Concept Art Gallery opens its Regent Square showroom for the first of three sales to close out 2012. Meanwhile, BHD Auctions returns to its north country roots for a live event. In Washington County, Three Rivers Auction Co. brings to light a collection long held in storage. And Constantine & Pletcher throws a game changer into the works with two sales, including its first Internet-only auction.

Concept Art Gallery

After nearly six months away from the auction scene, Concept Art Gallery returns with three auctions over the next three months. Leading off Saturday is a strong showing culled mainly from the lifelong collection of Nino and Bettelou Sorci. A well-respected designer, Bettelou owns the Guiding Light, the Oakmont shop that serves as a beacon for anyone searching for elegant and unique lighting fixtures and accessories.

This sale, however, features items from the Fox Chapel home she built with her husband, Nino. Over the years, the Sorcis filled the place with furniture, lamps and decorative art they bought in Europe, including a large elaborately carved Renaissance Revival-style curio cabinet that is said to be from the Paris apartment Jane Fonda shared in the 1960s with director Roger Vadim. Another purchase from the Fonda flat is a nearly 9-foot tall French-Chinese-style carved mahogany mantel with a mirror.

One of the true highlights of the Sorci collection and the sale is a gilt-bronze and ivory titled “La Walkyrie,” named after second section of Wagner's “Ring Cycle.” Created by French artist Louis Chalon, the 40-inch-tall figure captures an ivory maiden in bronze armor and spear in hand charging forth on a horse reared up on its hind legs. With a pre-sale estimate in the low five figures, this should hit a very high note.

Another pricey item on the block is Jan Van Chelminski's oil-on-canvas of Napoleon behind the frontlines. A Polish artist, Chelminski specialized in paintings of the French emperor. “Aux Environs de Soissons” shows the bare-headed French leader talking strategy with his generals in a wintry battlefield setting.

During his career, the late Carnegie Mellon University professor William Nelson collected etchings and engravings with a theatrical tone, a not-so-surprising choice for a man who taught lighting for the theater. Many of the works date to the 17th century and depict grand celebrations and processions on stage, many times held for the entertainment of royalty. In generally good condition, the works hail from galleries in London, New York City and other notable sources.

A true highlight is the Tiffany dragonfly table lamp with a bronze Tiffany base. The leaded-glass shade radiates in dark blues and greens through the dragonfly wings that encircle it. Stamped with Tiffany serial numbers on the inside rim of the shade and the lamp base, this is the genuine article.

Also in the art selection, bidders will find works by A. F. King, Hugh Breckenridge, an early A. Bryan Wall, Joseph Woodwell, George Hetzel and other painters favored by local collectors.

In addition, the sale features a strong selection of furniture that includes pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries, including actor John Barrymore's humidor. And a small but significant category of Asian art could create a big buzz on the Internet, as has been the case of late.

Interested parties may preview the goods at the Concept showroom at 1031 S. Braddock Ave. from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and until 8 p.m. Thursday. The sale starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Details: 412-242-9200

Three Rivers Auction Co.

Discovery is the theme at Three Rivers Auction Co., as the Washington, Pa., gallery brings to market the collection and inventory from a long-time Pittsburgh area antiques dealer. The Tuesday sale will include thousands of items in categories covering glassware, pottery, art, mirrors, lamps, Christmas decorations, country items and plenty more.

After a strong showing during Three Rivers most recent sale, Fiestaware returns with another round of colorful mashup of plates, platters, pitchers, salt and pepper shakers and more. Adding another dash of vibrancy, a set of aluminum cups in a rainbow of hues is up for grabs as are several pieces of Bakelite kitchen utensils and a vintage checker set.

The Depression glass choices include storage containers, juicers, serving platters, wine glasses and bowls. Green is the main hue for most items, but a few ruby-red and amber pieces add some variety.

Long a strong source of pottery and ceramics, Three Rivers shows some muscle with a hefty showing of pieces from Roseville, Royal Copley, Hager, Homer Laughlin, Blue Ridge, Hall, Stangl and other respected manufacturers. And for newbies in the antiques arena, a small library of reference and buying guides certainly can boost the knowledge of collectors on the rise.

