Artistic Gallé vase sells for $476,325 at Sotheby’s Paris, May 21, 2015

Posted on June 4, 2015 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.

Sotheby’s Paris held their Design 20e Siècle (20th Century Design) sale on May 21, 2015, with some dramatic results. Sales totaled €7,093,775 ($7,776,768) for the 163 lots offered, with a sell-through rate of 90%.

Important Gallé marquetry vase,Sur Socle Grand Iris, Sotheby’s lot #8

Original Gallé invoice

The sale started with a private French collection of important Gallé vases. Lot #8, an outstanding 12½” marquetry vase entitled Sur Socle Grand Iris (Large Iris on Stand) led the group. It sold for €435,000 ($476,325), against a pre-sale estimate of €200,000 — €300,000. It came with an original 1904 invoice mentioning the vase. How cool is that!

Gallé undersea vase, Sotheby’s lot #5

Coming in second in the Gallé group was another important vase, lot #5, 5″ tall, with molded and applied undersea decoration. It easily exceeded its high estimate of €30,000 to reach €60,000 ($65,700).

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, at the Denver Mart, EXPO Building, 451 East 58th Avenue, July 24-26, 2015. I’ll always be in touch, even while we’re in Europe, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. 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.

An eventful day in Nancy, France, May 28, 2015

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Philip Chasen

France’s TGV

Last Thursday, I traveled from Paris to Nancy, a journey of 3 hours, 40 minutes by car, but only 1 hour, 30 minutes by high-speed TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse). What a shame we don’t have such a rail system in the US. It’s really fabulous. But I digress.

The grave of Emile Gallé, his wife, and his son

I went to see a friend/colleague who I hoped would have some nice French glass to sell to me. After a lovely lunch in town, he took me on a short, but fascinating tour. The first stop was on a peculiar street, with a nondescript cement wall along one entire side of the block. I assumed we were entering his housing development through the single door in the wall, but was instead astonished to find we were in a cemetery. At least until he took me to the first grave. My jaw almost dropped. I was standing in front of the grave of Emile Gallé, his wife, and his son. I knew Gallé died in 1904 but didn’t realize he was only 58. It was the simplest of graves, neglected and fairly rundown. I was honored to be standing there, but saddened. I asked my friend to buy some small ivy plants to fill in the voids. I’ll encourage him until it’s done.

The family grave of Louis Majorelle

That wasn’t the end of this cemetery. Many famous French artists, decorators, and sculptors were buried there, including the Daum Brothers and family, and Louis Majorelle and family — a cemetery with the rock stars of French decorative arts. You would never know from the outside.

Incredible Daum rose bowl with Dandelion decoration

Then back to business. In two stops, I was able to buy 12 vases. Not a bad day’s work. A couple of hours later and I was back in Paris where my honey awaited me.

We were supposed to arrive home yesterday, after a month in France (and Spain), but our flight was canceled. We’re probably en route as you read this. It was lovely to travel and just as lovely to go home. We had a great trip, both personally and businesswise. We bought some amazing glass, which I’ve just started to list. More in the next few days.

French glass sells well at Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque sale, February 18, 2015

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Doyle New York held its Belle Epoque sale on February 18, 2015. Included in the sale were two interesting collections of French glass — Schneider glass from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and Gallé glass from the estate of Erica Lemle Amsterdam. Both groups of glass sold well.

A Schneider applied floral vase, Doyle lot #302

Top lot of the museum’s Schneider glass collection was #302, an important applied floral vase. Estimated very conservatively at $1,000 – $1,500, it soared to $5,938, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Crystallerie decanter, Doyle lot #333

An early Gallé Crystallerie decanter depicting a Renaissance Queen was the best performing lot of the Erica Lemle Amsterdam estate collection. It realized $12,500, five times its pre-sale high estimate of $2,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. Then choose Belle Epoque from the drop-down list and click “View”.

Now we’ll slow down until our next show, the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 28-29, 2015. In the meantime, I can see a nice vacation in our near future. 🙂

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 30 – February 3, 2015

Posted on February 4, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The opening day crowd was huge with almost 1000 people on line

Yesterday, February 3, 2015, the Original Miami Beach Antique Show finished its 5-day run. The crowds were smaller than usual, but included many serious buyers. (At least that’s the way I perceived it.) Most dealers I spoke to did well, but there were some disappointments.

