I’d like to show you some of the new items I recently acquired

Posted on December 19, 2011 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. This Thursday’s blog will be a review of the results of one of December’s 20th Century Decorative Arts auctions. (There have been many.)

Rare Le Verre Francais vases - Poissons and Palmiers Bleus

December is always a very busy month for antiques, mostly for buying, and not as much for selling. People get busy with their Christmas shopping and that doesn’t usually include a valuable antique. But sometimes it does, so I’m always ready to provide emergency service. If you still need a fine antique gift, I can work very quickly and so can UPS or FedEx.

Two of three Tiffany Favrile red vases available for sale

I’ve been buying out of control, and that’s good. Business is usually best in winter, especially at the Florida shows, so I’m loaded for bear. I was lucky enough to be able to buy some incredible items by Tiffany Studios, Daum Nancy, Emile Gallé, R. Lalique, Le Verre Francais and others. I’ll illustrate a few of them in this blog. Please check my site for new items, because I’ll be adding them as fast as I can. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Fantastic Tiffany Studios Art Nouveau smoker stand with original enameling

Among the many Tiffany Studios items I bought are vases — red, red decorated, Cypriote, millifiori, etc. For lamps, I purchased a 20″ Arrowroot, a 10-light lily and a 7-light lily. For miscellaneous, I have a Tiffany Studios pottery vase, lots of desk items, and an incredible Art Nouveau smoker stand with original enameling, unlike any I’ve owned before.

One of the best Daum Nancy vases I've acquired in years

The French cameo glass market, especially Daum Nancy, has been solid for years, and shows no signs of slowing. I recently acquired some fabulous items, including a very rare and beautiful farm scene, two rain scenes and an unbelievable collection of about 25 miniature vases.

You can see everything I have for sale if you visit me at one of my winter shows. The first will be at Birchwood Manor in Whippany, NJ, the weekend of January 7-8, 2012. Then a week’s break and off to Florida for the start of our Florida circuit, first in Palm Beach (Jan. 20-22), then two in Miami (Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 2-6), and then back to W. Palm Beach (Feb. 18-21). If you can’t visit me at one of my shows, I’m always available by email, philchasen@aol.com, or phone, 516-922-2090. We can ship to anywhere from anywhere.

Very rare R. Lalique red vase, Ronces

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. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass Auction grossed $1.5 million, December 1-2, 2011

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Every major and not so major auction house holds a 20th Century decorative arts sale in November or December. I’ll cover many of them this month. Today’s post will be about the results at Julia’s. 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 its semi-annual Important Lamp & Glass Auction on December 1 and 2, 2011, in Fairfield, Maine. The sale totaled $1.5 million, at the high range of expectations for the head of the department, Dudley Browne. As has been the case of recent, some categories performed better than expected and others faltered. There’s no clear pattern, so it’s difficult to extrapolate forward. Victorian glass, which had not done well recently, did well at this auction. Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre did poorly after doing well in the last sale.

Cut glass decanters, Julia lot #2136

A pair of cut glass decanters, one of which was pale amber, sold for $22,425, against a pre-sale estimate of $200 – $400, over 100 times the low estimate. Apparently the amber one was quite rare. Nice home run for the consignor.

Eugene Michel French cameo glass vase, Julia's lot #3204

The cover lot, a spectacular wheel-carved Eugene Michel French cameo glass vase, took off. Estimated properly at $10,000 – $15,000, it quadrupled its low estimate to sell for $47,150, including buyer’s premium. Michel vases can command high prices when the workmanship is super, and this one was super.

Daum Nancy vase with roses, insects and cabochons, Julia lot #3215

At this sale, Daum did marginally better than Galle. The top lot of the Daum glass was a 25″ tube vase, decorated with roses, insects and applied cabochons. It sold for $13,800, including buyer’s premium, slightly below its low estimate. Much of the French glass in the sale was fresh, from a private Long Island consignor.

Tiffany Studios watercolor sketch, Julia's lot #3300

Tiffany Studios watercolor sketches of stained glass windows did extremely sell, selling for 6 to 15 times their estimates. The highest price was paid for lot #3300, a watercolor sketch of a Tiffany window. It brought $18,400, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Tiffany lamps that were in the sale with aggressive estimates and reserves failed to sell, whereas most of the lamps with conservative estimates sold.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass Auction results.

A killer 6½" Daum Nancy vase, just acquired

Excellent results at Heritage Art Glass Signature Auction, November 19, 2011

Posted on December 5, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Every major and not so major auction house holds a 20th Century decorative arts sale in November or December. Today’s post will be about the results at Heritage. I hope to be able to publish Thursday about Julia’s results. 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.

