Fair results for the Tiffany portion of Christie’s Design sale, December 18, 2015

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Philip Chasen

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.

Christie’s New York held their Design sale on December 18, 2015 with total sales of $5,169,125 for the 152-lot auction. The first 36 lots of the sale were Tiffany Studios items. 10 of those failed to sell, which worked out to a total of $1,378,500 for the Tiffany, for an average of $53,019 for the 26 sold lots, considerably below the results of Sotheby’s Tiffany sale two days earlier.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Peony table lamp, Christie’s lot #318

Top lot of the Tiffany portion of the sale was #318, a Tiffany Studios 22″ diameter Peony table lamp, with a rare Favrile glass ball base. It sold below its pre-sale estimate of $180,000 – $240,000, realizing $173,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Christie’s lot #311

Oops on my prediction that the Christie’s blue Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase would bring less money than the example at Sotheby’s. Christie’s Jack, lot #311, sold for an incredible $161,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 – $120,000. That was $42,250 more than the $118,750 spent on the Sotheby’s example. I thought the color on the Sotheby’s example was much better than Christie’s, but Christie’s example was bigger by 2″, 21¼” versus 19¼”. That worked out to $21,125 per extra inch. Whew!

Rare Tiffany Studios inkwell, Christie’s lot #317

Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell, Nadeau’s Auction, October, 30, 2010

Lot #317 was a rare Tiffany Studios Turtleback triple inkwell. It also sold below its estimate of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $25,000, including buyer’s premium. This is only the second time I’ve seen this inkwell come up for sale at auction. A far better example sold at Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, on October, 30, 2010, for $37,500. It had three distinct colors, red, blue and green and a much better patina. It’s my understanding that the dealer who bought it subsequently sold it for $75,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I really need to buy more, so if you have something great, please offer it to me for sale. I am paying the highest prices of any dealer. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email me a jpeg.

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

We’re still very much in business between shows, especially since there are fewer shows nowadays. 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.

Smokin’ results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 16, 2015

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Philip Chasen

I don’t know what they were smoking at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale yesterday, December 16, 2015, but bidders were in a fine mood. Sales totaled $7,679,250 for the small 59-lot auction. 8 lots failed to sell, but that worked out to a very impressive average of $150,573 for the other 51 sold lots.

Tiffany Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #211

Top lot of the sale was #211, a Tiffany Studios 22″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, descended in the family of Andrew Carnegie. Provenance doesn’t get better, which showed in the results. It flew past the estimate of $250,000 — $350,000 to realize a truly remarkable $2,110,000, including buyer’s premium. Wow!

Tiffany Studios Pebble lamp, Sotheby’s lot #244

The second highest lot was another lamp, a relatively small, but rare, Tiffany Studios Pebble design, made with real pebbles. It wasn’t my cup of tea, so I wouldn’t have even bid the low estimate. But the bidders didn’t ask me first. They were hot to trot and shelled out 760,000 bananas, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000.

Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sotheby’s lot #223

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the sale was #223, a gorgeous blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase. I wonder if this is the vase that I bought together with another dealer about 35 years ago. It looked really familiar. It sold for $118,750, well above the pre-sale estimate of $50,000 — $80,000. Christie’s is going to sell another blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase this Friday, but I don’t think it’s as pretty. It should sell for less than this one.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

Some interesting results at Skinner’s 20th Century Design auction, December 5, 2015

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Skinner Boston held their 20th Century Design auction this past Saturday, December 5, 2015. The sale wasn’t one of their best, with a weak selection of offerings, but there were still some interesting results. A fair number of items did not sell, while too many others sold for less than $1,000.

Rookwood plaque, Skinner lot #250

One of the best results was lot # 250, a large Rookwood scenic vellum plaque, 10″ x 14″ + frame. The good result was especially interesting as the market for Rookwood has been soft for years. The subject was a nighttime seascape, painted by Sturgis Lawrence in 1902. The pre-sale estimate was low at $1,500 – $2,500, but the result was still a surprise — $14,760, including buyer’s premium.

Dedham pottery vase, Skinner lot #276

18 lots of Dedham pottery were offered. The vases did well, while the plates floundered. The best of the group was lot #76, a 9″ Art Nouveau vase decorated with a nude. It sold well beyond its high estimate of $2,500, realizing $10,455, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Daffodil table lamp, Skinner lot #318

The best Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale, lot #318, a 22″ diameter Daffodil, did not sell, probably because the estimate was too aggressive at $100,000 – $150,000. $60,000 – $90,000 would have been more appropriate and probably would have resulted in a sale. Auction houses continually struggle with consignors to lower their estimates and reserves, but often the consignors win the battle, but lose the war, when their items don’t sell.

For the complete results of the sale click here.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I will continue to list more daily. Please click here to take a look.