There were lots of sold stickers at Best of France

Following are comments from dealers I know personally. It is not a representative cross-section of the dealers at the show. Jack Papadinis, Jack Pap Antiques, West Simsbury, CT, a dealer in 20th Century lighting & decorative accessories, commented “Overall it was a quieter pre-show and show, compared to last year. I sold more expensive items pre-show to other dealers. The crowd was somewhat lackluster, however several customers made the show profitable.” Butler & Butler, Sarasota, FL, 19th Century general dealers, were quite enthusiastic. “It was one of our best Miami Beach shows. We restocked our stand several times.” Ron Greenwald, Greenwald Antiques, Cleveland, OH, general dealers, was equally ebullient. “Strong. The energy was great. Saw old and new customers. We sold up to the last minute.” Xavier Eury, Nancy, France, French cameo glass dealer, was pleased. “My show was pretty good. Most of my clients were South American.” Dean Lowry, Dean Lowry Antiques, Gulfport, FL, lamp dealer, told me “It was a good show. Traffic was down, but we picked up several new clients. Business was down from last year, but we were still satisfied.” Jack Ophir, Ophir Antiques, Englewood, NJ, 20th Century decorative arts dealer, remarked “We had a very nice show. We sold good Art Nouveau lamps and objects, including a Loie Fuller lamp by Raoul Larche and an important vase by Camille Fauré.” Bill Holland, hollandarts.com, West Chester, PA, dealing in the works of Louis Icart and Louis Tiffany, commented “Quality items sold. Low-end items not as much. I did about the same as last year. I was happy with the show.” Rick Kaplan, Rick & Robert Kaplan Antiques, Palm Springs, CA, general dealers, seemed pleased. “We did well — pretty much the same as last year, which was good.” And lastly Larry Zinzi, Lawrence J. Zinzi Antiques, Bronx, NY, general dealer specializing in the works of Louis Tiffany, was disappointed. “It was fair. Europeans didn’t show because the euro was weak. The Tiffany market is still good. I sold four lamps, but business was down from last year.”

We sold this lovely Gallé table lamp at the show

Personally I feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven. After a fabulous show at the Miami National (Airport) Show last week, we did very well at this show — much better than last year. Business to the general public was better than last week, but sales to my private clients was down. French cameo glass continued on fiyah! (that’s fire for those who need translation). I cannot think of another show, ever, where more cameo glass was sold, not just by me, but by all the dealers.

Next year the show returns to its usual starting day of Thursday and that’s a good thing. The show will move to the Washington Ave. side of the building, halls A & B, while renovations are underway to the west side of the building. I suggest to you dealers who missed the Miami Airport Show the week before that you reconsider for next year. There were a lot of smiling faces at the end of that one.

This week we’ll be in Naples, Florida for the Naples Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. It will be our first time there and we’re expecting good things (especially after the good business in Miami). We visited last year and were pleased with what we saw, so we decided to give it a shot this year. If we do well, we’ll be back next year. If not, we’ll vacation, as we’ve done in the past.

What’s new at Chasen Antiques? Part III

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Philip Chasen

This outstanding 18″ tall Gallé is fresh from a Florida collection

I’ve always been an active buyer and seller of French cameo glass. Recently I bought a collection in Florida, as well as many items in various locations. I’ve now got four Gallé lamps for sale. Usually I don’t even have one.

Galle Fuchsia vase, just in

Gallé blownout vases are highly collectible and desirable. The Fuchsia example above is one of four different, beautiful blownout models I have for sale.

Gorgeous Burgun & Schverer Bleeding hearts vase

Do you have any idea how much work went into the making of a single Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase? I’ll tell you. First the gaffer (glass blower) blew the undecorated vase. When cold (24-48 hours later), the vase went to a decorator who hand-painted the flowers, branches and leaves with glass enamel paint. Then into the kiln to melt and fuse the design to the vase. At that point, the decoration was on the outside of the vase. It then went back to the gaffer to be reheated and covered with a layer of clear glass. The technique is called paperweight (because the decoration becomes internal). It was difficult, as well as time and labor-intensive. Many of the vases cracked during cooling. If it survived, 24-48 hours later, the cold vase was sent to a decorator who covered the vase with a waxy resist, hand-carved the leaf, branch and top rim icicles and then sent it for a hydrofluoric acid bath to etch the design. After washing and drying, the vase was heated to melt off the remainder of the waxy resist. Then off to an engraver who hand-carved the details in the flowers and leaves and the martelé flourishes in the background. Not finished yet. Then back to another decorator who hand-painted the gilded details in the veins of the flowers and the top rim. At this point the gold was black, so off to the kiln for still another firing. After cooling, (24-48 hours), out came a piece of art, with internal flowers, incredible workmanship, and shiny gold details, ready for sale. How long would you guess that took, by how many artisans? My best guess is two weeks of work and up to ten very talented glass artisans. I hope next time you look at an internally decorated B&S vase, you’ll have a different appreciation. The example pictured above was recently purchased. It’s gorgeous, with outstanding work and a rare, beautiful rose-red background.