Tiffany Studios 16" Daffodil table lamp, Heritage lot #62001

Heritage held its Art Glass Signature Auction on November 19, 2011 with excellent results. Top lot of the sale was a Tiffany 16″ Daffodil table lamp, lot #62001, received as a wedding gift in 1917 by the present owner. (How old does that make the present owner?) It realized a price of $56,762.50, close to the high estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Heritage lot #62024

Second highest was a rare, fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, 9″ tall. It was part of a consignment of fresh-to-the-market items that had been in storage since the 1940s. You can’t get fresher than that, nor better quality. Estimated very low at $3,000 – $4,000, it soared to $50,787.50. That wasn’t a huge surprise, considering the rarity and quality.

Daum Nancy Orchides vase, Heritage lot #62136

From the same 1940s consignment was a very fine artistic Daum Nancy vase, Orchides. Artistic vases are one-of-a-kind, usually found in museum collections. The vase brought the highest price for French cameo glass, selling for $34,655, against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 – $12,000. However, personally I thought the vase would do even better. My best guess is that the strange shape deterred some buyers (including me).

Many other items did well in the sale, which grossed $1.84 million. For the complete results, click on the following link. Heritage Art Glass results. You will have to sign in (free) to see the results.

Rare and wonderful Tiffany red Favrile vase, just in

Look around my website. There are listings for sale, sold listings 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. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Antiques make wonderful Christmas gifts

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Philip Chasen

If you’re having trouble deciding on a Christmas present for your loved one, may I suggest an antique? Antiques are unique, unlike electronics or similar. Antiques have the possibility of appreciating in value, unlike electronics. Historically, antiques were frequently given as gifts. I’ve purchased many an Icart etching from someone who inherited it from their grandparents, who received it as a wedding gift in the 1920s or 1930s.

Think antiques are too expensive for Christmas gifts? Many items I have for sale are below $1000, with some below $500. Here are a few examples.

Tiffany Studios Pine Needle pen tray, priced at $450

Original Tiffany Studios desk set items, dating from 1900 – 1915, start at $350. Many items are priced below $1000, with the majority priced between $1000 and $2000. Rarer items will exceed $2000. Two presidents have used Tiffany Studios desk sets in the White House (Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush). I have many desk set items listed now on my website and will be adding items frequently. If you’re looking for something, but don’t see it, please email me. philchasen@aol.com. I have many items not listed yet. Here’s the link directly to my website. Tiffany Studios desk set items for sale.

Louis Icart original etching, Love's Awakening, $950, unframed, on special sale for Christmas

Original etchings by Louis Icart make superb gifts. Prices start at $950 for unframed etchings. Custom framing is available for any etching. There’s still time. Framing takes 7-10 days, with shipping as soon as overnight, if you’re desperate. Most etchings are priced between $1000 and $2000, with rarer examples from $2000 – $15000. Here’s the link. Original Louis Icart etchings for sale.

Galle scenic banjo vase, circa 1900, reduced to $1450 for Christmas

The average price for French cameo glass by Galle and Daum is slightly higher, with most prices in the $1000 – $5000 range, but some as high as $25000. Many Galle vases are available for $500 or less, but I don’t usually offer any of them for sale, as the quality is lower than I require. If an item isn’t good enough, it does not pass through my filter. That means you only have to like what you see. I’ve done all the vetting for you. You don’t ever have to worry about quality or authenticity. Here’s the link. French cameo glass for sale.

There are many other options available including Tiffany Favrile glass, American art pottery, French ceramics and much more. Remember two things. First, please check my website often, as I will add items frequently. Second, if you don’t see it, please email me and ask. philchasen@aol.com

Fine R. Lalique Monnaie du Pape vase with sepia staining

The results of the NYC Pier Antiques Show, November 19-20, 2011

Posted on November 21, 2011 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. I’ve already written this Thursday’s blog and it’s a good one.

It was a little chilly at 9:30 AM on Saturday morning, so most of the line was indoors.

The NYC Pier Antiques Show was held this past weekend, November 19-20, 2011. Most of the dealers I spoke to were either pleased or at least satisfied with their results. Didn’t hear any complaints, nor did I hear any raves. Sounds like pretty good results to me, especially after some of the non-stellar reports I heard from dealers at other recent shows.

