Some interesting results at Brunk Auctions, March 24-25, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC, held a diversified sale on March 24th and 25th, 2017. Included in the sale were a Tiffany Studios chandelier, a Colinet bronze and three French cameo glass vases among the 910 lots offered for sale. The results varied greatly.

Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Brunk lot #65

The unsigned, 24″ diameter, Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier sold well, even with a few problems, such as three new sockets, a replaced ceiling cap, and seven cracked panels. In its favor were reddish turtleback tiles and nice mottled glass. It sold for $36,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $25,000.

Claire Colinet bronze, Brunk lot #327

Lot #327, a Claire Colinet French bronze of dancing children, 23″ tall, was featured on the inside cover of the catalog. It sold for $3,360, including buyer’s premium, above its high estimate of $2,500. I was busy during the sale, so I never bid, but I think I would have bought it if I had participated.

The three French cameo glass lots, #s 10-12, were two acid-etched-only Daum vases and one low quality Gallé vase. They all sold at or below their low estimates. I wouldn’t have bought them at any price.

For the complete results, click here. There were glitches with the website, so it was difficult to use, but you can try.


We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens next week with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM. I hope you can make it.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Good results at Sotheby’s New York Design sale, March 29, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Sotheby’s New York held their Design sale on March 29, 2017 with total sales of $2,742,251. Included in the sale was a nice selection of Tiffany Studios lamps and French cameo glass.

Tiffany Peony lamp, Sotheby’s lot #16

Lot # 16 was a beautiful Tiffany Studios 22″ diameter Peony table lamp, with impeccable provenance. It sold for its high estimate, $150,000, including buyer’s premium, but in my opinion, should have sold for more.

Tiffany Spider lamp, Sotheby’s lot #23

I really liked lot #23, a lovely 16″ diameter Tiffany Studios Spider lamp. It sold for $35,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 — $35,000 — an excellent price for the final buyer, but a bit too much for a dealer. I was the underbidder.

Daum Nancy Mushroom vase, Sotheby’s lot #98

Top lot of the French cameo glass section of the sale was #98, a rare and very desirable Daum Nancy Mushroom vase, with wheel-carving and enameling. It more than doubled its high estimate of $9,000, realizing $21,250, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results, click here.


We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Collecting French cameo glass by subject matter

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Most of the French cameo glass companies of the Art Nouveau period repeated subject matter on vases and lamps of different sizes and shapes. Some collectors like to create groupings, usually odd numbers of at least three. I recall one Florida collector who collected only Daum Winter vases and lamps. I think she had over 70 examples by the time she stopped collecting in the 1980s.

A rare Daum Nancy Rain lamp

A lovely Daum Nancy Rain vase

Rain is one of the rarest and most highly sought after subjects for Daum glass. It can be found on many shapes from as small as miniature vases, all the way up to large vases and lamps.

Two lovely example of Galle dragonfly and water lily decoration

Gallé liked dragonflies, which were usually depicted flying over water lilies. Gallé produced very few miniature vases, but dragonflies can be found on small to monumental vases. The addition of a dragonfly to the decoration of a vase can double its value.

There are as many ways to collect glass as there are collectors. Everyone’s idea of what makes a nice collection varies, but collecting groupings can be a nice way to add a little variety.


Next week we’ll be exhibiting at the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens this Friday, February 3, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and closes on Sunday at 5 PM. It will feature over 200 premier exhibitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America, offering fine antiques and decorative arts.

Our booth at a previous Miami Airport show

This year the show has grown to 200 dealers from only 60 last year as many of the dealers from the Original Miami Beach Antique Show have jumped ship due to the uncertainty surrounding the relocation of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. The Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing extensive renovation which forced the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to move to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. We’ve decided to exhibit at both shows and let the chips fall where they may.

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

French glass sold well at Sotheby’s Important Design sale, December 14, 2016

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Sotheby’s New York held their Important Design sale on December 14, 2016, with total sales of $8,993,250 for the 168 lots offered. 40 lots failed to sell, for a strong average of $70,260 for each sold lot. Included in the sale were 17 lots of important French glass, from a Midwest collection, by Emile Gallé, Daum Nancy, Burgun & Schverer and Argy-Rousseau. Also included were one Tiffany Studios lamp, two Loetz vases and an assortment of very high-end jewelry, furniture and assorted items.

