(Boston, MA) – As gas prices continue to rise, online bidding has become an increasingly attractive option for collectors and dealers. Thanks to exceptional sales from its auction house members, online bidding at Artfact was stronger than ever this April. Highlights include Eldred’s Spring Asian auction with over 1,200 bids from more than 17 countries; Dargate Auction Galleries’ April 14th to 17th Grand Opening Auction where online bidders snapped up 834 lots; and Shannon’s April 28th Fine American & European Paintings sale, which marked a 475% increase in online sales when compared to the same sale in 2010.

Artfact is also proud to announce the signing of exclusive live auction partnerships with Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, NH and Julien’s Auctions of Beverly Hills, CA. Northeast Auctions will host their first ever live and online auction on May 28th and 29th at the Treadwell Mansion in Portsmouth, NH. Julien’s next live and online sale is scheduled for June 4th and features over 400 items from the life and career of Larry Hagman – best known for his roles as J.R. on Dallas and Major Nelson on I Dream of Jeannie. Both catalogs are now available online with bidding powered by Artfact.

Weschler’s, “Jewelry, Coins & Watches” – April 2, 2011

Platinum and Solitaire Diamond Ring

Price Realized: $47,000

Diamond’s were an auctioneers best friend at Weschler’s April 2nd auction. Estimated at $40,000 to $60,000, this emerald cut diamond solitaire platinum ring with two side baguettes weighed in at an impressive 10.59 carats. With a clarity rating of SI2 and color L-M, this superbly cut diamond attracted the attention of several online bidders in the days leading up to the sale. However, it was a last-minute live bid of $47,000 that secured the ring for one lucky online bidder.

http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/platinum-and-solitaire-diamond-ring-1-c-473a55ce2c

Czerny’s International Auction House, “Fine Antique Arms & Armour, Russian Orders & Militaria” – April 2, 2011

An Important Sossun Pata with Rubies

Price Realized: €18,500

Czerny’s – one of the world’s foremost auctioneers of fine arms, armour, antiques and militaria – struck gold (and rubies) with their first Artfact Live! sale. Among the top selling lots of this two-day sale was a circa 1700 ruby-studded Sossun Pata with a heavy, wide, single and false-edged, damask blade with a wide fuller and tang over three forte circular marks with arrows among stars. Estimated at €17,500 to €22,500, this highly-decorated Indian ceremonial sword sold online for €18,500.

http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/an-important-sossun-pata-with-rubies-4-c-e158b00447

Sloans & Kenyon, “April Estate Catalogue Auction: Day 3” – April 17, 2011

Henry Moore (1898 – 1986), Upright Connected Forms, 1979

Price Realized: $33,000

English sculptor and artist Henry Moore (1898 – 1986) was best known for his abstract monumental bronze sculptures with works at the House of Lords and Kenwood House in London as well as the National Gallery of Australia. Like Upright Connected Forms, Moore’s monumental sculptures are typically abstractions of the human figure. Signed and numbered 6/7 on the base, Upright Connected Forms measures 8” high and was estimated to bring $30,000 to $40,000 on sale day. Thanks to one determined online bidder, this remarkable bronze sold for $33,000.

http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/henry-moore-english,-1898-1986-.-upright-connect-2-c-8ab02e58ba 

Shannon’s, “Fine American & European Paintings” – April 28, 2011

Theodoros Stamos (1922 – 1997), Venetian Mirror, 1949

Price Realized: $123,000

Shannon’s major spring sale, held on April 28th, marked an overall record for the Connecticut-based auction house and was their most successful online sale yet. Among the top selling lots of the auction was a work by Greek-American abstract impressionist Theodoros Stamos (1922 – 1997). One of the youngest painters of a group that included Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Mark Rothko, Stamos’ paintings from the 1940s combine muted earth-tones with biomorphic imagery. Signed and dated 1949, Venetian Mirror was estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. Thanks to the efforts of two determined online bidders, this oil on Masonite work went on to sell for an astonishing $123,000 (including buyers premium) – more than four times its top estimate.http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/theodoros-stamos,-american-1922-1997-,-venetian-5-c-fdcaa99551 

Note: Auction lot details and enlarged lot images available at www.artfact.com with free registration.

About Artfact:
Founded in 1989, Artfact is the largest global marketplace of fine and decorative arts, antiques, collectibles, and estate auctions. On January 1, 2009, Artfact launched Artfact Live!, its proprietary live auction bidding platform, enabling users to bid real time on auctions being held around the world by its prestigious auction house partners. Currently, over 1,000 fine auctioneers actively list their catalogues with Artfact.com and its U.K. sister site Invaluable.com, reaching the Artfact community of more than 10 million knowledgeable collectors and dealers worldwide. Artfact's industry leading database includes more than 57 million complete auction results totaling more than $204 billion in value, including information on more than 500,000 international artists. In 2006, Artfact acquired RFC Systems, the leading provider of enterprise software developed specifically for the fine art and antique auction house industry. RFC helps prestigious auction houses around the world manage their businesses by automating their day-to-day operations.

Editor’s Notes:
- Additional background information available.
- Interviews with Doug Ellinger, VP Marketing, dellinger@artfact.com, (617) 746-9882
- Complimentary media subscriptions to the Artfact database available upon request.