SOUTHAMPTON, PA.- A summer break might have been a tempting idea for the team at family-owned Stephenson’s Auctioneers, but then along came a series of consignments that deserved immediate attention. The gleaming array of antiques and decoratives from several Philadelphia-area homes will be featured in a Friday, July 22 Midsummer Auction that also includes objets d’art and vertu. All forms of bidding will be available for those who cannot attend in person, including absentee, phone and live via the Internet.

An upscale Montgomery County (suburban Philadelphia) residence was the source of an extensive and quite exceptional collection of Willets Belleek and American Belleek porcelain. “Some of the pieces are hefty, hand-painted examples that are quite desirable to collectors,” said Cindy Stephenson, owner of Stephenson’s Auctioneers.

Continental and English porcelains by some of the most sought-after names are entered in the sale. They include productions by Wedgwood and Royal Crown Derby, as well as very nice Meissen tableware and figures with the underglaze blue crossed-swords mark.

Part I of an art-glass paperweight collection from a Manhattan consignor will debut in the July 22 auction. Among the designers represented are Chris Buzzini, John Deacons, and Paul J. Stankard (Massachusetts, b. 1973-), who is regarded as the father of modern glass paperweights. “Paul Stankard’s designs are found in the collections of more than 70 museums internationally and can sell for many thousands of dollars,” Stephenson noted. Lot 77, a Stankard paperweight in a minimalist style with four orchids and experimental green foliage is estimated at $1,000-$2,000.

From the same New York collector, Stephenson’s obtained a superb selection of pre-1850 hand-painted English Mason’s Ironstone China. Among the highlights are: Lot 160, a circa-1813 to 1825 pedestaled tazza (ornamental basin-style bowl), est. $200-$400; and Lot 162, a pair of lush floral and gilt dessert plates from the same period, est. $60-$100.

A trove of decorative silver and bronzes emerged from an elegant suburban Philadelphia house, and Part I of that collection – approximately 50 high-quality pieces – will be offered in Stephenson’s midsummer event. Within the grouping are tea services, flatware and large, ornately detailed repousse designs. An example is Lot 250, a Dutch repousse silver water pitcher with a genre scene within a cartouche on each side, surrounded by richly worked images of flowers, foliage and birds. Estimate: $800-$1,200. Crystal and large, retired Lladros round out the decorative section.

The company’s Bucks County gallery sparkles with gold and silver rings, bracelets and earrings, plus an array of beautifully crafted gold hatpins. Of special note is Lot 333, an 18K gold pin fashioned as a gracefully flowing sheaf of wheat banded with diamonds and adorned with rubies, diamonds and sapphires. Estimate: $750-$1,500.

Stephenson’s Friday, July 22, 2016 Midsummer Antiques & Decorative Arts + Objets d’Art and Vertu Auction will begin at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. The pre-auction inspection will be held at Stephenson’s gallery on Thursday, July 21 from 4-7 p.m., and also on auction day, July 22, from 12 noon until the session begins at 3 p.m. The gallery is located in suburban Philadelphia at 1005 Industrial Blvd., Southampton, PA 18966. Ample, free off-street parking is available to all.

All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet through LiveAuctioneers, AuctionZip, Invaluable or eBay. View the online catalog and bid absentee or live as the sale is taking place at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.