Will Seippel, CEO of WorthPoint, enjoys watching the items sold at auctions held by our WorthPoint Industry Partners. We thought it would be a great idea for him to select some of his favorite sold items and explain why those sales stood out to him. Gaining insights from Will is an excellent way to learn about buying and selling trends in our industry. We want to empower you to buy and sell with confidence. Take a look at his thoughts on a few of our partners’ recent sales.
On March 11, 2025, WorthPoint added 249,068 items to our Price Guide, with a total value of $16,773,065.08. That’s an average of $63.32 per lot.
An Impressive Price
The spotlight in the auction world recently shone on a stunning piece of advertising history: an original Indian Motorcycle neon sign, which was part of the ongoing Miller & Miller auction. This 1930s-40s gem soared to an impressive $77,706, proving that when you combine the iconic appeal of motorcycles with neon signage, the result is a price tag that accelerates quickly. The quirky misspelling makes the sign even more interesting—back in the day, it was branded as “Motocycle” with the “r” left out, a nod to its early days in the market. At 66.5″ x 35.5″, the sign is large but not overpowering, and with a solid 8.25 grade, it’s in excellent condition, with vibrant colors and gloss. This striking neon would be a dream addition to any collection or a standout piece for a man cave. The Indian brand itself has a rich legacy, stemming from George Hendee’s bicycle company, which evolved into one of the most recognized names in motorcycles. Native American imagery also made its mark in the auction, with three of the top five lots showcasing this cultural motif.
A Beautiful Story
Antikeo recently sold a stunning Medieval painting titled Christ and the Adulteress, attributed to the workshop of Lorenzo Lotto, that turned heads. This compelling oil on canvas, measuring about 40″ x 53″, beautifully captures the dramatic moment from the Gospel of John, where Christ intervenes to save an adulteress from being stoned. The piece was highly praised for its emotional depth and the detailed, almost theatrical portrayal of the figures, and it brought in an impressive $37,947. The auction also showcased other remarkable works, including a vivid depiction of Judith, the Biblical heroine, attributed to Ambrogio Benzone’s workshop. In this 16th-century oil painting, Judith stands triumphant, holding the severed head of the Assyrian general Holofernes, a classic subject of Renaissance passion and virtue. This artwork, measuring 97 cm x 77 cm, fetched $15,725. With the top ten lots totaling around $101,000, it’s clear that the auction’s blend of medieval and Renaissance masterpieces captured the attention of collectors, offering both historical intrigue and exceptional craftsmanship.
Japanese Bronzes
The last item of the day in the fabulous decorative art category at Sean Eacrett Auctions was a pair of Meiji-period bronze vases. Standing at just about 15″ x 16″, these vases were embossed with intricate birds of paradise in mid-flight, a design that truly captured the beauty of nature. Three legs elegantly supported each vase, adding to their unique and striking form. The Meiji period, spanning from 1868 to 1912, is known for producing exceptional craftsmanship, and these vases, attributed to the 1800s, are no exception. In my opinion, Japanese bronzes are still woefully undervalued, perhaps because of the country’s aging population and shrinking collector base. These particular vases, however, sold for a very reasonable $803.87, a steal for such finely crafted pieces of history.
Will Seippel is the founder, president, and CEO of WorthPoint. Will has been an avid collector since 1974 and dealer of just about all things antique—with an emphasis on ephemera— since 1984. He is also the creator and founder of HIP, a website devoted to recording the best of the world’s history that has been saved on film.
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