Striking Daum Nancy Marine pillow vase

Lastly I’d like to mention that I’ve been able to acquire several outstanding Daum vases, including the marine scenic example pictured above. Please take the time to look over the various offerings I’ve listed on my website. I tried to picture most of the examples I have for sale, but they’re not all there. Time doesn’t permit me to picture everything. Either you can ask me for something specific or best of all, come to see me at one of my shows in Florida. You won’t be disappointed!

I can’t believe it. By the middle of next week, we’ll be in Miami setting up the Miami National Antiques Show (the Airport show) and by Saturday we’ll be open to the public for business. If you plan on going to the big Miami Beach show the following week, you should consider coming a few days early to visit this one. You’ll get first crack at some of the following week’s merchandise (and out of the cold!).

What’s new at Chasen Antiques?

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Our five-show-Southern-circuit is around the corner, with the first starting in Miami on January 24th. This is the time of year when I scour the earth to find treasures. I’ve been a busy boy. There’s always luck involved and this year it’s been good. A large proportion of my new items are from private estates. Following is a sampling. I suggest you check out my website where I’ve listed some of them, but there are many I haven’t yet listed. Call 516-922-2090, or send an email by clicking here, if you’re looking for something specific. (Remember to answer the simple anti-spam question at the bottom of the form or your email will not be sent.) Thursday’s post will be part II of What’s New at Chasen Antiques.

Rare Tiffany Favrile yellow vase

Tiffany Favrile glass is one area where I’ve purchased some very fine items, including a rare yellow vase, pictured above, a black millifiori vase, a turquoise decorated mini vase, a hearts & vines vase, a red-orange vase and several other outstanding examples.

Fine, rare Tiffany Favrile Artichoke pottery vase

I don’t get many Tiffany Favrile pottery vases because they’re even rarer than Tiffany Favrile glass. I just bought a wonderful, big (11″), artichoke example with a great glaze.

Natzler Tiger Eye Reduction Glaze vase

Another item I rarely get is Natzler pottery. If you don’t know, it’s mid-century and the best quality. This example has a great Tiger Eye Reduction glaze, with the original stickers, including the original price. A very cool item!

I’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg. Look for more this Thursday. In the meantime, please check my website. I think you’ll like what you see.

I’ll be spending the next three weeks looking for still more treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. Wish me luck!

Mixed results at Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass auction, November 12-13, 2014

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Important Lamp & Glass auction on November 12-13, 2014, with total sales exceeding $1.5 million. Some categories showed significant strength, including Loetz glass, art glass shades and French glass.

Fine silver overlay Loetz vase, Julia’s lot #2005

The sale started strongly with Loetz glass. This section of the sale was led by lot #2005, a beautifully decorated, silver overlay, vase. It sold near its high estimate of $12,000, realizing $13,035, including buyer’s premium. More than a few vases sold over $5,000 and over or near their high estimates.

Rare Quezal decorated shade, Julia’s lot #2334

From a very hot market in art glass shades 7-10 years ago, the market went into its Rip Van Winkle period, asleep for many years. Now it appears that Mr. Winkle may have awoken. Lot #2334 was a beautiful, rare, Quezal shade with green and gold pulled decoration. Estimated to sell for $600 – $900, it soared to $5,628.75, including buyer’s premium — almost 10 times it’s low estimate. This shade may have been the highlight of the art glass shade section of the sale, but it was only the tip of the iceberg. Many shades sold well above their high estimates.

Daum Nancy Rain lamp, Julia’s lot #3269

French glass sold well, led by lot #3269, a Daum Nancy Rain scenic lamp. It sold near its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $36,735. More than a few items sold near or above their high estimates.

The Tiffany glass and lamps section of the sale was not ebullient, but I think it was mainly due to aggressive estimates and reserves, many of which ventured into the retail price area. Everyone wants to feel like they’re in the game, so low estimates and reserves always generate the most activity, excitement, and high prices. But that requires a gamble on the part of the consignor and unfortunately, not many consignors are gamblers. It’s the bane of the auction business — trying to get fresh, high-quality items, at reasonable estimates and reserves.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in (free) to see the results.

I’ll be spending the next month and a half looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Good results at Rago Auction’s Early 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, October 18, 2014

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Rago Auctions held their Early 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction on October 18, 2014, with some good results, led by items from Newcomb College and Emile Gallé.

