A Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory neoclassical painted and parcel-gilt two-handled urn from the second quarter of the Nineteenth Century was the top lot of the auction when it attained $152,500. The urn stands 21½ inches tall.

A Russian urn from the mid-Nineteenth Century attained $152,500 at Bonhams’ fine American and European furniture, silver and decorative arts auction January 24. Overwhelming interest in the urn engaged every available phone line, sparking a lengthy bidding war.

“The exceptional urn is Russian Imperial Porcelain †the finest Russian porcelain of that time. The surface is in pristine condition, and it features a beautifully painted scene as well as a rare chocolate brown ground for the pattern on the reverse. We’re very pleased with the price realized for this remarkable piece,” said Karl Green, Bonhams New York director of furniture and decorative arts.

Nineteenth Century French furniture offered in the sale also did very well, with many pieces surpassing their high estimates. Pairs proved popular with bidders, for example a pair of French chinoiserie decorated mother-of-pearl inlaid hardwood vitrine cabinets, late Nineteenth⁥arly Twentieth Century, soared to $32,500. A pair of Louis XV-style gilt-bronze mounted kingwood marquetry pedestals by Joseph Emmanuel Zwiener from the end of the Nineteenth Century easily surpassed their high estimate to fetch $37,500. Strong prices were also realized for pieces by other master makers such as Linke.

From the Americana section of the sale, four panels of a ten-panel decorative screen from the Ballard House in Louisville, Ky., by Everett Shinn sold for $31,250. A molded and sheet copper horse and sulky weathervane from the second half of the Nineteenth Century, attributed to A.L. Jewell from Waltham, Mass., brought $27,500, a testament to its unusual construction, as well as its condition and extensive documentation. A Queen Anne tiger maple chest-on-chest from New Hampshire featured striped graining and, with the help of a complete family history that surfaced days before the sale, tripled its low estimate to sell for $22,500.

The top lot among Americana in the sale were four panels of a of a ten-panel decorative screen from the Ballard House, Louisville, Ky., painted by Everett Shinn (American, 1876‱953), signed and dated in 1911, that sold for $31,250.

According to Madelia Hickman Ring, Bonhams’ American furniture, folk and decorative arts specialist, “Buyers want more than just traditional forms at reasonable prices. Rare pieces in excellent condition with good or interesting provenance continue to do well.”

International silver offerings proved popular. From Europe, a German 800 standard silver Art Nouveau figural oval centerpiece by Lazarus Posen Witwe sold for $17,500, and a French Louis XV silver covered pitcher by Antoine Bailly more than doubled its high estimate to bring $4,125. A Mexican silver Aztec-style mine commemorative center bowl from the first quarter of the Twentieth Century sold for $9,000, while an American sterling silver two-handled “Four-in-Hand” trophy, circa 1886, from New York, sold for $7,500. Also from America, a sterling silver assembled punch service for 12 by Tiffany & Co. took $22,500.

“The prices realized illustrate that objects by well-known makers, of very good quality and of rare form fetch strong prices,” said Victoria Ayers, Bonhams senior specialist in silver, porcelain and decorative arts.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

Bonhams’ next fine furniture, silver, decorative arts and clocks sale in New York will take place in April. For information, 212-644-9001 or www.bonhams.com .