10 Belle Epoque auction was a success

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Doyle New York holds a Belle Epoque auction twice yearly. It’s a diverse sale of objects from 19th Century Victorian to Art Nouveau, Art Deco and some modern. The winter sale was held on February 24, 2010 with generally excellent results. I asked the expert in charge, Malcolm MacNeil for his impressions of the the sale. Here is his reply.

Tiffany Studios Venetian table lamp, Doyle lot #335

“I was extremely pleased with the results of yesterday’s Belle Époque auction. It is a popular sale and always widely anticipated with lots of local, national and international interest. With respect to the art glass, there were approximately 59 lots. As one would expect, items having the greatest dealer and collector interest because of rarity, quality, good condition and desirability had the greatest interest and competitive bidding and generated good results. Of the 20 art glass lots that had an auction pre-sale estimate of $2,000 or higher only one lot failed to sell. It was a green geometric leaded glass shade attributed to Tiffany Studios and estimated at $3,000-5000. It had a high reserve and although it was felt that the glass was indeed by Kokomo (one of Tiffany’s suppliers), alas, it was not by the firm of Tiffany Studios. Returning to the 20 lots having an auction pre-sale low estimate of $2,000 or higher, 9 lots sold below the low estimate and 9 lots sold above the low estimate. Two of the highlights were a Tiffany Studios bronze and leaded favrile glass desk lamp in the Venetian pattern, estimated at $40,000-50,000, which sold for $65,000, plus buyer’s premium, and a Tiffany Studios leaded glass and bronze hanging shade estimated at $70,000-90,000, which sold for $110,000, plus buyer’s premium. Other items in the sale had spectacular results, including furniture, silver and porcelain. Good quality is selling well and great quality is selling very well.”

Handel Connecticut River scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #304

Other items which performed well were a Handel obverse and reverse-painted scenic table lamp, estimated for $3-5,000 that sold for $10,625, including buyer’s premium, several good Quezal shades that descended in the family of Edward Conlan, the secretary of the Quezal Art Glass and Decorating Co., and a green Tiffany Studios millifiori decorated vase, estimated at $2,500-3,500, that sold for $9,375, including buyer’s premium. Here is the link for the results for the entire sale. Doyle Belle Epoque results.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding pottery by Newcomb College, Marblehead and Rookwood. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Jim Julia sells a million dollar map at auction

Posted on February 24, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Jim Julia with the Battle of Yorktown map

Jim Julia sells millions of dollars of antiques yearly at his auction house in Fairfield, Maine, but never before has he sold a single object for over one million dollars — until February 5, 2010. On that day, Jim sold a very rare and historically important map — George Washington’s personal copy of the Battle of Yorktown.

John Trumbull painting of the surrender of General Lord Cornwallis to General George Washington

In 1781, General Comte de Rochambeau and his French army combined with George Washington and his American army to defeat General Lord Cornwallis and his British army at the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia. This was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. Cornwallis’s surrender led the British to ultimately negotiate an end to the war and sign the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

The map was prepared by Jean Baptiste Gouvion a few days after the battle. It descended in the family of Tobias Lear, the personal secretary to George Washington from 1784 until Washington’s death in 1799.

The action in the auction was furious with many bidders on the telephone and one determined bidder in the room. Ultimately the phone bidder won the battle against the bidder in the room, with a winning bid of $1 million, for a total of $1,150,000, including buyer’s premium. It set the record for the most expensive map ever sold at auction and also the highest price every paid for any object at auction in the state of Maine.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

A Giacometti bronze sets the new world record price for a single work of art at auction

Posted on February 8, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Alberto Giacometti 'Walking Man I', Sotheby's London lot #8, February 3, 2010

On February 3, 2010, Sotheby’s London held their Impressionist and Modern Art sale, with impressive results. 31 of the 39 lots sold, grossing a total of $229 million. The top lot of the sale, a bronze scupture by Alberto Giacometti entitled “Walking Man I”, set a world record for the most expensive single item of art ever sold at auction, when it sold for $101,426,070, including buyer’s premium. The guesswork is that it was purchased by one of Russia’s new billionaires. It’s interesting to point out that the new world record holder is not a unique item. It was cast in 1961 and numbered two of six. I guess that means there are five other owners with big smiles on their faces, although most of the others are in museum collections.

Gustav Klimt - Church in Cassone - Landscape with Cypresses, Sotheby's London lot 13, February 3, 2010

The next best result went to Gustav Klimt, with a painting entitled “Church in Cassone – Landscape with Cypresses”. It sold for $42 million, including buyer’s premium, more than double the pre-sale estimate of $19-28 million.

