Category Archives: Tiffany

Some nice Tiffany Studios objects sold at Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque sale, June 8, 2016

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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 sale on June 8, 2016, with total sales of $970,913, of which 80% sold by lot and 95% sold by value. Most of the Tiffany Studios objects came from the collection of Julien Cuny, a decorator at Tiffany Studios beginning at age 12 in 1903.

Tiffany Studios Peony shade, Doyle lot #478

Tiffany Studios Peony shade, Doyle lot #478

The top lot of the sale was #478, a Tiffany Studios 18″ diameter Peony shade only. It was in excellent, but filthy condition, with an improvised cap. Eventually this shade will be cleaned and reunited with a proper Tiffany Studios base, returning it to the beautiful table lamp it once was. It sold in the middle of its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000, realizing $37,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Agate vase, Doyle lot #470

Tiffany Favrile Agate vase, Doyle lot #470

A beautiful and rare Tiffany Favrile Agate vase sold above its high estimate of $15,000, realizing $23,750, including buyer’s premium.

Pair of Tiffany Studios windows from the First Presbyterian Church of Hoboken, NJ, Doyle lot #482

Pair of Tiffany Studios windows from the First Presbyterian Church of Hoboken, NJ, Doyle lot #482

An authentic pair of Tiffany Studios windows from the First Presbyterian Church of Hoboken, NJ, failed to garner any interest whatsoever and, of course, did not sell. This was even with a relatively low estimate of $20,000 – $30,000 for the pair. The present owner had paid $101,575 for them at a Christie’s auction in 2004. It wasn’t much of a surprise that they didn’t sell, as they were quite boring. What was more amazing was that the buyer paid $101,575 for them in the first place. There also had to be an underbidder on that day in 2004, proving they both had more cents than sense. (One of my favorite lines.)

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

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.

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.

The results of Sotheby’s New York Important Design sale, June 7, 2016

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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 New York held its Important Design sale on June 7, 2016, with total sales of $6,717,625. The first 41 lots of the sale were all assorted Tiffany Studios items, followed by a couple of Martin Brothers lots and a couple of Zsolnay lots. I looked at the sale with blinders, so the next 150 or so lots were of little interest to me (but they may be to you. See the link below.)

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Sotheby's lot #35

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #35

Top lot of the Tiffany Studios group was #35, a Laburnum lamp. It sold at the low estimate of $250,000, including buyer’s premium. The results were soft compared to the December sales, which is usually the case. Cold weather keeps people indoors so they have more time to peruse the Internet and research sales.

Martin Brothers aquatic vase, Sotheby's lot #44

Martin Brothers aquatic vase, Sotheby’s lot #44

Martin Brothers stoneware continues to be a bright spot. A very nice aquatic vase, lot #44, 11½” tall, dated 1898, sold for $12,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $7,000 – $9,000. I was quite fond of it, but only managed to be the underbidder, not the successful buyer. There are limits to what a dealer can pay.

Zsolnay vases, Sotheby's lot #s 47 and 48

Zsolnay vases, Sotheby’s lot #s 47 and 48

Two large Zsolnay lots, #s 47 and 48, did very well, partly because they had very desirable red decoration. Each sold for well above their high estimates of $12,000 and $15,000, realizing $22,500 and $35,000, respectively, including buyer’s premiums.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

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.

Making sense of Tiffany Studios’ desk set numbering

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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.

