Part II of the new items from our European buying trip

Posted on August 8, 2016 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.

Here’s part II, highlighting some of the Daum Nancy goodies we bought on our European buying trip. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like to make a purchase. Send an email to philip@chasenantiques.com. Everything will be for sale in Baltimore toward the end of the month (unless I sell something before).

A large Daum vase with this same Parrot Tulip decoration should be arriving today or tomorrow

This Daum Violets tumbler has strong color and an original seller's sticker from Majorelle on the underside

This Daum Violets tumbler has strong color and an original retail sticker from Majorelle on the underside

I had this item listed on my website using a file photo. Now we physically have it in stock.

This bulbous 4-inch tall Daum vase has strong color and beautiful detail

baltimore-8-2016 It’s already August and our next show, the eagerly anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, is coming very soon, August 25-28, 2016. It’s the best show of the summer and maybe now the best of the year (with all the changes coming this winter in Miami). People fly in from all over the world to attend, including from as far away as Japan. If you haven’t yet visited, you should. It’s big, with some of the best national and international dealers. You’ll also enjoy Baltimore. Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, we’re very much in business. Call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

A preview of the new items from our European buying trip

Posted on August 4, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Our European buying trip was a big success. We brought back some of the items, but the bigger and heavier items are being shipped. Following is a little preview. These items are not even listed on my site yet.

Killer Daum vase with padded and wheel-carved daffodils in a very rare shape

12-inch Gallé scenic vase with extraordinary color

Lalique Moineaux clock, like the one being shipped

Spectacular 10½-inch Daum scenic vase

The results of the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2015

Posted on July 18, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Saturday afternoon in my booth

I’m starting to write this blog on Friday afternoon at 1 PM. (The show closes at 6 PM today.) The show is slow at the moment, with only a few guests walking around. Attendance has been fairly light. We’ve only made sales to two dealers pre-show and none to the public as of this point, but we’re keeping an open mind. Part of the reason we’re still exhibiting in Denver is because we made a stop on the way to a very good client who bought enough to make the trip worthwhile.

We sold this lovely Gallé dragonfly banjo vase at the show

Update: Saturday, 1:50 PM. Business was a little slow yesterday, but not bad — one sale and one good trade. Today started off nicely with two good sales. Hope it continues.

Update: Saturday, 5:30 PM. A client from earlier today came back and made an additional purchase.

Part of the Daum Nancy glass we had for sale at the show

Update: Sunday, 4:00 PM. A dealer on the floor of the show came to my booth and bought several French cameo and Tiffany vases. That was followed by a client buying a red Tiffany Favrile vase. Then after the show closed a dealer on the floor decided to buy a monumental Daum vase that she had been considering. Looks like we’ll be coming back to Denver next summer. 🙂

baltimore-8-2016 Our next show will be the eagerly anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 25-28, 2016. It’s the best show of the summer and maybe now the best of the year (with all the changes coming this winter in Miami). People fly in from all over the world to attend, including from as far away as Japan. If you haven’t yet visited, you should. It’s big with some of the best national and international dealers. You’ll also enjoy Baltimore. Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, we’re very much in business, as witnessed by the 10 or more new vases I just listed (and more coming every day). Call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Killer Tiffany Favrile red Tel el Amarna vase

Spring is an unusual time for my business because of various opposing forces. First the weather gets nice and summer vacation approaches. People spend less time indoors, so they spend less time at their computers searching for antiques and more time planning for the summer. Opposing that is the glut of merchandise that comes onto the market in June. Every auction house, major and minor, in the US and in Europe, has a June Decorative Arts sale.

Wonderful Daum Nancy vitrified floral vase

Then there is the business of antique shows. Historically there have been very few shows in the spring. The result is lots of merchandise to buy and very few people to sell it to. Dealers with the deepest pockets have the easiest time smoothing out spring’s rough ride. Business gets better in the summer, with a couple of antique shows (there used to be more), including the important Baltimore Summer Antiques Show at the end of August (which I always eagerly look forward to).

Superb mini Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase

What does it all mean? I’ve been buying like crazy, all over the world, both at auction and privately. The new merchandise is mostly fine French cameo glass by Daum Nancy, Gallé, A. Walter and Argy-Rousseau, but also includes Tiffany Favrile glass and several fine lamps by Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint. The new items have all been hand-selected by me and meet my high standards. You know you can buy from me with confidence.

