Great results for Tiffany Studios items at Sotheby’s 20th Century Design sale, March 6, 2014

Posted on March 10, 2014 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.

Sotheby’s held its 20th Century Design sale on March 6, 2014 with total sales of $2,356,940. Considering it was an additional, lesser quality sale than the usual extravaganzas of December and June, it had some excellent results, especially for the offerings of Tiffany Studios glass and lamps.

Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #13

I didn’t care for the top lot of the sale, a Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, with a green ripple glass background. The dragonflies didn’t have jeweled eyes and I don’t like the examples with ripple glass backgrounds, but my opinion did not count one iota. It doubled its high estimate of $60,000, to realize $125,000 including buyer’s premium.

Monumental Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Sotheby’s lot #2

A huge, heavy, Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, lot #2, sold above its high estimate of $24,000, to realize $32,500 including buyer’s premium. The decoration of millifiori and leaves was quite effective.

47 Tiffany Favrile tiles, Sotheby’s lot #8

The biggest surprise for me was lot #8, a collection of 47 Tiffany Favrile tiles, each 3″ x 3″. They quadrupled their high estimate of $8,000, to realize $40,625 including buyer’s premium. I’ve always had difficulty selling individual tiles, but I guess a large group like this would be perfect for a custom fireplace surround, for example. Whatever the reason, two bidders fought furiously for them.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

The NYC Pier Antique Show will be held in about two weeks, March 29-30, 2014. It’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. In the meantime, we’ll be on a European buying trip looking for more treasures to offer for sale. You know we’ll come back with some exciting items, which we’ll exhibit at the show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps

Martin Brothers leads the way at Rago’s 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, March 1, 2014

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

David Rago held two early 20th Century sales yesterday, March 1, 2014, The Lillian C. Hoffman Collection of American and European Ceramics and 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction. The Martin Brothers were well represented in both sales and did not disappoint. Many of the offerings exceeded their high estimates.

A rare Martin Brothers triple bird, Rago lot #18

As expected, lot #18, a rare Martin Brothers triple bird, led the way. It easily trounced its estimate of $30,000 – $40,000, to sell for $112,500, including buyer’s premium. Another triple bird, lot #199, smaller, with no wooden stand, and probably an early re-glaze, sold within its pre-sale estimate, realizing $46,875.

Martin Brother frog tobacco jar, Rago lot #17

A wonderful Martin Brothers frog jar, lot #17, also did very well. It nearly quadrupled its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $20,000, to sell for $87,500.

A rare Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Rago lot #435

The cover lot of the 20th Century sale, a very rare blue Tiffany Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, was the best Tiffany Studios item in the sale. To my surprise, it sold for the low estimate of $50,000 + buyer’s premium, for a total of $62,500. I thought it had a good chance of exceeding its high estimate, but some minor factory flaws may have hurt its result.

For the complete results of the sale, click here .

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

We have about three weeks until our next show, the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 29-30, 2014. That’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. In the meantime, we’ll be on a European buying trip looking for more treasures to offer for sale. You know we’ll come back with some exciting items, which we’ll exhibit at the show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Sotheby’s amazing $1 billion November

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s worldwide auctions of art and jewelry totaled $1.02 billion in 10 days in November, 2013. Records were broken repeatedly, including for individual items and total sales. Sotheby’s Magnificent Jewels sale realized $200 million, the highest total for any jewelry auction ever.

Giacometti bronze Grande Tête Mince (Grand Tête de Diego), Sotheby’s lot #15

Top lot of the Impressionist & Modern Art Evening Sales on November 6th was #15, a bronze sculpture by Alberto Giacometti entitled Grande Tête Mince (Grand Tête de Diego). Estimated to sell for $30,000,000 – $50,000,000, it realized $50,005,000 — near the high estimate.

Andy Warhol Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), Sotheby’s lot #16

Andy Warhol won the bidding wars at the Contemporary Art Evening Auction on November 13th. His Silver Car Crash (Double Disaster), lot #16, sold for $105,445,000, a world record for a Warhol. The estimate was secret, listed as “Estimate Upon Request”. Not sure why they do that, but basically it means “If you have to ask, you can’t afford it.”

