The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka Show opens this Friday, November 4, 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.


The Winnetka Community House

The Winnetka Community House

We’ll be traveling to Chicago this week to exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show at the Winnetka Community Center. It’s one of two shows we have left in the greater Chicago area. The only other one will be the new Chicago Antiques, Art & Design Show at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. As you may recall in a previous blog post, the spring show at the Chicago Botanic Garden has been canceled and the new show at the Merchandise Mart is being revived, May 18-21, 2017.

We'll have this wonderful 19" Daum Parrot Tulip vase at the show

We’ll have this wonderful 19″ Daum Parrot Tulip vase at the show

It’s an interesting show with high quality, diverse exhibitors from around the US, selling everything from paintings to furniture to art to jewelry to glass and lamps (me). We’re coming loaded for bear with a fantastic collection of French and American glass and lamps. You will not be disappointed with the show. It’s worth a trip from anywhere in the greater Chicago area. If you like antique shows, this is the only game in town until the spring. Please visit my booth, C20, and say hello.

winnetka-2016


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.

Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, sold a beautiful Burgun & Schverer French cameo glass bottle at auction, October 25, 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.


Burgun & Schverer (B&S) internally decorated bottle, Northeast lot #200

Burgun & Schverer (B&S) internally decorated bottle, Northeast lot #200

Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, held an auction, October 17-18, 2016. Included in the sale was a beautiful Burgun & Schverer French cameo glass bottle with silver mounts and internally decorated bleeding hearts decoration, lot #200. It sold for $4,320, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,500. I was the underbidder. I would have bid higher, but the bottle had some minor condition problems, including a chip to the inner rim of the bottle and a chip to the stopper.

Following is a link to a prior blog post on B&S glass, so you can appreciate its importance and desirability. Click here.

For the complete results of the Northeast Auctions sale, click here.


winnetka-2016Our next show in Winnetka, Illinois, is next week, 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.

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.

New Orleans Auction sold French cameo glass at its October 15-16, 2016 sale

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.


New Orleans Auction Galleries held an almost 1000-lot sale, October 15-16, 2016. Included in the sale were quite a few lots of French cameo glass, mostly low quality. I was interested in two of the lots, but unfortunately I missed the sale.

Gallé scenic vase, New Orleans lot #149

Gallé scenic vase, New Orleans lot #149

Lot #149 was a large, 14″, Gallé scenic vase with very good color and a rare shape. It was estimated to sell for $1,500 – $2,500 and realized $3,500, including buyer’s premium. That was a fair price, so I probably would have been the buyer.

Argy-Rousseau? moth paperweight, New Orleans lot #928

Argy-Rousseau? moth paperweight, New Orleans lot #928

Lot #928 was possibly an Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre moth paperweight. It sold for very little money, $812.50, including buyer’s premium. The problem with this lot is that it may or may not have been authentic, as this particular paperweight has been reproduced. From the photo it was very difficult to ascertain its authenticity. My guess was 60/40 that it was a reproduction. In person I would have had no problem. So if I had bought it and determined it to be fake, returning it would have been a hassle. In retrospect, it was probably a good thing I didn’t buy it.

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.

A $26 painting may be a $26 million masterpiece by Raphael

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.


raphael-madonnaDuring the filming of a BBC series entitled Britain’s Lost Masterpieces, a painting attributed to a minor Renaissance painter was determined to be a genuine masterpiece by the master Raphael. It’s an interesting story. Click here for the original article from artnet news.


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.

French cameo glass shapes 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 time a French cameo glass vase is more valuable when the subject matter is more desirable. For instance a Daum rain vase is considerably more valuable than a floral vase if the two are the same size and shape. But what if the same subject matter appears on different shapes? It can make a difference, sometimes a big difference.

Both Daum vases have wild orchids and spider web decoration

Both Daum vases have wild orchids and spider web decoration

Let’s take a look at the same subject matter on different shapes. I think it’s obvious that the above left shape is ordinary, while the shape on the right is special and rare. I would estimate the vase on the right would be worth at least triple.

daum-swan-comparisonHow about these two? Any shape with a swan is good, as the decoration is rare and very desirable. But let’s just compare the shapes. The covered egg shape is very rare and beautiful, but not everyone loves it. I would say the egg would be more valuable, depending on the size of each.

Fine Galle vase with red fuchsia on a flattened triangular shape

Fine Galle vase with red fuchsia on a flattened triangular shape

Gallé wasn’t as adventurous with shapes as Daum. Most Gallé shapes are fairly ordinary, but some are very pleasant. I personally like the flattened triangle pictured above.

This Gallé Rio de Janeiro banjo vase was sold at Julia Auction

This Gallé Rio de Janeiro banjo vase was sold at Julia Auction

More than a few collectors like Gallé’s banjo shape so much, they have amassed collections with over 75 different examples. The Rio de Janeiro banjo vase is the one of the rarest.


