SOUTHAMPTON, PA..- Metro Philadelphia’s most trusted estate specialist, family-owned Stephenson’s Auctioneers, will host a Friday, May 1 auction of antiques and decorative arts from several area estates. In compliance with state regulations governing the pandemic, the gallery is closed to the public, but the 360-lot auction is open to absentee, phone and Internet live bidding. The fully illustrated catalog is accessible online, and Stephenson’s staff is ready and able to answer questions about any item in the sale by phone or email.

“For this auction we’ve organized a very nice selection of antiques, jewelry, silver, paintings, decorative arts, and the unexpected, including a Wurlitzer Model 1015 cassette-playing jukebox that replicates the original Model 1015 Wurlitzer made in 1946. It’s already attracting inquiries,” said Stephenson’s owner Cindy Stephenson.

Perhaps most intriguing are the many high-quality items that emerged unexpectedly during house calls. Within the more than 100 fine jewelry lots are several valuable pieces that were retrieved from boxes laden with costume trinkets. While inspecting the contents of one particular box, Stephenson noticed a platinum flower pin with a round .85-carat champagne diamond at its center, 11 tapered baguette-cut aquamarine petals, 46 pavé-diamond leaves, and six emeralds set in its stem. Following a confirmation of authenticity by Stephenson’s in-house jewelry expert, the circa-1940 pin was entered in the sale with a $2,000-$4,000 estimate. Recovered from the same source, a midcentury 18K gold link bracelet of Florentine finish, weighing 33.7 grams, was set aside for the May 1 auction and has been given a $1,000-$2,000 estimate.

From the estate of a hoarder, buried within an assortment of inexpensive costume jewelry, another lucky find surfaced: a set of three 22K gold bangle bracelets with a total weight of 29.6 grams. The matched trio is entered in the sale with a $1,200-$2,400 estimate.

An impressive 14K gold and diamond men’s ring weighing 20.4 grams, with a 0.40-carat center stone and 16 additional diamonds, was entrusted to Stephenson’s by the daughter of a couple who used to be regular buyers at the company’s auctions. “The gentleman used to go to the beach with a metal detector and would find large quantities of jewelry,” Cindy Stephenson said. “His daughter brought in a giant box of gold, silver and platinum pieces to sell. Many of them are things her father found with the metal detector.” The diamond ring is expected to make $2,000-$4,000.

Nearly 50 lots of silver will be offered, including sterling flatware, serving, and decorative pieces. Among the highlights are an Ottoman silver vase and liner cast with Grecian angels and cherubs, $200-$400; a Russian silver Etrog box with three-dimensional standing lions and Jewish symbols, $400-$800; and a 19th-century Japanese silver box with a high-relief wrought dragon on rolling waves depicted on its lid and sides. Its Japanese marks indicate it is pure silver. Estimate $800-$1,500

Stephenson’s had previously auctioned a sizable consignment of estate silver and other high-quality items for a Philadelphia consignor. “They were so pleased with the excellent results – which they were not expecting – that they brought us a few more things, including some beaded bags and three miniature portraits,” Stephenson said. Two of the miniatures turned out to be historically important hand-paintings of Richard and Thomas Twining, respectively, of the famed London family of tea merchants. The portrait of Richard Twining (1749-1824) comes with a newspaper snippet confirming he was director of the East India Company in 1793. It is estimated at $200-$400. The miniature painting of his son Thomas (1776-1861), a published author, is under glass and framed in 18K rose gold. Estimate $400-$800

A variety of paintings and other artworks will be up for bid. A coastal Florida waterscape depicting a palm tree beneath luminous clouds was painted by Florida Highwaymen founding member H. (Harold) Newton (American, 1934-1994). The signed oil on canvas board measures 29 by 23 inches (sight) and is estimated at $2,000-$4,000. Adding European flavor, a Maurice Picaud (Pico) (French, 1900-1977) Art Deco panel of gold leaf over bole on plaster relief is a replica of the artist’s 1920s bas-relief artwork displayed at the Folies Bergere cabaret hall in Paris. Estimate $1,000-$2,000

The abundant charm of American painted stoneware is evident in two highly decorative lots. An 8-inch Thomas Haig (Philadelphia) cobalt slip-decorated stoneware chicken waterer carries an $800-$1,200 estimate, while a similarly sized 19th-century cobalt-decorated stoneware bank with bird finial could land in the $500-$1,000 range.

Stephenson’s May 1 Spring Antiques & Decorative Arts Auction will begin at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. All bidding will be conducted absentee, by phone or live online through LiveAuctioneers, Invaluable or AuctionZip. No gallery bidding. Packing and shipping of jewelry will be handled in-house by Stephenson’s. Outside shippers, including Philadelphia Mailroom, are available to assist with all other auction goods.