Category Archives: Tiffany

Some good results at James D. Julia’s Important Lamp & Glass Auction, June 19-20, 2013

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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 their Important Lamp & Glass Auction, June 19-20, 2013, with sales totaling over $2.1 million. The results were mixed, with some categories outperforming others.

Rare Pairpoint puffy owl table lamp, Julia's lot #2086

Rare Pairpoint puffy owl table lamp, Julia’s lot #2086

A rare Pairpoint puffy owl table lamp, selling as lot #2086, sold above its high estimate of $60,000, reaching $77,025, including buyer’s premium. It was fresh to the market and only the eighth known example.

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia's lot #2054

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia’s lot #2054

While French glass in general wasn’t strong at the sale, there were some items that did very well. Lot #2054 was a Gallé marquetry vase that was estimated to sell for $14,000 – $16,000. It handily exceeded its high estimate, to sell for $21,330, including buyer’s premium.

Fine Argy-Rousseau vase, The Apple Picker, Julia's lot #2283

Fine Argy-Rousseau vase, The Apple Picker, Julia’s lot #2283

Julia’s offered a very nice selection of fine French pâte-de-verre items by Argy-Rousseau and A. Walter. Of this group, an Argy-Rousseau vase, The Apple Picker, did best. Selling as lot #2283, it easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $8,000 – $12,000, realizing $18,960.

Tiffany Studios Curtain Border chandelier, Julia's lot #2481

Tiffany Studios Curtain Border chandelier, Julia’s lot #2481

The top Tiffany Studios lot of the sale was #2481, a 24″ diameter Curtain Border chandelier. It more than doubled its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $77,025.

For the complete results of session 2, click here. You will have to sign it to see the prices.

Gorgeous Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

Gorgeous Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers -- just in

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers — just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

A few good results at Bonham’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 14, 2013

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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.

Bonham’s was the third of the major auction houses to hold its June 20th Century sale, with fair results. Some categories did well, while others faltered.

30" diam. Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Bonham's lot #1037

30″ diam. Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Bonham’s lot #1037

Lot #1037 was a large, 30″ diameter, Favrile glass and bronze Turtleback tile chandelier, perfect for an Arts & Crafts home. It sold within the estimate of $50,000 – $70,000, realizing $68,500, including buyer’s premium. A number of the Tiffany Studios items, of the relatively small selection, did not sell, mostly because the estimates were too aggressive.

Mucha lithograph Winter, of the Four Seasons, Bonham's lot #1056

Mucha lithograph Winter, of the Four Seasons, Bonham’s lot #1056

Mucha lithographs had a good day, with many selling within or above their pre-sale estimates. The highest price of the Mucha selection was realized by an 1896 set of the Four Seasons. Selling as lot #1056, they reached the low estimate, $62,500.

Daum Nancy lake and flower vase, Bonham's lot #1069

Daum Nancy lake and flower vase, Bonham’s lot #1069

Most of the small selection of French cameo glass items sold within their pre-sale estimates. Lot #1069 was a huge, 21″ tall, acid-etched and enameled Daum Nancy lake and flower vase. It sold just below it’s low estimate, realizing $8,125.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers -- just in

Fabulous B&S mini vase with internally decorated flowers — just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Some good results for Tiffany Studios items at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 13, 2013

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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 New York held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Last Thursday’s post covered the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale. Today’s post will cover the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, which grossed an impressive $6,865,187.

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie's lot #203

Francois-Xavier Lalanne Moutons de Laine, Christie’s lot #203

The top two lots of the sale were #s 202 and 203, both Moutons de Laine by Francois-Xavier Lalanne. They both realized well over estimate, reaching $783,750 and $987,750, respectively. Don’t ask me why. I need a primer.

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie's lot #116

Tiffany Studios landscape window, Christie’s lot #116

A beautiful, large, landscape window from the First Unitarian Congregational Society of Brooklyn was the top Tiffany Studios lot of the sale. Selling as lot #116, it sold near its high estimate of $200,000, realizing $219,750, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie's lot #121

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Christie’s lot #121

The best selling Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale went to lot #121, a Wisteria. It wasn’t the best example ever, but still nice. With a conservative estimate of only $120,000 – $180,000, it sold for $207,750 — a bargain by recent standards. A sharp buyer snapped it up.

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie's lot #101

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Christie’s lot #101

A fine Tiffany paperweight Morning Glory vase was the best Tiffany Favrile example of a small offering. It sold as lot #101 for $50,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Decent results at Christie’s Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection sale, June 13, 2013

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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 New York was the second major auction house to hold a 20th Century sale in June. They held three 20th Century sales on the same day, June 13, 2013. Today’s blog will cover only the Masterworks by Tiffany Studios: A Sutton Place Collection auction. Sales totaled $2,068,375 for the small 57-lot auction, with 40 lots selling and 17 not selling. Had the reserves been more conservative, a higher percentage would have sold.

