YPSILANTI, MICH. — It may seem counterintuitive following a sizzling couple of weeks of hotter-than-midsummer weather to bid an American Chippendale fire screen to the top of an auction. Clearly, someone was thinking ahead at Schmidt’s Antiques’ July 20 sale when the aforementioned fire screen blazed past its $800-$1,200 estimate to sell for $13,750, including buyer’s premium. The late Eighteenth Century fire screen, probably of New York origin, featured mahogany construction with a floral needlepoint panel and carved flame finial. The screen had adjustable height and was on a tripod base with cabriole legs. It stood 53½ inches high overall. The auction offered a diverse selection of jewelry, furniture and decorative arts. More highlights to come in a follow-on review.