VIENNA — Vienna’s 63 Vintage Market hosted its first-ever live auction on Feb. 6, through social media and online platforms. Unlike a typical live sale, which often features 200 items, this auction was more intimate and curated, with the organization selecting pieces that were streamed throughout the evening.

Organizers guided participants through the process. Each item was displayed and bidding opened immediately. Joe Cardetti, one of the organizers, described the process of a live auction.

“After the bidding slows, so it might be two or three minutes of bidding, and then when we’re not seeing bids come up, we put it on the clock,” Cardetti said. “It goes for a minute, and they have a minute to get in their last bid.”

Owner of 63 Vintage Market Denine Bremer noted the challenges of running an online auction.

“We had a little lag here and there with the internet,” Bremer said. “But honestly, after six years of doing live events, we’re used to it. We worked out all the kinks ahead of time, and it ran smoother than we ever imagined for a first-time social media auction.”

Bremer said the auction featured a variety of treasures, from early country artifacts dating back to the 1800s to unusual handmade folk art. Among the most talked-about items were a hand-hewn wooden bowl carved from a single log and a delicate tin-and-wood folk art banjo, which both sold for impressive prices.

The sale also marked the near depletion of the shop’s carefully curated German goods, including a standout German teddy bear.

“I had brought back two stuffed animal bears from Germany in December with me,” Bremer said.

Bidders were drawn in by the newness of the auction. From the first items displayed to the final minute on the clock, each sale brought a flurry of activity. Bidders sought to claim unique pieces before the countdown ended.

Bremer said the auction was was a chance to connect with the Vienna community and share a passion for history and antiques.

“It’s amazing to see people so invested in the pieces and so excited to bid,” Bremer said. “Even with the lag, it was over the top, and we couldn’t be happier with how it went.”

Looking ahead, Bremer plans to continue sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces from around the world. After nearly selling out of her German inventory, she has already planned a trip to Paris, France, later this year to gather new antiques and treasures for future auctions.