Setting up at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show, May 16-17, 2017

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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 finished setting up yesterday at the Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show. We were given plenty of time from Tuesday through Thursday, but it went so well that we finished a day early. Yay! We now have today to play, so we’ll probably go to the Art Institute of Chicago to see their fabulous collection of French Impressionist art before tonight’s preview party (where I hope there’s plenty of free alcohol!)

We’re very pleased with our booth

The show is really great with high quality dealers from all over the world, including the UK and Argentina. I hope that attendance is fabulous and the dealers do well so it becomes a fixture on the show calendar. Tune in Monday for the results.

Only Authentics, New York, NY

Jeff R. Bridgman Antiques, York County, PA

Jayne Thompson Antiques, Harrodsburg, KY

Greenwald Antiques, Cleveland, OH

Ophir Gallery, Englewood, NJ

The show opens to the public tomorrow, Friday, May 19th, at 11 AM, and continues until Sunday at 5 PM. You won’t regret the trip to the show, so I hope to see you this weekend.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public this Friday, May 19, 2017

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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.

I’m thrilled the revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show will return to the Chicago Merchandise Mart, after an absence of four years. It opens to the public this Friday, May 19th, at 11 AM, and continues until Sunday at 5 PM, with a preview party on Thursday night.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart

I thought an antique show would never return to the Mart after the show closed in May, 2013. The Palm Beach Show Group forced the closing of the show by making dealers decide between exhibiting at the Mart or the Navy Pier. Dealers chose the Navy Pier, which hosted one show and then failed. I hoped the Merchandise Mart show would be revived the following year, but it didn’t happen until this year. Click here for the details from my blog post of January 6, 2014.

The new edition of the show will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. If the show goes well, it will become a permanent fixture, a result I’m hoping for.

We’ll have this wonderful Daum Nancy tumbler at the show

As usual, we’ve brought a fabulous inventory of French and American glass and lamps. I know you’ll enjoy the show and my display in particular. This fabulous show is one you should attend, no matter the distance. Please stop into my booth and say hello.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Tesla is taking pre-orders for solar tile roofs

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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.

A Tesla solar roof

I know this subject has nothing to do with antiques, but it’s so cool, I decided to write about it. Tesla is taking pre-orders for solar tile roofs. Click here to find out all about it. You have to scroll down. It includes a calculator for the approximate cost and savings. All you have to do is put in your address and answer two simple questions about your home. It’s not cheap, but it’s the future.

Now why don’t they put them on the roofs of their cars? Then the cars would recharge just by sitting in the parking lot on a sunny day.

The revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public next Friday, May 19th. I was quite sad when the original show folded a few years ago, as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 19-21, 2017, with a preview party the night of the 18th.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Let’s examine a reproduction Gallé marquetry vase

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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.

Reproduction Gallé marquetry vase

In my duties as a consultant to various auction houses, I was asked to authenticate a “Gallé” marquetry vase. Following are some photos of it and an authentic Gallé marquetry vase.

The marquetry technique involved applying molten glass to a vase and then pressing the applications into the vase. After the vase cooled, the applied glass was detailed by wheel-carving, except for some Gallé study vases marked Étude. The marquetry technique also refers to wood, where a veneer was cut into shapes and glued to the surface to create a design. Marquetry decoration in both glass and wood is neither raised nor depressed, but flat. The term inlaid is appropriate.

Gallé marquetry table

The reproduction vase signature

Let’s examine some of the details of the reproduction vase (first photo above). Observe the primary colors. Authentic Gallé colors are more refined and subtle. Then notice the acid-etched leaves on the vase. Authentic marquetry vases do not have any acid-etched design. The fancy Oriental signature (above) is just a trick to throw a potential buyer off the track. After all, how can a reproduction vase have such an impressive signature? Then examine the photo below of the real McCoy. Notice the beautiful colors and the fine detail from wheel-carving. To the trained eye, the differences are huge. This lesson should help the untrained eye.

Authentic Gallé marquetry vase

The contemporary glass market is alive and well, which is where the maker of this vase should have used his/her talent.

The revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart opens to the public next Friday, May 19th. I was quite sad when the original show folded a few years ago, as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 19-21, 2017, with a preview party the night of the 18th.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

How to spot a fake Argy-Rousseau moth paperweight

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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.

Reproduction Argy-Rousseau moth paperweight

A colleague/dealer from California was suspicious about an “Argy-Rousseau” pâte-de-verre moth paperweight he had purchased, so he emailed me photos for authentication.

The signature on the fake paperweight

The easiest way to tell a fake is the signature. Take a look above at the poorly hand-engraved letters of different thicknesses and matte finish. Now take a look at the photo below of an authentic signature. Each letter is shiny, with even width and depth. The signature was in the mold and not hand-engraved.

An authentic Argy-Rousseau signature (from a vase)

An authentic Argy-Rousseau moth paperweight

Now go back to the first photograph and take a look at the rest of the fake paperweight. It has a dull semi-matte finish with a grainy texture to the moths, unlike the shinier, smoother authentic paperweight. If you could hold both of them in your hands, the differences would be even more striking. And now you know the rest of the story. (Spoken slowly and with emphasis by Paul Harvey.)

Monday’s blog will be another lesson on French glass fakes. This time the subject will be a “Gallé” marquetry vase.

It’s almost time to travel to Chicago for our next show, the revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. I was quite sad when it folded a few years ago as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 18-21, 2017.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

A few lamp results from Pook & Pook’s International & Americana auction, April 29, 2017

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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.

