Some good results at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, December 17, 2015

Posted on December 31, 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.

It’s December 31, 2015. Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year, filled with Peace!

Bonham’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on December 17, 2015, immediately following their The Artistry of Tiffany sale. I will only concern myself with the beginning of the sale, which included works by Tiffany Studios, the Martin Brothers and Daum Nancy.

Tiffany Studios Floral Bouquet chandelier, Bonham’s lot #1008

The first nine lots of the sale were offerings by Tiffany Studios. Of this group, the top lot was a 28¼” diameter Floral Bouquet chandelier. It doubled its high estimate of $120,000, realizing an impressive $293,000, including buyer’s premium. There are more buyers for table lamps than chandeliers, which made the result even more notable. It easily exceeded the high of $137,000 for all of the Tiffany Studios items in the previous The Artistry of Tiffany sale.

Martin Brothers aquatic vase, Bonham’s lot #1010

Lot #1010 was a large, incredible Martin Brothers stoneware aquatic vase from 1892, with 3-dimensional carving and barnacles. I was drooling over this vase, especially with an unbelievably low estimate of $2,000 – $3,000. I knew I had a chance, but only if the major collectors weren’t interested. I was willing to pay way over the high estimate, but unfortunately I wasn’t the buyer. At $20,000, I was the underbidder. Oh well. At least I made the buyer pay, but I really wanted this lot. Martin Brothers collectors have deep pockets, so I think I would have been outbid no matter what.

Daum Nancy Impressionist vase, Bonham’s lot #1011

The three Daum Nancy lots did very well, with the best results for lot #1011, an Impressionist vase with yellow trees on a purple mottled background. It easily exceeded its high estimate of $15,000, realizing $27,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

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

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

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

Fair results for Bonham’s New York The Artistry of Tiffany sale, December 17, 2015

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s New York held their The Artistry of Tiffany sale on December 17, 2015, with total sales of $820,000 for the very small 25-lot auction. 8 lots did not sell, which worked out to an average of $48,235 for each of the 17 sold lots, well below the results of both Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

Tiffany Studios 16″ diameter Snowball table lamp, Bonham’s lot #8

Tiffany Studios 18″ diameter Peony table lamp, Bonham’s lot #15

Two Tiffany Studios’ lamps tied for best results at $137,000 each, including buyer’s premium — lot 8, a 16″ diameter Snowball, and lot 15, an 18″ diameter Peony.

Tiffany Favrile Aquamarine vase, Bonham’s lot #18

The top glass lot was #18, a Tiffany Aquamarine vase, made to depict aquatic subject matter. Aquamarine vases are heavy, with thick glass containing embedded glass objects, like a glass paperweight. Lot #18 contained embedded water lilies and was a nice size at 10″ tall. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $60,000 – $80,000, realizing $81,250, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

Fair results for the Tiffany portion of Christie’s Design sale, December 18, 2015

Posted on December 21, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s New York held their Design sale on December 18, 2015 with total sales of $5,169,125 for the 152-lot auction. The first 36 lots of the sale were Tiffany Studios items. 10 of those failed to sell, which worked out to a total of $1,378,500 for the Tiffany, for an average of $53,019 for the 26 sold lots, considerably below the results of Sotheby’s Tiffany sale two days earlier.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Peony table lamp, Christie’s lot #318

Top lot of the Tiffany portion of the sale was #318, a Tiffany Studios 22″ diameter Peony table lamp, with a rare Favrile glass ball base. It sold below its pre-sale estimate of $180,000 – $240,000, realizing $173,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Christie’s lot #311

Oops on my prediction that the Christie’s blue Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase would bring less money than the example at Sotheby’s. Christie’s Jack, lot #311, sold for an incredible $161,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 – $120,000. That was $42,250 more than the $118,750 spent on the Sotheby’s example. I thought the color on the Sotheby’s example was much better than Christie’s, but Christie’s example was bigger by 2″, 21¼” versus 19¼”. That worked out to $21,125 per extra inch. Whew!

