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

Posted on May 23, 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Anything French was on fire at Sotheby’s Design sale, March 2, 2016

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Sotheby’s New York held their Design sale yesterday, March 2, 2016, with total sales of $3,495,188. Anything French — glass, bronze, wood, was hot.

Art Deco screen, Sotheby’s lot #140

An Art Deco screen, with inlaid bronze panels, lot #140, estimated to sell for $5,000 – $7,000, had multiple bidders until the dust finally settled at an amazing $187,500, including buyer’s premium. Don’t get me wrong. My wife and I admired it, so it’s conceivable we would have tried to buy it within the estimated range, but $187,500??

Gallé bat lamp, Sotheby’s lot #59

French glass did very well, with lot #59 performing second best (to a Daum lamp with an applied dragonfly, lot #83). This bat flew away for $31,250, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000. The Gallé shade with bats was rare and bats are very desirable subject matter, but the problem was the fair workmanship and the boring color. Then consider the shade was made around 1900 and the Art Deco base around 1925, so they weren’t born together. I assume the bidders had a lot of money and not much knowledge – in other words, more cents than sense.

Daum pâte-de-verre Owl vide poche, Sotheby’s lot #86

Pâte-de-verre sold very well, with a rare Daum Owl vide poche, lot #86, selling for almost four times its high estimate of $6,000. It reached $27,500, including buyer’s premium.

Fernand Grange Art Deco floor vase, Sotheby’s lot #147

A beautiful French Art Deco floor vase, 55¾” tall, by Fernand Grange, was another standout. It soared to $112,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000.

Pairpoint Orange Tree puffy lamp, Sotheby’s lot #45

You wouldn’t know the Pairpoint puffy lamp market has been soft for a while from the result of lot #45, a rare Orange Tree. It zoomed past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000, to realize $47,500, including buyer’s premium. Even a healthy chip on the inside lower rim and many light leaks (from missed spots in the original paint) didn’t stop the determined bidders.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. 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!

Some good results at Rago Auctions, February 26-27, 2016

Posted on February 29, 2016 by Philip Chasen

David Rago Auctions held several sales this past weekend, including some that were single-owner. Some interesting results for glass and lamps were achieved (the only areas that I cover).

Tiffany Dragonfly chandelier, Rago lot #1

One single-owner sale from New Jersey was entitled Una Buona Vita. It began with Tiffany lamps, including the cover lot, a 28″ diameter Dragonfly chandelier. It sold within its pre-sale estimated range of $75,000 – $100,000, realizing $100,000, including buyer’s premium.

Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Papyrus vase, Rago lot #48

In the same sale, an Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Papyrus vase sold well beyond its pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000, realizing $15,000, including buyer’s premium. The estimate was intentionally low because the vase had a restored drill hole in the base. There’s going to be one unhappy buyer if they didn’t know.

Jacquemard vase, Rago lot #468

The most interesting result of the Saturday Early 20th Century Design sale was lot #468, a beautifully wheel-carved vase with a grasshopper and fancy engraving underneath, including “Emile Gallé fct 1895”. I haven’t been able to figure out exactly who made this vase, nor if it was actually made at the Gallé factory. Rago attributed the vase to J. Jacquemard, who possibly did it while working at Gallé. Regardless of my lack of knowledge, the bidding was very active, allowing this grasshopper to jump to a final price of $37,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $9,000 – $12,000.

For the results of the various sales, click here.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Some interesting auction results for French cameo glass

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Philip Chasen

French cameo glass was sold at a couple of auction houses recently with opposite results. Here’s a rundown of them both.

Gallé Rhododendron blownout vase, Cowan’s lot #330

Cowan’s Auction, Cincinnati, OH, sold a moderately rare Gallé blownout Rhododendron vase at their Decorative Art: Live Salesroom auction on February 13, 2016. Estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000, it soared to $18,600 including buyer’s premium.

Daum Blackbird tray, Heritage lot #65767

Heritage Auction, Dallas, TX, sold a rare Daum Blackbird tray for only $1,062.50, against a pre-sale estimate of $700 – $900. The condition report stated “Lightly polished chips to the exterior and interior of the lip rim, light scuffing to the underside.”, which probably hurt its sale. The lot was hidden in the back of the catalog of the Fine & Decorative Arts Including Estates Signature Auction sale of February 20-22, 2016. I knew about the lot, and was going to bid on it, but didn’t. I missed it because I was too busy at my shows. Too bad for me, kudos to the winner.

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. It’s one of our two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area. We really like exhibiting in Chicago and look forward to seeing all of our old friends.

