Anything French was on fire at Sotheby’s Design sale, March 2, 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.


Sotheby’s New York held their Design sale yesterday, March 2, 2016, with total sales of $3,495,188. Anything French — glass, bronze, wood, was hot.

Art Deco screen, Sotheby's lot #140

Art Deco screen, Sotheby’s lot #140

An Art Deco screen, with inlaid bronze panels, lot #140, estimated to sell for $5,000 – $7,000, had multiple bidders until the dust finally settled at an amazing $187,500, including buyer’s premium. Don’t get me wrong. My wife and I admired it, so it’s conceivable we would have tried to buy it within the estimated range, but $187,500??

Gallé bat lamp, Sotheby's lot #59

Gallé bat lamp, Sotheby’s lot #59

French glass did very well, with lot #59 performing second best (to a Daum lamp with an applied dragonfly, lot #83). This bat flew away for $31,250, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000. The Gallé shade with bats was rare and bats are very desirable subject matter, but the problem was the fair workmanship and the boring color. Then consider the shade was made around 1900 and the Art Deco base around 1925, so they weren’t born together. I assume the bidders had a lot of money and not much knowledge – in other words, more cents than sense.

Daum pâte-de-verre Owl vide poche, Sotheby's lot #86

Daum pâte-de-verre Owl vide poche, Sotheby’s lot #86

Pâte-de-verre sold very well, with a rare Daum Owl vide poche, lot #86, selling for almost four times its high estimate of $6,000. It reached $27,500, including buyer’s premium.

Fernand Grange Art Deco floor vase, Sotheby's lot #147

Fernand Grange Art Deco floor vase, Sotheby’s lot #147

A beautiful French Art Deco floor vase, 55¾” tall, by Fernand Grange, was another standout. It soared to $112,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000.

Pairpoint Orange Tree puffy lamp, Sotheby's lot #45

Pairpoint Orange Tree puffy lamp, Sotheby’s lot #45

You wouldn’t know the Pairpoint puffy lamp market has been soft for a while from the result of lot #45, a rare Orange Tree. It zoomed past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000, to realize $47,500, including buyer’s premium. Even a healthy chip on the inside lower rim and many light leaks (from missed spots in the original paint) didn’t stop the determined bidders.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. It’s a beautiful show with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

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