Category Archives: Knowledge is power
What a find at auction! A fantastic Tiffany Favrile vase.
This is something that doesn’t happen every day. An auction gallery thinks so little of a vase that it’s not advertised, combined with a Baccarat vase to raise the value of the lot, sold near the end of the auction, … Continue reading
How to clean antique glass including Tiffany Studios Favrile and French Cameo Glass
Having sold many thousands of antique glass vases over the years, I’ve learned a lot about how to clean them from trial and error and a few mistakes. It also doesn’t hurt to have a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. Most … Continue reading
Knowledge is power, part V
Bob Ogorek of Plantation Galleries in Davison, Michigan, was a friend of mine. Bob died in 1999 and I miss him. He called me in early 1999 to tell me about a Tiffany chandelier that he had learned about in … Continue reading
My Icart etching doesn’t look good. What can I do about it?
Most Icart etchings that are in original frames with original mats have problems, such as foxing, light darkening, glue or acidity, amongst others. Read yesterday’s blog for a more complete explanation. Some people like them that way. They show their … Continue reading
My Icart etching doesn’t look good. What is the problem?
Icart was most popular in the 1920s and ’30s. At the time, it was fashionable to give a gift for a wedding or special occasion, rather than money. What better gift than an Icart etching? They were beautiful, signed by … Continue reading
The importance of flowers in French Cameo Glass, especially Daum Nancy
When I first started collecting and selling French cameo glass over 30 years ago, there were red flowers and blue flowers and yellow flowers. Then one day a Japanese client asked me the name of the flower on the vase … Continue reading
Knowledge is power, part IV
In the early 2000s, I received an email from a lady who had found my website through the Internet. She told me that she had purchased a vase, signed Galle, and that she would like to have it authenticated. I … Continue reading
The road to knowledge is filled with potholes, part I
Marc Bell asked “How did you avoid the pitfalls in the antique lighting business?” Well, Marc, I didn’t. I hit my share of potholes along the learning road. (Do you have an antiques questions? I’ll try to answer them in … Continue reading
Beware of Tiffany Studios fakes, especially on eBay
Thanks to Hank Hancock for the idea for this blog and the photos. The problem with fake Tiffany Favrile glass items is not widespread, but you certainly want to avoid becoming one of the people who gets stuck with one. … Continue reading
Knowledge is power, part III
The first time I exhibited at the Southfield Antiques Show in Southfield, Michigan was in 2002. Set-up was going as usual, with all of the dealers walking around the show and shopping in each other’s booths. I went into a … Continue reading