Show Stopper: These eighteenth-century Italian columns were six feet high and carved all over with climbing vines and bunches of grapes. The old surface with traces of gilding on the grapes and the rich patination were to die for. Brennan and Mouilleseaux brought them to Hunt Valley, where Tim Brennan bet me they'd end up in someone's wine cellar. I'm pleased I was prudent, because that's exactly where they went, though not from Hunt Valley, but from Winnetka the next weekend. $9,500.

Brennan & Mouilleseaux, 239 Marsh Road, Northfield, CT 06778, (860) 283-2232, timanddave@optonline.net.