Robert Mapplethorpe portrait of Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol was a regular at the Triple Pier Show in NYC before his death in 1987 at age 58. I saw him many times, but never talking to anyone. He never came into my booth. I wish I had taken a photograph of him, but it didn’t even cross my mind at the time. I didn’t know he would become such a big deal.

We’ve been buying for the last several weeks, with great success. You won’t believe all the wonderful Tiffany Studios glass, lamps and candlesticks we’ve purchased from fantastic private collections. We’ll have it all on display at our four shows down south, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014, less than two weeks away. We’ll end with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Lackluster results at Christie’s New York Magnificent Tiffany auction, December 19, 2013

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s New York held its Magnificent Tiffany auction on December 19, 2013, with total sales of $1,372,625. Of the 47 items offered for sale, 28 sold, while 19 did not. Sotheby’s was clearly the winner this week, with a finer group of items for sale, as well as significantly higher sales of $3,675,625 in its Important Tiffany sale.

Fine Tiffany Studios Pony Wisteria table lamp, Christie’s lot #135

There were some winners in the sale, including lot #135, a fine Tiffany Pony Wisteria table lamp. It sold above its high estimate of $150,000, realizing $221,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Nasturtium Trellis chandelier, Christie’s lot #118

A Tiffany Studios Nasturtium Trellis chandelier brought the second highest price of the auction, $118,750, just below the low estimate. While the results were disappointing, it presented some exceptional buying opportunities. The Tiffany market will rebound, making the buyers at this sale look smart. Every market, including the stock market, takes a breather. It’s the smart money that moves in during those opportunities.

We’ll be busy buying for the next several weeks in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

December is 20th Century month, with every major and many minor auction houses holding a sale. Sotheby’s held two sales yesterday, December 18, 2013, with some truly impressive individual results. The Important Tiffany auction realized total sales of $3,675,625, while the Important 20th Century Design sale realized $5,145,500.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #330

First among the results was a world-record price for a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp at auction. Sold as lot #330, with a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 — 800,000, it soared to $1,565,000, with two phone bidders who wouldn’t give up. The color was strong and the provenance royal, from Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza of Spain.

Tiffany Studios Double Poinsettia table lamp. Sotheby’s lot #317

Another Tiffany lamp with a super result was lot #317, a 22″ Double Poinsettia. It was a particularly nice example, with strong red and blue colors — just what collectors like. It sold for $221,000, against an estimate of $120,000 — $180,000.

Wonderful, rare Tiffany Favrile red carved vase, Sotheby’s lot #304

The selection of Tiffany Favrile vases in the sale was limited, but choice. I lusted for lot #304, a fantastic cherry red Tiffany Favrile vase, completely wheel-carved with flowers and leaves. It sold for $21,250, against an estimate of $8,000 — $12,000. Unfortunately, I was the underbidder. There’s only so much a dealer can pay. Retail buyers will win every time.

There were some disappointments too. The cover lot, a rare Tiffany Bat lamp failed to reach its reserve of $500,000, against an estimate of $550,000 – $750,000. Another important lot, a piano from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio in the Charles Tiffany mansion in NYC, also failed to sell, against a reserve of $200,000 – $300,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. Tune in Monday for the results of Christie’s 20th Century sales being held today, Thursday, December 19, 2013.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Two more VERY interesting items from Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s held their Interiors sale last week, December 11-12, 2013. I last wrote about a couple of interesting French lots in the sale. Today’s post will be about two very curious American lots from the same sale. They’re both interesting, but for very different reasons. Let me explain.

Christie’s lot #254 is on the left. A complete vase is on the right.

Lot #254 was a rare and very desirable Tiffany Favrile vase, but not exactly this example. You see it was only half a Tiffany vase. Someone, sometime, in its history decided to re-carve the vase into an amusing shape. It’s hard to believe this was done at the factory, so the best explanation is that someone took a seriously damaged vase and became very creative. The workmanship involved in cutting the vase was expert. Christie’s didn’t even think it was an authentic Tiffany Favrile vase, so they called it “AN AMERICAN CLEAR AND COLORED CAMEO GLASS VASE, SIGNED IN ETCH ‘L.C. TIFFANY-FAVRILE’, EARLY 20TH CENTURY”. In fact, if it were complete, it was a killer example. The color was much better than usual and the grape clusters were bigger. Even with the creative carving, it realized $3,125, including the buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,000.

