Category Archives: Auctions

I tried to buy a couple of interesting items at auction…

Posted on by
Reply

For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

I recently tried to buy a couple of nice items at auction. I hoped they would fall through the cracks so I could buy them for resale. But alas, they did not. They sold for retail prices, so I wasn’t the buyer.

Tiffany Studios Pine Needle clock, Fontaine lot #2

The first item was a very nice Tiffany Studios clock in the Pine Needle pattern. It sold at Fontaine Auction Gallery’s Antiques & Fine Art auction in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on March 24, 2018 as lot #2. Against a low estimate, it realized $6,655, including buyer’s premium. That’s a fine price for a retail buyer, but not a dealer, so I wasn’t the buyer.

For the complete results of Fontaine’s sale, click here.

Quezal lily shade sconce, similar in design to Bonham’s chandelier pictured below

Quezal chandelier, Bonham’s lot #221

The second item sold as lot #221 in Bonham’s Elegant Home sale in Los Angeles on March 26, 2018. It was a wonderful original Quezal chandelier with nine matching shades. I’ve seen a similar, smaller model before, in the form of a wall sconce with lily shades, but never the matching chandelier. Bonham’s lot was an original mashup of four sconces made into one huge chandelier. How cool is that! It sold for $7,500, including buyer’s premium, against a very low estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. Again, the price was just fine for a retail buyer, but not a dealer, so I didn’t buy it.

For the complete results of Bonham’s sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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. 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 lamps and objects sold well at Cottone’s Fine Art, Antiques & Clocks sale, Mar 24, 2018

Posted on by
Reply

For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

Cottone Auctions held a Fine Art, Antiques & Clocks on Mar 24, 2018. Included in the sale was a nice selection of Tiffany Studios leaded lamps and objects.

Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp, Cottone lot #330

The top lot of the Tiffany Studios group was #330, a Bamboo floor lamp. It sold above its estimated range of $100,000 – $150,000, realizing $241,900, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Moorish chain mail hall lantern, Cottone lot #331

Lot #331 was a rare and interesting Tiffany Studios Moorish hall lantern with chain mail decoration. It sold well above its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $23,010, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Butterfly inkwell, Cottone lot #339

The top result for Tiffany Studios objects was lot #339, a rare Tiffany Studios Butterfly inkwell, with an original iridescent blue Favrile insert and cap. It also sold well above its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $18,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to enter your email address to see the prices realized.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 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. 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 results of Rago’s Early 20th Century Design sale, January 20, 2018

Posted on by
Reply

Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Fridays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Friday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Rago Auctions, Lambertville, NJ, held an Early 20th Century Design sale on January 20, 2018, with mixed results. A few items did very well, but many brought less than stellar prices. Personally I was the beneficiary, so I was able to buy a number of items for resale.

Tiffany Dragonfly tray, Rago lot #806

One item I knew would do very well was a large, 14¾” diameter, Tiffany Studios’ enamel on copper tray with dragonfly decoration. It doubled its high estimate of $15,000, realizing $37,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany mosaic inkwell, Rago lot #802

Another Tiffany Studios’ rarity, a mosaic inkwell with original chamois, also did well. Estimated to sell for $7,000 – $10,000, it realized $26,250, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé monumental, red floral vase, Rago lot #797

Lot #797, a monumental Gallé red poppy vase, led the group of 19 French cameo vases and lamps. It sold near its high estimate of $10,000, realizing $11,250, including buyer’s premium. Although this would seem to be a good result, the estimate was very low, so it’s not as good as it seems. My opinion is that the vase should have a retail price of $20,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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

Some superb results at Sotheby’s Important Design sale, December 13, 2017

Posted on by
Reply

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.

I was leafing through my catalogs when I noticed one from Sotheby’s Important Design sale on December 13, 2017. There were some great results that tie into the Arts & Crafts Conference we just finished last week. My post is a little late, but I hope you find it interesting and worth reading.

The top lot of the sale was #54, a Claude Lalanne Bureau Crocodile
that realized $2,175,000

Sales totaled $13,948,625 for the 165 lots offered. Three Crocodile lots, #s 52-54, by Claude Lalanne, topped the sale. However my interest is with the Arts & Crafts and the Art Deco lots in the sale.

Greene & Greene lantern from the Robert R. Blacker house in Pasadena, CA, Sotheby’s lot #83

Lot #83 was a beautiful Greene & Greene lantern with iridescent glass from the Robert R. Blacker house in Pasadena, California. It sold near its low estimate of $250,000, realizing $287,500, including buyer’s premium.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tree of Life window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, New York, Sotheby’s lot #90

Seven lots of windows by Frank Lloyd Wright were included in the sale. Three lots, #s 88-90, all achieved the same result of $435,000 versus estimates of $200,000 – $300,000.

A rare R. Lalique Luxembourg vase, Sotheby’s lot #107, sold for $150,000, including buyer’s premium

Two good pâte-de-verre vases by Argy-Rousseau, #s 105-106, failed to sell, with identical estimates of $30,000 – $50,000, while five lots of R. Lalique glass all sold mostly at or above their high estimates.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
Reply

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.

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

Posted on by
Reply

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

Posted on by
2

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.