Jamie S. Reynolds

Jamie S. Reynolds

The following is a guest post by Jamie S. Reynolds, daughter of Gwen Stebbins of lilabycreekantiques.com, a Michigan dealer with over thirty years’ experience. Please feel free to contact her with your questions about Tiffany desk sets. Jamie@lilabycreekantiques.com or Gwen@lilabycreekantiques.com

Having known Phil Chasen my entire life, I jumped at the chance to contribute when asked to be a guest on his blog. Hopefully you will check back in the future for additional Tiffany Studios articles. –Jamie

Tiffany Grapevine stamp box, marked

Tiffany Grapevine stamp box, marked “41”

stamp 10stamp 6Much is made of signatures (typically for good reason!) in the world of Tiffany Studios desk set pieces, but with light research and deduction, it can be fairly easy to make sense of what seems to be anomalous. Most Tiffany desk set pieces bear a three or four-digit registration number along with the “TIFFANY STUDIOS” or “TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK” stamp, while others are simply marked with the studio name. Three and four-digit numbers correspond to individual items. For instance “801” refers to Etched Metal & Glass (Grapevine or Pine Needle) stamp boxes. What confuses some people are the pieces with two-digit numbers. Apparently the two-digit numbers were used for assembly, as many of Tiffany’s desk items were complicated and constructed of multiple pieces. The separate pieces typically bear an assembly number somewhere, usually hidden once constructed.

Tiffany Grapevine box marked "801"

Tiffany Grapevine box marked “801”

Above is a Tiffany Studios stamp box in the classic Grapevine pattern, with registration number 801. While signatures (or lack thereof) are not the sole defining characteristic of Tiffany desk set pieces, a basic understanding of them can easily help a collector choose pieces that are correct but seem anomalous or, on the other hand, avoid pieces that do not coincide with any published information.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

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.

Some good results at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers’ Modern Design sale, May 12, 2016

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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 held a Modern Design sale on May 12, 2016, with some good results.

Loetz Phänomen vase, Hindman lot #267

Loetz Phänomen vase, Hindman lot #267

Lot #267 was a rare and desirable 6¾” Loetz decorated Phänomen vase, property of the estate of John P. Landis. It flew past its pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000, bringing $20,000, including buyer’s premium. I knew how rare it was so I was on the phone bidding, but I never even got to make the first bid — way too much for a dealer.

Left, Hindman lot #494. Right, the original candlestick.

Left, Hindman lot #494. Right, the original candlestick.

Lot #494 was a rare Tiffany Studios candlestick that needed professional help. Regardless, it easily exceeded its high estimate of $12,000, realizing $17,500, including buyer’s premium. Someone had converted it into a ridiculous lamp by removing some original parts and adding modern parts. With the right professional help, it’s possible to find original parts and return it back into its original state as a candlestick. Almost surely that’s what’s going to happen. Nobody in their right mind would pay $17,500 unless they could do it. Should be worth $35,000+ when it’s done.

Tiffany Greek Key table lamp, Hindman lot #495

Tiffany Greek Key table lamp, Hindman lot #495

A Tiffany Studios 16″ diameter Greek Key table lamp, lot #495, brought a decent price. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $25,000, realizing $23,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

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.

Cottone Auctions offered Tiffany Studios lamps for sale on March 19, 2016

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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.

Cottone Auctions held a 30 Year Anniversary Fine Art & Antique Auction on Mar 19, 2016. Included in the sale were four Tiffany Studios leaded lamps.

Tiffany geometric and ball table lamp, Cottone lot #265

Tiffany geometric and ball table lamp, Cottone lot #265

Top lot of the group was #265, a rare 22″ diameter geometric and ball lamp. It sold within its estimated range of $50,000 – $75,000, realizing $72,450, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 20" diameter Daffodil table lamp, Cottone lot #260

Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Daffodil table lamp, Cottone lot #260

The second best result was a 20″ diameter Daffodil table lamp. It sold toward the lower end of its estimated range of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $35,650, including buyer’s premium.

Lot #271 was a 16″ Acorn table lamp with a few condition problems, described as “Shade slightly out of round and several cracked panels. Base has original patina, some wear, small dent.” It also sold at the low end of its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $8,625, including buyer’s premium. Lot #267 was a 24″ diameter Curtain Border floor lamp. It failed to sell with an estimate of $50,000 – $75,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is only two weeks away. 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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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

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!

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.

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.

The results of the National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, February 19-21, 2016

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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.

