha blasted through its pre-sale estimate to finish at a staggering $200,000 in an online Fine Estates Auction recently held by Briggs Auction Inc. in Garnet Valley.

The piece, pulled from an estate on the Main Line, generated auction fever from almost the moment it was posted until the hammer came down. It was the most money ever paid for a single item at Briggs.

"What made this Buddha so special? It was right, and of exceptional quality," said Stephen Turner, president and owner of Briggs. "The figure was unusually large at 13 inches tall, and very heavy. The underside of the statue bore a Yongle mark, which added to its historical significance. And the piece's nearly excellent condition certainly added to its value."

The Tibetan bronze seated Buddha on a carved 5-inch-tall stand showed a serene-faced figure wearing a draped robe, posed in quiet contemplation on a lotus base, making a graceful vitarka mudra with his right hand.

Bidders from around the globe competed over two bidding platforms: Briggs Auction's own Bid At Briggs, as well as through http://www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Other highlights from the sale included a large-format oil-on-canvas portrait of a partially clad beauty, titled Lorelei ($32,000); a large set of Georg Jensen Pyramidian pattern sterling flatware with serving pieces ($6,000); a rare Thomas Crow (Wilmington, Del.) signed pocket watch with fusée movement and enameled dial ($5,500); a set of four Gio Ponti Model 116 walnut dining chairs for Singer & Sons ($2,800); and a Hasui Kawese woodblock of colorful iris flowers, signed at the bottom ($2,600).

Briggs Auction saw other strong prices and enthusiastic reception from several of its other first quarter 2023 auctions, which included a range of market fresh merchandise from Main Line and Delaware Valley estates and collections.

Some top lots included a 1921 life-size portrait of a seated woman purportedly Mary Anderson Pew by Hungarian artist Philip de Laszlo ($12,500); a 19th-century oil-on-canvas by Mary Smith, depicting rabbits eating a watermelon ($8,000); a 1967 Ford Mustang convertible with original red paint and black top and interior ($15,000); an Italian snuff box in brass and beveled glass depicting various mythological scenes in a fitted velvet case ($7,000); and many more.

On tap for the rest of May will be a mix of estate farm equipment, a fine selection of estate wine and spirits, Briggs’ Fine Estates auction and more. Planned for June is a patio auction, filled with a wide selection of outdoor furniture, statuary, planters and garden accessories.

Briggs is a fourth-generation family-owned-and-operated auction house at 1347 Naamans Creek Road across from the Booth's Corner Farmers Market.

Briggs offers online auctions, estate appraisal services and real estate auctions for estates, downsizers and more. Their bi-weekly Discovery auctions feature over 1,000 lots of antique and name-brand furnishings, decorative and fine art, fine and costume jewelry, silver, collectibles, coins, toys, tools, home goods, estate vehicles and more.

Monthly Fine Estates auctions feature 18th and 19th century and midcentury modern furnishings, period and contemporary decorative arts, fine art and sculpture, fine porcelains, estate fine jewelry, silver and more.

Quality consignments are always being sought for future auctions.

To learn more about Briggs and the calendar of upcoming events, visit www.BriggsAuction.com or call 610-566-3138.

The Lily Bennett Memorial Miniature Golf Event for Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease will take place noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 3 at Valley View Golf, 4600 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square.

To support the mission, PA Lyme is holding miniature golf awareness events at Valley View and other locations across the state in Harrisburg, Pittsburgh and Lansdale. Everyone is welcome to play golf and support the cause.

May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month.

For 11 of the past 12 years, Pennsylvania is the worst state for Lyme disease. An estimated 81 children a day in Pennsylvania get Lyme, and upwards of 35% develop long term, chronic, debilitating symptoms, according to PA Lyme.

The golf events, initiated to create awareness, are named after 2-year-old Lily, an active little girl who loved gardening and butterflies.

After playing in her yard, a tick was removed from her forehead. Within a few days she developed body aches, Bell's Palsy symptoms and rash.

Doctors were made aware of the removed tick, but did not attribute Lily's worsening symptoms to it. Fifteen days later, one day after her 3rd birthday, Lily died of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a tick-borne disease.

Lily Bennett of York County died Aug. 17, 2014, according to news reports.

For more information, call Valley View Golf at 610-356-1810 or visit https://palyme.org/lily-bennett-mini-%20golf.

PA Lyme Resource Network is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing Lyme advocacy, education and support.

For information, email Amy Tiehel at [email protected].

The Ridley Township Swim Club, 2001 S. Academy Ave., Folsom, will hold its kickoff summer pool party, open to members and nonmembers Thursday, May 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.

Admission is $5.

Both pools will be open as well as basketball, volleyball, and wiffle ball. Pizza, hot dogs, nachos, drinks, snacks and candy will be sold. For more information, call 610-461-1258.

The Brookhaven Recreation Board will sponsor an indoor flea market, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, June 4 at the Brookhaven Municipal Center, 2 Cambridge Road, with set up at 8 a.m.

The cost is $20, with onsite tables. Registration forms are available at the municipal center or can be downloaded at Brookhavenboro.com. Click on "Flea Market" for the download.

Or, register in person for a table at the municipal center, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays or 6 to 7:30 p.m. on May 22. Make checks payable to Brookhaven Recreation Board. Registration forms and checks can be mailed to: Brookhaven Recreation Board, 2 Cambridge Road, Brookhaven, PA 19015.

Proceeds will help fund community activities sponsored by the rec board. For information, call 610 874 2557 ext 110.

RSVP volunteers revived their annual volunteer recognition luncheon this month at Harrah's Philadelphia Casino & Racetrack in Chester, after postponement in 2020.

Volunteers were invited to celebrate their time and dedication to making a change in the community.

The event was a reminder of the connections volunteering can create and the impact it can have on volunteers. Many celebrated RSVP's various programs and how fulfilling it is to be part of the group.

Among the recognized were winners of the Senior Corps of PA Legacy Awards, the President's Volunteer Service Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award given to volunteers who have dedicated over 4,000 hours over their volunteer career.

This year's RSVP Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Thomas McKelvey of Ridley Township, a volunteer who has served over 4,000 hours with RSVP Volunteers.

McKelvey volunteers with Senior Community Services at their Schoolhouse Senior Center. He helps with the home delivered meals program and lends his voice to the Guys and Gals performance group.

RSVP will hold another lunch recognition on July 18, followed by its Annual Golf Classic and 50th Anniversary Gala dinner, at RiverCrest Golf Club and Preserve.

Those interested in volunteering in Delaware, Montgomery or Chester counties can find education and wellness initiatives with RSVP's programs and partner agencies. Volunteers over 18 years old are welcome to join RSVP and be recognized at next year's events. Visit http://www.rsvpmc.org or email [email protected].

RSVP Volunteers, founded in 1973, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that improves the lives of vulnerable populations in the local community by focusing on education and wellness and by supporting nonprofits through skill-based volunteer programs.

Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].

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