Strong price for a Tiffany Studios window at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 12, 2016

Posted on December 15, 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 New York held their Design sale on December 12, 2016, with total sales of $3,572,625 for the 154 lots offered.

Tiffany Studios Snowball and Wisteria window, Christie’s lot #103

I was only interested in the 11 lots of Tiffany Studios’ objects. Of that small group, lot #103, a Snowball and Wisteria window, did best. It sold for $499,500, including buyer’s premium, well above its pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, and was the top lot of the sale.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Christie’s lot #107

Of the Tiffany group, a large Laburnum table lamp performed second best. It sold within its estimated range of $150,000 – $200,000, realizing $211,500, including buyer’s premium.

Rembrandt Bugatti bronze sculpture Jeunesse, Christie’s lot #116

The second best-performing lot of the entire sale was a 1906 bronze by Rembrandt Bugatti, entitled Jeunesse (Youth). It sold below its estimate of $400,000 – $600,000, realizing $391,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so 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.

Some superb items were sold at Rago Auctions The Jerome Shaw Collection, October 14, 2016

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Sorry for the delayed coverage of the Rago Auctions in October. I meant to write about them earlier, but life got in the way. I covered Rago’s October 15, 2016 Mid-Mod sale last week. Today I’m covering the high end, eclectic Jerome Shaw Collection, which Rago sold on October 14, 2016, with mixed results. I think the aggressive estimates on the best lots held back some of the interest.

Carabin sculpture, Rago lot #13

The top lot of the sale was a hand-sculpted wooden sculpture entitled Femme et Grenouille (Woman and Frog), exhibited in 1907 at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. It sold below its low estimate of $150,000, realizing $150,000 with buyer’s premium. Carabin was a sculpting genius, whose work is on display in many museums, including the Musée D’Orsay. (See my post of 1/17/12)

Loetz black-bottom vase, Rago lot #49

Two important Loetz vases, lots #48 and #49, sold for prices near their low, but strong, estimates. Lot #49 was a monumental, 18″, Phänomen vase, model no. 387, usually referred to as a black-bottom vase. It sold just below its low estimate of $50,000, realizing $53,125, with buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell, Rago lot #143

I’ve been following the travels of lot #143 for a few years. Originally it sold to a dealer at Nadeau’s Auction in Windsor, Connecticut on October 30, 2010 for $37,500. That dealer sold it to a collector (who I now assume was Jerome Shaw) for $75,000. At this sale it sold within its pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000, realizing $53,125, including buyer’s premium, a loss for Shaw. I’ve always loved this item for both its beauty and rarity. If I were just a collector, I would have tried to buy it.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I won’t bid at Jackson’s International Auctioneers in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Posted on December 1, 2016 by Philip Chasen

I won’t bid at Jackson’s International Auctioneers in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Here’s a little bit of the story.

Many years ago I tried to do business with Jackson’s and had one little incident after another. It was so long ago, I can’t even recall any specifics. What I said to myself was that I won’t do business with them any longer. And I kept to that promise until this week.

I wanted to buy this killer Tiffany Favrile vase at Jackson’s

Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when I received a catalog for their World Treasures sale on November 29-30, 2016. I was impressed with many of the Tiffany Studios offerings, so I decided to give them another shot. On Monday of this week, I sent for condition reports on a number of lots to be sold on Wednesday, November 30th. Once I send an email, I assume the auction house is interested in my bids, so I forgot about it until I received an email this morning at 9:33 AM — 27 minutes before the sale was to begin. By the time I looked at the email, all of the items I was interested in were finished. There was no urgency whatsoever in the email. Just a “here are the condition reports you requested” attitude. How foolish or inept. Every extra bidder at an auction raises the prices and I’m a strong bidder. Even if I don’t buy an item, there is a good chance I will underbid it, raising the price for both the seller and the auction house.

So no more Jackson’s for me. Don’t waste your catalogs. I’ve had it with them.