The historic Grove Park Inn

The historic Grove Park Inn

The National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, closed yesterday, after a three-day run from February 19-21. The show was very well attended with enthusiastic, knowledgeable collectors.

Part of the huge line of attendees at the opening on Friday

Part of the huge line of attendees at the opening on Friday

It’s an event, not just a show. The audience is captive while staying at the resort and spends more than the usual amount of time participating in the show and associated lectures and tours on the Arts & Crafts movement in the United States. The show is different than most others in that it’s divided into an antiques section and a crafts section. There’s no mixing of the two, so attendees are clear who’s who.

We sold this fine Tiffany Favrile counterbalance floor lamp with intaglio-carved dragonfly at the show

We sold this fine Tiffany Favrile counterbalance floor lamp with intaglio-carved dragonfly at the show

We sold in three days almost exactly what we sold last week at the impossibly long, 6-day, Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show, but this time we made a profit because of our expenses were much lower. It’s a fun show, in a glorious, historic hotel. Put it on your calendar for a visit next year. You’ll thank me.

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.

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.

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

A progress report on the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show

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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.

The Palm Beach Jewelry, Art & Antique Show has been open to the public since last Thursday and will remain open until tomorrow, Tuesday, at 6 PM. Following is a contemporaneous account of the show.

Thursday, opening day, 2:15 PM
The show started with very few people, probably because there were so many attendees the previous night at the preview party. It got more crowded as the day progressed, but the quality of the inquiries has been poor. No sales. One potential sale.

Thursday, 7 PM
The first day is over and it’s been quite disappointing. Only one small sale. Attendance petered out later in the day. Hopefully things will improve or this show will result in a loss of both time and money.

Friday, 2:30 PM, in my booth

Friday, 2:30 PM, in my booth

Friday, 2 PM
Surprisingly, attendance seems better today than opening day. The quality of the inquiries has been better and there’s hope for some sales later in the day, but none as of now.

We sold this important Daum Nancy Impressionist vase at the show

We sold this important Daum Nancy Impressionist vase at the show

Friday, 7 PM
Strange day. Didn’t work out at all the way I thought it would. None of the early clients returned to make a purchase. However, one of my clients who hasn’t purchased anything in a few years made a special trip to visit the show and made a major purchase. So the day ended well. It’s still scary that we’ve made only two total sales.

4 PM Saturday. That's my booth on the left.

4 PM Saturday. That’s my booth on the left.

Saturday, 3:30 PM
Attendance has been good, but not with the right people. Too many people are looking to appraise their own items and are not interested in purchasing. A man who spent 30 minutes with us yesterday because he was “interested” in a bronze, came in today to tell me he disagrees with my attribution of the artist and showed me photos of his identical bronze. Give me a break! Some people are clueless.

Saturday, 7 PM
What a depressing day. Lots of people walking by, but nobody serious. PBSG gives out thousands and thousands of free tickets, so why not come and visit a prestigious antique show if you don’t have to pay? Great for the public. Awful for the exhibitors.

Sunday, 1:30 PM
Attendance is better today than any previous day. We’ve had some good early interest, but so far everyone is a “be back”. Hopefully this day will end better.

We sold this fine Tiffany Studios inkwell on Sunday

We sold this fine Tiffany Studios inkwell on Sunday

Sunday, 7 PM
The show clouds parted and the sun shone. Thank goodness we finally had a decent day. We still haven’t made our expenses, but at least it’s not a disaster.

You still have until tomorrow to visit the show. Please accept two free tickets by clicking on the image below.

Click on this image for two free tickets to the show

Click on this image for two free tickets to the show

Tune in Thursday for the final results.

grove-park-2-2016The National Arts & Crafts Conference will run from February 19-21. It’s a beautiful show in an amazing 1910 historic hotel. The focus is Arts & Crafts, both antique and new. It’s a very pleasant show that we enjoy doing. Attendees fly in from all over the US.

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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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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.

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

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.