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie's lot #20

Tiffany Studios Snowball table lamp, Christie’s lot #20

Top lot of the sale was #20, a rare Tiffany Studios Hydrangea Snowball table lamp on an important base. It sold near the low estimate of $400,000, realizing $459,750, including buyer’s premium. Had the estimate been a more conservative $300,000 – $400,000, the same result would have looked a lot better.

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie's lot #6

Tiffany Studios Maple Leaf table lamp, Christie’s lot #6

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the auction was lot #6, a rare Maple Leaf table lamp. Against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, it realized $219,750.

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie's lot #21

Tiffany blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp, Christie’s lot #21

The result for lot #21 was a surprise to me. It sold for $25,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000. Blue Favrile shades are rare and desirable, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise, but it was. That’s because the shade photographed beautifully in reflected light, but turned green in transmitted light. When you turned on the lamp, you got a green lamp. They’re not worth nearly as much. My guess is the buyer never saw the lamp in person. Oops!

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Solid results at Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design auction, June 12, 2013

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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 was the first of the major auction houses to hold their 20th Century sale in June (20th Century month). Their Important 20th Century Design auction was held on June 12, 2013, with total sales of $4,738,940 — a strong result for a relatively small 165-lot sale. The top two lots of the sale were beyond my comprehension — a Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service (lot #89, $449,000) and a François-Xavier Lalanne realistic sheep, Mouton, (lot #148, $341,000).

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly and Waterflowers table lamp, Sotheby's lot #27

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly and Waterflowers table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #27

Top lot of the Tiffany section of the sale (and third overall) went to #27, a rare Dragonfly variation called Dragonfly and Waterflowers, on a rare and desirable mosaic glass Arrowhead base. It sold at the high estimate of $200,000, for a total of $257,000, including the buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 20" Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby's lot #22

Tiffany Studios 20″ Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #22

My personal favorite Tiffany Studios lamp of the sale was lot #22, a 20″ diameter Dragonfly on a killer Bird Skeleton base, with a fabulous patina. The lamp sold for $161,000, near its high estimate of $150,000. It would have sold for more if the shade had been more exciting. This was one of those rare times when the base was worth more than the shade.

Rare Argy-Rousseau Monkey vase, Sotheby's lot #76

Rare Argy-Rousseau Monkey vase, Sotheby’s lot #76

There was a small, but excellent quality, selection of French glass in the sale, led by lot #76, a very rare Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre Monkey vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $35,000, to sell for $87,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July 19-21, when we’ll be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the show has new promoters, who filled the hall with buyers the last time. So we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Just got this incredible 8½" Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Just got this incredible 8½” Daum blackbird vase (dirty in this photo, but soon to be cleaned)

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Wonderful A. Walter pate-de-verre vase with lizard, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Some results from Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque auction, June 5, 2013

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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.

Doyle New York held its Belle Epoque auction yesterday, June 5, 2013. There weren’t many exciting lots, so the results were unremarkable.

Tiffany Studios 12-light lily table lamp, Doyle lot #512

Tiffany Studios 12-light lily table lamp, Doyle lot #512

Top lot in the art glass and lamps section of the sale went to #512, a Tiffany Studios 12-light lily lamp, which sold for $25,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $12,000-18,000. The price was strong, considering that four of the shades were reproduction and one of the shades was broken and glued. In addition, the switch was replaced, several of the sockets were replaced, several arms were loose and the lamp needed rewiring. It was not in “ready for primetime” shape. My guess is it sold to a dealer who has the wherewithal to put it back into tiptop shape. The patina was excellent, so it will be a primo lamp when it’s ready.

Monumental Galle dragonfly vase, Doyle lot #539.

Monumental Galle dragonfly vase, Doyle lot #539.

Top lot of the French cameo glass section of the sale went to #539, a huge, 23¼”, Galle dragonfly vase. It sold within the estimate to reach $10,000, including buyer’s premium. Personally I didn’t bid aggressively because the size was too large for me, even though the subject matter was very good. I find it difficult to sell very large vases, as there are fewer collectors who have the room to display them.

Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #544

Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #544

Lot #544 was interesting. It was a very desirable Daum Nancy winter scenic table lamp. Ordinarily I would have been all over it, but there was significant damage to the lower rim of the shade (which you can see in the photo, on the right). I didn’t bid at all because of the problems. That didn’t stop other buyers who bid the lamp to $8,125, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here and then click the gray “view” below.

No shows until late July, when we will be in Denver. A fellow dealer convinced me to try the show again. She said the new promoters are good and filled the hall with buyers the last time, so we’ll give it one more shot. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to call or write if you would like to buy, sell or trade.