Gallé Crystallerie Sauterelle et Chrysanthèmes vase, Sotheby’s lot #239

Two French glass vases tied for the highest price at the sale, $75,000, including buyer’s premium. Lot #239 was an early Gallé Crystallerie vase from the 1880-1885 period, entitled Sauterelle et Chrysanthèmes (Grasshopper and Chrysanthemums). The techniques were wheel-carving and gilding for the grasshopper and enameling for the flowers and leaves. Its final price of $75,000 was triple its low estimate of $20,000.

Gallé marquetry vase, Sotheby’s lot #245

Lot #245 was a gorgeous Emile Gallé marquetry Crocus vase with a wonderful applied foot. It realized the same price as the early Gallé vase above, but only doubled its low estimate of $30,000.

4 of the 17 lots of French glass failed to sell, for an impressive average of $30,866 for each of the 13 sold lots.

Tiffany Studios Fishscale lamp, Sotheby’s lot #215

The only Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale, lot #215, was a Fishscale design on a Grueby pottery base. This rare lamp probably sold to an Arts & Crafts buyer. It realized $150,000, including buyer’s premium, equal to the low estimate of $120,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Sotheby’s Paris sold two French glass lamps in their Design sale, November 22, 2016

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Sotheby’s Paris held their Design sale on November 22, 2016, with gross sales of $5,072,625. Included in the sale were two French glass lamps.

Daum Rain lamp, Sotheby's lot #249

Daum Rain lamp, Sotheby’s lot #249

Lot #249 was a Daum Rain lamp estimated to sell for €20,000 – €30,000. It sold for the low estimate of €25,000 ($26,483), including buyer’s premium. I didn’t bid on the lamp because in my opinion the top rim of the shade had been ground down. Too bad, because the lamp had lovely color.

Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Tragi-comique lamp, Sotheby's lot #247

Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Tragi-comique lamp, Sotheby’s lot #247

The second French glass lamp was pâte-de-verre by Argy-Rousseau, entitled Tragi-comique, circa 1922. It too sold for its low estimate of €50,000 ($52,966), including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Tiffany Studios lamps lead the way in James D. Julia’s record $3.1 million Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, November 18, 2016

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


James D. Julia, Inc. held its Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction on November 18, 2016, with gross sales of $3.1 million, a record for the lamp & glass division. Much of the merchandise offered was fresh to the market from important collections in the Midwest, Florida and elsewhere.

Tiffany Studios 22" diam. Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp, Julia lot #1259

Tiffany Studios 22″ diam. Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp, Julia lot #1259

Top lot of the sale and a record for any item ever sold by Julia’s lamp & glass division was #1259, a Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp. It more than tripled its low estimate of $120,000, realizing $515,475, including buyer’s premium.

Lot 1216, a Tiffany Studios 22-inch Peony table lamp on a rare mosaic base sold for $394,605

Lot 1216, a Tiffany Studios 22-inch Peony table lamp on a rare mosaic base sold for $394,605

All of the top three Tiffany lamps were consigned from the same Florida collection and all of them were offered with very low estimates and reserves. This was the guidance given to the consignor by the division head, Mike Fredericks, and it certainly was good advice. Each of the three lamps vastly exceeded their estimates and each broke the previous record for any lot sold by the division. As I’ve stated many times before, there is nothing like high quality, fresh merchandise at low estimates. It’s raw meat for the hungry lions.

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1058

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1058

The French glass section of the sale included many fresh, high quality items, which overall did very well. Top lot of this section of the sale was #1058, a fine 17″ Gallé marquetry vase. It sold a little below its low estimate of $50,000, realizing $52,732.50, including buyer’s premium. In my opinion, it would have done better had it been consigned at a less aggressive estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Tiffany & Co. mixed metal chocolate pot, Julia lot #1409

Tiffany & Co. mixed metal chocolate pot, Julia lot #1409

The sale included some nice silver, including Tiffany & Co. mixed metal objects. They were met with enthusiasm, with lot #1409, a mixed metal chocolate pot more than tripling its low estimate of $10,000, realizing $40,290, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here, but not immediately. The results are expected to be posted sometime on Monday or Tuesday. You will have to sign in (free) in order to see the prices.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Tiffany Favrile 7" diameter shade

Tiffany Favrile 7″ diameter shade

It’s been a while since I’ve listed new items on my website, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. Just the opposite. Between buying and selling and traveling for business and pleasure, I’ve been too busy to update my listings. But that’s beginning to change. I’ve already started to list some of the great items of French and American glass I recently bought. The Tiffany Favrile glass all comes from the same important private collection that I’ve been buying from for the last few years. Following are just a few examples. Please check my website now and every day, as I continue to add new items. If you’re impatient, please email me, philchasen@gmail.com, and I’ll be glad to discuss it with you.

