French provincial furniture is just one of many styles.
If you are looking for a good deal, head to Braswell Galleries, a 42,000-square- foot warehouse at the end of Sniffen Street in Norwalk. You can’t miss the brick edifice with patio furniture, statuary, planters and a wagon outside the building. Once you step in the gallery, you may spend hours in the showroom.
Amidst the vast array of goods are chairs, lamps, tables and a grandfather clock. If you need a wine cabinet, you’ll find it near a wood bookcase with glass doors. Also in the mix are statues, deer heads and bird baths. You can find clothes, sports equipment, tableware, fabric, ribbon and thread.
There are many period pieces in Braswell, including a cash register from the 1920s. An antique gilt mirror sells for $1,295. In the jewelry section, a beaded multicolor necklace goes for $65 and a vintage compact purse sells for $35.
Adjoining the showroom is an auction gallery. On the first and third Friday of each month, Kathy and Gary Braswell hold an auction. They do free appraisals between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. At 5 p.m., the Braswells serve a barbecue — Texas style — featuring beef brisket, chili, salad, pecan pie, peach cobbler and beverages, including beer and wine. The food is courtesy of the Braswells. The auction starts at 6 p.m.
Kathy and Gary have been in the auction business for over 30 years. “Gary learned the business from his dad, Harvey,” Kathy said. “Gary grew up in Texas, where his dad used to buy houses, fix them up and then resell them. He also sold antiques and household items and was in the auction field. Harvey would come up to the Northeast and buy items and then take the goods back to Texas — via a trailer truck — and hold auctions. When Gary was 13, the family moved to the Northeast, since his dad was spending so much time up here.”
Gary and Kathy obtain their merchandise from many sources. “We go to estate sales, and folks often bring pieces to us. If a family member has passed on, we may get a call to look at the household goods that are left. We may buy one piece or the whole household. Often if someone is going to move or change their home décor, we get a call to look at the items that are no longer needed or wanted,” Kathy said.
The Braswells will celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary this year. Kathy stayed home with their three children until they were in school, and then started working with Gary.
“Our oldest daughter is now in her early 30s with four children of her own. Our son, 29, works in the business with us. Our youngest daughter is 25 and a special-education teacher. She helps out in her spare time. Gary’s brother and his wife help us manage and run the auctions. It’s a family affair,” Kathy said.
People bring in items to be auctioned off daily. In the auction storeroom, there are a pinball machine, movie posters and picture frames, as well as lots of tables, chairs, sofas, lamps and mirrors.
“Our items range from antiques to period pieces to last year’s styles. We have a lot of bargains. You can get a whole shelf of books for $10. A sofa may go for $100. A mahogany dining room set with eight chairs sold for under $1,000 recently. We have really good deals, better than at a retail store, since we sell wholesale,” Kathy said.
The auctioneer holds up a piece and starts the bidding, which can be at any price. He may say $10 or $25 or $100. If nobody bids, the price goes down, if bids are made, the price goes up.
“Everything sells at our auctions. There are no reserves and no minimums — a piece could go for a dollar. We don’t accept Internet bidding,” Kathy said.
Folks take their pieces home with them the night of the sale or pick them up within the next several days.
“Everyone has a lot of fun at the auctions. One couple came in with their son. He was so excited that he had raised his hand and bought something,” Kathy said.
Four times a year the Braswells hold auctions for high-end items.
“We had one on New Year’s Day that featured an oriental vase, porcelain pieces and fine china. Our next high-end auction is scheduled for the spring, followed by one in the summer and then in the fall. You can call or check the website for the high-end auction dates,” Kathy said.
Braswell Galleries is at the end of Sniffen Street in Norwalk. Hours: Monday to Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 11 to 5; 203-846-0610; fax 203-846-0617; braswellgalleries.com; email, braswellauctions@gmail.com.
