Gold quartz chain, fob finish at $20,400

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A gold quartz chain and fob, Fillmore peace medallion, and San Francisco street lamps were among the highlights of Witherell’s Western Americana Auction held May 1-15. The auction, which saw 260 lots change hands, grossed more than $180,000. Prices listed include 20 percent buyer’s premium.

A 19-inch gold quartz chain and 1 1/2-inch-by-1 1/4-inch-by-1/4-inch horseshoe locket

Nineteen-inch gold quartz chain and fob, featuring vintage photographs of two women, sold for $20,400 during the spring Western Americana Auction at Witherell's. (Photo courtesy Darby Patterson)

inlaid with gold quartz sold for $20,400 to an out-of-state collector who previewed the item at the Grass Valley Old West Antiques Show. The winning bid ticked well past the $5,000 to $10,000 presale estimate.

In excellent condition, the locket opened to reveal two vintage photographs of females. The locket was monogrammed on one side with the initials “MB,” as was the fob.

“It was very gratifying to see so many items sell for more than their estimates,” said Brian Witherell, owner of Witherell’s and an appraiser for Antiques Roadshow.

Estimated at $3,000 to $5,000, an 1850 Millard Fillmore silver Indian peace medal, with a plain edge and a portrait of President Fillmore on the obverse with an allegorical scene including a settler conversing with a Native American, fetched $15,300. Indian peace medals were an important part of American expansion diplomacy during the 18th and 19th centuries.

A pair of 19th century, cast-iron San Francisco street lamps sold to a Sacramento collector for $13,200. Estimated at $2,000 to $4,000, they were manufactured by Joshua Hendy Co. The 92-inch high and 28-inch wide pair had scattered breaks and chips with traces of original gilding and possible original paint.

Other highlights include a:

Buffalo Brewing Co. advertising art Witherell's Grass Valley show. (Photo courtesy Witherell's)

• Framed 19th century tin sign advertising Monongahela White Rye and Bourbon, with “A.N. Williams, Mt. Vernon” written on the back, measuring 27 inches wide by 19 1/4 inches wide, commanded $9,000 against an estimate of $3,000 to $5,000.

• Gambrinus beer glass, which measured 3 3/4 inches in height and estimated at $100 to $300, realized $3,120.

For more information about Witherell’s, call 916-446-6490 or visit www.witherells.com.