A very rare A. Walter pate-de-verre miniature tumbler, sold at the show

Personally, my show was good. Interest and sales were greatest in Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass and objects. 99% of my sales were from objects in the showcases. If only I had known, I would have left all the rest home. But that’s the nature of shows — at one show vases are selling, at another lamps, and at another art. It’s a good thing I learned the importance of diversification years ago.

Sunday afternoon in my booth

Attendance was good on Saturday, with a fairly constant flow of traffic. Sunday traffic was lighter, with very few people arriving early. They never do at any show anywhere on a Sunday. Opening one hour later on Sunday would be kind to the dealers and staff and have no material impact on the sale of tickets or merchandise. (Are you listening, Jeanne and Irene? I know you’re reading this.) Sunday’s weather in NYC was outstanding — sunny and 63°, and may be part of the reason attendance was lighter than usual.

This was my last show of 2011. Looking ahead, we will exhibit at the Birchwood Manor Antiques Show in Whippany, NJ, on the weekend of January 7th and 8th, 2012. From there, we travel to Florida for a series of shows starting in West Palm Beach at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. It will be a high quality boutique show, run by Rosemary Krieger, the promoter of Dolphin Promotions. She recently purchased the show from the previous promoters. It will be my first time at the show and hopefully an auspicious beginning to the Florida circuit.

In the meantime, I am very much in business. I will update my website as often as I can with new purchases. Antiques make great Christmas gifts, so I will purposely list many items that are reasonably priced and ready for immediate shipping, so you can receive your gifts in time for the holidays. Call or write to me if you wish to purchase, sell, or trade any items.

Fine R. Lalique Monnaie du Pape vase with sepia staining

In the meantime, check the listings on my website. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

What recession? There’s no recession in the art and antiques market.

Posted on November 8, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Recently I’ve had more time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world. When there’s no one in my booth at a show, I keep busy by writing blog posts. So for the next few weeks, I will 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 Gustav Klimt painting sold at Sotheby's New York for $40,402,500 on November 2, 2011

If you just listen to the news, you would think that the sky has fallen. The housing market is bad in many parts of the country, with many homeowners underwater. Unemployment is currently 9%. The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread. The financial troubles in Greece, Italy and the rest of Europe make stock market investors shiver.

But I’m looking out of my window and see that not only has the sky not fallen, but the sun is shining. There appear to be some good anecdotal economic signals. Sales of luxury cars are improving. Reservations are difficult to get at top restaurants. The antiques business is solid, with new auction records being set for art and antiques. Sotheby’s New York Impressionist & Modern Art sale realized a strong $199,804,500 just a few days ago.

Marc Chagall painting La Mariée sold for $1,022,500 at Christie's New York on November 2, 2011

Here’s my take on what’s going on– no deep analysis, just my observations. There appears to be a dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots — between two dimensions that exist together, but do not interact. On the one side are all the people in the news who are in trouble. They’re worried about the next mortgage payment, not about purchasing antiques. On the other side is a quiet group, not in the news, of successful entrepreneurs, business people and professionals. They aren’t suffering, rather they’re prospering. They have disposable income and are the ones who are actively involved in supporting the art and antiques markets — and they’re not just Americans. Chinese buyers are paying extraordinary prices to repatriate their treasures and are dabbling in other areas. Russian buyers are still active, but less so than a few years ago. Brazilian buyers are starting to flex their economic muscles.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp sold at Christie's New York for $578,500 on June 16, 2011

The Tiffany Studios glass and lamp market is solid. So is the French cameo glass market. That’s not to say that all areas are doing well. For instance, in markets that I have personal knowledge, art glass shades, Steuben glass, Rookwood pottery, Louis Icart etchings and some others are soft. In the early 1990s, the severe recession in the antiques market caused prices to drop precipitously. In some cases, prices dropped over 50% from their peaks (but recovered smartly in the second half of the decade). Nowadays, prices are increasing in many areas. Some collectors are investing, hoping that fine antiques will be a good addition to a diversified portfolio. I’m frequently asked about investing in antiques, but since I’m not good at predicting, I try to restrict my advice to factual information about quality, rarity and condition.

The Pier Antiques Show will be held on the weekend of November 19-20. Sometimes it helps me gauge the health of the market. December is also a big month for auctions. Every major (and minor) auction house holds a 20th Century sale. Those results should be telling. For me, the best predictor of the year to come are the results of the big Miami Beach Convention Center Antiques Show in early February. Buyers fly in from all over the world, so it’s possible to take the pulse of the international market. Here’s hoping good business will continue.

