Sothebys New York held a Design sale on March 31, 2020 with some spectacular results for Tiffany Studios lamps and objects. Many items sold for many times their high estimates. The only way I can figure it out is that a lot of wealthy people were self-isolating and very bored. What’s more fun than sitting at a computer and bidding at an auction? I was floored by some of the prices. The sale totaled $4,027,500 for the 236 lots that were offered.
Lot #58, a Tiffany Moorish chandelier that was estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000, sold for an astonishing $300,000, including buyer’s premium. Wowza! Had to be two wealthy bidders with more cents than sense. Kudos to the consignor, who should go out and buy a lottery ticket with that kind of luck.
Lot #36 was a fairly rare Tiffany Favrile glass lamp with a reddish, 9″ diameter shade and matching red enameled base. It dates from the 1920s as do all of the items with enameling that were signed by Tiffany Furnaces. It did exceptionally well, selling for $35,000, including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.
The top lot of the Tiffany leaded lamps was #27, an attractive 24″ diameter Peony Border floor lamp. It sold for $137,500, including buyer’s premium — within its estimate of $100,000 – $150,000.
Lot #22 was a Tiffany 10″ diameter Favrile glass counterbalance floor lamp. It sold for $27,500, including buyer’s premium — about three times its high estimate of $8,000. I guess the bidders hadn’t visited my website, because I have a Favrile glass floor lamp for sale that is better and considerably lower priced. If someone prefers a counterbalance base, no problem. I have one that I can easily switch. Click here to view it.
For the complete results of the sale click here.