Monthly Archives: May 2018

Sotheby’s Paris offered two interesting Emile Gallé items at their Design auction, May 3, 2018

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Sorry, but just got back from vacation. Monday’s post will be delayed to later today or possibly tomorrow.

 

Sotheby’s Paris held a Design auction on May 3, 2018 with total sales of $11,587,000. Included in the sale were two interesting lots by Emile Gallé — the topic of today’s post.

Gallé clock, Sotheby’s lot #38

Lot #38 was a wonderful, early Emile Gallé clock from 1880. Besides lovely, colorful, geometric enameling on the glass and clock face, it had an engraved nude on the front and what appeared to be Stars of David on the sides. It had problems, as evidenced in the condition report. “One of the legs has been replaced, the enamel and gilt are completely worn and have almost disappeared, visible on the catalogue illustration. A few cracks within the face of the clock. Some restoration to the upper elements that seem to have been re-glued…”. Even with its problems, it sold above its estimate of €6,000 — €8,000, realizing €11,250 ($13,366), including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Tadpole vase, Sotheby’s lot #39

Lot #39, an important Gallé Tadpole vase with a quotation from Th. Gauthier, did not fare as well. It did not sell with an estimate of €50,000 — €70,000, as it was unable to overcome its condition problems, as evidenced in Sotheby’s condition report. “Good overall condition. Some air bubbles within the glass and a few burst bubbles to the surface, inherent to the manufacturing process. A previous V-shaped restoration on the upper part of the vase (approximately 5-7 cm x 4-5 cm). This restoration is barely visible to the bare eye, except for a crack still visible at the bottom of the V. Out of every known versions, this vase has the most sophisticated applied décor on the base.” On another note, I find it amusing that Sotheby’s stated the vase was in “good overall condition” with a restoration and a crack. Huh?

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show at the end of the summer, August 30 – September 2, 2018, as we were forced to give up shows like Denver. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 results of the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show, May 18-20, 2018

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For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

The Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show ended yesterday after a three-day run from May 18-20, 2018. We had a decent show. Explanation to follow.

Following is a contemporaneous account of the show events.

Preview party attendees were all gathered in the aisles, having no interest in purchasing anything from anybody.

Thursday, 8:30PM The preview party is in full swing and absolutely nothing is going on in our booth. There are more people this year than last, but that doesn’t make a difference. The attendees are here for a social event and the dealers are the decorations. There has been very little interest and, of course, no sales. The only thing better this year was the open bar. The food was a disaster of hummus, carrot sticks, and a few hors d’oeuvres, with raw artichokes and raw Brussels sprouts for decoration. To top it off, one of our best clients canceled on us because of an injury.

Friday afternoon in our booth

Friday, 2 PM The show opened to the public this morning at 11 AM. There were only a few people on line. Attendance has been relatively light to this point, as well as interest. No sales yet. To make things worse, I cannot connect my computer to the wifi. My phone connects, but my computer refuses.

Friday, 6:30 PM The Merchandise Mart sent a tech to help with my computer connection. She diagnosed and solved the problem fairly quickly. Thank you!

Business was basically non-existent for the day until our long-term clients showed up near the end of the day. They made a nice purchase, so we’re off to a decent start, however we have not yet met our expenses.

Saturday afternoon in our booth

Saturday, 4:00 PM Attendance was a little better today, but business was still quite slow. We made one nice sale to a new client (which is always gratifying). We’re waiting for one of our best clients to arrive later this afternoon.

We sold this important red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase at the show

Saturday, 6:30 PM Our good clients arrived late in the day and made a significant purchase. Thanks to them we had a good show.

Sunday afternoon in our booth

Sunday, 1:30 PM Attendance is noticeably better today, partly because the weather is unpleasant. (Bad weather is good for attendance.) A few people seem genuinely interested in some items. We’ll see if that translates to sales later in the day.

Sunday, 5:00 PM The show is over and we’re satisfied. All of today’s talk and potential ended with a decent sale and a small sale. It’s about all we could ask for a Sunday.

We did about the same business and profit as last year. Expenses were high for this show, so it ate into our net. We’ll take a smaller booth next year to trim expenses. Overall I’d say the show was a success, not unconditional, but nevertheless a success.

I’m looking forward to the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show show, August 30 – September 2, 2018. There’s always good attendance and action. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public this Friday, May 18, 2018

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For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

The second edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show will open to the public this Friday, May 18th, at 11 AM, and continue until Sunday at 5 PM, with a preview party on Thursday night.

Saturday afternoon in our booth last year

We were excited to return to the Merchandise Mart last year, after an absence of four years. Business was good, but our expenses were high, so our net results weren’t what they should have been. Our expenses won’t be much better this year, but hopefully we’ll do more business. Tune in next week for the results of the show.

The show at the Merchandise Mart is not your usual run-of-the-mill antique show. The  exhibitors and their exhibitions will be extraordinary, in a fabulous venue. You will be hard pressed to find a finer show anywhere in the entire United States. Elegance will be the operating theme! There aren’t many antique shows left in the entire country and even fewer of this quality, so make your plans now to attend. You’ll thank me.

We’ll have this special Tiffany Mesh lamp at the show

As usual, we’re bringing a fabulous inventory of French and American glass and lamps, including a fabulous Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp that we got last week. I know you’ll enjoy the show and my display in particular. Please stop into my booth and say hello.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

Works by Patrick Nagel led Heritage Auctions’ Illustration Art sale, April 24, 2018

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For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, held an Illustration Art sale on April 24, 2018, with total sales of $1,357,487 for the 451 lots offered. Works by Patrick Nagel led the sale, taking the first and fourth places.

Patrick Nagel acrylic on canvas painting Nude on Back with Black Stockings, Heritage lot #71150

The top lot of the sale was #71150, a 1983 acrylic on canvas painting by Patrick Nagel entitled Nude on Back with Black Stockings. It sold for $106,250, including buyer’s premium — approximately double its low estimate of $50,000. I don’t understand Nagel’s work or why it’s so desirable, but someone does.

Alberto Vargas, Martini Time, Heritage lot #71202

I do understand the appeal of Alberto Vargas. His paintings scored the second, seventh and eleventh highest prices of the sale, $87,500, $27,500, and $18,750, respectively. Lot #71202, Martini Time, a watercolor and pencil on paper from 1935, sold for $87,500, including buyer’s premium, well above its high estimate of $50,000.

Gil Elvgren Perfection, Heritage lot #71058

Gil Elvgren has scored the top slots in other illustration art sales, but had to settle for the fifth and eighth ones in this sale. His 1948 painting Perfection sold for $57,500, below its pre-sale estimate of $60,000 – $80,000. Recent results for Elvgren’s works have weakened.

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

The Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart will open next week, May 18-20, 2018. We’re pretty excited about it and you should be too. Please make your plans to attend!

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.