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 28 – February 1, 2016

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Philip Chasen

There were several hundred people lined up at Halls C & D for the opening on Thursday

There were several hundred people lined up in Halls C & D for the opening on Thursday

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show ended yesterday, February 1, 2016, after a five-day run. The show went well for many dealers, but more than a few did poorly. The results seemed hit or miss.

Part of our selection of Gallé glass at the show

Opening day for us was decent. We made several sales, but the total was slightly disappointing. That wasn’t unusual for opening day. We usually did better the next day, Friday, but not this time. Lots of tire kickers and only a little business. The rest of the show wasn’t substantially better for us. A few sales, but an overall disappointing result. I did make sales by doing my homework. I emailed photos of good items I found at the show to my best clients and they bought. You know who you are. Thank you!

Part of our selection of Tiffany Favrile glass

In asking around to some of my friends, I got mostly positive reactions to the question “How was your show?” Curiously some dealers with negative comments refused to publicly comment. Michel Aboudara, The French Glasshouse, French glass dealer, London, UK, told me “There was much more interest from private customers this year. Our results were very similar to last year.” Robert & Rick Kaplan, early 20th Century decorative arts dealers, Palm Springs, CA, were pleased. “Business was fairly close to last year’s figures. We’re happy.” Kelly Schultz, general line dealer, Clarence, NY, was also pleased. “The show was great, as always. Lots of business, lots of people. We were very happy.” Adele & Alan Grodsky, lamps & glass dealers, Davie, FL, were more reserved. “It was OK. We sold lamps but very little glass.” Mike Hammes, Classic American, eclectic dealer, Coralville, IA, told me “I scratched and clawed my way out. I did about the same as last year. I’m pleased.” Dave Crockett, Artifacts Antiques, eclectic dealers, Palm City, FL, were a bit disappointed. “I did OK. Less than last year, but last year was great.” Steve Morrow, art glass dealer, Hedrick, IA, said “I had a good show, as I do every year.” Robin Greenwald, Greenwald Antiques, decorative arts dealers, Cleveland, Ohio, were satisfied. “The show was good — off from last year, but strong. We are excited about the show next year at the fairgrounds.” Jack Ophir, Ophir Antiques, Tiffany & Art Nouveau dealer, Englewood, NJ, were content. “We had a good show, a little bit better than last year. The main interest was Tiffany and Camille Fauré French enamel.” Jack Pap, lamp & decorative arts dealer, W. Simsbury, CT, was happy. “The show was better than I expected. The crowd on opening day came early and stayed late. The rest of the show was lightly attended and sales were sparse.” Jeff Myers, Myers-Huffman Antiques, 20th Century decorative arts dealers, Chickaloon, AK, said “It was actually very good. Every day was good, except for the last day, Monday.” Richard Bell, Richard W. Bell Antiques, fine quality smalls & jewelry dealers, CA, said “My show was surprisingly good, considering the construction and the weather.” And finally David Kozloff, Kozloff & Meaders, general line dealers, Pittsburgh, PA, was ecstatic. “It was our best show ever, anywhere, anytime.”

The construction has begun on the convention center

Now for some of the scuttlebutt on next year’s show. The construction at the Miami Beach Convention Center is underway and will take at least until mid-2018. That means the Original Miami Beach Antique Show will surely not return to the Convention Center in 2017 and 2018. After that it gets interesting. There’s no guarantee US Antique Shows will be invited back. The City of Miami Beach only wants shows they deem important to the local economy. If they don’t think the Original Miami Beach Antique Show brings in enough revenue to the city, they will not be invited back. If I were a betting man, I would bet against the invitation. If I’m correct, this was the last antique show at the Convention Center, ever. Ugh!

It looks like many dealers will be jumping ship and not exhibiting at the new location for the show, the Miami-Dade Fair Expo Center. I’ve heard that many of these dealers will instead exhibit at Dolphin Fair’s new Miami Airport Show, the week before. If you remember, that show used to be huge, with exhibitors filling two floors. Now it looks like that show is growing again and could eventually eclipse the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. What a turn of events that would be! But that story is still to be written. Tune in for updates.

There will not be a new blog this Thursday. We’re leaving for the Caribbean for a week on a well-deserved vacation. We’ll see you the following week at the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show.

Click on this image for two free tickets to the show

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I need to buy more, so if you have something great, please offer it to me. I am paying the highest prices of any dealer. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email me a jpeg.

The results of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, January 22-24, 2016

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Philip Chasen

There was a decent crowd at the opening on Friday

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show ended yesterday after a three-day run from January 22-24, 2016. The show started slowly on Friday, with only one sale to the public, but other sales to dealers and private clients made it a good day.