Killer Daum Fall scenic vase, just in

Killer Daum Fall scenic vase, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Gorgeous Galle fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Gorgeous Galle fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

A look at a few special Tiffany Studios items

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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. We’ll be on vacation for most of May, so I may not be able to post anything until early June, but I’ll try.

Tiffany Studios was in business for many years and manufactured thousands upon thousands of items, ranging from common to unique. As a dealer, I get to see many of the same items over and over again, so it’s a kick when I come across something new and exciting. Here are a few that come to mind.

Very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell

Very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell

A very rare Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell was sold at Nadeau’s Auction in Windsor, Connecticut on October 30, 2010 for $37,500, including buyer’s premium. I bid strongly for it, but was outbid by another dealer. I found out later which dealer, when I saw the inkwell for sale in another booth at the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show. My understanding was that it sold quickly at the show for approximately $75,000. That doesn’t surprise me, because it was AMAZING, with different colored turtleback tile lids on each of the three inkwells, and a fabulous patina. I hope the present owner is enjoying it.

Fabulous 10" blue Tiffany Favrile intaglio-carved shade

Fabulous 10″ blue Tiffany Favrile intaglio-carved shade

Blue Tiffany Favrile shades are much rarer than green or gold ones. The example pictured above was the single best example I have ever owned. It had really great blue color and was covered with a plethora of beautifully carved insects — killer!

Superb Tiffany Studios scarab stamp box

Superb Tiffany Studios scarab stamp box

I would loved to have owned the stamp box pictured above, but unfortunately I never did. It’s a real rarity, with Favrile glass scarabs on the lid and mosaic tiles all around. What a beauty!

Tiffany Pond Lily desk set, the rarest of them all

Tiffany Pond Lily desk set, the rarest of them all

The Pond Lily pattern, with dragonflies, is the rarest of all Tiffany Studios desk sets. It almost never comes up for sale, so when it does, fireworks go off. The set pictured above was sold at Brunk Auctions on November 4, 2006, for over $200K, including the buyer’s premium. Wow!

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, just in

Rare Argy-Rousseau elephant paperweight, just in

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

A rare blue Tiffany Favrile salt, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Art Deco bronze and ivory figures lead the way at Hindman’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, May 1, 2013

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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.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, of Chicago, held a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale yesterday, May 1, 2013, with some excellent results. 507 lots crossed the block, with the pottery section of the sale scheduled for today, May 2, 2013.

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

F. Preiss Art Deco bronze & ivory grouping, The Bathers, Hindman lot #333

Leading the way were Art Deco bronze & ivory figures by the likes of Preiss, Chiparus and Colinet. Two lots tied for top honors — #333, a Preiss group entitled The Bathers and #337, a Colinet figure entitled Ankara Dancer, both selling for $50,000, including buyer’s premium. Even though the prices were the same, the Preiss had a much better result, selling for almost 10 times its high estimate, while the Colinet sold below its low estimate. The market in Art Deco bronze & ivory figures has been strong for decades and has legs (no pun intended).

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

A fine intaglio-carved, blue Tiffany Favrile vase, Hindman lot #130

Top lot of the Tiffany Studios glass section of the sale went to #130, a fine-quality blue Favrile wheel-carved vase. It easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $2,000-4,000, to realize $11,875, including buyer’s premium — a handsome price for a 9″ vase.

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

Rare R. Lalique green cased Perruches vase, Hindman lot #301

There weren’t many R. Lalique lots in the sale, but a couple were special. Lot #301 was a rare, green cased Perruches vase. Estimated to sell for $10,000-15,000, it realized $27,500, including buyer’s premium. An even more rare object, an opalescent Tresor de la Mer perfume, sold for more money, $57,500, but below its low estimate.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

The almost complete results for The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 26-29, 2013

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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.

We received many compliments

We received many compliments

It’s Sunday afternoon as I write this blog. The show continues today until 6 PM, and then finishes tomorrow, Monday, at 3 PM. Monday is usually a complete washout, so I don’t see any reason to delay my post until Tuesday. If anything significant happens on Monday, you’ll hear about it on Thursday.

The show started last Thursday with a very well attended preview party. Amazingly, business was good at the party, but only to my existing clients. If there were no party, they would have made the same purchases the next day. Attendance was fairly light on Friday, as the party stole much of the thunder of opening day. It continued only at a moderate pace for the entire show.

Important Daum farm scenic vase, sold at the show

Important Daum farm scenic vase, sold at the show

Personally, my show went well, but not as I would have guessed. My best client, who I had hoped would be a substantial buyer, bought nothing. Luckily, other clients stepped up to the plate, so we’re pleased with our results. As expected, most of the action was in French glass and Tiffany lamps and glass.

