For some collectors, the allure of buying at auction is about the thrill of the win. But most of us raising a virtual paddle are not in it just to win it. We’re in it for the deal. We’ve discovered something we must have — a vintage photograph, say, or a beautiful antique chair or chic designer handbag. And often, that coveted object has an opening bid set low enough to stir up competition and can be acquired for less than we would pay in a private or retail sale.
What’s even better is that, thanks to the transparency of the bidding process, we can see if the price is escalating and where we stand vis-à-vis our competitors and then decide exactly how much we are willing to spend. So, unless there is a particularly wild bidding frenzy, there are incredible finds to be had at appealing price points, whether we’re scouring auctions for something specific or taking pleasure in browsing.
“Auctions offer a unique opportunity for clients to engage more actively, allowing them to set the value based on their own interest and passion for a piece,” says 1stDibs seller Adrian Agudo, of 20th-century design specialists DADA, in Barcelona, which has been participating in 1stDibs Auctions since they launched, in 2021. “Auctions create a dynamic and interactive marketplace.”
Over the past three years, vetted dealers have put hundreds of objects, across a variety of categories — from jewelry and fashion to furniture, design and art — on the block, where they’ve sold for great prices. Below we’ve singled out three exceptional items that were recently acquired without breaking the bank.
Portrait of an Aristocratic Gentleman, 1730s
List price: $9,023
Final price: $4,289
This large Old Master portrait, offered by the Stag Gallery, in the Cotswolds, England, was a serious find for a trade buyer in Europe. “When it became available for sale here in England,” says Stag’s Timothy Potter, “we had to buy it for our clients on 1stDibs. The painting’s sheer scale added immediately to its wall power and presence.”
Such portraits were commissioned to convey a sitter’s wealth and status, and this one, says Potter, “exudes affluence with every detail,” from his wig and ring down to the refinement of his clothing. While the painting is unsigned, which was typical at the time, Potter notes strong similarities with the work of renowned Italian-born painter Jacopo Amigoni (1685–1752), the “go-to portraitist for the fashionable and glamorous of European aristocracy.” As a dealer, Potter appreciates the democratic nature of auctions and the wide range of buyers that he can engage.
Australian Crystal Opal and Diamond Halo Ring in 18-Karat White-Gold Setting, 2022
List price: $3,600
Final price: $1,600
A unique object with great intrinsic value, this Art Deco–style cocktail ring, put up by Lilly M Jewelers, of Bangkok, Thailand, is a sparkling example of the fine jewelry attainable at competitive prices through 1stDibs Auctions.
The updated classic design centers on a large Australian crystal opal — so named for its translucency — weighing 5.52 carats. The green-blue cabochon gemstone is surrounded by diamonds set in white gold, “like the Earth surrounded by twinkling stars,” says Jeeranan Suwannapirom, of Lilly M Jewelers. The delicate milgrain diamond edging, designed by a local craftsman, gives the ring an antique feel.
“It’s a special piece at a really special price,” says Suwannapirom.
Charlotte Perriand Pine-Wood Stool for Les Arcs, ca. 1960
List price: $3,946
Final price: $2,903
The winner of this gleaming pine stool acquired more than a wonderful example of modernist furniture — they got an important piece of design history. Put on the block by DADA, the stool is a prime example of iconic French designer Charlotte Perriand’s progressive modernism and a relative rarity on the market.
Although Perriand is best known for the steel tubular furniture she made with Le Corbusier and Pierre Jeanneret in the late 1920s, she preferred working with wood. She designed this stool in the 1960s as part of a suite of furniture for Les Arcs, a ski resort in the French Alps known, in part, for being Perriand’s last major architectural project. The piece demonstrates how modernist figures like Perriand brought good design to the masses. The pine wood used, which came from the region (Savoie), was affordable, and the designs were sturdy and reproducible on a large scale, as well as beautiful.
“What makes this piece unmistakably Perriand is her meticulous attention to material quality and craftsmanship — like the way different elements of the stool are joined,” says Agudo.
Perriand didn’t just design furniture at Les Arcs, she created a concept. As the lead architect, she situated the mass housing to minimally disrupt the natural landscape, and the units were designed with open plans so that women wouldn’t be alone in the kitchen, cut off from social interactions. The furnishings are hard to come by, which makes this stool’s price especially remarkable.
“Perriand’s furniture has become increasingly rare, as her pieces are highly collectible and sought after,” says Agudo. “Her work from the Les Arcs project, in particular, appears on the market infrequently.”