The sale preview is from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, at the Three Rivers showroom, 382 W. Chestnut St., Washington, followed by the sale at 6 p.m.

With a fairly fast turnaround, Three Rivers returns with a Nov. 3 sale heavy on art glass, figurines, pottery, sterling silver and jewelry.

Among the hot picks are eight retired Lladros, more than 40 Royal Doulton figurines, along with 90 lots of Roseville, Weller, Rookwood, Owens and McCoy pottery. In the glass class, 30 lots of Steuben crystal stemware standout with a Tiffany sterling and cut-glass basket lending considerable style. Other items of interest include a Regina disc player, vintage boot maker sign, Art Deco fish bowl, Bakelite napkin rings and a portrait of Fredrick Douglass.

To preview the goods, visit the Three Rivers showroom from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 2. The sale starts at noon Nov. 3.

Details: 724-222-8020

BHD Auctions

Take a trip down memory lane and Evans City Road as BHD Auctions returns to the former J.S. Dill Auction gallery for a Saturday morning sale Nov. 3.

After a series of successful Internet-only sales, owner Brian Detch goes “live” again to sell off country classics such as a Gibson oak icebox, a primitive high chair and a pie-crust table. Moving into a bit more refined style, a five-piece Victorian highly carved settee lends a sophisticated touch. Overall, the furniture grouping is wide and diverse with choices that include a Sellers Hoosier cabinet, Grandfather clock with leaded-glass door, round oak table, Victorian fainting sofa, Victorian ladies drop front writing desk and a child's caned Morris chair.

With Oktoberfest celebrations just about tapped out, a vintage barrel from the Ft. Pitt beer company might be good for another round or two. And if you're looking to light anyone's fire, another cache of Zippo lighters is up for grabs.

The preview starts at 9 a.m. on the sale day, with opening bids at 10 a.m. at 2341 Evans City Road, Zelienople.

Details: 724-816-0683

Constantine & Pletcher

While many auction companies are tightening belts, co-owner Dan Pletcher is growing the Cheswick-based establishment by hiring two more employees. One of the newcomers is a photographer who will upgrade Constantine & Pletcher's online catalogs. The other staff addition will manage the company's upcoming Web-exclusive sales, the first of which starts Nov. 1.

Still, live sales will remain the mainstay at Constantine & Pletcher. Though the Sunday sale doesn't feature items that will crack the $10,000-plus barrier, it does include a wide selection of furniture, art, silver, glassware, clocks and Asian art. As is the tradition, the day starts with an uncataloged sale loaded with hundreds of items from the personal stash of a longtime East End collector.

A trio of gilt Tibetan Buddhas sets the tone for Asian art, which has produced some surprising results over the past few years. A Japanese ivory floral group could blossom pricewise when it comes up for bid. And a provincial Chinese sewing table could stitch up a nice hammer price.

In the furniture category, highlights include a Georgian mahogany commode circa 1820, a classical mahogany card table with a dolphin base, a Victorian bamboo double bed and a pair of Chippendale-style card chairs. An English tea urn and modernist teaset, with tea caddy and spoons, standout in the silver section. A French clock set with sconces might be worth a few seconds of attention. Local history buffs with an architectural angle will take note of some marble lion heads that once showed their pride on a turn-of-the-20th-century Downtown building. Along with all that, there are more than 100 lots of model-train gear, with pieces from the pre- and post-war eras and more modern makes.

ADter the live sale wraps up, Pletcher and his new webmaster will turn their attention to the company's inaugural Internet auction. Pletcher says the Web auctions will provide more exposure for items that might get overlooked in the company's uncataloged and cataloged sales. The online sale, which runs Nov. 1 to 15, focuses on smalls, with most items within a price range of $50 to a couple hundred dollars. This kickoff event includes Zippo lighters, Lionel trains and 200 more lots. To place bids or learn more about the sale, click on www.constantinemayer.com.

Details: 724-275-7190

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