In asking around to a handful of dealers, I heard the following comments. An Art Nouveau dealer, new to the show, was very pleased with his results and is looking forward to next year’s show, while a Tiffany dealer, not new to the show, reported disappointing results. A majolica dealer said she had a good show. Among general dealers, one was very happy and another unhappy. A dealer in general merchandise and jewelry said he brought less this year, but sold more jewelry. An art dealer told he made only two sales and broke even. A silver dealer was pleased that his results were much better than last year, and finally a furniture/Americana dealer was very unhappy with his results. Overall I heard more good reports than bad.

Gorgeous Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, sold at the show

Gorgeous Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, sold at the show

Many of the dealers at the show are up in arms about the proposed Navy Pier show by the Palm Beach Show Group. PBSG intends to hold a show the same weekend as the April, 2014, Merchandise Mart show. Not sure why PBSG wants to do that, as there isn’t enough buying power in Chicago to support two major antique shows at the same time. We’ll see what shakes out.

No shows until late July, but we’re still very much in business. Please don’t hesitate to call or write. We’re always interested in buying, selling or trading.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre moth paperweight, for sale at the show

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase, for sale at the show

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

The results of the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair, April 18-21, 2013

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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.

In front of our booth at the Thursday night preview party

In front of our booth at the Thursday night preview party

You know I’m not a fan of preview parties, but the party at the Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair was one of the better ones. Some show promoters treat dealers as second-class citizens at preview parties, offering one little box of airline food for the evening. At the Botanic Gardens, the dealers were treated equally, with plenty of delicious food and drink for everyone. I even made a nice sale at the preview party — can you believe it?

Friday, 11:30 AM. Strange weather in Chicago. Lightning, thunderstorms, torrential rain, and cold on Wednesday — worked with a coat and gloves in a cold tent. Warm and rainy on Thursday — worked in a tent that was hot and humid, with all the showcases fogging up. Today, Friday — hailing, windy and cold — wearing a coat and freezing in the tent. The fire department shut the propane because of a leak. The wind is swirling and the tent is shaking violently at times. What fun! :>(

There was a big crowd early on Friday

There was a big crowd early on Friday

OK, so much for the weather report. There’s a big crowd already, about 90% women, most of whom seem unknowledgeable. No sales yet, but that’s understandable, as unknowledgeable people rarely buy. Haven’t seen most of my Chicago clients yet, but I’m hopeful they’ll attend.

Friday, 3:00 PM. Thought it would get more crowded in the afternoon, but the opposite happened. It’s much quieter now. The heat was fixed and then it broke again. One small sale so far. Still have my coat on.

Friday, 5:00 PM. It’s been a trying day — one of the toughest we’ve had to endure at any show. It was very cold most of the day, where the chill gets into your bones. We made one additional medium sale, so we’re slowly chipping away at the results.

Saturday, 1 PM. It’s the first sunny day since we arrived and very pleasant in the tent. Lots of people here all day so far. Nice sale to one of my established clients. Sure would like to make a sale to a stranger.

Incredible Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, sold at the show

Incredible Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, sold at the show

Saturday, 5 PM. Much thanks to my clients for showing up and making purchases. Even made a moderate sale to a new client. The show is now going well and hopefully will get better. Another important client is considering making a major purchase.

Sunday, 11:30 AM. The day is off to a slow start, but that’s to be expected on a Sunday. The show should have opened at 11 AM, not 10 AM. Jeanne Stella, you listening? Several naive inquiries will likely lead nowhere, but on the other hand, the weather is lovely and the tent is very comfortable.

Sunday, 2:20 PM. After a slow start today, it got really busy. Made a couple of sales to strangers, which was very gratifying. I’ll be surprised if anything happens between now and the end of the show, but hope springs eternal.

Sunday, 5:00 PM. The show is over and as I predicted, nothing happened from mid-afternoon to closing. It was a busy day, but not as remunerative as it should have been, based on the activity. Overall, the show went well. More sales to new clients would have made it better, but I’m not complaining.

In other news. The Palm Beach Show Group (who run the Palm Beach and Baltimore shows) has announced that it will be starting a new show in Chicago at the Navy Pier. Ordinarily I would be excited to hear such news, but not this time. They hope to run the show exactly the same week as the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show in April, 2014. Why choose that week, when there are 51 other weeks? There are rumors that this will be the last year for the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, in which case it would make sense to run an important show in Chicago the same weekend. Other than that, it seems folly. I’ll try to get to the bottom of it.

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Speaking of the Merchandise Mart Antiques Show, it’s this week! The show opens with a preview party on Thursday night, April 25th. It opens to the public on Friday, April 26th at 11 AM and continues until Monday, April 29th at 3 PM. It’s a great show and my favorite of the year. Make sure you attend. You won’t be disappointed!

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

Important Gallé vase with spider webs and wheel-carved leaves

Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

Fine Argy-Rousseau pate-de-verre geometric vase

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.