Rare Gallé blownout Fig vase

I’m trying to list many new items but it’s been difficult because we’re packing for our Denver show (where it will all be on display). I did list a few items and will continue to list more as time permits. Please check my site often or email me with your requests.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

The Denver World Wide Antique Show is close at hand, July 15-17, 2016. If you’re in the area, please make the time to come and visit. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

This is why you buy from me

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Daum vase with applied snail

I was offered an important Daum vase by a gentleman who found me through my website. The decoration of applied grapes and snail was just what I was looking for — important, desirable and priced right. I agreed to buy the vase. We met in Manhattan, where we were to consummate the deal. I really wanted this to go well because there would have been a good payday as a result.

Another view. Looks great in the photo. Doesn’t it?

The first thing I did was to closely inspect the applied snail. If there was going to be a problem, that’s where it was likely to be. The two usual problems are either damage to the antennae or regluing of the entire snail. This was a different problem. The head of the snail looked odd, misshapen and rough. I knew there was a problem from the get-go and was determined to figure it out. On close inspection, I found a seam between the head and the body. (Original snails do not have seams.) Apparently a restorer along the way had removed the entire head (almost certainly due to damage) and replaced it with another, carved to resemble the original. It would easily have passed muster with most people, but I’m not most people. Do you think you would have known if you had purchased this vase? I doubt it. I venture to guess that most people would not have discovered a professional restoration, nor even thought to look for one (and been stuck with the vase as a result).

I felt this individual had been duped and wasn’t trying to fool me, as he seemed genuinely surprised at my finding. It was very disappointing to both of us. The good part is you’re not going to buy it. I act like a filter, filtering out fake, repaired, ugly, unimportant, and common items. If I’m offering it for sale, it’s passed my inspection. And that’s why you buy from me.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

James D. Julia, Inc. sold approximately $2.5 million at its Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, June 16-17, 2016

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held its Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, June 16-17, 2016, with total sales of approximately $2.5 million. Jewelry, silver, Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre, KPM, Webb, Mt. Washington, non-Tiffany lamps, Steuben and paperweights were sold on the first day. The second day was devoted mostly to Tiffany Studios, Loetz and French cameo glass. The sale was so large (1,162 lots), that it’s difficult to cover everything in one short blog, so I’ll limit myself to the Tiffany and French glass. You can view the results of the entire sale in a day or two when Julia’s will post everything.

Tiffany Studios Geranium table lamp, Julia’s lot #2005

Sales of the Tiffany objects were soft, but there were some bright spots. A rare and beautiful Tiffany Studios 17″ diameter Geranium table lamp sold for $94,800, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 – $95,000.

Interest picked up considerably when the sale shifted to the French cameo glass section, which included two collections of high quality glass with no reserves. That combination always kicks the excitement level up a few notches. Bids came in from Japan and Russia, as well as all across the US. The strong interest continued throughout the rest of the French cameo glass section. Two lamps did very well, as did most of the Daum glass and some of the Gallé glass, especially blownout vases.

Daum Rain lamp, Julia’s lot #2340

A rare Daum Rain lamp sold for twice its low estimate of $10,000, realizing $23,700, including buyer’s premium. It sold to a dealer who is certain he has a client for it. Unfortunately, I was the underbidder.

Gallé 4-color table lamp, Julia lot #2553

A rare Gallé 4-color lamp with outstanding color and workmanship, lot #2553, sold for a strong $47,400. The consignor was convinced to lower the reserve to $40,000, low enough to entice a buyer in the audience. Personally I had no interest as I felt the pre-sale estimate was too strong at $50,000 – $70,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. The results should be posted within a couple of days. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until next month, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

Rago Auctions Early 20th C. Design|Mid-Mod sale included French glass, June 4, 2016

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Rago Auctions held an Early 20th C. Design|Mid-Mod sale on June 4, 2016. The sale included ceramics, furniture and glass, but I will focus only on the French glass.

Daum Winter lamp, Rago lot #328

Top lot of the group was #328, a Daum Winter lamp. It sold for $13,750, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $7,000 – $10,000 — surprising to me because the lamp was a marriage. You can see the different color schemes in the shade and base, with bright yellow in the shade and much darker colors in the base. An original lamp would have a matching shade and base.

Gallé banjo vase with cicada, Rago lot #338

Lot #338 was a rare Gallé banjo vase with a cicada. It sold reasonably for $2,125, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. I was the underbidder and should have bid higher, but everything is 20/20 in hindsight.

R. Lalique perfume bottle Ambre de Siam, Rago lot #321

A rare R. Lalique perfume bottle Ambre de Siam, Rago lot #321, sold for $10,000, including buyer’s premium, — below its pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

French glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, May 24, 2016

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s Paris held a Design sale on May 24, 2016 with total sales of €7,831,725 ($8,765,100). Included in the sale were just a few French glass vases, some of which did very well.

