Charlie Trotter's Auction Open For Bidding
By Anthony Todd in Food on Feb 15, 2013 4:20PM
A Viennese Secessionist Settee from Charlie Trotter's, currently on sale.
More than 700 items are up for bidding, including dishes, furniture, art and kitchen equipment. Everything is starting out at incredibly low prices (mostly $10) and given the number of lots and the lack of interest in the live auction, you may be able to get some real bargains. Now, it remains questionable whether you want a "VIENNESE SECESSIONIST SETTEE Having Josef Hoffmann upholstery and ebony finish frame" in your house. If you do, though, the price is currently only $160—far less than the original price at the live auction.
Some smaller, more esoteric items might draw your attention. Tons and tons of silver (if you like used restaurant silver) including tea sets, coffeepots, serving platters and more. They've got about 20 silver-plated bottled water holders (to prevent unsightly dripping, you know) that are priced to move. This auction serves to remind us how most of the stuff restaurants use aren't actually useful for home chefs - the frippery of wine coasters and 20-piece silver sets are the reason we eat out, not something we want to polish ourselves.
On the other hand, the auction may be a real boon for china geeks, as many sets of Wedgewood and Limoges china are being auctioned off at bargain prices. If you're looking for lots of 10 or 12 dinner plates or a new set of Riedel crystal, spend some serious time looking through the later pages. You might find your next dish set.
The auction will be open until February 25.