Sorry, no new post this week. I’m on a treasure hunt with my son. Really.
Fontaine’s Auction, Pittsfield, MA, held an Antiques & Fine Art Auction, September 14, 2019. Included in the sale was a collection of Tiffany Favrile glass from a 90+-year-old woman from the suburbs of New York City. The results were strong because the selection was fresh-to-the-market, high-quality, and sold without reserve, attracting the interest of major collectors and dealers.
The top lot of the Tiffany Favrile collection was #3, a rare inkwell with gold Favrile applications and an iridescent Favrile insert. Estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000, it realized $21,780, including buyer’s premium. I was hoping to buy it, but soon realized that I didn’t have a chance when I looked around the audience and saw a major California collector sitting in the back. He wound up buying quite a few items.
Fontaine also sold a selection of Tiffany Studios lamps. There was no doubt that lot #100 would be the star of the sale. It was a very rare Fish lamp, estimated to sell for $80,000 – $100,000. I don’t find this design to be very attractive, so I wouldn’t have bid regardless of the price. But guess what? I wasn’t consulted. (Can you believe that??) It doubled its low estimate, realizing $217,800, including buyer’s premium.
Also in the sale was a rare Picasso, limited-edition, ceramic Taureau pitcher which sold within its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $54,450, including buyer’s premium. The surprise was that this pitcher was found in a clean-out of a Brooklyn, NY apartment. The consignors had no idea there was anything valuable. With their luck, it’s time for them to take some of the proceeds and buy a few lottery tickets.
For the complete results of the sale, click here.