It quickly became obvious that 'Cheap as Chips' was her favourite expression and she used it with complete abandon. Whether it was a Chinese bowl or a nest of tables, everything seemed to be as Cheap as Chips to Dalia.
Two chairs became vacant at the front of the room and we shifted to improve our bidding chances. This wasn't a good move for me though. I was right in front of Dalia's loudspeaker and copped a blast every time she emphasised a word. At one stage she said, "WAKE UP. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE BARGAIN!" I almost jumped out of my seat. There was no chance that I would get a nap under that loudspeaker.
Finally, the auction reached the lamp section. We grew progressively more nervous as the assistants moved closer and closer to THE lamp. A familiar banker's green desk lamp was taken, then a marble lamp, and two matching beside lamps. I couldn't help but notice how ordinary those lamps looked and how extraordinary 'our' lamp looked in comparison.
As beads of sweat started to build on my forehead, I reflected on how hard it would be to find another lamp like it anywhere in Sydney. Art Deco lamps are common enough in antique stores, especially those lamps with semi-nude female figurines holding up ball shaped globes. If anything, there is a glut of ladies with balls. But Art Deco lamps with such exceptional heroic figures as 'our' lamp are rare.
At last we reached THE lamp's lot number and the bidding began. Thankfully it was sluggish. That was until Dalia said, "Look at this bronze lamp. It's magnificent! We should light it up so you can have a good look at it." We couldn't believe it. She was beating the bid up. Suddenly the interest increased, and with the interest so did the price.
It climbed past the two hundred, then three, then four! But Kevin was determined. We had set our sights on that lamp and nothing was going to come between us and it, not other bidders, not even the auctioneer. His bidding determination paid off. The hammer came down and we had it!
Once we got the lamp home we rearranged the furniture just so our piece de resistance has pride of place in the lounge room. Now, when guests visit, they immediately notice it. After they finish gasping, they ask, "Where did you get that stunning lamp?!" We tell them, and inevitably we can't resist adding: "and it was as cheap as chips!"