Newcomb College five-tile frieze, Rago lot #99

Top lot of the sale was a tie between lot 99, a five-tile Newcomb College frieze and lot 286, a Gallé lamp. Each went out the door at $81,250. That price was below the low estimate of $75,000 for the Newcomb tiles, but above the high estimate of $60,000 for the Gallé lamp.

Rare Gallé lamp, Rago lot #286

Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop-Head Dragonfly floor lamp, Rago lot #312

Several Tiffany Studios lamps were sold, mostly low-end. The exception was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop-Head Dragonfly floor lamp, consigned by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The color was only fair and there were a few minor condition issues, but the lamp still sold near the low estimate of $60,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our first show of four in a row will be held next weekend in New Jersey at the Morristown Armory, November 1-2. Then we travel to Chicago for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, followed by the Kansas City Antiques Expo, ending up back at the Pier in NYC for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog. We’ll spend a lot of time finding some great new items for our November circuit.

Click here to view our new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair opens next Thursday, August 21, 2014

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Philip Chasen

This was our booth at the Baltimore show

The important Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair opens next Thursday, August 21, 2014 at noon and continues until Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 6 PM. This is one of the two most important and exciting shows of the year, together with the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show in the winter. The show is really big, so the selection is vast. Some of the dealers exhibit at very few shows, so it’s an opportunity to see some very exciting, high-quality merchandise. Think of something you want to see and chances are good you’ll find it at the show.

We’ll have this important Gallé Lake Como vase at the show

We’ve been shopping and shopping since late spring, so we’re going to have a fresh selection of merchandise, including some real rarities in Tiffany Favrile glass and lamps, as well as French cameo glass by Gallé and Daum. I’ve got an appointment this week to buy some Tiffany glass and lamps from an important private collection. I’ll bring those items to the show.

Billy Rau of M.S. Rau is one of the important dealers at the show

There’s still plenty of time to make arrangements to visit the show. I like to use Hotwire for the best deals on hotels. I just checked for a 4-day stay in the Baltimore Inner Harbor area (right by the show), starting on Wednesday and departing on Sunday. Here’s what I found. A 3½-star hotel is $87/night (my guess is the Sheraton next door) and a 4-star boutique hotel for $122/night (my guess is the Kimpton Hotel Monaco) and a 3-star hotel for $75/night (my guess is the Holiday Inn).

Inside the National Aquarium

I promise you, you’ll enjoy the show and the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Are you a foodie? There are lots of great restaurants. Like the water? There are ferries, street performers, and lots of stores at the Inner Harbor, plus the National Aquarium. Come to the show and let me know what you think. Monday I’ll post the results, which I trust will be good.

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Grogan and Company held their sale entitled The June Auction on June 8, 2014. Included in the sale were several art glass lots by Daum Nancy, Emile Gallé, and Tiffany Studios. The exceptional results are detailed below.

Tiffany red decorated vase, Grogan lot #496

The better art glass started with lot #496, a red decorated Tiffany Favrile vase. Red is the cat’s meow when it comes to Tiffany and the result did not disappoint. The vase sold for $18,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Daum Nancy Violets bowl, Grogan lot #557

The Tiffany vase was followed by lot #557, a huge, 16″ long, Daum Nancy Violets bowl. It more than doubled its high estimate of $4,000, realizing $10,200, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé padded and wheel-carved vase, Grogan lot #615

Lot #615 was a sophisticated Gallé vase with an applied cabochon, wheel-carved, with internal foil, and a second, tear-like, application. The decoration was undersea with wheel-carved scallop shells. To my eye, the workmanship was outstanding, but the artistry a failure. Luckily for the consignor, the buyer did not ask my opinion. It sold for $15,600, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $10,000.

Gallé wheel-carved flacon, Grogan lot #620

Lot #620 was a gem — an important Gallé perfume bottle, in the original leather case, with a mixed-metal top, made for the Paris Exposition of 1889. This was really a museum-quality object. Estimated to sell for $5,000 – $10,000, it went out the door at $19,200.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

It’s spring, so there are no shows, but we’re still very much in business. Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Galle

Artistic Gallé vase sells for $476,325 at Sotheby’s Paris, May 21, 2015

An eventful day in Nancy, France, May 28, 2015

French glass sells well at Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque sale, February 18, 2015

The results of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 30 – February 3, 2015

What’s new at Chasen Antiques? Part III

What’s new at Chasen Antiques?

Mixed results at Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass auction, November 12-13, 2014

Good results at Rago Auction’s Early 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, October 18, 2014

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair opens next Thursday, August 21, 2014

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014