French glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, May 24, 2016

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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 a Design sale on May 24, 2016 with total sales of €7,831,725 ($8,765,100). Included in the sale were just a few French glass vases, some of which did very well.

Daum Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #8

Lot #8 was the only Daum item in the sale, a Dragonfly table lamp. It almost doubled its pre-sale high estimate of €20,000, realizing €40,000 ($44,769), including buyer’s premium. Ordinarily this is the kind of item that I would bid on, but it just didn’t appeal to me from the photos. I didn’t like the color, nor the lack of a dragonfly on the base, nor the height of the base (which looked short to me.) But guess what? The buyer didn’t consult me first. What is wrong with them?

R. Lalique Nadica vase, Sotheby’s lot #16

A rare R. Lalique vase, lot #16, Nadica, almost tripled its high estimate of €20,000, realizing €58,750 ($65,750), including buyer’s premium.

In other results from the sale, a Gallé padded and carved vase with a bronze foot failed to sell with a €25,000 — €35,000 estimate and an R. Lalique frosted Serpent vase sold for €10,625, against a pre-sale estimate of €6,000 — €8,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Making sense of Tiffany Studios’ desk set numbering

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Jamie S. Reynolds

The following is a guest post by Jamie S. Reynolds, daughter of Gwen Stebbins of lilabycreekantiques.com, a Michigan dealer with over thirty years’ experience. Please feel free to contact her with your questions about Tiffany desk sets. Jamie@lilabycreekantiques.com or Gwen@lilabycreekantiques.com

Having known Phil Chasen my entire life, I jumped at the chance to contribute when asked to be a guest on his blog. Hopefully you will check back in the future for additional Tiffany Studios articles. –Jamie

Tiffany Grapevine stamp box, marked “41”

Much is made of signatures (typically for good reason!) in the world of Tiffany Studios desk set pieces, but with light research and deduction, it can be fairly easy to make sense of what seems to be anomalous. Most Tiffany desk set pieces bear a three or four-digit registration number along with the “TIFFANY STUDIOS” or “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK” stamp, while others are simply marked with the studio name. Three and four-digit numbers correspond to individual items. For instance “801” refers to Etched Metal & Glass (Grapevine or Pine Needle) stamp boxes. What confuses some people are the pieces with two-digit numbers. Apparently the two-digit numbers were used for assembly, as many of Tiffany’s desk items were complicated and constructed of multiple pieces. The separate pieces typically bear an assembly number somewhere, usually hidden once constructed.

Tiffany Grapevine box marked “801”

Above is a Tiffany Studios stamp box in the classic Grapevine pattern, with registration number 801. While signatures (or lack thereof) are not the sole defining characteristic of Tiffany desk set pieces, a basic understanding of them can easily help a collector choose pieces that are correct but seem anomalous or, on the other hand, avoid pieces that do not coincide with any published information.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Good results for French cameo glass at Christie’s London Interiors sale, May 18, 2016

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s London held an Interiors sale on May 18, 2016 with total sales of £1,377,062 ($2,010,226). Included in the sale was a moderate collection of French cameo glass, some of which did very well. Many of the vases were what I call “stuff”, meaning they’re authentic, but not particularly appealing because of the design, or color, or shape. I woke up at 6 AM to bid on the few items that I thought were interesting and in good condition. Unfortunately for me, it was a waste of time, as I was outbid on all of my items. (On the other hand I’m quite pleased, as it means the market is healthy.)

Gallé Foo Dog vase, Christie’s lot #79

Lot #79 was top lot of the French glass section of the sale. It was a rare, early, wheel-carved, enameled, clear glass, 5¼” Gallé Foo Dog vase, in the Japanese style and taste. It soared well beyond its pre-sale estimate of £5,000 – £8,000, realizing £37,500 ($54,225), including buyer’s premium. Surely this vase will be going to Japan. I had no interest in it, as Americans wouldn’t pay a plugged nickel for it.

Daum Snail lamp, Christie’s lot #52

A rare and very desirable Daum lamp with applied snails was in the sale. It easily surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £12,000 – £15,000, realizing £23,750 ($34,343), even with important condition problems. Here’s an excerpt from the condition report. One snail has been off and re-glued back on and it has a chip/loss to one antennae and a small chip on the end of the shell. The other snail has a tiny chip on the end of its shell. I had no interest in the lamp at any price.

Burgun & Schverer Clematis vase, Christie’s lot #118

The sale included two excellent, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer (B&S) vases, both of which I wanted to buy. Unfortunately they exceeded my budget. Lot #118 was especially nice, 8¼” tall, with beautiful clematis flowers, on a striking chartreuse green background. It sold well beyond its pre-sale estimate of £2,500 – £3,500, realizing £12,500 ($18,075) — pretty close to what I feel is the retail price.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Now for a little shameless self-promotion. A good part of the reason people buy from me is that I do the very important vetting. I search for merchandise at auction, privately and through extensive traveling. Then I weed out all the items that are inferior because of design, color, condition, price, or any combination thereof. If I’m selling it, it’s passed my smell test and that means a lot to many people.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Oops! Appraiser makes a big mistake on Antiques Roadshow

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Philip Chasen

vase-antiques-roadshow During the taping of an episode of Antiques Roadshow, expert Stephen Fletcher of Skinner Auction, Boston, MA, gave the good news to a guest of the show. He told the guest his vase dated from approximately 1900 and was worth $30,000 – $50,000. The only problem was that he was wrong. A high school student had made it in 1973 as an art project. Ouch!! For the AOL video of the story, click here. Then click here for more of the story from the Washington Post.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Some good results at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Modern Design sale, May 12, 2016

Posted on May 16, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers held a Modern Design sale on May 12, 2016, with some good results.

