Blog - Stefek's Auctioneers and Appraisers

Chippendale’s Memory

December 9, 2020

Beauty, Craftsmanship and Design The furnishings created by Thomas Chippendale, Sr. (1718-1799) and the company he founded in 1750s London are prized around the world. The works have proven so popular that their distinct style, and the pieces patterned after the originals, were honored with a school named after the designer. The appellation “Chippendale” also represents the first time a philosophy of design was named after the artist, rather than the monarch under which he served. Chippendale furniture was constructed widely from sturdy, beautiful woods – mahogany from the East Indies, and maple, walnut and cherry from English and European forests. While he sometimes used veneers for decorative sections, weight bearing elements were typically made from single pieces of wood. Decoratively, he used elements that spanned the then-known world and he made into his own unique style. Thomas Chippendale came from an extended family of wood workers. Working by hand,

A Mark of Distinction

November 10, 2020

Renowned around the world for its exquisite porcelain ceramics, Royal Worcester was established in 1751 by Dr. John Wall, an eminent physician and apothecary. Dr. Wall pioneered a process that preserved the white, translucent characteristics of porcelain from China. Royal Worcester is still in operation, one of the oldest and most prestigious English porcelain brands. The company’s wares are recognized around the world for the quality of their craftsmanship. Wares produced before their royal warrant of 1788, as well as those produced at two other factories in Worcester, are known as Worcester porcelain. The most popular Royal Worcester pattern is “Evesham Gold” which features autumnal fruits from the Vale of Evesham and fine gold banding. First offered in 1961, it became very popular with its “oven to table” body. Stefek’s has a collection of eighteen jade green and gilt cabinet plates with hand painted fruit still lives signed “W.J. Bagnall.” Each plate is painted

Next Auction – Coming Soon

October 5, 2020

Prints, Fine Art, and Mid-Century Finds Auction

August 28, 2020

Five Tips for Attending Your First Estate Sale

July 14, 2020

Words for the Wise You may have heard your friends brag about the great find they snagged on a Saturday morning, perhaps a piece of gorgeous furniture in their home. And you wondered, “Where did they buy that?” The answer might be an estate sale. They are a great way to find unique items. Plus, in the process, you get to go through some amazing homes and explore historic neighborhoods. Estate sales are not new, but for newbies they can be daunting. Here are some tips to make sure you are prepared. Get there early! If there was ever a case for the early bird getting the worm, it is an estate sale. You will receive a number when you arrive and will be let in according to that order. So, if you are interested in the best items or have particular items in your sights, get a number and

West Village Estate Sale

July 10, 2020

Assemblage Is Historic, Expansive & Fascinating This beautiful West Village home is filled with furniture, china, crystal, collectible books, decorative items and so much more. The estate sale features more than 100,000 items from the home’s eclectic collector. The home itself is 5,000 square feet. The estate sale will take place Thursday through Saturday, July 16-18, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. West Village is just minutes from downtown Detroit and the idyllic Belle Isle. It was so named in mid-20th century because of its location just west of better-known Indian Village. West Village was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. The community has an eclectic feel and includes a number of architectural styles including frame Queen Anne houses, and Tudor, Colonial Revival, and Mediterranean Revival houses as well as Georgian Revival and Jacobean apartment buildings. West Village is also home to the Indian Village Tennis Club, a private membership club dating to 1912 which bills

A Traveler’s Treasure

July 2, 2020

Pre-Columbian and Asian Art from the Collection of Andrew Weertz A remarkable treasure develops with travel. This marvel does not arise simply from reaching, exploring, and surveying new destinations. This unique jewel arises from the expansion of our monde intérieur. Through the vehicle of Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, we can still hold and enjoy a remarkable piece of the world. The company is offering a remarkable selection Pre-Colombian and Asian art that cross continents in space and span centuries in time. The articles are real-life treasures from the collection of Mr. Andrew Weertz, assembled on his travels through Mesoamerica, South America and Asia. Among his work, Mr. Weertz is remembered for his emporium in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, Ports of Call, Ltd. Special highlights of the Pre-Columbian collection include an incredible Mayan Jaina seated terracotta woman with a baby figurine from the Late Classic period, a collection of Moche pottery

Stefek’s Launches Interactive Website for Today’s 24/7 World

May 28, 2020

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (May 21, 2020) – Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers, a full-service estate liquidation management company established in 2000 and based in Roseville, Michigan, is launching a new online presence that enables them to service clients and serve customers worldwide. The new e-commerce website, stefeksauctions.com, allows visitors to bid on live auction items, purchase items securely from their new buy it now site, view upcoming estate sales, and make arrangements with Stefek’s to provide various professional services. These include appraisals of personal property, estate sales, and clean-out services to liquidate and prepare the home for sale. Stefek’s also provides secure, insured, climate-controlled storage for valuables and luxury items, both short and long-term. These items include works of art (i.e. statues, sculptures, paintings, and more), jewelry, furs, and special collections in a temperature-controlled environment. Stefek’s also provides secure storage for important documents for businesses, attorneys, accountants, and others. A full-service international

Miniature Machinery and Collectibles Auction

May 20, 2020

Stefek’s Presents Enormous Collection of Small Works Stefek’s Miniature Machinery and Collectibles auction features a collection of salesmen sample machinery, miniature functional machines, vintage and antique Michigan license plates, several colorful swirl agate slag glass gear shift knobs, and other unique collectibles. Enjoyed by hobbyists and collectors, these are some of the finest, rarest and smallest tools in the world. The Stefek’s Miniature Machinery and Collectibles auction catalogue includes miniature Stanley planes designed and crafted by Paul Hamler. Other intriguing items on offer include early 20th century Parker Vise paperweights in red, black, and gray, a miniature J.E. Snyder Company drill press, a Paradox Gas Engine Co. cast iron gas engine, a ManSon miniature lathe by Small Machines Inc., a Stuart Models steam powered lathe, and a variety of Michigan license plates ranging from the years 1910 – 1938. Stefek’s Auctions and Estate Sales will offer a number of these

Stefek's Auctions and Estate Sales offers 1910 Michigan license plate and more.

Mich. Plates: Splendor Beyond Number

May 19, 2020

Automobile License Plates Share the Wonders of the Great Lakes State With 3,288 miles of freshwater shoreline, Michigan and its two major peninsulas jump out from the map. The Great Lakes State is a place rich in natural beauty and human ingenuity. And when the state’s motorists hit the road, they share a bit of home through their automobiles’ license plates. Stefek’s Auctions and Estate Sales will offer a number of these Michigan license plates at auction on May 28, 2020. Plates available include years 1910, with examples from select years through 1938. For complete details, click here. Currently, the State of Michigan offers a “Standard Plate” that features blue numbers and letters on a white background with “Pure Michigan” at the top and “michigan.org” in white along a blue background on the bottom. The “Mackinac Bridge Plate” is a graphic illustration of the historic five-mile long engineering marvel that