Pitcher and Fruit on a Table by Paul Cézanne, Sotheby's London lot #5, February 3, 2010

Third best was a still life by Paul Cézanne, which sold for $18,413,075, including buyer’s premium, within the pre-sale estimate of $15.5-23 million.

I think I’m in the wrong business. No Tiffany lamp has ever sold for more than a couple of million dollars at auction. No Gallé vase has ever sold for more than a couple of hundred thousand dollars. Just one or two billionaires is all I need.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or
516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Le Verre Francais glass is in the doldrums, except…

Posted on February 1, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Le Verre Francais Poissons vase, lot #754, Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, Inc., January 30, 2010

Every category of item that I sell has its ups and downs. I’ve seen it again and again with Handel lamps, Louis Icart etchings, art glass shades, etc., etc. It doesn’t take a lot to move the prices in one direction or another. Right now the market in Le Verre Francais glass and Schneider glass is quiet. Historically there wasn’t much demand for quality Art Deco glass until 10 or 15 years ago. Then with the publications of a few books on the topic, some French Art Deco glass took off. Specifically I’m referring to the glass of Charles Schneider, that was sold under the name “Schneider” or “Le Verre Francais”. At one point, I couldn’t buy the glass fast enough. Now the market is taking a breather. In other words, many collectors have amassed their collections and are not adding to them significantly unless something special comes along.

Huge Le Verre Francais Palmiers bleus vase

Today, that something special vase came up for auction. Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates, Inc. of Mount Crawford, VA, sold lot #754, a Le Verre Francais Poissons vase, 8¾” tall. The pre-sale estimate was $1-2,000. Apparently they didn’t know what they had, as the vase sold for $9,945, including buyer’s premium, with two determined phone bidders pushing the price. Le Verre Francais vases with fish are considered to be amongst the best and rarest. This was a beautiful example with very good color.

The most desirable Le Verre Francais vases have animals, trees or geometric decorations. If they’re big or have unusual shapes, they’re even more valuable. Le Verre Francais vases with floral decoration are more common, but not lower in quality.

Le Verre Francais Orchidées vase

The quality of Le Verre Francais glass hasn’t changed, only the demand. Just a few new or old collectors opening their wallets will cause the prices to jump again. If you’ve ever thought of adding Le Verre Francais glass to your collection, it’s my strong recommendation that you look now. This is an especially good time, with an excellent supply of gorgeous vases and lower prices. Don’t look back on this time period and regret not having taken advantage.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or
516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Good results for Tiffany Studios objects at Sotheby’s New York, December 17, 2009

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s New York held their “Important Tiffany” auction on December 17, 2009, with good results. 30 of the 39 lots sold, for total sales of $3,038,250.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Sotheby's lot 434

The top lot of the sale was #434, a Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp with a fantastic organic root base. It carried a pre-sale estimate of $350-500,000 and realized $422,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Salamander lamp, Sotheby's lot #428

Lot #428 was a rare Tiffany Studios Salamander table lamp that realized the second highest price of the sale. It sold for $362,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $3-500,000. It’s a stylized geometric decoration that is not my taste, but all that was needed was one buyer and the reserve, and that appeared to be the case.

Tiffany Studios rare blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sotheby's lot #418

A wonderful and rare Tiffany Studios blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase sold for $86,500, including buyer’s premium, near the high end of the $50-80,000 pre-sale estimate. I bought almost this exact vase about 30 years ago in a home for about $5,000. Wish I had that one back. It would have looked nice on my shelf all these years.

Tiffany Studios Ninth Century desk set, Sotheby's lot #409

The Ninth Century pattern in Tiffany Studios desk sets is quite attractive with blue and green jewels. A large set with a few rare items, including a thermometer and a scale, was sold as lot #409. It doubled its pre-sale estimate of $10-15,000, selling for $37,500, including buyer’s premium. Excuse me, Mister Buyer (or anyone else), I’ve got lots of additional items in the Ninth Century pattern for sale. Please contact me.

For complete results, click this link. Sotheby’s Important Tiffany results.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Generally poor results at Heritage’s first New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, December 10, 2009

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Heritage Auctions, the major Dallas, TX auction house, held their first auction of 20th Century Decorative Arts in New York on December 10, 2009. Results were generally poor in the lamp and glass sections of the auction, with many lots not reaching reserve. Heritage had hoped to break into the New York market and become a major player along with Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s. It’s difficult to ascertain the exact reasons for the poor showing, but a few things are clear. First, they did not have a compelling group of items to sell. A fresh collection of important items at low estimates and reserves would have been a good way to kick start their New York presence. Unfortunately that was not the case. Secondly, they do not have a permanent exhibition space. They rented space from Tepper Galleries on the third floor of a building on East 25th St. — not an easy location to find. Third, they tried to enter the New York market in a difficult period in the economy. Heritage is a major auction firm primarily selling coins. They branched out into several antiques markets, some with excellent success, such as American Illustration Art. Perhaps they can crack the New York market, but they will have to upgrade their offerings and lower the estimates and reserves — a difficult task.

