Author Archives: Philip Chasen

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens to the public this Friday, February 2, 2018

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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.

By the time you read this blog, we’ll already be in warm, sunny Miami for the opening of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show this Friday, February 2, 2018. It opens at 11 AM and closes on Sunday at 5 PM. The weather is predicted to be in the 70s all week. The show will feature over 200 premier exhibitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America, offering the finest antiques and decorative arts. It’s a very high quality show that is worth a trip from anywhere in the world (and clients do fly in from as far as Japan).

After a few rough years of the show getting smaller, a serendipitous series of events led to the show growing again. Last year the show grew to 200 dealers from only 60 the previous year. This year the show has stabilized at 200 dealers, as many of the dealers from the Original Miami Beach Antique Show decided they would only exhibit at one show in Miami due to the temporary relocation of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. (Supposedly the show will be back in the Miami Beach Convention Center in 2019. We’ll see if that materializes, but more on that later when I hear the scuttlebutt in a few days.)

We’ll have this beautiful Tiffany 18″ Peony at the show, along with many other original Tiffany Studios’ lamps

We’ve been buying like crazy, so we’ll have a fabulous display at both Miami shows. Our inventory of quality French and American glass and lamps is stupendous. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. The quality and selection are extraordinary! You’ll be able to get first crack at the items that are being exhibited exclusively at this show plus the items that will be brought to the Original Miami Antique show the following week.

Speaking of which, the Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, starting on Friday, February 9 and continuing until Monday, February 12 at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition center. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.

I recently 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

The market in Tiffany Studios’ lamps and glass is strengthening

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

December is one of two months (June is the other) where all of the major and not-so-major auction houses hold their Design sales. Tiffany Studios’ lamps, glass and other objects are included in this wide category, which dates from the late 19th Century to the early 21st Century. The recent results are all in and the conclusion is that Tiffany Studios’ items are having a banner year, especially lamps and enamel on copper items.

Tiffany Geranium table lamp, Julia lot #1516

Julia’s started the season with a December 1, 2017 Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were lamps by Tiffany Studios. Three lamps, including a Geranium, sold for the same $84,700 price.

Sotheby’s sold this Tiffany Wisteria lamp, lot #218, for $975,000

Sotheby’s followed on December 13, 2017, with not one, but two Tiffany sales on the same day. You might think all this Tiffany might flood the market, but it didn’t. Very few objects failed to sell. Five lamps sold over $500,000, while two lamps sold for approximately $1,000,000.

Christie’s sold this Tiffany Drophead Dragonfly sold for $492,500

Christie’s followed the next day with a Design sale that included a wonderful collection of Tiffany enamel on copper items, which all sold well over their high estimates. The lamps also did well, with three selling for nearly $500,000 and one for nearly $1,000,000.

Tiffany Pond Lily table lamp, Bonham’s lot #20

Bonham’s New York held their Modern Decorative Art + Design sale on the same day as Christie’s (not a good move). They didn’t have a strong selection of Tiffany items except for lot #20, a Pond Lily table lamp that sold for $143,750.

Rago held an Early 20th Century Design sale this past Saturday, January 20, 2018. His selection of Tiffany Studios’ items didn’t include many rarities, but one enamel on copper tray sold for double its high estimate of $15,000.

So what’s going on? The simple answer is new (wealthy) blood. There is nothing better for a market than new players. Personally I have no idea who these people are, American or foreign, but I welcome their presence. I hope this recent enthusiasm translates to sales at the upcoming shows in Miami. Tune in for my posts. The first Miami show opens 11 days from now.

The Miami Airport Show opens to the public on February 2, 2018. I will have a very strong display, as I’ve been buying up a storm since my last show in the Chicago suburbs.

I recently 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items at Julia’s Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, December 1, 2017

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Monday’s post will be up by noon.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Sorry for the temporary outage on my website and blog yesterday, January 17, 2018. There were some technical problems that were resolved, so everything should be up and running just fine now.

James D. Julia, Inc., held a Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale on December 1, 2017, with total sales over $2,500,000. The results were relatively strong for the entire sale, but especially strong for Tiffany Studios’ glass and lamps. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were Tiffany Studios’ lamps — impressive, considering there were 739 lots in the sale.

Rare Tiffany Butterfly table lamp, Julia’s lot #1473

The top lots of the sale, #s 1428, 1473, and 1516, were all Tiffany Studios’ lamps that each sold for the identical price of $84,700, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, Julia’s lot #1453

A rare and very desirable Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, lot #1453, sold for approximately twice its high estimate of $7,000, realizing $17,545, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Gallé Butterfly vase, Julia’s lot #1115

The top lot of the French cameo glass portion of the sale was #1115, a rare wheel-carved Gallé Butterfly vase. It was an interesting vase, technically very sophisticated, but not as eye-appealing as it could have been with muted colors and no decoration between the butterflies. It sold just below its low estimate of $18,000, realizing $19,360, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices.

