At the Witherell’s fall auction, furniture did exceedingly well with sale prices picking up.

At $28,750, a monumental, 1870’s, 3-piece Renaissance Revival bedroom suite sold for more than double the estimate to a buyer in Virginia.

Had it sold at the height of the market, it probably would have brought in $60,000, but in the past few years prices were as low as $20,000.

To have this carved walnut and burl veneer bed with arched headboard and incurvate footboard, dresser with marble-topped cabinets and a marble-topped bedside commode sell for half what it would have shows that the market is doing better than it has in a number of years.

Two lots of Civil War furniture attributed to John Henry Belter also sold for more than they would have a year ago.

A laminated rosewood recamier and a pair of armchairs in the pattern commonly referred to as "Rosalie with grapes" sold for $3,500 and $4,250 respectively.

All items featured a floral and grape carved crest, floral carved apron and cabriole legs.

Both went to a California client of Witherell’s who has been furnishing a prominent plantation home since bought a number of years ago.

“I was most pleased with was the fact that the furniture did better than has historically been happening,” said Brian Witherell, Antiques Roadshow appraiser and COO of Sacramento-based Witherell’s Antiques and Auctions.

“The bedroom suite and the Belter furniture did very well considering what the market has been like the past few years.”

Although early California homes had Belter furniture, it is not as common in the West now.

Most buyers today are from the South where antebellum furniture still holds an importance in décor.

While his work tends to have regional appeal, two paintings by nationally known Sacramento artist Gregory Kondos’ (American, b.1923) also signaled that the market was rising.

“Lonely Beach” and “Sacramento River” both feature the blue landscapes Kondos has made famous.

Selling at $13,812.50, "Lonely Beach" bore the exhibition label verso, "California Palace of Legion of Honor, Exhibition: Paintings by Gregory Kondos, Lonely Beach, 1-2-69."

The canvas was signed and dated, 1967.

Measuring 48"w x 42"h—overall 49.5"w x 43.5"h—the primarily white and blue canvas was accompanied by an autographed copy of "Gregory Kondos, A Retrospective".

“Sacramento River” had the exhibition label verso, "Gregory Kondos The River: AnExhibition of Paintings and Drawings at the Crocker Art Museum, 1980”.

Measuring 14"w x 10"h—overall 14.75"w x 10.75"h—the smaller oil sold for $6,125.

A large Shreve & Co. silver trumpet vase with sinuous irises on body, base and flared rim bore the monogram "Shreve & Co., San Francisco, Sterling”, on base.

The 77 troy oz. beauty sold for $3625.

Made in California and a beautiful example of California craftsmanship, it being a global village, the vase went to a collector in Missouri.

Because they have such broad appeal—and because they blend with any décor—oil and gas advertising signs also have sold well lately.

An embossed, porcelain Flying A Service sign, measuring 61.5" x 49", sold for $2,875, a third to three times estimate.

“The mid-century modern that goes with classic cars looks great with any design,” said Witherell. “It’s super hot because it’s such a cool look.”

Jewelry and firearms went into overtime with bidders vying for select items.

A circa 1935 ladies diamond ring set in platinum with 6 single-cut diamonds of 0.1 ct each and a center diamond of 1.5 ct. sold for $3,312.50.

The gross weight was 5 grams.

A Colt Bisley model revolver with a factory letter stating "Shipped to Pacific Hardware & Steel Co., San Francisco, California, March 22, 1906” garnered $1125.

A .38 W.C.F. caliber, it has a 7.5" barrel in blue finish and hard rubber grips.

“It was shipped to San Francisco just before the big earthquake and fire,” said Witherell. “It’s rare to have confirmed documents with such a close connection to history.”

The fall auction had 269 lots that grossed more than $170,000.