On Saturday, February 11, Garth’s conducted its first early American and decorative arts auction of 2006. A capacity crowd, aggressive Internet bidding and various phone and absentee bids kept the excitement – and prices – high during the 655-lot, one-day event.

The honor of top lot in the sale went to a Chippendale two-piece step back wall cupboard found in a Pennsylvania church.

Walnut with poplar and pine secondary woods, the top and bottom have reeded and chamfered lamb’s tongue corners. The molded base, set on ogee feet, had nine drawers and two double raised panel doors on either end. The top, also on original feet, had two six-pane arched doors. This impressive piece sold for $28,750.

Other furniture highlights included a cherry Chippendale bonnet top chest-on-chest, probably from New London County, Conn., which realized $12,650. A mid Nineteenth Century cherry and mahogany veneer two-piece corner cupboard with a broken arch crest, fully turned and freestanding columns on both the top and bottom and paw feet brought $12,075.

A Shaker step back cupboard with various layers of paint over red stain, ogee cornice and tall applied bracket feet walked off for $6,785.

Copper horse weathervane with cast zinc head, $5,980.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, a selection offine jewelry drew customers’ eyes and bids. A stunning 18K yellowgold Tiffany Schlumberger ring with a 3-carat center VS fancyyellow diamond surrounded by 36 full-cut diamonds sold for $13,225.A three piece set of coral jewelry in the form of flowers with goldleaves and emerald centers brought $2,070 and a delightful 18Kyellow gold koala brooch with .60 carats of diamonds, enamel noseand ruby eyes realized $2,300.

A wide variety of framed items included many fine samplers, paintings and carved wood panels. An 1815 silk-on-wool sampler by Eliza Sarah Wissenden with flying birds, deer, dogs, flowers and a strawberry border stitched its way to $1,782 and an 1838 sampler with scenes of a hunter and dog chasing a stag brought down a top bid of $1,610.

One of several portraits featured a woman identified on the back as Charlotte Bailey, daughter of Seth Bailey. It was painted by her brother-in-law, Jonah Woodruff, and sold for $5,463. A large folio Audubon hand colored engraving titled “Tropic Bird” realized $4,945 and an Alice Schille watercolor of a hillside with trees and houses titled “98 Early Morning” left the block for $7,360.

Three piece set of coral flower shaped jewelry, $2,070; 14K yellow gold jadeite saddle ring, $403; 18K yellow gold koala brooch with diamonds and ruby eyes, $2,300; 18K yellow gold lion rampant brooch with diamonds and rubies, $546.

Smalls of interest included an 82-piece set of Georg JensenAcorn pattern sterling flatware that served up a high bid of$10,350, a full-bodied copper horse weathervane with a cast zinchead galloped to $5,980 and a framed sewing pocket dated 1828 withcrewel embroidery was tucked away for $5,175.

All prices include a 15 percent buyer’s premium. Garth’s busy spring season includes an April 7 Eclectic Auction and a two-day event pairing a specialty auction of important music boxes, Victorian furniture, perfumes and garden trains on Friday, April 21, with a session Saturday, April 22, featuring early American and decorative arts.

For information, 740-362-4771 or www.garths.com.