Category Archives: Auctions

French Cameo Glass sells well at Christie’s 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe auction, October 17-18, 2012

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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.

Many of the utility poles on my street are down and awaiting repair

I’ve been so preoccupied with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, that I haven’t had time to focus on business. Before I get to that, here’s a brief update. As of Wednesday night, we haven’t had power in my neighborhood for nine days (and none is expected until Monday, November 12th). LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) says that over 140,000 homes are still without power. We’re in the middle of another storm right this minute, which will probably cause more damage. Gas lines are getting longer, not shorter. It’s been pretty tough here for many people.

Back to business. Christie’s New York held a successful two-day 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe auction on October 17-18, 2012, with gross sales of $4,280,225. Included in the sale was a fantastic one-owner collection of French cameo glass, much of which was purchased as recently as one year ago at auctions in New York City. I find it curious that the collection was for sale so soon after purchasing some of it. Since I believe the owner(s) are still alive, my best guess is that the collection was sold as part of a divorce (but that’s wild speculation on my part).

A rare 21″ Gallé parrot vase, Christie’s lot #326

The top French cameo glass lot of the sale was #326, a rare, large Gallé vase with parrot decoration. Estimated to sell for $40,000 – $60,000, it realized $47,500, including buyer’s premium, toward the low end. Most of the vases in the sale had low estimates, but not this one. I imagine it was because the buyer paid a record price for it at Christie’s December 8, 2009 auction, where it sold for an astonishing $104,500. $47,500 was a much more realistic price. Here’s the link to my original blog about the sale. December 9, 2009 blog.

Wonderful Daum fall scenic vase, Christie’s lot #325

The second best-selling French cameo glass vase was a truly gorgeous fall scenic by Daum, sold as lot #325. Most Daum fall scenics are beautiful, but this one was both exceptional and large (18½”). It sold for $26,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $7,000 – $9,000 — over triple the low estimate. I really wanted to buy this vase, but the price was too strong for a dealer. Another Daum fall scenic vase, lot #324, almost as nice, sold for $25,000.

Fine Gallé plum blownout vase, Christie’s lot #347

A very attractive Gallé mold-blown plum vase, lot #347, was the fourth strongest French cameo glass lot of the sale. Against an estimate of $5,000 – $7,000, it sold for $21,250 — too rich for a dealer, but not for a collector.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe results.

The NYC Pier Antiques Show will be held November 17 & 18, 2012

The big, important NYC Pier Antiques Show is coming next weekend, November 17th-18th. If you haven’t made your travel plans yet, there’s still time. This is one show you shouldn’t miss. You can knock off two birds with one stone — see the show and enjoy the Big Apple!

Wonderful Schneider controlled bubble vase with wheel-carved Art Deco handles, recently acquired

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased. I recently listed over 25 new items. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I’ll have this rare, special Tiffany Studios red decorated Favrile vase for sale at the NYC Pier Antiques Show

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

Grogan and Company sells rare Tiffany Studios desk items, September 30, 2012

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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.

Grogan and Company held their September sale on September 30, 2012. Included in the sale were some very rare Tiffany Studios desk pieces that sold for well above their estimates.

Very rare Tiffany Studios enameled bookends, Grogan lot #320

Lot #320 included a very rare pair of enameled Tiffany Studios bookends, as well as an enameled Zodiac inkwell and a Ninth Century letter opener. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it sold for $2,242, including buyer’s premium. I was interested in buying the lot, but thought at the time it was too expensive for a dealer to buy. In retrospect, I wish I had bid more, as the bookends were so rare and beautiful, that I still could have made a profit.

Tiffany Studios green Art Deco desk set, Grogan lot #320A

The next lot, #320A, was a partial Tiffany Studios desk set in the green Art Deco pattern. (The Art Deco pattern also comes in red, blue, and cream color). This green set was desirable, especially because it included rare pieces, like a scale. It sold for $11,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $8,000. I was the underbidder, who in retrospect, should have bid more. But an auction doesn’t give you unlimited time to make up your mind.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Grogan sale results.

