Bidazzled auction at High Point Market to benefit charities

Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, October 9, 2012

This Aviva slipper chair from the Candice Olson Highland House Collection, covered in a neutral, crocodile-textured velvet, is up for bid at Sunday’s Bidazzled auction under the tent in the Market Square/Century Courtyard.

HIGH POINT — The Antique & Design Center and Market Square & Suites will produce the first Bidazzled at this week's High Point Market - a live and online auction benefitting the local chapters of Habitat for Humanity and Second Harvest Food Bank.

The live charity auction, with a cocktail party hosted by Market Square & Suites, is slated for Sunday at 6:30 p.m., under the tent in the Market Square/Century Courtyard and is open to all market attendees.

Live auction bidding begins at 7 p.m. on a collection of antiques donated by exhibitors in the Antique & Design Center, and new merchandise provided by tenants of Market Square & Suites and other showroom buildings owned by International Market Centers.

More than 60 exhibitors have donated merchandise for the auction, and donations will be accepted until the auction starts.

"Food and shelter relief could not be a more perfect fit for the home furnishings industry," said Karen Luisana, managing director of the Antique & Design Center.

The community beyond marketgoers can participate in the auction via real-time online bidding.

"The Bidazzled auction is a window into all the amazing products that are unveiled here twice each year, and offers an exciting opportunity for members of the surrounding communities to participate in the High Point Market in support of two important local causes," said Luisana.

Among the items up for bid are original artwork, an early 19th century harp made by I & I ERAT London, England, a 19th century hand-carved and hand-painted Chinese gilded alter table, and a mid-century hand-carved wooden tree sculpture called "Zen," all from Luisana Designs and Antiques.

New merchandise includes an upholstered chair from the Candice Olson Highland House Collection, and items donated by American Leather, Asian Loft, Capel Rugs, Feizy Rugs, Fine Art Tapestries, Thomas & Gray, Thibaut Fine Furniture and antiques dealer Randall Tysinger.

The charity auction will be conducted by William Chandler Eshleman, Chandler's Auction & Estate Sales.

Items may be viewed online at http://www.chandlersauction.com/ and at http://www.liveauctioneers.com/catalog/33019_chandlers-auction-and-estate-sales/page1. Pre-bidding is welcomed.

There's also an online catalog and details at http://www.hpantiqueanddesigncenter.com/home.php.

Marketgoers can view items on display Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the ground floor of the Antique & Design Center in Market Square, where volunteers from Habitat for Humanity and Second Harvest Food Bank will assist with obtaining buyer's numbers and pre-bids.