Pairpoint Hummingbird & Roses puffy table lamp, Christie’s lot #463

Lot #463, a Pairpoint Hummingbird & Roses puffy table lamp, wasn’t quite as amusing, but still interesting. Why was the lamp photographed with the shade on the table? Take a look at the spider arms. They’re upside-down, so the shade couldn’t possibly rest on the arms. That tickles me. This was another lot that I had hoped to sneak up on. The shade was the larger of two versions, 16″ in diameter, with no chips and a very desirable green background. BUT, I didn’t bid one penny for it. Upon inspection, the interior paint was peeling off the roses — a very rare occurrence. How disappointing! The lamp failed to sell, even with a very fair estimate of $4,000 – $6,000 and a likely reserve of half the low estimate, or $2,000. The paint peeling was subtle, so it probably wouldn’t have been detected in a condition report. This is one bullet I dodged by viewing the item in person.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Some VERY interesting results for art glass at Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Posted on December 12, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s held an Interiors sale, yesterday, December 11, 2013, with first day sales totaling $1,796,875. Included in the sale were a few lots of art glass that were very interesting, for different reasons. Let me explain.

Gallé Magnolia table lamp, Christie’s lot #252

Lot #252 was a monumental Gallé table lamp, 30″ tall. It was decorated with red magnolias on a yellow ground, using the windowpane technique to keep the flowers red. It was an important lamp that should have been in the main 20th Century sale coming up later this month. It carried a very low estimate of $7,000 – $9,000. I had hopes that it would sneak by so I could buy it for $20,000 or less. It didn’t take long to find out that was a pipe dream. It sold for $50,000, including buyer’s premium, even with a large chip on the fitter rim of the base. But, it was a beauty, and at least two people realized it.

Reproduction Gallé mold-blown lamp, Christie’s lot #255

Now for the complete opposite. Lot #255 was listed as “A FRENCH CAMEO GLASS TABLE LAMP AND SHADE, THE SHADE AND BASE SIGNED IN CAMEO FOR ‘GALLE’, EARLY 20TH CENTURY”. Now this was a BIG boo-boo that shouldn’t have happened at a major auction house like Christie’s. This was a modern reproduction Romanian lamp, signed “Gallé” and also signed “TIP”, which is “type” in Romanian. If you’ve read my lessons on French Cameo Glass, all you had to do was read lesson #5. The lamp was estimated to sell for $4,000 – $6,000, and realized $3,125. If it were authentic, it would have sold in the $100,000 neighborhood. There is going to be one unhappy buyer when he/she finds out.

I’m saving two more goodies from this sale for Monday’s post. They are MOST interesting for very different reasons. Tune in on Monday and I’ll explain.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

We’ll be busy buying for the next several weeks in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t do it again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Fine Tiffany Favrile vase with applied handles, just in

Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction grosses over $1 million, December 4, 2013

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Heritage Auction held a Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction on December 4, 2013. It wasn’t a stellar sale, with mostly B level items, but the results were decent. 344 of the 364 offerings sold, for a high sell-through rate. The sale totaled $1,030,706, for an average of $2,996 per sold item.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Belted Turtleback table lamp, Heritage lot #89039

Top lot of the sale was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Belted Turtleback table lamp, with a rare base, in a non-mosaic tile version. When inset with mosaic tiles, this same base is much more valuable. The lamp sold just below the low estimate of $100,000, for a total of $118,750, including buyer’s premium. The consignor was lucky to sell the lamp, as it wasn’t exciting and carried an overly optimistic estimate.

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Heritage lot #89049

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the auction was #89049, a fine paperweight example, purchased in 1978 from Grover Antiques. It sold just below its low estimate of $25,000, for a final price of $30,000.

