Do you believe in reincarnation — for auction houses? After all, if an auction house committed major transgressions — the price-fixing incident involving Sotheby’s and Christie’s a few years back comes to mind — in a previous life, would it return as a Big Lots or Wal-Mart• The rebirth of a local institution poses no such transcendental dilemmas. For the first time in nearly six months, Dargate Auction Galleries returns with a sale of first-class goods at a new location and new faces in charge. Now that’s good karma.

Previews Dargate Auction Galleries

Finally, after two construction-related delays, the new Dargate Auction Galleries holds its first sale this weekend with a three-day event that promises a generous dose of the same kind of high-end items the venerable house enjoyed under previous owners Larry and Carol Farley. Now in the hands of Dan Zivko and Paul Novosel of Cleveland, who also own Midwest Auctions Inc., Dargate debuts at 214 N. Lexington Ave., Point Breeze, formerly the site of a bakery for area A&P grocery stores. While Dargate’s East Liberty digs showcased antiques and collectibles on three stories, the new layout features four expansive showrooms on one floor. Scores of glass panes running the length of the showroom provide welcome natural light, even on the most dismal days. Still, some of the cozy charm of the Baum Boulevard site will be missed. Yet, the main selling point of any auction house is what falls under the hammer. And rest assured that Dargate delivers. The inaugural sale includes everything from an austere signed Gustav Stickley Arts and Crafts day bed to an exquisite bronze and ivory Art Deco sculpture by Prof. Otto Poertzel. In between, buyers will discover paintings by local talent A.F. King and Charles van den Eycken, Meissen porcelain from Germany, a 17th-century Delftware vase created for Queen Mary, truckloads of nearly pristine Victorian furniture, Oriental rugs and hundreds of collectibles from every genre imaginable. Among the sale highlights is the Poertzl sculpture of an aristocratic lady walking two hounds. Known for his chryselephantine figures — translation: bronze and ivory — this work captures a seductively sleek female walking two regal hounds on short leashes. Standing about 20 inches tall, the statue bears the signature of “Prof. Poertzl,” an honorary title bestowed by the German government. A classic example of Deco, the piece carries an estimate of $13,000. Pittsburgh loves Victorian. A variety of chests, dressers and tables from the period will attract much bidding. An interesting selection is a bedroom suite that blends hints of country French with Victorian. The turn-of-the-century set — 20th century, that is — comes with a vanity, chest, dresser, high-back bed and upholstered chair, all in mahogany. Unfortunately, a misguided attempt at “antiquing” and some drastic carpentry alterations diminish the value and beauty of the set. Still, the ensemble should run bidding up to the $3,000-to-$5,000 range. Among other standouts: a whimsical oil painting of three kittens cavorting in an overturned box, signed by the Belgian artist Charles van den Eycken. Known for capturing animals in their natural innocence, reproductions of van den Eycken’s works are common finds in arts and crafts stores’ bargain prints section. This original, however, carries an estimate of $8,000 to $12,000. Also worth consideration is a circa mid-1600s Delftware vase created by Adriaenus Kocks for England’s Queen Mary, also known as “Bloody Mary” for condemning many of her opponents to death. Nearly 2 feet tall, the vase features an Oriental motif, decorated with flowers, butterflies and peacocks. Topping it all off is a Foo Dog on a cloud finial. Early estimates fall between $10,000 and $15,000. Another noteworthy item is a handsome pocket watch once owned by Thomas Mellon, the man who started the family fortune. Still in working condition, the timepiece has an 18-karat gold case and porcelain face with a stem-wound guilt movement. An inscription records the watch’s history, stating that it “belonged to Thomas A. Mellon, who died Jany 23d 1899. He purchased it out of his first earnings in 1864. Presented to Thomas Mellon Jr., his nephew, by Aunt Mary C. Mellon.” Crafted by Arnold watchmakers in London and passed down through the Mellon clan, this timeless classic clocks in with a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 to $6,000. Then there are those rugs — an entire roomful of every size and style. More than 100 of them date back 10 to 50 years. And thanks to the recent lifting of the embargo of carpets from Iran, these floor coverings are nearly a steal. According to manager Tim Murphy, buyers can expect bargains with sale prices generally running from an affordable $75 to $500. As with any Dargate sale, the list of “must-sees” is nearly endless. While the gallery’s Web site is up and running, many of the lots for the upcoming sale are not listed there. Still, with previews starting Friday, buyers will have ample time to peruse the many goods up for grabs at Dargate’s last incarnation. Dargate is at 214 N. Lexington Ave., Point Breeze. Previews are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Sales are Saturday through Monday, with starting times to be determined. Details: (412) 362-3558.

Previews The Mattress Factory

You’re not dreaming. This weekend, the Mattress Factory celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special auction of works created by artists who have exhibited pieces at the North Side museum over the past quarter-century. Proceeds from the sale, the second such auction in Mattress Factory history, will support future on-site artistic programs. While many of the works hail from artists around the world, local talents are represented by the likes of Harry Schwalb, Diane Samuels and Robert Qualters. Particularly noteworthy is Kiki Smith’s “Somnambulist,” a large ink drawing on Nepal paper. “Cornucopia,” a print by Rimma Gerlovina and Valeriy Gerlovin, is a startling image of a different kind of horn of plenty. Finally, Bill Woodrow’s “Playing with History” will dispel every childhood image of Lambchops and other hand puppets with a decidedly grim lesson that history is not to be toyed with. In all, 92 works are up for bid at the museum’s Annex Gallery on 1414 Monterey St. in the North Side’s Mexican War Streets neighborhood. Previews are from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday — and online at eBay.com. The sale takes place at 8 p.m. Saturday at 500 Sampsonia St. Tickets are $75 and include a full-color catalog, cocktail reception at 7 p.m. and entertainment. Details: (412) 231-3169.

Review J.S. Dill Auctions

Hot, hot, hot. That’s how J.S. Dill vice president of marketing Bob Hanks described the bidding for a special costume jewelry sale at the Evans City auction house. The treasures in question were mined from an Avalon estate and delivered a mother lode of sales. The two-part event led off with a sale of furniture and other household goods, where a tiger maple chest sold for $4,450.

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