Absentee bids let you place your maximum bid on an item before the live auction begins. During the live show, we’ll continue bidding on your behalf up to your max bid — just like leaving a bid with a traditional auctioneer.
When you place an absentee bid, you’ll choose a bid strategy. Your chosen strategy determines how the current bid will be set at the time your bid is placed. Your maximum bid always remains confidential.
The available strategies are:
🐢 Slow & Steady — starts your bid low and lets others chase you.
⚡💥 Power Bid — starts at about half your max to show intent without revealing your top number.
♥️♠️ All In ♦️♣️ — sets the current bid to your full bid amount right away.
The current bid shown on each lot reflects all confirmed absentee bids and updates automatically as new bids come in.
When the live auction starts, bidding will begin at the current bid. The auctioneer will continue bidding on behalf of absentee bidders up to their max bids.
Because absentee bids can arrive seconds apart, the current bid you see may not always include bids still being processed. Refresh the page for the most up-to-date information.
For our full absentee bid policy, please click here.
Bidding Quick Facts
How bidding works
All items have a minimum bid of $1.00.
When "No Bids" is displayed, it means no absentee bids have been placed on this item yet.
Once bids are placed, the current bid will be displayed instead.
For more information on the bidding process, please click here.
Bid Successfully Submitted!
Your absentee bid for Lot 143 - Pair of Vintage Music Masters Musical Wall Plaques with Thorens Movements, Johann Strauss "Emperor Waltz" and Frederic Chopin "Till the End of Time," Made in Switzerland, Inscribed and Dated 1949, 5-3/8" L x 5-3/8" H each was successfully submitted—thank you for bidding with us!
The current bid displayed will not update immediately. You will receive a confirmation email shortly.
You may continue to place additional bids.
For our full absentee bid policy, please review the Auction Rules.
Confirm Bid
Lot 143 - Pair of Vintage Music Masters Musical Wall Plaques with Thorens Movements, Johann Strauss "Emperor Waltz" and Frederic Chopin "Till the End of Time," Made in Switzerland, Inscribed and Dated 1949, 5-3/8" L x 5-3/8" H each
Lot 143 - Pair of Vintage Music Masters Musical Wall Plaques with Thorens Movements, Johann Strauss "Emperor Waltz" and Frederic Chopin "Till the End of Time," Made in Switzerland, Inscribed and Dated 1949, 5-3/8" L x 5-3/8" H each
A pair of vintage Music Masters musical wall plaques, each featuring a gold-toned relief portrait medallion set against a black ground within a dark wood frame with gold inner trim. One plaque depicts Johann Strauss, marked "1825" and "1899," fitted with a Thorens movement playing "Emperor Waltz." The other depicts Frederic Chopin, marked "1810" and "1849," fitted with a Thorens movement playing "Till the End of Time." Both are activated by a pull-cord mechanism with a round black ball at the end. The Thorens movement labels on the verso read "Made in Switzerland."
The reverse of each plaque bears a printed "Music Masters" label with instructions reading "Hang Musical Plaque Up to Wind - Pull Cord." Both are pencil-inscribed "To Rose From Roy" with "1949" written in the upper right corner. The paper backing on both plaques shows tears and losses, particularly around the cord openings. The wood frames show edge wear and minor scuffing.