Tiffany Studios bamboo floor lamp, Heritage lot #74057

Tiffany lamps sold poorly, mostly because of too aggressive estimates and reserves. One of the major lamps of the sale was a Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp. It was estimated at $200-300,000 and did not sell.

Tiffany Studios 22 inch Dragonfly table lamp, Heritage lot #74064

Another major lamp that did not sell was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Dragonfly table lamp on a rare reticulated base. It was available for sale after the auction for $179,250.

Daum Nancy wheat vase, Heritage lot #75144

French cameo glass also did not fare well. Many of the vases did not sell but a few did. Lot 75144 was a Daum acid-etched and enameled vase with wheat decoration. It carried a pre-sale estimate of $8-12,000 and sold for $9,560, including buyer’s premium.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany Studios lamps soar at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Philip Chasen

To say the least, the results of the December 8, 2009 Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany auction were interesting. There was real strength in the high end of the market and apathy in the low end. The best examples brought extraordinary prices, while the lower end results were tepid.

Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony table lamp, Christie's lot #11, December 8, 2009

The high-water mark of the auction was achieved with the sale of lot 11, a Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony table lamp. It was estimated to sell between $600,000 and $900,000, and soared to $1,538,500, including buyer’s premium. That should make the purchaser of the Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony lamp from the Skinner’s auction of the Richard Wright collection ecstatic. That one sold for $435,000 just a few weeks ago, and it was no slouch.

Tiffany Studios Trumpet Creeper table lamp, Christie's lot #35, December 8, 2009

Strong prices continued with the sale of a Tiffany Studios Trumpet Creeper table lamp. It is the same size, shape and basic design as the Wisteria lamp, but with the rarer Trumpet Creeper decoration. It exceeded the high estimate of $500,000 reaching $794,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Christie's lot #17, December 8, 2009

Dragonflies are always crowd-pleasers and lot #17 filled the bill. It was a beautiful example with a rare matching mosaic-tile base. It sold for $602,500, including buyer’s premium, equaling the high estimate.

Other outstanding results were achieved with a Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp, $506,500, a Peony chandelier, $314,500, a drop-head Dragonfly lamp, $314,500 and a turtleback tile chandelier, $266,500. For complete results, click on this link. Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany results.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Astounding price for a Galle vase at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

Posted on December 9, 2009 by Philip Chasen

The 20th Century decorative arts market gets very busy at this time of year with most of the major auctions houses scheduling their sales this week and next. Christie’s New York held their sale yesterday with some very interesting results. Today I’ll review the French cameo glass.

Gallé parrot vase, Christie's lot #188, December 8, 2009

The runaway record price of the French cameo portion of the sale was for a large Gallé vase decorated with parrots. The subject matter was rare and the vase was big (21¼”), but the workmanship was standard acid-etching and the colors were chartreuse and brown — tough colors to sell. It was estimated to sell for $30-50,000, which in my opinion was too high. I was bidding on the telephone and told the Christie’s representative that I thought the vase would not reach reserve and would fail to sell. Wrong!!! The old adage that it only takes two to make an auction was certainly true today. Two determined bidders fought for this vase all the way to $104,500, including buyer’s premium — an astonishing price. If I had owned it, I would have marked it $25,000 and would have had trouble selling it, but what do I know? I’ve only been selling French cameo glass for 35 years.

Daum dragonfly bottle, Christie's lot #189, December 8, 2009

A beautiful small Daum bottle with an applied dragonfly and wheel-carved stopper sold for $12,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $10-15,000. Another Daum vase, with wheel-carved stylized flowers, sold slightly below estimate at $7,000 + buyer’s premium ($8,750), while carrying a pre-sale estimate of $8-12,000. A Daum lamp with grape decoration and applied snails was estimated too aggressively at $60-80,000 and as a result failed to sell.

Muller magnolia vase, Christie's lot #186, December 8, 2009

A huge Muller vase, 14½” tall and bulbous, with magnolia flower decoration, exceeded the high estimate, selling for $13,750. It carried a fair pre-sale estimate of $6-9,000.

Tomorrow I’ll review the Tiffany lamps sold at the Christie’s sale. There were some fireworks, so you won’t want to miss this report.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

French cameo and Tiffany Studios Favrile glass do well at Julia’s Lamp & Glass auction, November 20, 2009

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Studios flower form vase, Julia's lot #2091

Session 2 of James D. Julia’s Lamp & Glass auction was held on Friday, November 20. The session began with art glass shades, with rare and unusual examples holding up well, while common shades did not.