Loetz Phänomen vase, Hindman lot #267

Lot #267 was a rare and desirable 6¾” Loetz decorated Phänomen vase, property of the estate of John P. Landis. It flew past its pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000, bringing $20,000, including buyer’s premium. I knew how rare it was so I was on the phone bidding, but I never even got to make the first bid — way too much for a dealer.

Left, Hindman lot #494. Right, the original candlestick.

Lot #494 was a rare Tiffany Studios candlestick that needed professional help. Regardless, it easily exceeded its high estimate of $12,000, realizing $17,500, including buyer’s premium. Someone had converted it into a ridiculous lamp by removing some original parts and adding modern parts. With the right professional help, it’s possible to find original parts and return it back into its original state as a candlestick. Almost surely that’s what’s going to happen. Nobody in their right mind would pay $17,500 unless they could do it. Should be worth $35,000+ when it’s done.

Tiffany Greek Key table lamp, Hindman lot #495

A Tiffany Studios 16″ diameter Greek Key table lamp, lot #495, brought a decent price. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $25,000, realizing $23,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Discovered $137 million Caravaggio painting deemed authentic

Posted on May 12, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Discovered Caravaggio painting shown at news conference

Can you imagine going into your attic and finding a painting worth $137 million? It won’t happen in my attic, nor yours, I imagine. But in April, 2014, it did in the attic of a private house near the French city of Toulouse, 400+ years after being painted. For the CNN story and video of the discovery, click here. Then click here for the artnet news story of the authentication.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Soft results for Gil Elvgren paintings at Heritage Auction’s Illustration Art sale, April 26, 2016

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Gil Elvgren painting Gay Nymph, 1947, sold at Heritage Auctions in May, 2011 for $286,800

Heritage Auctions held an Illustration Art sale on April 26, 2016, with total sales of $1,695,956. Included in the sale were several pin-up paintings by acclaimed American illustrator, Gil Elvgren. His works regularly sold for over $100,000 at auction, with six selling for over $200,000. The average now seems to have cooled into the $60,000 range.

Gil Elvgren painting Roxanne, 1960, Heritage lot #71051

The top lot of several Elvgren paintings at the April sale was #71051, a painting entitled Roxanne, from 1960. It sold well below its pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

Elvgren painting Charming, Heritage lot #71052

The next lot, #71052, was the second best Elvgren of the sale. It sold within the more realistic estimate of $50,000 – $70,000, realizing $62,500, including buyer’s premium.

Three other Elvgren paintings in the sale sold from $47,500 to $60,000. It could be a bear market in Elvgren paintings or a great buying opportunity. Only time will tell.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in for the prices (free).

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

St. Michael’s Church in NYC is the perfect venue for meetings of the Art Glass Forum

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Philip Chasen

The main windows of St. Michael’s are spectacular

One of the many original Tiffany Studios windows in St. Michael’s, with fantastic drapery and mottled glass

The Art Glass Forum holds their monthly meetings at St. Michael’s Church on W. 99th St. in New York City. It’s the perfect venue for a glass collector’s club, many of whose members collect or sell Tiffany Studios Favrile glass and lamps. Much of the interior of the chapel was designed and made by Tiffany Studios. It’s a gorgeous and fitting location.

The window above is signed and dated 1912

Yesterday’s meeting included a lecture by Amy McHugh, the assistant archivist at Tiffany & Co., entitled Cabinet Curiosities: Silver-Mounted Favrile Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios. She researches their extensive archives, which include some collaborations with Tiffany Studios. (Charles Lewis Tiffany was one of the founders of Tiffany & Co. and the father of Louis Comfort Tiffany, founder of Tiffany Studios.) Amazing what you can learn at one of the lectures.

The entire wall is made of tiny iridescent mosaic tiles

Membership in the Art Glass Forum is open to the public. Yearly dues are quite reasonable, $70 for individuals, $90 for households and $25 for students and young professionals. If American or European art glass interests you, why don’t you join and attend the lectures? Contact artglassforumny@gmail.com. They accept PayPal, checks, shekels, whatever you like.

The colorful iridescent Favrile glass tiles are spectacular

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Exceptional Daum Nancy table lamp sells at EJ’s Auction & Consignment, April 30, 2016

Posted on May 2, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Daum Nancy scenic table lamp, EJ’s lot #1100

EJ’s Auction & Consignment, Glendale, Arizona, held its Biltmore Estate Auction Ring 1 this past Saturday, April 30, 2016. Included in the sale was a wonderful Daum Nancy table lamp, lot #1100.

daum-scenic-lamp-ejs-2 The lamp was special, mainly because it was painted by Daum’s best artist, B.S. (See my post dated July 6, 2015 for more on this artist.) At 19″ tall, with a 9½” diameter shade, it was one of the larger Daum Nancy table lamps.

I really wanted to buy this lamp, so I set up telephone bidding. The bidding opened at $11,000, picked up steam, and finally settled at $22,000, for a final price of $25,960, including buyer’s premium. I was left in the dust, and unfortunately not the buyer. $25,960 was a fair price for a retail client, but not a dealer. Kudos to the buyer of this exceptional lamp.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Monthly Archives: May 2016

French glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, May 24, 2016

Making sense of Tiffany Studios’ desk set numbering

Good results for French cameo glass at Christie’s London Interiors sale, May 18, 2016

Oops! Appraiser makes a big mistake on Antiques Roadshow

Some good results at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Modern Design sale, May 12, 2016

Discovered $137 million Caravaggio painting deemed authentic

Soft results for Gil Elvgren paintings at Heritage Auction’s Illustration Art sale, April 26, 2016

St. Michael’s Church in NYC is the perfect venue for meetings of the Art Glass Forum

Exceptional Daum Nancy table lamp sells at EJ’s Auction & Consignment, April 30, 2016