Louis Icart oil paintings sell well at Heritage’s Art Nouveau & Art Deco auction, November 23, 2015

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Heritage Auctions held their Art Nouveau & Art Deco auction on November 23, 2015, with total sales of $1,244,618. Included in the sale were three original oil paintings by Louis Icart. As many of you probably know, the market in Louis Icart etchings has been soft for quite a few years. What you may not know is that the market for his oil paintings has fared better. The prices are nowhere near the peak of the late 1980s, when the Japanese were spending heavily on Icart, but otherwise the market has been relatively firm. Although Icart was a prolific artist, there are far fewer oil paintings in existence than etchings.

Louis Icart oil painting of his wife, Fanny Volmers, Heritage lot #60121

Top lot of the three was #60121, a Red Period oil of his wife Fanny, signed and dated 1919. It sold for $16,250, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000 — $18,000.

Louis Icart oil painting, Heritage lot #60133

Second best of the three was a beautiful 1930s painting of two beautiful women with borzois, 19″ x 23½”. It sold above its high estimate of $9,000, realizing $12,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, including the top four lots by Tiffany Studios, click here. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices realized.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I will continue to list more daily. Please click here to take a look.

French cameo glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, November 24, 2015

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s Paris held their Design sale on November 24, 2015, with total sales of €3,870,400 ($4,100,304). Bidders were determined to continue life as usual, and not allow the terrorists to win, after the recent horrendous terrorist attacks.

Gallé Rose de France vase, Sotheby’s lot #16

Of particular interest to me were five lots of superb Gallé items and one Daum vase. They all sold, most above their high estimates. Top lot of this group was #16, an important, artistic vase by Gallé, entitled Rose de France. It sold for €141,000 ($149,375), including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of €70,000 — €90,000.

Fine Gallé marquetry vase, Sotheby’s lot #13

Second best of this small group was lot #13, a fine Gallé marquetry vase on an original bronze base. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of €15,000 — €25,000 to realize €81,000 ($85,811).

Gallé Mosque chandelier, Sotheby’s lot #11

The most unusual of the six items was a huge, 22″ tall, Gallé chandelier Grand Lampe De Mosquée (Large Mosque lamp). Though this wasn’t for everybody, it found at least two bidders who were willing to push the final sale price beyond the high estimate, to €43,750 ($46,348), against a presale estimate of €25,000 — €30,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I will continue to list more daily. Please click here to take a look.

Some shipping nightmares and how to avoid them

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Philip Chasen

turkey

Some dumb turkeys came to my home to visit a few years ago just before Thanksgiving. What were they thinking? That’s my wife, Lia, and a neighbor in my driveway

Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! It’s certainly my favorite holiday of the year.

I’m taking the day off, but I thought you might like to read an important article about some shipping nightmares and how to avoid them. Click here for a good article from artnet News.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I listed many new items on my website. I will continue to list more daily. Please click here to take a look.

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.

Julia’s held one of their best ever Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auctions this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their semi-annual Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015, with approximately $2.4 million in sales — one of their best ever for the division. The sale included five private collections of high quality goods, some with no reserves. As I’ve noted many times in the past, nothing makes for a better auction than three key ingredients — 1. fresh-to-the-market items; 2. high quality; 3. no or low reserves. It’s like fresh meat to the lions and these lions were hungry.

Important Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1130

French glass did extremely well, with some ultra-high quality items in the mix. Lot 1130, a gorgeous Gallé marquetry vase in the original box, was the best item of the French glass. Estimated to sell for $15,000 – $20,000, it realized $53,325, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Le Verre Francais cat vase, Julia lot #1611

Surprisingly, a nice collection of Le Verre Francais vases and lamps also did well at the end of the sale. The Le Verre market has been soft for a while, so it was nice to see new interest. Lot #1611, a rare, large (23¼”) cat vase, was the best of the group. It sold for $10,665, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

Loetz Phaenomen vase, Julia lot #1143

The selection of Loetz glass was strong and so were the prices. A large, 12″ Loetz Phaenomen vase, estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000, sold for five times it’s high estimate, realizing $29,625, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, Julia lot #1108

The selection of Tiffany Favrile glass was also strong, with some vases selling at considerable premiums over their pre-sale estimates. Lot #1108 was a gorgeous Cypriote miniature example. It sold for many times it’s estimate of $800-1,200, realizing $11,257.50.

Tiffany Studios Koi Fish lamp, Julia lot #1202

The best Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale did well. Lot #1202 was a rare Koi fish example, consigned by a Japanese national. Previously this exact lamp had sold at Christie’s in March, 1990, for $104,500. After the seven phone bidders were done, it went out the door for $106,650, against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000-100,000.

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

I’ve listed many new items on my website and will continue to list many new (and great) items that I’ve recently purchased, both on our buying trip and elsewhere. We have a treasure trove of goodies, so please check my site often for updates.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

Some strong prices at Philip Weiss Auctions, October 8, 2015

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Sorry for the problems with the website and blog. The site was down for a while for maintenance.

Philip Weiss Auctions, Lynbrook, NY, held a sale entitled Estate Sale, Paintings, Porcelain, Jewelry on Thursday, October 8, 2015. Included in the sale were several very good lots that I tried unsuccessfully to buy. Prices were beyond what a dealer could pay.