Rare Tiffany Studios inkwell, Christie’s lot #317

Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell, Nadeau’s Auction, October, 30, 2010

Lot #317 was a rare Tiffany Studios Turtleback triple inkwell. It also sold below its estimate of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $25,000, including buyer’s premium. This is only the second time I’ve seen this inkwell come up for sale at auction. A far better example sold at Nadeau’s Auction Gallery, Windsor, Connecticut, on October, 30, 2010, for $37,500. It had three distinct colors, red, blue and green and a much better patina. It’s my understanding that the dealer who bought it subsequently sold it for $75,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

Smokin’ results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 16, 2015

Posted on December 17, 2015 by Philip Chasen

I don’t know what they were smoking at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale yesterday, December 16, 2015, but bidders were in a fine mood. Sales totaled $7,679,250 for the small 59-lot auction. 8 lots failed to sell, but that worked out to a very impressive average of $150,573 for the other 51 sold lots.

Tiffany Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #211

Top lot of the sale was #211, a Tiffany Studios 22″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, descended in the family of Andrew Carnegie. Provenance doesn’t get better, which showed in the results. It flew past the estimate of $250,000 — $350,000 to realize a truly remarkable $2,110,000, including buyer’s premium. Wow!

Tiffany Studios Pebble lamp, Sotheby’s lot #244

The second highest lot was another lamp, a relatively small, but rare, Tiffany Studios Pebble design, made with real pebbles. It wasn’t my cup of tea, so I wouldn’t have even bid the low estimate. But the bidders didn’t ask me first. They were hot to trot and shelled out 760,000 bananas, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000.

Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sotheby’s lot #223

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the sale was #223, a gorgeous blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase. I wonder if this is the vase that I bought together with another dealer about 35 years ago. It looked really familiar. It sold for $118,750, well above the pre-sale estimate of $50,000 — $80,000. Christie’s is going to sell another blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase this Friday, but I don’t think it’s as pretty. It should sell for less than this one.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.

Some interesting results at Skinner’s 20th Century Design auction, December 5, 2015

Posted on December 10, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Skinner Boston held their 20th Century Design auction this past Saturday, December 5, 2015. The sale wasn’t one of their best, with a weak selection of offerings, but there were still some interesting results. A fair number of items did not sell, while too many others sold for less than $1,000.

Rookwood plaque, Skinner lot #250

One of the best results was lot # 250, a large Rookwood scenic vellum plaque, 10″ x 14″ + frame. The good result was especially interesting as the market for Rookwood has been soft for years. The subject was a nighttime seascape, painted by Sturgis Lawrence in 1902. The pre-sale estimate was low at $1,500 – $2,500, but the result was still a surprise — $14,760, including buyer’s premium.

Dedham pottery vase, Skinner lot #276

18 lots of Dedham pottery were offered. The vases did well, while the plates floundered. The best of the group was lot #76, a 9″ Art Nouveau vase decorated with a nude. It sold well beyond its high estimate of $2,500, realizing $10,455, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Daffodil table lamp, Skinner lot #318

The best Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale, lot #318, a 22″ diameter Daffodil, did not sell, probably because the estimate was too aggressive at $100,000 – $150,000. $60,000 – $90,000 would have been more appropriate and probably would have resulted in a sale. Auction houses continually struggle with consignors to lower their estimates and reserves, but often the consignors win the battle, but lose the war, when their items don’t sell.

For the complete results of the sale click here.

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Philip Chasen

The buying has been really good for me recently with most of my effort directed at acquiring exciting examples of French cameo and Tiffany Favrile glass. I’m listing a few of them here (in no particular order) and will be listing them as fast as I can on my website.

Rare Gallé Undersea 11″ vase

First up is a really special Gallé vase with undersea flora. Aquatic subject matter of this sort is rare for Gallé and this particular example is the best I’ve ever owned or seen. The size is large, but not overwhelming, at 11″ tall and bulbous. What’s exciting are the detail and especially the colors, with exquisite, realistic greens and blues.

Another special example of the finest of Gallé glass is a monumental, 19″, Trumpet Flower vase with red flowers on a yellow background. The colors, the size and the shape make it a superb, desirable vase.

Important Tiffany 9¾” red decorated vase

If you know about Tiffany Favrile glass, you know that red is the most desirable color. I’ve been fortunate to acquire two great examples, both of which are decorated red, not solid red. The first example is larger, 9¾” tall, with busy blue and black decoration. The second is smaller, with simpler decoration and a lower price, of course.