Just purchased this fabulous Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp

The Arlington Park Racetrack Show starts tomorrow, Friday, October 12 at 11 AM and continues until Sunday at 5 PM. We brought all of our new purchases, which include some great Galle and Daum glass, as well as a fabulous Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp. So please visit and consider making a purchase. The survival of the show depends on you!

Click this link to view some of the new objects. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous Daum winter scenic rose bowl

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart.

Remember that $100,000 Renoir painting I wrote about two weeks ago? There’s more to the story.

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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.

Auguste-Pierre Renoir painting Paysage Bords de Seine

If you don’t know the story, you might first want to read my blog post of September 17th. Quoting from my post, “What’s not known is how the painting made its way from Mr. May to the flea market in West Virginia.” And that’s the rub. New information has recently surfaced, forcing the Potomack Co. to cancel the sale of the painting at its auction.

The Baltimore Museum of Art (photo by Lee Sandstead)

Research by a Washington Post reporter turned up evidence showing the painting was on loan from Saidie A. May to the Baltimore Museum of Art. Saidie was the ex-wife of Herbert L. May, who purchased the painting from the Bernheim-Jeune Gallery in Paris in 1926. Saidie loaned the painting to the museum in 1937, where it stayed until it was stolen in November, 1951. The museum uncovered a 60-year old report of the theft and a few days later, the police found the corresponding report. At the time, the painting was valued at $2,500, which was paid for by insurance.

It’s likely now the woman who purchased it at a West Virginia flea market for $7 will not profit, but she probably will try. The Baltimore Museum of Art has a strong case to prove it’s the rightful owner. It’s also possible the insurance company that paid the claim can try to recover the painting, but as of now, the company is not known. The FBI is on the case trying to find out how the painting made its way from the museum to the flea market. Looks like it will be a while until the full story is known and the courts decide the rightful owner. Stay tuned!

The Arlington Park Racetrack Show is coming soon, October 12-14. In the meantime, we started to list some of the great new Galle and Daum glass we just purchased. Click this link to view some of the objects. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous Daum winter scenic rose bowl

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart.

Virginia woman could earn $100,000 on her $7 purchase of a probably authentic Pierre-Auguste Renoir painting

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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.

Auguste-Pierre Renoir painting Paysage Bords de Seine

The Potomack Company of Alexandria, Virginia, will hold an auction on September 29th and 30th, 2012. The star item will be a painting supposedly by Pierre-Auguste Renoir entitled Paysage Bords de Seine. If the public agrees that it is authentic, it should easily sell within or above the estimated range of $75,000 – $100,000. What makes it so interesting is that the owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, paid $7 for it at a flea market in West Virginia in 2010.

According to the researcher at the Potomack Company, the painting was purchased in June, 1925, by a French gallery, Bernheim-Jeune, from Alphonsine Fournaise Papillon, who modeled for Renoir. Then in January, 1926, the gallery sold it to an American named Herbert L. May. What’s not known is how the painting made its way from Mr. May to the flea market in West Virginia. Luckily a black and white photograph of the original painting from the Bernheim-Jeune gallery was available. Careful inspection of the present painting and the photograph showed it was an exact match, including the stock number from the Bernheim-Jeune gallery.

You’ll be able to view the auction catalog at the Potomack Company’s website, The Potomack Company, when it gets closer to the date of the auction. After the sale is over, you’ll be able to do a Google search to see the results, which should be all over the news. My bet is that the final result will exceed $100,000. Good luck to the owner!

No shows in September, but we’ll be back for the Arlington Park Racetrack Show in October. In the meantime, we’ll travel and find great new items. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous A. Walter Art Deco pate-de-verre working clock

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. I will be adding more items this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Gil Elvgren leads Heritage Auction’s Illustration Art auction, June, 2012

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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. This week we’ll go hiking and white water rafting before our shows in the greater LA area, so there won’t be a Thursday post.