The Tiffany Studios section of the sale followed with glass and desk accessories performing well. Lot 2091 was a Tiffany Studios flowerform vase that carried a pre-sale estimate of $4-6,000 and sold for $11,500, including buyer’s premium. A mini red Tiffany Studios decorated vase, 3″ tall, estimated for $3-5,000, sold for $6,612.50, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios red mini vase, Julia's lot #2093

French cameo glass was next up on the auction block. First was an outstanding vase by Eugène Michel with padded and heavily wheel-carved poppy flowers. It was estimated at $15-20,000 and sold for $25,300, including buyer’s premium. The three other Michel vases in the sale also did well. An outstanding Gallé marquetry vase, lot #2235, was estimated at $20-30,000 and sold within the estimate for $24,150.

Eugène Michel padded & wheel-carved cameo glass vase, Julia's lot #2217

Bidding was spirited for several fine examples of Daum Nancy glass. A 5″ vase with blackbirds sold for $12,650, within the estimate of $10-15,000, while a bowl with handles and rare swan decoration sold to a New York dealer on the telephone for $10,925, including buyer’s premium, against a conservative estimate of $5,500-7,000.

Daum Nancy handled bowl with swan decoration, Julia's lot #2283

More than a dozen examples of pate-de-verre vases, boxes and pendants by Argy-Rousseau and A. Walter sold well, most within the estimates and a couple exceeding the estimates. A Walter luminaire of a fish was estimated to sell for $3,500-5,000. It sold for $10,350, including buyer’s premium.

A. Walter pate-de-verre luminaire, Julia's lot #2347

I will be adding many new and exciting items to my website in the next few days and weeks, many of them at very attractive prices. Please check my website often for the latest. chasenantiques.com.

I’d love to hear from you with suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Lamp sales were good at Julia’s lamp & glass auction, November 20, 2009

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their semi-annual lamp & glass auction this past week, November 19 & 20. Both Jim Julia and their lamp & glass expert, Dudley Browne, were pleased with the results. The sale exceeded their expectations of $1.3 million, grossing $1.5 million. Leadership in the sale changed from previous categories of the last sale in Spring, 2009. This time the English cameo glass, Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre, Quezal and Steuben glass were weaker, while Tiffany Studios, French cameo glass and non-Tiffany leaded lamps were stronger.

Today, I’ll review the lamp results and tomorrow the glass results.

Tiffany Studios 17 in. diam. Dragonfly table lamp, Julia's lot #2079, November 20, 2009

A beautiful 17″ diameter Dragonfly lamp with considerable damage sold to a dealer on the telephone for $40,250. If the lamp had less damage and a better base, it would have sold for a much higher price. Another 17″ Dragonfly in the sale, lot 2144, attracted little interest and failed to sell because of the aggressive estimate of $80-100,000. In general, lamps that were too aggressively estimated did not sell, including a 20″ diam. Tiffany Studios Arrowroot table lamp, lot 2125, estimated at $50-60,000.

Unique wisteria table lamp, Julia's lot #2353, November 20, 2009

The sale included a large grouping of high-quality, non-Tiffany Studios, leaded lamps by makers such as Duffner & Kimberly, Handel, Unique, and Morgan. A unique Unique :>) wisteria lamp had an aggressive pre-sale estimate of $15-20,000, and still exceeded the high estimate, realizing a price of $25,875, including buyer’s premium — a surprisingly strong result.

Morgan pansy lamp, Julia's lot #2373, November 20, 2009

A pansy leaded lamp with hand-painted and fired flowers by the New York company of J. Morgan & Sons was estimated at $16-20,000. It easily exceeded the high estimate, selling for $26,450, including buyer’s premium.

I will be adding many new and exciting items to my website in the next few days and weeks, many of them at very attractive prices. Please check my website often for the latest. chasenantiques.com.

I’d love to hear from you with suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Auctions

Doyle New York’s 2/24/10 Belle Epoque auction was a success

Jim Julia sells a million dollar map at auction

A Giacometti bronze sets the new world record price for a single work of art at auction

Le Verre Francais glass is in the doldrums, except…

Good results for Tiffany Studios objects at Sotheby’s New York, December 17, 2009

Generally poor results at Heritage’s first New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, December 10, 2009

Tiffany Studios lamps soar at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

Astounding price for a Galle vase at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

French cameo and Tiffany Studios Favrile glass do well at Julia’s Lamp & Glass auction, November 20, 2009

Lamp sales were good at Julia’s lamp & glass auction, November 20, 2009