Gorgeous red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase

Gorgeous red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase

I bought several fine Tiffany Favrile vases from a NYC collection and a 7″ diameter Favrile glass shade and a 4-branch candelabrum from a Washington, DC collection. There are some really great examples here.

Daum pillow vase with Swan>/i> decoration

Daum pillow vase with Swan decoration

Just this past weekend I bought several very fine Daum Nancy vases, including a very rare Swan vase, a gorgeous scenic vase and a covered perfume. I’ll be listing them all as soon as possible, but right this minute only a few have been listed. I’ll be listing more this week. Please check my site as often as you can.

A. Walter pate-de-verre tray with beetle

A. Walter pate-de-verre tray with beetle


No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Horta Auctioneers sold French cameo glass in Brussels, Belgium, October 17-18, 2016

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Horta Auctioneers, Brussels, Belgium, held an important sale, October 17-18, 2016. Included were quite a few lots of French cameo glass, including some very large examples, possibly from the same collection.

Monumental Gallé scenic vase, Horta lot #209

Monumental Gallé scenic vase, Horta lot #209

Top lot of the French cameo glass was #209, a huge 20″ tall scenic vase by Emile Gallé. Besides its enormous size, the decoration was very colorful and highly detailed. It sold below its aggressive pre-auction estimate of €25,000 – €30,000, realizing €24,000 ($26,125), including buyer’s premium. Sounds fair for such a huge vase. The problem for me personally would have been shipping, transporting and displaying such a gigantic vase at a show.

Monumental Daum Columbine vase, Horta lot #139

Monumental Daum Columbine vase, Horta lot #139

Lot #139 was another of the very large vases, this time by Daum, 21″ tall, with columbine decoration. It too sold below its estimate of €4,500 – €6,000, realizing €5,040 ($5,486), including buyer’s premium. (Remember the estimate does not include the buyer’s premium.) Personally I don’t have much luck selling very tall, narrow vases, so I tend to avoid them.

Monumental Le Verre Francais vase, Horta lot #145

Monumental Le Verre Francais vase, Horta lot #145

Le Verre Francais made some very large vases, but 27½” is ridiculously large. The decoration on this example was nothing special, but the vase still sold within its pre-auction estimate of €4,500 – €6,000, realizing €6,000 ($6,531), including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


winnetka-2016Our next show in Winnetka, Illinois, is just around the corner, November 4-6, 2016. This is our only fall show in the greater Chicago area (and probably our last show of the year). We always look forward to exhibiting there, especially to see all our friends and clients. Put it in your calendar. It’s a lovely show!

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

This is why you buy from me

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.


Daum Mushroom vase, Christie's lot #327

Daum Mushroom vase, Christie’s lot #327

Christie’s held its Living with Art sale on Thursday and Friday, October 13-14, 2016. Included in the sale was lot #327, a Daum Mushroom vase, a very desirable decoration. It’s a rare example where the decoration has been both wheel-carved and enameled. The problem with this particular vase is that it’s been cut down, probably to remove a big chip.

Daum Winter vase

Daum Winter vase

The example above is a Daum Winter vase with the original top.

I emailed Christie’s for a condition report on this lot to see if they knew the vase had been cut down. Apparently they didn’t. Here is their report. “In very good condition overall. With some light surface wear, as to be expected with age and handling. The underside with a large shallow chip, but which does not interfere with the inscription.” In their defense, they did make an announcement in the saleroom because I told them of the problem.

daum-mushroom-vase-4I guess that scared off all the buyers. The vase sold without reserve, so I bought it for $400 ($500 with the buyer’s premium). Wow! It’s a $10,000 vase in perfect condition. It’s for sale and you can buy it for 25% of the appraised value. $2,500 (or best offer) and it’s yours. The chip on the underside is unimportant and probably took place in the making when the pontil was removed. The top rim is altered, but the vase is still an outstanding and rare Mushroom vase. 25% – 33% is typically the selling price of high quality, but imperfect items. This is your opportunity.

And that’s why you buy from me. I vet all of the items I sell. You know what you’re buying, so you can buy with confidence.


winnetka-2016Our next show in Winnetka, Illinois, is just around the corner, November 4-6, 2016. This is our only fall show in the greater Chicago area (and probably our last show of the year). We always look forward to exhibiting there, especially to see all our friends and clients. Put it in your calendar. It’s a lovely show!

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.