WARSAW, Ind. – Mission Furniture was well-received during the beginning of the 20th century and, as evidenced at a recent Metzger Auction in Warsaw, remains popular today.

The story of the Mission design, aptly, evolved from unassuming origins.

A chair designed for the Swedenborgian Church of the New Jerusalem in San Francisco became an inspiration for a New York furniture manufacturer, Joseph McHugh, who began producing a straight-line rustic-style of furniture in 1895. The mission chair was a simple rush-seat chair and this, along with the design of this church, had been influenced by the Spanish missions of the area. Thus, the term “Mission Furniture.”

Mission furniture caught on around the turn of the century and many firms dedicated themselves to the manufacture of this furniture. One of the best known of these was the Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley. Included among the many other manufacturers who made significant contributions to the design and manufacture of mission furniture were Charles Limbert, Charles Rohlfs, Grand Rapids Bookcase and Chair Company, Frank Lloyd Wright and Greene and Greene.

Mission furniture was well-received and popular at the beginning of the twentieth century and it is also popular in the present day and is being produced by many medium and large manufacturers as well as in one-man craft shops. This popularity was in evidence at the Labor Day auction held by Metzger Auction in Warsaw, Ind. where several bidders expressed their interests in the newer Mission-style oak pieces. The oak dining room suite including a dining table and eight chairs sold for $1,200; a buffet earned $300; and the glass-front hutch saw a final bid of $550. A raised breakfast table with four chairs that complemented the dining room suite sold for $300.

Also newer, but desirable, was a Broyhill sofa with a matching love seat. This pair crossed the block for $650.

In the past telephones were pretty stationary objects and one needed a place for them. Manufactured for this purpose, a Stickley telephone desk along with a handy chair was presented and earned $250. A Mission-style library table earned $100 and a larger library table with carving crossed the block for $160.

Other furniture items included an open bookshelf with carving and a small back mirror that earned $110; a small church pew sold for $270; and a marble-top commode crossed the block for $45.

Several interested bidders thoroughly inspected the oak hall tree which crossed the block for $550; an Eureka oak and curved-glass tabletop display case saw $130; and a vintage wood-trimmed upholstered sofa sold for $225.

It seems that salesman’s samples of most any kind attract their fair share of attention. The salesman’s sample at this auction, an EZ Loader boat trailer with boat, was larger than some but was in its original box and condition. It sold for $400.

A 2007 Quantum 600 electric wheel chair, along with a lift, was offered and saw a final bid of $750.

A beautiful crystal chandelier from a New York estate had been consigned to this auction and elicited spirited bidding ending with a final bid of $850. Other lighting items included an oil lamps that sold for $175; an electrified Gone With the Wind lamp that earned $70; and a tulip lamp that earned $75. A red Dietz lantern sold for $100; an Aladdin non-sweating signal lantern earned $40; and a Perko marine lantern from Brooklyn, New York crossed the block for $175.

From North Manchester, Ind., a Shively cream-top milk bottle commanded a final bid of $140 and a baby bottle, also marked Shively, sold for $70. The winning bidder of the baby bottle was very pleased with his purchase as the embossing was in very good condition and showed a phone number for the dairy of 14.

Several Hummels were presented, most of them about three to four inches tall. There were several Hummel collectors present, pushing the the final bids to $40 to $80 each.

No general consignment auction is complete without a gun or two. The Higgins 12-gauge at this auction sold for $120.

Advertising collectors had the opportunity to buy a one-sided Red Crown gasoline sign. The final bid for this item was $205.

A large set of sterling silver flatware sold for $800.

Two beautiful stained glass windows, architectural pieces, that appeared to have come from a steeple or similarly shaped edifice sold for $100 each.

Some of the other items found included: pint and a half-pint Dazey churns that sold for $50 each; a Keen Kutter axe (possibly a reproduction) earned $50; and an old child’s rocking horse sold for $45.

An Indian rug sold for $270; and a file system that would be found in a hardware store for nails, screws and more crossed the block for $160.

An old quilt in the Lone Star pattern, made in jewel-tone colors sold for $105; and a cast iron outdoor set earned $90.

These are only a few of the many items presented at this auction. There were pottery pieces by Hull, R.S. Prussia porcelain items, and many, many tools. There were also pieces of carnival glass, household goods, plus many more pieces of furniture, both old and newer.

Metzger Auction is a full-service auction company with experience selling estates, household goods, commercial liquidations, farm equipment and real estate. For additional information on this auction, upcoming auctions or services provided you can contact them at 260-982-9050 or check out their website: www.metzgerauction.com.