UPDATE: Now I’m really ill. I just looked up the results and the items I was going to bid on sold so cheaply, I probably lost out on profit of $50,000+. For instance the vase pictured above sold for $15,000. I could have sold it for at least $35,000. Another vase sold for $2,000 that I could have sold for $7,500. A lamp sold for $22,000 that I could have sold for $45,000. Argh! I’m so angry and they’re so foolish. If I were the consignor, I would be pretty upset.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Tiffany Studios lamps lead the way in James D. Julia’s record $3.1 million Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, November 18, 2016

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held its Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction on November 18, 2016, with gross sales of $3.1 million, a record for the lamp & glass division. Much of the merchandise offered was fresh to the market from important collections in the Midwest, Florida and elsewhere.

Tiffany Studios 22″ diam. Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp, Julia lot #1259

Top lot of the sale and a record for any item ever sold by Julia’s lamp & glass division was #1259, a Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp. It more than tripled its low estimate of $120,000, realizing $515,475, including buyer’s premium.

Lot 1216, a Tiffany Studios 22-inch Peony table lamp on a rare mosaic base sold for $394,605

All of the top three Tiffany lamps were consigned from the same Florida collection and all of them were offered with very low estimates and reserves. This was the guidance given to the consignor by the division head, Mike Fredericks, and it certainly was good advice. Each of the three lamps vastly exceeded their estimates and each broke the previous record for any lot sold by the division. As I’ve stated many times before, there is nothing like high quality, fresh merchandise at low estimates. It’s raw meat for the hungry lions.

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1058

The French glass section of the sale included many fresh, high quality items, which overall did very well. Top lot of this section of the sale was #1058, a fine 17″ Gallé marquetry vase. It sold a little below its low estimate of $50,000, realizing $52,732.50, including buyer’s premium. In my opinion, it would have done better had it been consigned at a less aggressive estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Tiffany & Co. mixed metal chocolate pot, Julia lot #1409

The sale included some nice silver, including Tiffany & Co. mixed metal objects. They were met with enthusiasm, with lot #1409, a mixed metal chocolate pot more than tripling its low estimate of $10,000, realizing $40,290, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here, but not immediately. The results are expected to be posted sometime on Monday or Tuesday. You will have to sign in (free) in order to see the prices.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Favrile 7″ diameter shade

It’s been a while since I’ve listed new items on my website, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been busy. Just the opposite. Between buying and selling and traveling for business and pleasure, I’ve been too busy to update my listings. But that’s beginning to change. I’ve already started to list some of the great items of French and American glass I recently bought. The Tiffany Favrile glass all comes from the same important private collection that I’ve been buying from for the last few years. Following are just a few examples. Please check my website now and every day, as I continue to add new items. If you’re impatient, please email me, philchasen@gmail.com, and I’ll be glad to discuss it with you.

Gorgeous red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase

I bought several fine Tiffany Favrile vases from a NYC collection and a 7″ diameter Favrile glass shade and a 4-branch candelabrum from a Washington, DC collection. There are some really great examples here.

Daum pillow vase with Swan>/i> decoration

Daum pillow vase with Swan decoration

Just this past weekend I bought several very fine Daum Nancy vases, including a very rare Swan vase, a gorgeous scenic vase and a covered perfume. I’ll be listing them all as soon as possible, but right this minute only a few have been listed. I’ll be listing more this week. Please check my site as often as you can.

A. Walter pate-de-verre tray with beetle

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Doyle New York sold some interesting Tiffany Studios objects at its 20th Century Art and Design sale, November 9, 2016

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Doyle New York held its 20th Century Art and Design sale yesterday, November 9, 2016. Their sales used to be called Belle Epoque, but the times they are a changing. Most auction houses have switched to newer titles that include the word Design. Included in the sale were several interesting lots by Tiffany Studios.