I’m trying to list many new items on my website, as fast as I can. If you check my site often, you’ll see regular updates.

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.

Julia’s held one of their best ever Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auctions this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Posted on November 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their semi-annual Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015, with approximately $2.4 million in sales — one of their best ever for the division. The sale included five private collections of high quality goods, some with no reserves. As I’ve noted many times in the past, nothing makes for a better auction than three key ingredients — 1. fresh-to-the-market items; 2. high quality; 3. no or low reserves. It’s like fresh meat to the lions and these lions were hungry.

Important Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1130

French glass did extremely well, with some ultra-high quality items in the mix. Lot 1130, a gorgeous Gallé marquetry vase in the original box, was the best item of the French glass. Estimated to sell for $15,000 – $20,000, it realized $53,325, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Le Verre Francais cat vase, Julia lot #1611

Surprisingly, a nice collection of Le Verre Francais vases and lamps also did well at the end of the sale. The Le Verre market has been soft for a while, so it was nice to see new interest. Lot #1611, a rare, large (23¼”) cat vase, was the best of the group. It sold for $10,665, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

Loetz Phaenomen vase, Julia lot #1143

The selection of Loetz glass was strong and so were the prices. A large, 12″ Loetz Phaenomen vase, estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000, sold for five times it’s high estimate, realizing $29,625, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Cypriote vase, Julia lot #1108

The selection of Tiffany Favrile glass was also strong, with some vases selling at considerable premiums over their pre-sale estimates. Lot #1108 was a gorgeous Cypriote miniature example. It sold for many times it’s estimate of $800-1,200, realizing $11,257.50.

Tiffany Studios Koi Fish lamp, Julia lot #1202

The best Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale did well. Lot #1202 was a rare Koi fish example, consigned by a Japanese national. Previously this exact lamp had sold at Christie’s in March, 1990, for $104,500. After the seven phone bidders were done, it went out the door for $106,650, against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000-100,000.

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

I’ve listed many new items on my website and will continue to list many new (and great) items that I’ve recently purchased, both on our buying trip and elsewhere. We have a treasure trove of goodies, so please check my site often for updates.

Some strong prices at Philip Weiss Auctions, October 8, 2015

Posted on October 12, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Sorry for the problems with the website and blog. The site was down for a while for maintenance.

Philip Weiss Auctions, Lynbrook, NY, held a sale entitled Estate Sale, Paintings, Porcelain, Jewelry on Thursday, October 8, 2015. Included in the sale were several very good lots that I tried unsuccessfully to buy. Prices were beyond what a dealer could pay.

Wonderful Daum Nancy floral and butterfly vase, Weiss lot #214

Lot #214 was a killer Daum vase that I really wanted. It had everything going for it including butterflies, blue hydrangea flowers, applied cabochons and gilding, plus a nice big size at 15½”. I thought the estimate was a little strong at $12,000 – 16,000, but I was still interested. It finally sold for $20,700, including buyer’s premium. I was the underbidder. Oh well, better luck next time.

Tiffany Studios mosaic inkwell, Weiss lot #534

Weiss didn’t think much of lot #534, a Tiffany Studios mosaic inkwell, so he put an estimate of $800 – $1,200. That was really low. The buying public knew better and bid it to $11,212.50, including buyer’s premium, when I had to drop out. It wasn’t even the best example I’d ever seen. It had a couple of small chips to the mosaic tiles, plus the patina was gone, and it was only signed on the insert. But guess what? Water under the bridge — the public has spoken.

We’re off to Europe on a two-week buying trip, so I’ll do my best to post twice a week, but it may not be possible. I’m sure we’ll bring back a few great items for our upcoming shows.

Our next show will be at the Winnetka Community House in Winnetka, IL, November 6-8, 2015. We used to exhibit at shows in the greater Chicago area 4-6 times yearly. Most of them have disappeared, so we now only exhibit in Chicago twice a year, once in the fall in Winnetka and once in the spring in Glencoe at the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Too bad, because we like Chicago and have lots of friends and clients. We’re really looking forward to seeing you at the show, so please put the dates in your calendar.

