Lifestyles

Budget your time and money as a series of multiple-day sales close out April's auction schedule.

Dargate Auction Gallery

The marquee magic on this one is "Cowher Power." After retiring and moving to North Carolina with his family, former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher is putting the remaining contents of his Fox Chapel home on the auction block during Dargate's three-day sale, April 27-29. What you can expect to find is plenty of furniture from names such as Baker, Hendredon and Maitland-Smith. But don't look for much Black and Gold memorabilia.

"It's basically household things," says David Arnold, Dargate's consignment manager. "We have living room, bedroom furniture and dining room furniture. It goes from traditional to contemporary. From the game room, there are a pool table, foosball game and pinball machine. Kaye (Cowher) furnished the house when Bill first got the job."

While the Cowher angle will deservedly draw much fan attention, the rest of the sale is more than noteworthy, with items from various consignors. Some of the goods in the sale are from the lending art collection of Oberlin College. According to Arnold, many of the paintings still have library card pockets on the back. Also look for more items from the Chestnut Ridge lodge, remnants from a previous sale.

Silver is always a main player on the Dargate stage, and this sale includes the work of an English master. Paul Storr was probably the most important British silversmith of the 19th century. Working for a number of notable London firms, Storr developed a reputation so respected that he earned the patronage of King George IV before he took the throne. After working in a neoclassical style in his early days, he later adopted a more naturalistic approach. Crafted in 1799, a quartet of Storr silver bowls is generating strong interest, says Arnold, and should create even stronger bidding.

Closer to home, a handful of paintings by local artist David Hanna reflects the influence of the Wyeth family. Before his death in the early 1980s, Hanna lived in Bucks County and Maine, two favorite Wyeth haunts.

The sale draws attention to Patrick Hennessy, of Ireland. A member of the Royal Irish School, his portraits were his stock in trade during his early career, moving to landscapes later in his life. "Still Life with Sea Shell" captures the spirit of his homeland.

Considering the scope of the sale, any roundup short of a few thousand words would be lacking. But space is limited. So here's a summary of a few of the more significant individual items and collections up for grabs: a rare array of Loetz art glass; two pallets of sports cards; a Tiffany dogwood shade; antique furniture covering a wide range of periods and styles; jewelry; sculpture, rare books; and more.

You can view the catalog online or in person from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 24, noon-8 p.m. April 25 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26. Bidding starts at 10 a.m. April 27-29, at Dargate, 214 N. Lexington Ave., Point Breeze. Details: 412-362-3558 or online.

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Three Rivers Auction Co.

If you ever played dress-up as a kid, Tripp Kline's two-day weekend sale, April 28 and 29, will bring back a lot of memories as a 40-year collection of vintage clothing comes up for bid.

"I can't say that I've seen a sale of this type locally in terms of volume and quality," Kline says. "We've had strong interest already from around the country. The difference between the two sale days is that Saturday is uncataloged, with no online bidding, and mostly costume jewelry, shoes, hats, purses and other accessories will be on sale."

But come April 29, expect a fashion blast from the past in a fully cataloged sale of more than 300 lots of ensembles dating from the 1850s to the 1900s. The collection belongs to Kathleen Mitchell, a professional stage costumer and fabric historian who lives in Washington, Pa.

"Doing stage costuming, I had to find clothing to use onstage," Mitchell says. "As a result, I went to garage sales, auctions and other places where I might find vintage clothing. I look for items from every era and every style."

Previews are from noon-7 p.m. April 26 and 10 a.m.-noon April 28, followed by the sale April 28 and 29 at West Beau and Washington streets, Washington, Pa. Details: 724-222-8020.

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Constantine & Mayer Inc.

Jeff Constantine isn't letting a few sniffles and sneezes knock him off track as he prepares for a big doubleheader sale April 28 and 29.

On April 28, look for a lineup of "fine antiques and collectibles" from multiple estates, Constantine says. Much of the merchandise comes from a Mt. Lebanon estate, with a significant collection of dolls. In addition, the former owner shared a birthday -- but not the year -- with President George Washington, a coincidence that led to her amassing an interesting mix of items related to the father of our country.

April 29's back end of the sale focuses on the Royal Doulton collection of Dr. Charles Gratz. The single-owner event consists of "seldom seen" jugs, pottery and figurines, including some based on characters from the stories of Beatrix Potter. Overall, more than 220 pieces are in the sale.

Previews are noon-5 p.m. April 27, 8-10 a.m. April 28 and 10 a.m.-noon April 29. Bidding starts at 10 a.m. April 28 and noon April 29 at 1306 Pittsburgh St., Cheswick. Details: 724-275-7190.

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J.S. Dill Auctions Inc.

"What I like about this sale is that it's an assembled auction," says Bob Hanks, co-owner of J.S. Dill Auctions. "We have four families involved with this sale, which gives us a wonderful spread of offerings, from real manly stuff and very ladylike items, to high-end goods to lower-end items."

The bright spots this weekend include a Handel, probably the most expensive piece in the sale. Complete with markings and other signs of authenticity, the lamp sports a green vine design circling the bottom of the amber glass shade. Rounding out the sale are glass, furniture, ceramics, china, vintage European posters and much more.

Previews are 3-7 p.m. Friday and 9-10 a.m. Saturday, followed by the 10 a.m. sale at 2341 Evans City Road, Zelienople, Butler County. Details: 724-453-0853 or 412-362-9001.

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Royal York Auction Gallery

Watch out for the paparazzi as the Royal York hits a high during a sale that features a baby grand piano that once belonged to music superstar Christina Aguilera, who just happened to sign the soundboard while in town this month for a concert at the Mellon Arena. A portion of the sale proceeds will be donated by the Royal York to a local women's shelter. For a chance to tickle these celebrity ivories, head to the Royal York on April 28.

Previews are 5-8 p.m. April 26 and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. April 27. The sale starts at 9 a.m. April 28 at 5925 Baum Blvd., East Liberty. Details: 412-661-1171.

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Recent sales

J.S. Dill Auctions

An unsigned painting of a Butler County homestead pulled down a $30,000 hammer price at J.S. Dill's April 7 auction. "It was the most intense bidding I've seen here," says Bob Hanks, co-owner of J.S. Dill. Created during the last years of the 19th century, the large oil on canvas depicts a busy, old-time farm.

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Dargate:

Pew with a view: "The Meeting House," by David Hanna, shows the interior of a church with a Maine beach landscape through window. Oil on masonite. Estimate: $1,000-$1,200.

Great things in Storr: These swirled lobed bowls, hand chased with acanthus and floral decoration, include the marks of Paul Storr, a 19th-century British silversmith. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000.

Garden party: Once a fixture at the Chestnut Ridge resort, this 18th-century French oil on canvas requires a big new home, measuring 98 inches by 84 inches. Estimate: $20,000 to $30,000.

In a Nouveau light: This three-light Art Nouveau figural lamp is titled "Return from the Well." Estimate: $1,000-$1,500.

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Royal York

Getting in tune: This baby grand comes from the Wexford home of Christina Aguilera, who autographed the soundboard. Estimate: $800-$1,200.

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Constantine & Mayer

Mug Shots: A collection of mugs highlights an unusual array of 125 Royal Doulton items. Estimates range from $50-$1,000.

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J.S. Dill Auctions

Straight from the vine: A well-preserved Handel lamp is one of several fine lamps up for grabs at J.S. Dill Auctions.

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Three Rivers Auction Co.

Great threads: The vintage clothing collection of Kathleen Mitchell goes on the block at Three Rivers Auction Co. This purple velvet "premiere" dress debuted in 1879. Estimate: $500-$1,000.

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