Heritage Auction held their Illustration Art auctions June 27-28, 2012, proving that Gil Elvgren is still King of the Hill. Heritage sold seven works by Elvgren that ranged in price from $11,875 to $176,500, for an average of $82,036, far surpassing the results for any other artist in the sale. Of course there are other illustration artists that can sell for more, like Norman Rockwell, but they weren’t represented in the sale. Besides, Elvgren is noted for pinup art, whereas the other big shots are not.

Gil Elvgren, Skirting the Issue (Breezing Up), Heritage lot #78139

Lot #78139 was an Elvgren painting titled Skirting the Issue (Breezing Up), from 1956. It took the prize for top lot, selling for $176,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Al Buell painting, Brunette Pin-Up, Heritage lot #78110

After Elvgren, second prize, (really 7th prize after six Elvgrens) went to Al Buell. His painting, Brunette Pin-Up, circa 1940, sold for $32,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $2,000 — truly an impressive result. The most a Buell painting has sold for in recent Heritage auctions was $10,000 in March of 2012, so this was quite a jump. Let’s see over the next few auctions if a new level has been set for Buell, or this result was just a fluke.

Hy Hintermeister painting, The Last Word, Heritage lot #78314

One of my favorite artists, Hy Hintermeister, sold very reasonably. Lot #78314, The Last Word, sold for $4,062.50, against a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 – $5,000. A similar painting, Hold Everything, sold for $20,000 in Heritage’s March, 2012 Illustration Art auction.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Heritage’s Illustration Art results. You’ll have to sign in to view the prices.

We’ll be exhibiting at a show at the end of next week in Redondo Beach, CA, July 27-29. Please come and visit us and show support by considering purchasing something. This will be our last time exhibiting in the greater LA area if we don’t sell enough to make it worth our while.

In the meantime, we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let us know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Come visit us in Redondo Beach, July 27-29

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 15 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Coyle’s Auction gets good results for Grueby and R. Lalique glass, June 10, 2012

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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.

Coyle’s Auction Gallery of Bellingham, MA, held their summer auction on June 10, 2012. Many of the items were estate fresh, including a fine Grueby two color vase and an R. Lalique bowl and plate. They both did quite well.

Grueby two-color vase, sold at Coyle's Auction

The Grueby vase was two-color, with yellow flowers and leaves on a standard Grueby green ground, repeating three times around the vase. The vase was in “as found” condition, which meant that it was filthy, but in otherwise perfect condition. That’s when you know an item is really estate fresh. It sold for $10,250 + buyer’s premium, for a total of $11,787.50 — impressive!

R. Lalique opalescent bowl and plate with mermaids, sold at Coyle's Auction

An opalescent R. Lalique bowl and plate with mermaids were sold together as one lot. Continuing the strength for good or better R. Lalique at auctions everywhere, the lot sold for $3,565, including the buyer’s premium.

We’ll be exhibiting at the Redondo Beach, CA antique show July 27-29. Please come and visit us and show support by considering purchasing something. This will be our last time exhibiting in the greater LA area if we don’t sell enough to make it worth our while.

In the meantime, we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let us know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Come visit us in Redondo Beach, July 27-29

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 10 new items. I’ve listed those and more will be coming this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Have an Apple I computer? It could be worth over $350,000.

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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.

Apple I motherboard, Sotheby's lot #57

Included in Sotheby’s New York sale of Fine Books and Manuscripts, was a working Apple I computer from 1976, with the original manual. Curious choice of sales in which to put a computer, but apparently they did so because of its historical significance. Estimated to sell for $120,000 – $180,000, it almost tripled its low estimate to sell for $374,500, including buyer’s premium. Not a bad return, considering the original price was $666. It’s also interesting to note that a computer then is not what a computer is today. You only got the motherboard in 1976. You had to supply your own keyboard, monitor and cassette machine to run the programs. Here is the link to Sotheby’s sale. Apple I computer results.

Detail of the Apple Computer Company contract, Sotheby's lot #241

The Apple I sales price shouldn’t have been a surprise considering that in December, 2011, Sotheby’s New York sold three Apple documents, including the original contract for the formation of the Apple Computer Company, for $1,594,500 — 15 times the pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000. The historical significance of the lot was not lost on the public. Here is the link. Sotheby’s sale of Apple contracts.