The Miami shows are only two weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 13, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with the second of the two sales, Tiffany Dreaming in Glass. Sales totaled $5,111,250 for the 41 lots offered. 37 of the 41 lots sold, with many of them exceeding their high estimates. The results were strong, with two lamps selling just below or just above $1,000,000. This sale continued the recent strengthening of the Tiffany market (which I will write about in a separate blog).

Tiffany Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #222

The top lot of the sale was #222, a rare, beautiful and important Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp with mosaic-tiled base. It sold near its high estimate of $1,000,000, realizing $1,155,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #227

Results for the 13 lots of Tiffany Favrile glass were mixed. Lot #227, an important Lava vase sold for the highest price, $112,500, including buyer’s premium, but this was below it’s pre-sale estimate of $100,000 — $150,000.

Tiffany Butterfly enamel on copper box, Sotheby’s lot #201

The first lot of the sale, #201, a rare enamel on copper Butterfly box, set the tone for the sale. It almost quadrupled its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $125,000, including buyer’s premium. Rare Tiffany enamel on copper items have been on fire.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Thursday’s post will be about the results of Julia’s glass and lamp sale, which also included strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items. You’ll want to read it.

The Miami shows are only two and a half weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Very strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection sale, December 13, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with one of the two sales, Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection. (Monday’s post will highlight the second sale.) Sales totaled $7,309,500 for only 42 lots offered. Only one, lot #323, a Wisteria lamp, failed to sell (but almost surely sold privately after the sale). The results were very strong, with many of the lots selling for near or over their high estimates. The Tiffany market hasn’t been this strong in quite a while. (I will devote a separate blog to the strengthening Tiffany market.)

Tiffany 22″ Dragonfly floor lamp, Sotheby’s lot #313

The top lot of the sale was #313, a 22″ diameter Dragonfly floor lamp in beautiful shades of blue. It sold over its high estimate of $500,000, realizing $675,000, including buyer’s premium. It was one of five lamps selling over $500,000.

Tiffany mosaic pedestal, Sotheby’s lot #303

A rare mosaic tile pedestal from the home of Ralph Linder Pope, Brookline, Mass., sold for triple its high estimate of $120,000, realizing $399,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp, Sotheby’s lot #317

To give you an idea of how strong the sale was, take a look at lot #317. It was a standard Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp that sells at auction after auction in the $10,000 – $15,000 price range. It isn’t rare, but it sold for the ridiculous price of $37,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 — $12,000.

The sale was quite special, so I’m a happy camper. I do a big business in Tiffany lamps, glass and desk sets, so a strong market is a good market.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

The Miami shows are only three weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Art & Antiques Magazine published a very interesting article on Daum Nancy glass

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Fine Daum Nancy Mushroom vase

Sheila Gibson Stoodley approached me for an article she was writing for the November, 2017, issue of Art & Antiques Magazine. I was glad to help with discussions and photographs. Click here to read it. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Then if you’re inspired, click Chasen Antiques’ Daum vases to view some of the Daum Nancy selection I have for sale.

Thursday’s post will be about the very strong sale of Tiffany Studios lamps and objects at Sotheby’s New York. You won’t want to miss it.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Tiffany Studios’ items sell very well at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 14, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Christie’s New York, held its Design sale on December 14, 2017, with total sales of $6,756,750. Of the 69 lots offered for sale, 33 were made by Tiffany Studios. The results were strong, which seems to coincide with a general strengthening of the Tiffany market, as evidenced at several recent auctions.

Tiffany Studios Gourd floor lamp, Christie’s lot #28

The top lot of all the Tiffany Studios’ items was #28, a rare floor lamp in the Gourd pattern. It sold near its high estimate of $800,000, realizing $948,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom enamel box, Christie’s lot #9

Tiffany Studios enamel on copper items are quite rare and desirable. This sale included a wonderful selection of nine enamels from the collection of Dr. Alan Feld. The results were very strong, with lot #9 doing best. It was a beautiful Apple Blossom box, estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000. It soared to $106,250, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Favrile Lava vase, Christie’s lot #13

Tiffany Favrile glass was underrepresented in the sale with only three lots, but lot #13 was a good one, a rare Lava glass vase. It sold for approximately double its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

The strength of the Tiffany market will be the subject of an upcoming post. Be sure to follow my blog.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Tiffany Studios Favrile glass sells well at Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale, December 14, 2017

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s hoping that 2018 will be a great year, especially if our illustrious politicians don’t screw it up.

Skinner’s Auction, Boston, MA, held its 20th Century Design sale on December 14, 2017. Included in the sale was a lovely collection of Tiffany Favrile glass from the estate of Nan Edwards. The results were excellent.

Fabulous Tiffany red Favrile exhibition vase, Skinner lot #72

The top lot of the group was #72, a killer red decorated Favrile vase marked “Exhibition”, meaning it was made to exhibit at a fair. Exhibition vases are usually top quality and quite rare. It went on the block with an estimate of $4,000-6,000 and soared to $33,210, including buyer’s premium — not surprising considering its quality and rarity.

