Good results at Christie’s Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale in New York, June 17, 2010

Philip Chasen — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 10:00:11 +0000

June is 20th Century Decorative Arts Month, or so I’ve named it. Every June (and December), it seems every major (and minor) auction house has a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale. The June sales usually don’t have as powerful a selection as the December sales, but it’s still quite good. The June sale at Sotheby’s was strong, as I reported in my last blog entry. The overall results of the Christie’s sale the following day were good, with total sales of $5,853,100, but the Tiffany lamp sales were weaker, except for the best examples. Sotheby’s selection of Tiffany lamps was more select than Christie’s and the results showed. This time around, collectors were looking for superior examples and those excelled. Bargains were to be had for some of the less expensive lamps. For the most part, under $50,000 lamps suffered, while the over $100,000 lamps did well.

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann commode, circa 1925, Christie's lot #97, June 17, 2010

The top lot of Christie’s sale was #97, an Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann burl walnut and ivory commode, circa 1925. Estimated to sell for $150,000-200,000, it quadrupled the low estimate to sell for $614,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Grape chandelier, Christie's lot #45, June 17, 2010

A beautiful Tiffany Studios Grape chandelier, lot #45, was the second highest lot of the sale. It more than doubled the low estimate, selling for $398,500, against an estimate of $150,000-200,000. It continued the trend of strong results for the best examples.

Tiffany Studios 16 inch diameter Linenfold table lamp, Christie's lot #29, June 17, 2010

At the other end of the spectrum, there were bargains to be had. Lot #29 was a 16″ diameter Tiffany Studios Linenfold table lamp. It was estimated very conservatively at $8-12,000 and sold for $9,375, including buyer’s premium, slightly below the low estimate. At retail, the lamp is estimated to sell for $15-20,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 20th Century results.

I just added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. I’m spending a lot of time this spring adding new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.

Some treasures I’ve owned, part I, French Cameo Glass

Philip Chasen — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:00:07 +0000

I received two similar requests. Matt Long wrote. “Just a thought, what about writing about some of the most amazing pieces you have seen or dealt with over the years on your blog? The pieces that pop into your head. As much info about them as you have would be interesting to me and others I would think, as they would be great eye candy! And informative too.” And almost the same request from Joe Mollica. “Over the years I am sure you have seen some spectacular objects. Would you share some of the stories surrounding the objects and what made them significant?”

Thanks, Matt and Joe. Here are a couple of my favorite French cameo objects that I’ve handled over the years.

Burgun & Schverer vase

Burgun & Schverer is famous for their fantastic internally decorated vases. The work is technically complicated and the workmanship superb. This example has it all with extraordinary color that I haven’t seen in any other example. Every time I look at the photo, I go wow!

Rare and unusual Daum Nancy footed bowl

I’ve bought and sold countless numbers of Daum Nancy objects, but this is one of the most unusual and beautiful. The technique is acid-etching, followed by hand-painting with enamel and gilding, and finally firing. This technique is what most collectors are looking for. What makes this object so unusual is the great shape. Daum produced lots of bowls, but most of them were square with rounded corners and pinched sides. Until I bought this bowl, I’d never seen this shape before — a bowl raised on three curved legs that look like furniture. How cool is that? The decoration is the very desirable violets flower, with exceptional color and detail. The combination of the wonderful shape, subject matter, color and workmanship make this a superb Daum Nancy rarity.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Philip Chasen Antiques » B&S

Good results at Christie’s Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale in New York, June 17, 2010

Some treasures I’ve owned, part I, French Cameo Glass