Daum Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #8

Lot #8 was the only Daum item in the sale, a Dragonfly table lamp. It almost doubled its pre-sale high estimate of €20,000, realizing €40,000 ($44,769), including buyer’s premium. Ordinarily this is the kind of item that I would bid on, but it just didn’t appeal to me from the photos. I didn’t like the color, nor the lack of a dragonfly on the base, nor the height of the base (which looked short to me.) But guess what? The buyer didn’t consult me first. What is wrong with them?

R. Lalique Nadica vase, Sotheby’s lot #16

A rare R. Lalique vase, lot #16, Nadica, almost tripled its high estimate of €20,000, realizing €58,750 ($65,750), including buyer’s premium.

In other results from the sale, a Gallé padded and carved vase with a bronze foot failed to sell with a €25,000 — €35,000 estimate and an R. Lalique frosted Serpent vase sold for €10,625, against a pre-sale estimate of €6,000 — €8,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Good results for French cameo glass at Christie’s London Interiors sale, May 18, 2016

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s London held an Interiors sale on May 18, 2016 with total sales of £1,377,062 ($2,010,226). Included in the sale was a moderate collection of French cameo glass, some of which did very well. Many of the vases were what I call “stuff”, meaning they’re authentic, but not particularly appealing because of the design, or color, or shape. I woke up at 6 AM to bid on the few items that I thought were interesting and in good condition. Unfortunately for me, it was a waste of time, as I was outbid on all of my items. (On the other hand I’m quite pleased, as it means the market is healthy.)

Gallé Foo Dog vase, Christie’s lot #79

Lot #79 was top lot of the French glass section of the sale. It was a rare, early, wheel-carved, enameled, clear glass, 5¼” Gallé Foo Dog vase, in the Japanese style and taste. It soared well beyond its pre-sale estimate of £5,000 – £8,000, realizing £37,500 ($54,225), including buyer’s premium. Surely this vase will be going to Japan. I had no interest in it, as Americans wouldn’t pay a plugged nickel for it.

Daum Snail lamp, Christie’s lot #52

A rare and very desirable Daum lamp with applied snails was in the sale. It easily surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £12,000 – £15,000, realizing £23,750 ($34,343), even with important condition problems. Here’s an excerpt from the condition report. One snail has been off and re-glued back on and it has a chip/loss to one antennae and a small chip on the end of the shell. The other snail has a tiny chip on the end of its shell. I had no interest in the lamp at any price.

Burgun & Schverer Clematis vase, Christie’s lot #118

The sale included two excellent, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer (B&S) vases, both of which I wanted to buy. Unfortunately they exceeded my budget. Lot #118 was especially nice, 8¼” tall, with beautiful clematis flowers, on a striking chartreuse green background. It sold well beyond its pre-sale estimate of £2,500 – £3,500, realizing £12,500 ($18,075) — pretty close to what I feel is the retail price.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Now for a little shameless self-promotion. A good part of the reason people buy from me is that I do the very important vetting. I search for merchandise at auction, privately and through extensive traveling. Then I weed out all the items that are inferior because of design, color, condition, price, or any combination thereof. If I’m selling it, it’s passed my smell test and that means a lot to many people.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

French cameo glass sells well at Brunk Auctions, March 18, 2016

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC, held a diverse auction on March 18-19, 2016. Included in the sale were eight lots of French cameo glass.

Two Daum Nancy vases, Brunk lot #139

Lot #139 included two small, but very nice, 4″ Daum Nancy vases. They soared past their pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $2,000, realizing $8,850, including buyer’s premium.

Brunk lot #144 consisted of two Daum vases

Two Daum vases were sold together as lot #144. The vase on the left was very nice, with dandelions, gilding, and a verse in French (called Verrerie Parlante or Talking Glass). They sold above their high estimate of $1,200, realizing $2,360, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Crystallerie vase and Daum Nancy vase, Brunk lot #145

Brunk combined an early Gallé vase and a Daum vase together for lot #145. The very low estimate of $1,200 – $1,800 was easily exceeded with a final price of $7,080, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here and Search by Date for the March 18-19, 2016 sale and click submit.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: French cameo glass

Part II of the new items from our European buying trip

A preview of the new items from our European buying trip

The results of the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2015

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

This is why you buy from me

James D. Julia, Inc. sold approximately $2.5 million at its Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, June 16-17, 2016

Rago Auctions Early 20th C. Design|Mid-Mod sale included French glass, June 4, 2016

French glass sells well at Sotheby’s Paris Design sale, May 24, 2016

Good results for French cameo glass at Christie’s London Interiors sale, May 18, 2016

French cameo glass sells well at Brunk Auctions, March 18, 2016