A Steuben Peacock Vase sold for $17,625 at a live auction in Pittsburgh thanks in part to bidding on eBay Live Auctions. Dargate Auction Galleries had expected the 11" tall vase with pulled iridescent threaded design to sell in the $5,000 range. But three online bidders on eBay Live Auctions and five phone bidders gave the one serious in-house bidder competition and helped push the price to its record-selling price. Internet bidding slowed at the $12,000 level, and the phone and in-house bidding took control. A phone bidder ultimately won the auction.

Ed Gills, Operations Manager for Dargate Auction Galleries, said the auction house has been selling on eBay Live Auctions since its inception, back when it was called eBay Premier (http://www.ebayliveauctions.com). Dargate recently switched service providers, and the Steuben vase was part of the first Dargate auction to be facilitated by ArtFact (http://www.artfact.com/artfact/houseServices.cfm).

Gills said Dargate Auction Galleries usually see a 27 - 32 percent of winning bidders come through eBay bidding.

The live auction took place April 30 at Dargate Auction Galleries in Pittsburgh.

http://www.dargate.com