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LIFETIME COLLECTION OF JOHN AND PAT SCHARF AT DARGATE W/4 CUTS -EM

By Rita Easton

PITTSBURGH, PA. -- The lifetime collection of John and the late Patricia

Scharf of Wexford, Pa., was sold by Dargate Auction Galleries on November 13,

14, and 15. Five hundred thirty five bidding numbers were issued for 1,980

lots, grossing approximately $350,000.

The estate on Twin Oaks Drive in Pine Township was purchased by the Scharfs in

1958, when they began a loving, life-long restoration and furnishing of what

was originally a house with a chicken farm. Over the last 40 years, the couple

also devoted themselves to developing a broad knowledge of, sincere

appreciation for, and a unique collection of some of the finest antiques in

western Pennsylvania.

The highest bid of the auction, $16,000, purchased a 9'4" by 14'4" inch

antique Serapi with ivory ground, the center medallion and surrounding borders

in typically warm colors.

A fine early Nineteenth Century Pennsylvania stepback shoe foot cupboard, in

old blue paint, with double six light doors above two drawers above double

cupboard doors, brought $12,500. The lot stood 75 inches high.

An important early Nineteenth Century hanging cupboard in old red with black

sponge decoration went privately for $10,600; an Eighteenth Century Ohio two

part Hepplewhite cylinder secretary, circa 1790, in cherry, with oval inlay on

each of the two doors above the desk, fetched $9,900; and a fine antique

Karaja, having a center medallion, approximately ten by 12 feet, went out at

$8,500.

An oil on canvas by W.C. Wall, "Slippery Rock Creek," measuring 18 by 32

inches, painted in 1861, garnered $7,250; a US model 1855 pistol carbine went

to a collector at $4,200; a blue decorated, six gallon stoneware crock, with

freehand tulip and swag design, A. & E. Boughner, reached $4,000; and a

painted reversible game board, checkers on one side and an unidentified game

on the other, in green, red, black, and white, with "alligatored" finish, was

purchased at $1,700.

An American primitive painting of a house, on board, found in Somerset, Pa.,

made $3,100; a primitive oil of a child in a white dress seated in a chair,

with a wagon nearby, was the buy of the day at $1,000; and an early American

watercolor, Nineteenth Century, signed "F.R. Thornton," reached $5,250.

A carved bust of a sailor standing 24 inches high, Nineteenth Century or early

Twentieth Century, sold "as is" because the date was unknown, reached $4,500;

a spatterware platter and punchbowl reached $1,900; and a spatterware pitcher,

12 inches high, in red and green, went out at $4,100.

Prices quoted do not reflect a required 15 percent buyers premium.