Rago Auctions held an Early 20th C. Design sale on January 19, 2019. Included in the sale was a nice selection of Martin Brothers stoneware, as well as a diverse selection of ceramics and glass.

The top lot of the sale was a tall (16″) Martin Brothers stoneware bird tobacco jar. Estimated to sell for $40,000 – $60,000, it realized the low estimate of $40,000 + buyer’s premium = $50,000. My opinion is that it would have sold for more if it had had more character.

A George Ohr vase, lot #48, took second place with an attractive double-sectioned vase, 6¼” tall. It sold for many times its high estimate of $9,000, realizing $46,875, including buyer’s premium.

The selection of Tiffany Studios lamps and glass was limited. Lot #391, a Turtleback hall lantern, performed best among this group. It sold slightly above its high estimate of $20,000, realizing $26,250, including buyer’s premium. Personally I thought it was awful and wouldn’t have bought it at any price, but the bidders did not ask me first. How’s that possible?

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until May when we’ll exhibit at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design show at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. It’s a beautiful show in a wonderful venue. The dates are May 14-17, 2020. So put it on your calendar and make plans to visit. You’ll thank me.

What a difference a year makes. By the end of the first day last year we had big smiles on our faces. This year we had frowns. A lot of the key players were missing this year, for one reason or another, so the first day was a downer. We made a couple of sales, but nothing important.

Saturday was a lot like last year. The attendees were a lot less knowledgeable than on Friday, so many of the questions were naive. We answered them as patiently as we could.

One woman purchased her first ever Daum Nancy vase without even knowing the first thing about French cameo glass or Daum or me. She just liked it. That was brave of her and a lovely surprise for me. I’m happy to say she chose well and will be very happy with her purchase.

Sunday wasn’t any better. We made one small sale in the morning. Two of our very good clients who usually show up on Sunday didn’t come this year. Amazingly every one of our good clients did not show up to the show. The stars were not aligned. We went from our best Grove Park show last year to our worst this year. It’s the first show in a very long time where we didn’t even meet our expenses. Sometimes you’re the dog and sometimes you’re the hydrant. :>(

No shows until May when we’ll exhibit at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design show at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. It’s a beautiful show in a wonderful venue. The dates are May 14-17, 2020. So put it on your calendar and make plans to visit. You’ll thank me.

The 32nd National Arts & Crafts Conference, at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, will open to the public this Friday, February 15th, at 1 PM, and continue until Sunday, February 17th, at 4 PM.

I wish all antique shows had the vibe of this one. It’s warm and inviting, with enthusiastic buyers, most of whom travel from afar. It’s all contained in the Grove Park Inn itself, a wonderful 1913 masterpiece of a hotel. Picture a line of rocking chairs, in front of a gigantic boulder fireplace, with wood crackling in the fire, in a cavernous Arts & Crafts lobby, guests rocking leisurely, chatting, with a glass of wine. Lovely, no?

We sold many lamps in Miami Beach, so we restocked for Grove Park. Mainly we added several Tiffany Studios geometric table lamps. Arts & Crafts collectors prefer geometric designs over floral designs to complement their interiors. We’ll have two Acorns, one Lemon Leaf and one Tyler Scroll, in addition to several florals.

If you’ve never visited the Grove Park Inn, you’ll want to come during this show. I promise you’ll thank me!

No shows until May when we’ll exhibit at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design show at the Merchandise Mart in downtown Chicago. It’s a beautiful show in a wonderful venue. The dates are May 14-17, 2020. So put it on your calendar and make plans to visit. You’ll thank me.