We had an amazing display of Tiffany Favrile floriform vases at the show

Attendance was light on both Saturday and Sunday, with a commensurate lack of interest. We only made one small sale to the public on Saturday and none on Sunday. However, we did well overall, because I sent lots of photos to my private clients and they responded. If we hadn’t been at the show to find the objects and sell them by email, we wouldn’t have made the sales.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the time to poll other dealers for their reactions to the show because I was constantly on the computer taking photos, sending photos and making deals. It was time well spent.

miami-beach-1-2016 This week the highly anticipated Original Miami Beach Antique Show will open to the public on Thursday at noon, as usual at the Miami Beach Convention Center. You should attend not only because it’s a great show, but also for the memories. The show will move to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition in 2017, but hopefully will return to the Convention Center in 2018, after the completion of construction.

Thursday’s blog will be from the floor of the Miami Beach Convention Center. Next Monday’s blog will be delayed until Tuesday, so I can report on the results of the show.

Setting up at the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, January 20, 2016

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Philip Chasen

miami-airport-1-2016(2) Yesterday was the first day of setup at the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, The Airport Show, which will open to the public this Friday, January 22, 2016 at noon. Setup went smoothly, but it’s a big job, so we only finished about half. We’ll finish today and be ready for the public tomorrow.

We were just getting started

The show is small by Miami standards, but not small by Midwest standards. The dealers are high quality, so it’s definitely worth a visit. You’ll be able to see some great merchandise before these same dealers exhibit next week at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show.

Some of the Tiffany Favrile glass we’ll have for sale

I’ve brought an incredible assortment of French and American glass and lamps — one of the best ever. I hope you’ll visit so you can get first crack.

Tune in on Monday for the results of the show.

The following week the Original Miami Beach Antique Show will open to the public, as usual, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. You should attend because it’s a great show, but also for the memories. miami-beach-1-2016

Here’s a preview of my booth in Miami starting this Friday, January 22, 2016

Posted on January 18, 2016 by Philip Chasen

miami-airport-1-2016(2) The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, The Airport Show, will open to the public this Friday, January 22, 2016 at noon. We’re bringing such a huge selection of fantastic merchandise that we had to leave some items home because the truck was chockablock full.

We’ll have this wonderful Gallé floral lamp at the show

Sales of French glass have been great for the last few years, so I’m bringing a really powerful selection of Daum Nancy, Gallé and Argy-Rousseau items. If French glass interests you, you’ll want to see what I have.

This Tiffany Studios 20-inch diameter Nasturtium is one of over 20 lamps

How about Tiffany Studios lamps and glass? I can’t tell you what a great selection we have, from a 20″ Nasturtium lamp to an Aquamarine vase.

Very important Tiffany Favrile Aquamarine vase

Thursday’s blog will be from the floor of the the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show. Can’t wait to get there and start the action!

Some French cameo glass treasures I’ve owned (and sold) in 2015

Posted on December 14, 2015 by Philip Chasen

2015 has been my best year ever in business. It was a very good year. (Think Frank Sinatra singing.) Thanks to all my loyal clients who have supported me. Following are a few of the highlights of the many French cameo glass treasures I bought and sold this past year, in no particular order.

Gallé blownout Rhododendron table lamp

I’ve never owned a Gallé Rhododendron table lamp before this year. It’s big, gorgeous and very rare.

Daum Nancy Weeping Willow vase

I just love this vase. It’s very rare, but more importantly it’s killer. The decoration is the best and the shape is rare and fabulous.

Monumental Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre vase Libation

Most Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre vases are small to medium-sized. At 12¼” Libation is huge, stunning and rare.

Monumental Daum Nancy Swans vase

How about a 16½” Daum Nancy vase with three swans? About as rare and beautiful as Daum gets.

I really need to buy more, so if you have something great, please offer it to me for sale. I am paying the highest prices of any dealer. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email me a jpeg.

I’ve been quite busy buying and selling recently, partly because I’ve listed many new items on my website. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

We’re still very much in business between shows, especially since there are fewer shows nowadays. Please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Galle

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

Anything French was on fire at Sotheby’s Design sale, March 2, 2016

Some good results at Rago Auctions, February 26-27, 2016

Some interesting auction results for French cameo glass

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 28 – February 1, 2016

The results of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, January 22-24, 2016

Setting up at the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, January 20, 2016

Here’s a preview of my booth in Miami starting this Friday, January 22, 2016

Some French cameo glass treasures I’ve owned (and sold) in 2015