Tiffany Favrile black decorated millifiori vase, Skinner lot #76

Lot #76 was another fine Tiffany Favrile example from the collection of Nan Edwards. The quality and rarity of this black decorated millifiori vase made up for its small, 4¾” size. It sold for over 10 times its high estimate of $900, realizing $12,300, including buyer’s premium.

Early Gallé Crystallerie vase, Skinner lot #179A

For the most part, the French glass offerings were quite weak, except for lot #179A. It was a superb example of 19th century Gallé Crystallerie glass, with a grasshopper and flowers. At 9″ tall, it was offered with an unrealistically low estimate of $400- $600. It sold for a very fair price of $10,455.

Fake Gallé jar, Skinner lot #178

Embarrassingly Skinner sold lot 178 as authentic Gallé glass, when in fact it was an obvious reproduction. I guess they were fooled because it came from the collection of Nan Edwards. It means that Nan Edwards was fooled first and then Skinners. I suggest the buyer return it immediately.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 10 new items on my website and will list another 10 or more within the first week of January. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look.

I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

In a stunner Morphy Auctions buys James D. Julia Auctions

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. There has been a lot of auction action in December, which I’ll cover in the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss these posts, which will be every Monday and Thursday.

First and foremost I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of my Christian friends, clients and readers.

We’re just back from a wonderful 3-week vacation in Asia, having visited Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong. Now back to work.

Because of the importance of this post, I will leave it for the entire week. The next post will be next Monday.

Dan Morphy (left) and Jim Julia (right) shake hands

In a stunning turn of events, Morphy Auctions of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has bought James D. Julia Auctions of Fairfield, Maine. Their publicity lists the sale as a merger, but that seems like a bit of hyperbole. Well I guess it is a merger, sort of. Morphy Auctions will acquire the mailing lists of Julia Auctions and will continue to employ the sales staff and department experts of Julia’s. All of the support staff at Julia’s including secretaries, accountants, photographers, shippers, etc. will lose their jobs. Julia’s will still hold a February and a March sale in Maine, but will close its doors on May 1, 2018. I’m told those employees losing their jobs will receive generous severance packages.

Sales at Morphy’s have been approximately $35 million per year, while Julia’s had sales of $43 million. Dan Morphy is hoping the combined company will achieve sales equal to or better than the individual totals. Morphy will gain important departments, including the highly successful Rare Firearms and Glass and Lamps divisions. Mike Fredericks, head of Julia’s Glass & Lamp Department, will be moving up to become manager of all departments — a smart move by Morphy.

I’m sure part of Jim Julia’s motivation is to spend as much quality time as he can with his wife, Sandy, who is dealing with brain cancer. They are both personal friends of mine whom I wish nothing but the best.

If size is important (and it probably is) and Morphy does a good job of integrating Julia’s staff, it should work out well. Time will tell. Got my fingers crossed for all involved. Don’t be surprised if Morphy buys another auction house a few years down the road. You heard it here first.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.

Unfortunately I missed Doyle Auction’s Doyle + Design sale, November 21, 2017

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We’re back from vacation, so I’ll begin posting new blogs twice weekly, starting Monday, Christmas Day. It will be a good one on an important and unexpected merger in the auction business. You won’t want to miss it.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

November 21, 2017 was a busy day for auctions, with four auction houses holding simultaneous sales, including Leslie Hindman, Bonham’s LA, Heritage and Doyle New York. I had catalogs from all of them, but I was (and still am) so busy I didn’t realize it until the sales were over. I did manage to buy some nice items at two of the sales, but I should have paid more attention to the sale at Doyle’s. It was a disaster for them, but a gold mine for buyers.

Daum Nancy floral vase, Doyle lot #169

Lot 168 was a beautiful 11″ Daum Nancy vase, estimated to sell for $2,000 – $4,000 — a fair, but low estimate. The vase actually sold for $1,250, including buyer’s premium. It’s a vase that I could have easily sold in the $6,000 – $8,000 price range. Ouch! That hurts.

Handel floor lamp with Tiffany 10″ Favrile shade, Doyle lot #174

Lot #174 was more of a dealer lot. By that I mean it was a marriage of a 10″ Tiffany Favrile shade and a Handel base that a lamp dealer could make into two proper lamps. Namely you would need a suitable Tiffany Studios base for the shade and a 10″ Handel or Steuben shade for the base. It sold for the low estimate of $3,000 ($3,750 including buyer’s premium). It wasn’t the greatest of lamps, but it was well worth the money, especially to a dealer.

French marquetry game table, Doyle lot #170

One more example was lot # 170, a beautiful French hand-carved and marquetry game table. It sold for only $1,875, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-auction estimate of $3,000 – $5,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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.