Fine Loetz black bottom vase, Heritage lot #89172

The most interesting lot of the sale was #89172, a rare, desirable, signed Loetz 7″ black bottom vase. It carried a ridiculously low estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. Black bottom Loetz vases have been selling in the $10,000 price range for the last 20 years, so why did Heritage put a $1,000 – $1,500 estimate? Only two explanations make sense. First they didn’t know, or second they did it purposely to generate excitement. Regardless of the reason, the vase soared to a final price of $13,750.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in to get the prices realized.

We’ll be busy buying for the next couple of months in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t do it again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Fine Tiffany Favrile vase with applied handles, just in

Some excellent results at James D. Julia’s Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction, November 20-21, 2013

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia Inc. held their Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction over two days, November 20-21, 2013. The sale totaled $2.1 million, with some assorted areas of strength, including Loetz glass and Tiffany Studios lamps.

Tiffany Studios 20 inch Dragonfly lamp, Julia’s lot #2350

The top lot of the sale was #2350, a Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly lamp, with an unusual green ripple glass background. It sold near the high estimate, realizing $118,500.

Monumental Daum Nancy blackbird vase, Julia lot #2084

An important, monumental Daum Nancy blackbird vase was re-offered after failing to sell at the last auction. The estimate was lowered by $10,000, so it sold this time. Selling as lot #2084, it realized $30,800 — below the new low estimate, but above the reserve. If the original estimate had been lower, it would have sold the first time, probably at a higher price. Most of the objects in the auction that didn’t sell had too high an estimate and too high a reserve.

Rare Loetz Phanomen vase, Julia lot #1212

Most of the Loetz glass in the sale was from a private Connecticut collection. It was fresh-to-the-market and estimated reasonably, with commensurate results. Lot #1212 was the top seller of the group. It was a rare Phanomen vase, estimated to sell for $7,000 – $10,000. The final price of $11,257.50 was closer to the high estimate than the low estimate.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in to get the prices realized.

Fine Tiffany Favrile vase with applied handles, just in

Some good results for French Cameo Glass at Brunk Auctions, November 16, 2013

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Brunk Auctions held a diverse sale November 15-16, 2013. Many of the Art Nouveau items were from the estate of Dr. Laurence and Dorothy Grossman, of Nashville, Tennessee. Included in that group was a nice selection of French cameo glass.

Rare Daum vase with applications, Brunk lot #692

Lot #692 was a rare Daum vase with martelé-carved, applied cabachons. This was a lovely, rare piece, with a butterfly and gilding, that ordinarily I would have aggressively gone after, but did not because of the significant wear to the gilding. This is a perfect example of how I act as a filter. If it’s good enough for me to buy, it’s good enough for you to buy, and vice versa. It wasn’t good enough for my inventory — close, but no cigar. Regardless, it sold for $6,600, including buyer’s premium — well above its estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Gallé clematis blownout vase, Brunk lot #678

A nice Gallé blownout vase with clematis flowers was offered as lot #678, with an estimate of $2,000 – $3,000. Even though the color was only decent, it still sold for almost triple its high estimate, realizing $9,120.

Tiffany Favrile padded and wheel-carved vase, Brunk lot #672

Brunk put a very low estimate of $1,000 – $2,000 on lot #672, a Tiffany Favrile padded and wheel-carved vase with pretty variegated pink flowers. The price flew past its estimate to sell for $8,400, even with a small chip to the interior of the rim.

For the complete catalog, click here. As of today, the results haven’t been posted, but they should be by the end of the week.

The NYC Pier Show will be held this coming weekend, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. It will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February. We’re bringing some incredible new items, so don’t miss this show!

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Auctions

Great results for Tiffany Studios items at Sotheby’s 20th Century Design sale, March 6, 2014

Martin Brothers leads the way at Rago’s 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, March 1, 2014

Sotheby’s amazing $1 billion November

Lackluster results at Christie’s New York Magnificent Tiffany auction, December 19, 2013

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

Two more VERY interesting items from Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Some VERY interesting results for art glass at Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction grosses over $1 million, December 4, 2013

Some excellent results at James D. Julia’s Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction, November 20-21, 2013

Some good results for French Cameo Glass at Brunk Auctions, November 16, 2013