Tiffany Furnaces mosaic inkwell, Doyle lot #227

The top lot of the Tiffany Studios section of the sale was #227, a very rare gilded bronze and mosaic inkstand and letter opener. The design was not Tiffany Studios, but rather Marshall Fields. That made sense because the original owner of the set was Potter Palmer II, the son of Potter Palmer, the Chicago business magnate and business partner of Marshall Field. It certainly was a unique special order item. I wanted to buy it, but it zoomed past my top bid, selling for $34,375, including buyer’s premium — an impressive multiple of the pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000.

Tiffany Studios pottery vase, Doyle lot #224

A fine Tiffany Studios pottery vase with bird nest decoration, lot #224, sold for $7,500, including buyer’s premium, well above its pre-sale estimate of $2,500 – $3,500. This was another lot I tried to buy, but couldn’t justify paying the price, which was good for a collector, but not a dealer.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I’ve been negligent in listing new items, but that’s already changed. I listed half a dozen new items this past weekend and I’ll be listing more this week. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

The Art Glass Forum began its season with a lecture on Louis C. Tiffany, October 4, 2016

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Water Lily table lamp, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Grant, 1974

The Art Glass Forum began its season this past Tuesday with a very interesting and informative lecture by Alice Cooney Frelinghuysen, curator of American Decorative Arts of the Metropolitan Museum of Art since 1994, on the works of Louis C. Tiffany. She is recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on the life and works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Ms. Frelinghuysen made it clear that the museum would not own today’s fabulous collection if it weren’t for the generosity of many patrons, including Henry Osborne Havemeyer in 1896, followed by Robert Weeks DeForest and Emily Johnston DeForest early in the 20th century, Louis C. Tiffany himself, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Williams in 1969, Mr. and Mrs. Hugh J. Grant in 1974, Robert Koch, Lillian Nassau, and many others.

Tiffany Favrile Peacock vase, from the Havemeyer donation

The Met’s Louis Comfort Tiffany collection began in 1896 with a donation of 56 blown Favrile glass vases and roundels from Henry Osborne Havemeyer, the sugar magnate, and one of the first collectors of Favrile glass.

Tiffany American Indian chandelier

In 1899, Tiffany was asked to design the interior of a home owned by Robert and Emily de Forest in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, near Tiffany’s country estate, Laurelton Hall. Even though Tiffany was asked to create a floral shade for the home, he purportedly responded “That is not what you need for your hall, you need an Indian Basket”, as the de Forests owned a large collection of Indian baskets and pottery. The result was a spectacular chandelier in the American Indian pattern. The chandelier did not make it into the Met’s collection until it was donated in 1969 by Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Williams, in memory of the de Forests.

Tiffany mosaic fountain, contribution of Lillian Nassau

One of the more spectacular items in the Met’s collection is a mosaic fountain, donated by Lillian Nassau in 1976. The background is entirely made of tiny mosaic tiles, called tesserae. It’s incredible in person.

The collection is much more extensive than I can cover here, including pottery, enamels, furniture, fabrics, jewelry and art. So I suggest you do two things. First visit the American Wing of the Metropolitan Museum of Art when you’re in New York. If Tiffany interests you, the museum’s collection will enchant you. The second is to join the Art Glass Forum and attend their monthly lectures. Click here for a link to their website.

Cute glass “food”

I hope to put together videos of the glassblowing demonstration we saw in Murano, Italy, for uploading to youtube soon. You’ll want to see it if the process of glassblowing interests you.

Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, November 4-6, 2016. This is our only fall show in the greater Chicago area (and probably our last show of the year). We always look forward to exhibiting there, especially to see all our friends and clients. Put it in your calendar. It’s a lovely show!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Tiffany

Strong price for a Tiffany Studios window at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 12, 2016

Some superb items were sold at Rago Auctions The Jerome Shaw Collection, October 14, 2016

I won’t bid at Jackson’s International Auctioneers in Cedar Falls, Iowa

Tiffany Studios lamps lead the way in James D. Julia’s record $3.1 million Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, November 18, 2016

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Doyle New York sold some interesting Tiffany Studios objects at its 20th Century Art and Design sale, November 9, 2016

The Art Glass Forum began its season with a lecture on Louis C. Tiffany, October 4, 2016

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

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