A fine Martin Bros. grotesque vase from 1903

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and a very rare Louis Icart etching, Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

French cameo glass reproductions are still a problem

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Philip Chasen

French cameo glass reproductions have been around since the 1980s, when the Romanians started making them. In my continuing effort to help people avoid making purchasing mistakes, I try to educate the public. If you haven’t read my lessons on French cameo glass, I suggest you start by clicking the following link. Free French cameo glass lessons. Then read my several blog posts about reproductions. (Use the search bar on the right.) Then come and visit me at one of my shows. I’ll be happy to answer your questions in person.

If you are trying to determine the authenticity of a vase, first compare it to the photos below. If yours is very similar, you probably have a reproduction. Then compare it to the many photos of authentic vases on my website that I have for sale or have sold. If you still can’t tell or want to be 100% sure, my fee for appraisals is $125 for the first item and $75 for each additional item. All I need is one or two emailed photos and your credit card information. (Please don’t send credit card information in an email.)

Vase with spurious Daum Nancy signature

Apparently all the free help I provide is insufficient, as half of the items I appraise turn out to be reproductions. Most of them are instantly identifiable to the trained eye, but that takes years of work. So to help more people, here are photos of some of the reproductions I’ve appraised in the last few years.

Galle reproduction #1

Galle reproduction #2

Galle reproduction #3

Galle reproduction #4

Galle reproduction #5

Galle reproduction #6

This Galle vase is authentic. Can you tell the difference? It has superb color.

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Setting up at the Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show, October 19-20, 2011

Posted on October 20, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Bill and Tony are busy setting up

The Winnetka Antiques + Modernism Show opens tonight at 6:30 PM with a preview party. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about that! (Make what you will of that comment.) There will be complimentary drinks and food, so at least that’s a consolation prize. If I sell anything, it will be a miracle, but miracles do happen occasionally.

One of the fine displays at the show

The show is beautiful and unusual. The building itself has many rooms, levels and twists and turns. Each room has dealers, so it’s a bit like walking in a maze, with delicious surprises at each turn. The quality exhibitors have art, furniture, Asian, ceramics, glass, Russian and everything you would expect at a good show. It’s worth a trip from almost any distance.

A magnificent Daum Nancy Fall scenic table lamp

Personally I’ve brought some amazing French glass that I purchased on a recent buying trip. I also have some fresh Tiffany lamps. Tiffany lamps have been strong recently, so I’ve been actively buying more.

I’ll post the results of the show on Monday.

A very fine display of Asian antiques

The hours of the show are Friday noon–8:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00–6:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00–5:00 p.m. There’s plenty of time to make your way here. Come in, introduce yourself, and let’s do some business.

This Galle vase has superb color.

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, October 14-16, 2011

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Original Louis Icart etching, New Friends, sold at the show

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show opened on Friday, October 14th. Attendance was fairly slow, especially late in the day. Sales were practically nonexistent, except for one small one. Thank you, Marc.

Have I told you what torture it is to sit for 8 hours and not sell anything and not talk to many people? The days fly by when it’s busy and drag on when it’s slow.

A superb Daum swan tumbler, sold at the show

Saturday was a better day with sales and interest mostly in French cameo glass. Later in the day, it slowed down to a crawl. At least the show closed at 6 PM. Most people have better things to do than go to an antique show on Saturday evenings.

Attendance was better on Sunday, especially in the afternoon. Interest and sales were diverse. Overall, the show was fair. I didn’t lose money, but didn’t earn much either.

Galle vase, windowpane technique, with superb color

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show opens this Friday, October 14, 2011

Posted on October 10, 2011 by Philip Chasen

I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world since the fall shows started, so I am posting new blog entries once or twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. 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.

Rare Galle box with 2 dragonflies

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show opens this Friday, October 14th at 11:00 AM and runs until 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 16th. The show is not as big as it once was, but that’s the case for most shows nowadays. The quality is still very good and worth a trip from anywhere in the Greater Chicago area.

Tiffany 14 inch diameter Dragonfly table lamp with great color

We went on a successful buying trip to France in early September, so we have some very fine French cameo glass by Daum and Gallé that is fresh to the market. Additionally, we were able to purchase a small collection of Tiffany lamps, so we’ll have some new ones that you haven’t seen before. Sales of Tiffany lamps have been strong in the last few weeks, so I’m glad to be able to offer some fresh ones.

The promoter of the show, Shawn Hastings, has been quite ill for a month now. His wife and staff will be running the show. Let’s all pray for a speedy and full recovery for him.

Very fine color on this beautiful and rare Galle blue floral vase

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Philip Chasen Antiques

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Category Archives: Daum Nancy