Cute glass "food"

Cute glass “food”

I hope to put together videos of the glassblowing demonstration we saw in Murano, Italy, for uploading to youtube soon. You’ll want to see it if the process of glassblowing interests you.


winnetka-2016Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, 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.

The Art Glass Forum began its season with a lecture on Louis C. Tiffany, October 4, 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.


Tiffany Water Lily table lamp, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Grant, 1974

Tiffany Water Lily table lamp, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Grant, 1974

The Art Glass Forum began its season this past Tuesday with a very interesting and informative lecture by Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, curator of American Decorative Arts of the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1994, on the works of Louis C. Tiffany. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Ms. Frelinghuysen made it clear that the museum would not own today’s fabulous collection if it weren’t for the generosity of many patrons, including Henry Osborne Havemeyer in 1896, followed by Robert Weeks DeForest and Emily Johnston DeForest early in the 20th century, Louis C. Tiffany himself, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Williams in 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Grant in 1974, Robert Koch, Lillian Nassau, and many others.

Tiffany Favrile Peacock vase, from the Havemeyer donation

Tiffany Favrile Peacock vase, from the Havemeyer donation

The Met’s Louis Comfort Tiffany collection began in 1896 with a donation of 56 blown Favrile glass vases and roundels from Henry Osborne Havemeyer, the sugar magnate, and one of the first collectors of Favrile glass.

Tiffany American Indian chandelier

Tiffany American Indian chandelier

In 1899, Tiffany was asked to design the interior of a home owned by Robert and Emily de Forest in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, near Tiffany’s country estate, Laurelton Hall. Even though Tiffany was asked to create a floral shade for the home, he purportedly responded “That is not what you need for your hall, you need an Indian Basket”, as the de Forests owned a large collection of Indian baskets and pottery. The result was a spectacular chandelier in the American Indian pattern. The chandelier did not make it into the Met’s collection until it was donated in 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Williams, in memory of the de Forests.

Tiffany mosaic fountain, contribution of Lillian Nassau

Tiffany mosaic fountain, contribution of Lillian Nassau

One of the more spectacular items in the Met’s collection is a mosaic fountain, donated by Lillian Nassau in 1976. The background is entirely made of tiny mosaic tiles, called tesserae. It’s incredible in person.

The collection is much more extensive than I can cover here, including pottery, enamels, furniture, fabrics, jewelry and art. So I suggest you do two things. First visit the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when you’re in New York. If Tiffany interests you, the museum’s collection will enchant you. The second is to join the Art Glass Forum and attend their monthly lectures. Click here for a link to their website.


Cute glass "food"

Cute glass “food”

I hope to put together videos of the glassblowing demonstration we saw in Murano, Italy, for uploading to youtube soon. You’ll want to see it if the process of glassblowing interests you.


winnetka-2016Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, 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.

Christie’s New York sold The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, September 21-22, 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.


Christie’s New York sold The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan, September 21-22, 2016, with total sales of $5,740,625, far surpassing the total high estimates. I wish I had known about the sale in advance, but unfortunately I missed it. I would have loved to own a souvenir of President Reagan, but realistically I probably wouldn’t have been willing to pay the high prices.

Nancy Reagan's Bulgari ring, Christie's lot #126

Nancy Reagan’s Bulgari ring, Christie’s lot #126

The top lot of the sale, #126, a Bulgari diamond, sapphire and ruby ring, in the motif of an American flag, was owned and worn by the first lady. The final price of $319,500 made a mockery of the pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000.

A hand-signed section of the Berlin wall, Christie's lot #65

A hand-signed section of the Berlin wall, Christie’s lot #65

The second highest lot of the sale was the most interesting and historically significant — a graffiti-covered piece of the Berlin wall, hand-signed by the president. One of Reagan’s most famous quotes, from a speech he made in West Berlin on June 12, 1987, was “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” It too, far exceeded its high estimate of $20,000, realizing $277,500, including buyer’s premium. It should have brought even more.

NFL football, with hand-signed quotation and signature, Christie's lot #100

NFL football, with hand-signed quotation and signature, Christie’s lot #100

Another very cool lot from the sale, #100, was an official NFL Wilson football, signed and inscribed by Reagan, “Win One For the Gipper Ronald Reagan”, in its original box. It’s a paraphrase from his 1940 film, Knute Rockne, All American. No trouble again with the pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $10,000. This one scored a touchdown at $93,750, including buyer’s premium.

If you had to have something from the sale as a souvenir, you could have bought lots 414 or 415 for as little as $750, but they were pretty boring. For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Cute glass "food"

Cute glass “food”

I hope to put together videos of the glassblowing demonstration we saw in Murano, Italy, for uploading to youtube for this Thursday’s post, but I don’t guarantee it. You’ll want to see it if the process of glassblowing interests you.


winnetka-2016Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, 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.