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Cowan’s Auction (now a Hindman Company), Cincinnati, OH, held an Early 20th Century Design sale on November 17, 2021 with superb results. I tried to buy more than a few items, but was outbid on everything. Sad that I didn’t get anything, but happy that the market is strong.
One of the top lots of the sale was a Tiffany Studios 16″ diameter Bellflower table lamp. The photo doesn’t do it justice; it was actually redder and prettier in person. But the result of $50,000, including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of $15,000 – $20,000 shows the strength of the market. That’s about double what the lamp would bring ordinarily.
Lot #91 was a lovely example of Tiffany Studios’ Mermaid table lamp, with a gorgeous original patina, from a sculpture by Louis Gudebrod. This model comes two ways; either with a natural nautilus shell or a leaded glass, shell-shaped shade. Of course the leaded example is more valuable. This example had a damaged shell. It’s possible to replace the shell and sell a perfect lamp with a new shell. I think Mr. Tiffany would approve of such an action. It sold well above its estimate of $5,000 – $7,000, realizing $25,000, including buyer’s premium. Impressive!
Even more impressive was the very strong result obtained by lot #35, an important, hand-carved and enameled vase by Emile Gallé. The vase was engraved underneath La Limnée de nos étangs mé conseillé la forme de ce vase Emile Gallé fecit Nancy, along with Gallé’s initials EG, the Cross of Lorraine, and a tiny image of a snail. It roughly translates to The snail from our ponds suggested the shape of this vase” made by Émile Gallé. The marking fecit, from Latin, means that Gallé himself created the vase, but probably did not actually make it. It soared above its estimate of $4,000 – $5,000 realizing an impressive $46,875, including buyer’s premium. Apparently there were at least two bidders who knew the importance of the vase.
Cowan’s got strong results across the board, including Art Nouveau furniture, Tiffany glass and French glass. Jennifer Howe, the department head, deserves credit for putting together a great sale. To see all the results, click here.Let me know what interests you, even if you don’t see it on my website. I’ve got lots of items that I haven’t listed yet and I know how to locate what you desire.
I 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.