Wonderful Daum Nancy floral and butterfly vase, Weiss lot #214

Lot #214 was a killer Daum vase that I really wanted. It had everything going for it including butterflies, blue hydrangea flowers, applied cabochons and gilding, plus a nice big size at 15½”. I thought the estimate was a little strong at $12,000 – 16,000, but I was still interested. It finally sold for $20,700, including buyer’s premium. I was the underbidder. Oh well, better luck next time.

Tiffany Studios mosaic inkwell, Weiss lot #534

Weiss didn’t think much of lot #534, a Tiffany Studios mosaic inkwell, so he put an estimate of $800 – $1,200. That was really low. The buying public knew better and bid it to $11,212.50, including buyer’s premium, when I had to drop out. It wasn’t even the best example I’d ever seen. It had a couple of small chips to the mosaic tiles, plus the patina was gone, and it was only signed on the insert. But guess what? Water under the bridge — the public has spoken.

We’re off to Europe on a two-week buying trip, so I’ll do my best to post twice a week, but it may not be possible. I’m sure we’ll bring back a few great items for our upcoming shows.

Our next show will be at the Winnetka Community House in Winnetka, IL, November 6-8, 2015. We used to exhibit at shows in the greater Chicago area 4-6 times yearly. Most of them have disappeared, so we now only exhibit in Chicago twice a year, once in the fall in Winnetka and once in the spring in Glencoe at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Too bad, because we like Chicago and have lots of friends and clients. We’re really looking forward to seeing you at the show, so please put the dates in your calendar.

More good results at recent auctions

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Green R. Lalique Sauterelles vase, Grogan lot #192

Grogan & Company, Boston, MA, held The September Auction on Sep 27, 2015. Included in the sale was lot #192: an R. Lalique Sauterelles vase in green. The low estimate of $3,000 – $5,000 made it seem like there was a chance I could buy it. Occasionally something falls through the cracks, and I’ll be there to catch it. Not this time! The vase sold for $15,860, including buyer’s premium.

Daum Fall scenic vase, Fontaine lot #1

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery held a nice general sale this past Saturday, October 3, 2015. We drove all the way to Pittsfield, MA, just to preview the sale as there were quite a few lots I wanted to purchase. In general, the results were strong, so we wound up buying very few items. All the best ones sold for more than we were willing to pay, starting with lot #1, a beautiful, but small (6″), Daum Nancy scenic vase, decorated by Daum’s best artist, “B.S.”. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it realized $8,470, including buyer’s premium — too much for a dealer, but not a collector.

Tiffany Favrile red decorated vase, Fontaine lot #43

I also wanted to buy a small (3¼”), but very nice, decorated red Tiffany Favrile vase, Fontaine lot #43. It also went too high for me, but not a collector — $6,957.50, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

Rare Tiffany red decorated Favrile perfume bottle, Fontaine lot #67

Lot #67 generated even more excitement. It was a very rare Tiffany Favrile red decorated perfume bottle, 6½” tall. Tiffany didn’t make many perfume bottles, let alone decorated red. The problem for me was that it only had a Tiffany paper label, with no signature on the glass. Most of my clients insist on a signature on the glass, so I took a pass on this lot. Well guess what? Fontaine’s didn’t need me. It sold for $16,940, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

For the complete catalog of the Fontaine sale, click here.

The trend at auctions is still strong

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Philip Chasen

If you read Monday’s blog, you know that I was almost shut out trying to buy some items at auction this past weekend. I’m happy to report that the trend is continuing. Got outbid at a couple of auctions this week by a mile, so the markets are good.

Important padded and wheel-carved Schneider vase, Auctionata lot #58

Yesterday I tried to buy an important 9¼” Schneider vase with a padded and wheel-carved medallion at Auctionata in Germany. I left what I thought was a good bid, but it was to no avail. The bidding started at €1,500 and ended at €7,785 ($8,790) — a good price for a collector, but not for a dealer.

Martin Brothers mini spoon warmer, Wright Marshall lot #1231

Wright Marshall, Ltd., U.K., held an auction on September 15-16 which included several minor Martin Brothers objects. Included in the group was a small Martin Bros. spoon warmer, slightly over 3″ tall. Estimated to sell for £300 – £400, it realized an impressive £6,200 ($9,615).

No luck this week, but I’ll keep plugging away.

nyc-big-flea-9-2015 Our next show will be The Big Flea Market at Pier 94 in New York City, September 26-27. Last year was the first time for this show and it was good. The attendees were completely different than the established Pier Antique Show that takes place in November and March each year, making it a totally different experience.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Auctions

Fair results for the Tiffany portion of Christie’s Design sale, December 18, 2015

Smokin’ results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 16, 2015

Some interesting results at Skinner’s 20th Century Design auction, December 5, 2015

Louis Icart oil paintings sell well at Heritage’s Art Nouveau & Art Deco auction, November 23, 2015

French cameo glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, November 24, 2015

Some shipping nightmares and how to avoid them

Julia’s held one of their best ever Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auctions this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Some strong prices at Philip Weiss Auctions, October 8, 2015

More good results at recent auctions

The trend at auctions is still strong