More good results at recent auctions

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Green R. Lalique Sauterelles vase, Grogan lot #192

Grogan & Company, Boston, MA, held The September Auction on Sep 27, 2015. Included in the sale was lot #192: an R. Lalique Sauterelles vase in green. The low estimate of $3,000 – $5,000 made it seem like there was a chance I could buy it. Occasionally something falls through the cracks, and I’ll be there to catch it. Not this time! The vase sold for $15,860, including buyer’s premium.

Daum Fall scenic vase, Fontaine lot #1

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery held a nice general sale this past Saturday, October 3, 2015. We drove all the way to Pittsfield, MA, just to preview the sale as there were quite a few lots I wanted to purchase. In general, the results were strong, so we wound up buying very few items. All the best ones sold for more than we were willing to pay, starting with lot #1, a beautiful, but small (6″), Daum Nancy scenic vase, decorated by Daum’s best artist, “B.S.”. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it realized $8,470, including buyer’s premium — too much for a dealer, but not a collector.

Tiffany Favrile red decorated vase, Fontaine lot #43

I also wanted to buy a small (3¼”), but very nice, decorated red Tiffany Favrile vase, Fontaine lot #43. It also went too high for me, but not a collector — $6,957.50, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

Rare Tiffany red decorated Favrile perfume bottle, Fontaine lot #67

Lot #67 generated even more excitement. It was a very rare Tiffany Favrile red decorated perfume bottle, 6½” tall. Tiffany didn’t make many perfume bottles, let alone decorated red. The problem for me was that it only had a Tiffany paper label, with no signature on the glass. Most of my clients insist on a signature on the glass, so I took a pass on this lot. Well guess what? Fontaine’s didn’t need me. It sold for $16,940, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

For the complete catalog of the Fontaine sale, click here.

Handel and Tiffany lamps sell at Julia’s Summer Fine Art, Asian, & Antiques Auction, August 27, 2015

Posted on September 3, 2015 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held a 4-day Summer Fine Art, Asian, & Antiques Auction, August 25-28, 2015. I’m only reporting on the lots that interest me, but you can view the entire sale by clicking the link in the fifth paragraph below. For this auction it was lot #3061, a Handel lamp, and #3327, a Tiffany Favrile lamp.

Handel 18″ diameter scenic table lamp, Julia lot #3061

Lot #3061 was a rare and really beautiful 18″ diameter scenic table lamp with a rocky stream and tree trunk base. It sold for $10,665, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $3,000 – $5,000. At one time, this was a $25,000 lamp, but since I’m not sure of today’s price, I dropped out as the underbidder. Reverse-painted lamps are difficult to photograph, but I know from experience that it’s much more beautiful in person.

Wheel-carved Tiffany Favrile lamp, Julia lot #3327

Lot #3327 was an interesting Tiffany Favrile table lamp, with two unusual features. First the base was matching glass (Favrile shades usually have bronze bases). Secondly the decoration on the shade was completely wheel-carved (engraved) by hand when the shade was cold. Favrile lamps are more commonly decorated by the gaffer when molten, frequently with wave decoration. It did have a couple of flaws — some original folds on the underside and an unsoldered arm on the fitter (which is easy to fix). Estimated to sell for $4,000 – $6,000, it realized $8,887.50, including buyer’s premium.

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

nyc-big-flea-9-2015 Our next show will be The Big Flea Market at Pier 94 in New York City, September 26-27. Last year was the first time for this show and it was good. The attendees were completely different than the established Pier Antique Show that takes place in November and March each year, making it a totally different experience.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Category Archives: Tiffany

Some good results at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, December 17, 2015

Fair results for Bonham’s New York The Artistry of Tiffany sale, December 17, 2015

Fair results for the Tiffany portion of Christie’s Design sale, December 18, 2015

Smokin’ results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 16, 2015

Some interesting results at Skinner’s 20th Century Design auction, December 5, 2015

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Julia’s held one of their best ever Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auctions this past Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Some strong prices at Philip Weiss Auctions, October 8, 2015

More good results at recent auctions

Handel and Tiffany lamps sell at Julia’s Summer Fine Art, Asian, & Antiques Auction, August 27, 2015