So go searching in your attic if you were into early Apple computers. Maybe you’ve got a fortune there.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Superb Galle water lily blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 10 new items. I’ve listed those and more will be coming this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany Studios Favrile red vase soars at Pook & Pook auction, June 28, 2012

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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.

Wonderful Tiffany Studios Favrile vase, Pook & Pook lot #696

Pook & Pook held their Decorative Arts Sale on June 28, 2012. Most of the glass in the sale was from the collection of Charlene Sussel of Garrett Park, Maryland. Included in her collection was a fabulous red and yellow decorated Tiffany Favrile vase. Though diminutive in size at 4″, it was not in rarity or quality. The very low estimate of $400 – $600 showed that it was there to be sold. There is nothing better than fresh-to-the-market, top quality merchandise at bargain basement estimates — it’s like mice to cheese. As a result, the price soared to $28,440 — not bad for a 4″ vase. I thought it was a $15,000 vase, so even I was surprised, but not shocked.

Opalescent R. Lalique Ceylan vase, Pook & Pook lot #513

Good R. Lalique vases continue to show strength, no matter the auction. Pook & Pook sold a nice opalescent Ceylan vase for close to retail value. It realized $4,740, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Pook & Pook Decorative Arts results.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Superb Galle water lily blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just recently, I added about 10 new items. I’ve listed those and more will be coming this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

James D. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass sale grosses $1.1 million, June 20-21, 2012

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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.

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Important Lamp & Glass sale on June 20-21, 2012. The results weren’t stellar, but not terrible either. A fair number of items did not reach reserve, but those items that did sell added up to the respectable figure of approximately $1.1 million.

Rare Tiffany Favrile black decorated vase, Julia's lot #2366

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the sale was #2366, a 12″ black vase with busy blue decoration around the shoulder. Estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000, it more than doubled its low estimate to sell for $25,300, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Daum Nancy Prairie vase, Julia's lot #2141

French glass did OK at the sale, with a rare Daum Nancy Prairie vase, pictured on the cover of the catalog, leading the way. Sold as lot #2141, it sold within the estimate of $10,000 – $15,000 to reach $14,950. Prairie vases are rare, beautiful and desirable. This example was fresh from a private home.

Fancy 29½" Moser vase, Julia's lot #1458

Moser glass has been selling well at auction for about a year. This sale was no exception, with strong prices, mostly above the high estimates. Lot #1458 brought the most money, though within the estimate of $20,000 – $30,000. Even with a professional restoration to the foot, it realized a price of $26,450.

For the complete results of the sale, you’ll have to sign in to the site. Click on the following link. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass results.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Very fine, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just this past week, I added about 10 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

A few good results at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 12, 2012

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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.

Bonham’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on June 12, 2012, with fair results. There were a few good sales, but more than a few items went unsold. Sotheby’s and Christie’s held their 20th Century sales in the two days following Bonham’s, with considerably better results.

Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp, Bonham's lot #4061

Top lot of the Bonham’s sale was #4061, a Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp. Estimated to sell for $80,000 – $100,000, it squeaked by to sell near the low estimate, reaching $92,500, including buyer’s premium.

Art Deco bronze and ivory figure, Dourga, by Chiparus, Bonham's lot #4205

Second best lot of the sale was an Art Deco 24½” bronze and ivory statue by Demetre Chiparus, entitled Dourga. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000 to sell for $88,900. That continued the decade-long strength by important Art Deco bronze and ivory artists like Chiparus and Preiss.

Rare R. Lalique vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards, Bonham's lot #4195

René Lalique glass sold well, also showing continued strength. Top Lalique lot was #4195, a rare frosted glass two-handled vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards. It was sold privately after the auction for $20,000, against an aggressive estimate of $20,000 – $30,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Bonham’s 20th Century results.

Thursday I’ll cover James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction that took place on June 21.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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Very fine, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Just this past week, I added about 10 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com