Pook & Pook, Inc., Downingtown, PA, held their International & Americana auction yesterday, April 29, 2017. Included in the sale was a fine Handel reverse-painted scenic floor lamp and several very good Tiffany and Handel lamp bases.

Handel scenic floor lamp, Pook & Pook lot #428

The Handel scenic floor lamp was sold as lot #428. Most Handel floor lamps have simple shades, making scenic shades of this quality moderately rare. I thought the lamp was fairly estimated at $3,000 – $4,000, but it did not sell, failing to reach its reserve.

Tiffany Studios decorated junior floor base, Pook & Pook lot #430

Lot #430, a Tiffany Studios decorated junior floor base, was the best lamp base for sale at the auction. With six sockets and an excellent original patina, it carried a fair estimate of $15,000 – $20,000. Decorated junior floor lamp bases are more valuable that undecorated ones as they are better suited for 20″ – 22″ diameter floral shades. Undecorated floor bases have smooth surfaces with no ribbing or onion decoration and are good for geometric shades. The base sold under the low estimate, realizing $15,860, including buyer’s premium — a really good price for the buyer.

Also included in the sale were one more Tiffany Studios floor base, lot #429, and several very good Handel bases, lots #431-433. Two sold within their estimates, but one Handel harp floor lamp failed to reach its reserve.

Click here to view all the items in the sale. As of Tuesday morning, May 2, the prices realized have not yet been posted.

I’m really looking forward to our next show, the revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. I was quite sad when it folded a few years ago as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 18-21, 2017.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The results of the 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show, April 22-23, 2017

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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.

Friday, 8 PM. I’m starting to write this post on Friday night from the preview party of the 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show. Silly me thinking I might sell something at a preview party. I should have hired a booth sitter and gone to the movies instead. The show opens tomorrow morning at 10 AM. Got my fingers crossed.

We sold this gorgeous Daum padded and wheel-carved Poppy vase at the show

UPDATE: Saturday, 4 PM. Attendance has been moderate all day, with decent interest, but only one good sale. Thanks to the client who made my day. I know you read my blog.

There were people in my booth on Saturday afternoon

UPDATE: Sunday, 6 PM. The show is over and I’m disappointed. We made one small sale today and not much else happened. Two sales do not a show make. We just about broke even. I do see the possibility for better business at this show down the road, so we’re going to sign up for the October, 2017 edition. If we don’t see improvement, that will be it for Michigan.

The show is very pleasant to do. The space is comfortable, airy and well lit (but that’s actually a minus for a lamp dealer). The show promoter, Bob Bockius, has bent over backwards to please the dealers and the public, including free wine and beer. Here’s wishing him and the show good luck.

I’m really looking forward to our next show, the revived Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. I was quite sad when it folded a few years ago as it was always one of my favorite shows. The new edition will have a new promoter, Dolphin Promotions, headed by Rosemary Krieger. There hasn’t been an antique show in downtown Chicago for several years, so I’m hoping this one will be met with a lot of enthusiasm. The show runs from May 18-21, 2017.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Setting up at the 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show, April 20, 2017

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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.

Yesterday we spent the entire day setting up at the 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show in Southfield. It went very well for a variety of reasons including 1. We unloaded and set up the showcases on Wednesday. 2. We had an additional person helping, so there were four of us. 3. We had a huge booth, so we weren’t stepping all over each other. We finished in one day, which was quite an accomplishment. We’ll have the day off today, Friday, but we have to come back for the preview party this evening, 6:00 – 9:30 PM. I really hate preview parties, but I have a funny feeling that we might do some business at this party. I’ve got my fingers crossed.

Thursday setup in our booth

We set up a killer booth, with the best assortment of French and American glass and lamps that we’ve ever brought. With the huge amount of space, we were able to set up a great booth with everything showing well. It looks great! We’re set to have a fabulous show if the buying public cooperates. If the show goes well, we’ll be thrilled to return. If it’s a bomb, goodbye Michigan.

Meyers-Huffman is setting up a beautiful booth at the show

The show opens to the public this Saturday at 10 AM and continues until Sunday at 5 PM. Please visit the show and do your part. If you want me to return, pay me a visit. Thanking you in advance!! Click here for more information.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show opens to the public this Saturday, April 22, 2017

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Thursday’s post will be delayed until Friday as setup in Southfield, MI doesn’t start until Thursday.

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’re traveling to Michigan this week to exhibit at the 2017 Michigan Modernism Art & Antiques Show in Southfield. We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens to the public this Saturday at 10 AM and continues until Sunday at 5 PM. There will be a preview party on Friday from 6 – 9:30 PM. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am about that. 🙁

We’ll have this killer Daum Nancy Spring scenic vase at the show

We’re bringing one of the strongest inventories we’ve ever carried, including an amazing selection of French and American glass and lamps by Tiffany Studios, Handel, Pairpoint, Daum Nancy and Gallé, to name a few.

Just got this Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Linenfold table lamp with a rare Silver Dollar base

The dealer list will include important dealers with beautiful displays, including Alan & Adele Grodsky, Myers-Huffman Antiques, Del Giudice Antiques and Ray Kisber. For the complete list of dealers, click here.

If you’re anywhere in the greater Detroit area, it will be worth your while visiting the show. Click here for more information. I hope to see you there.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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 interesting results at Brunk Auctions, March 24-25, 2017

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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.

Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC, held a diversified sale on March 24th and 25th, 2017. Included in the sale were a Tiffany Studios chandelier, a Colinet bronze and three French cameo glass vases among the 910 lots offered for sale. The results varied greatly.

Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier, Brunk lot #65

The unsigned, 24″ diameter, Tiffany Studios Turtleback chandelier sold well, even with a few problems, such as three new sockets, a replaced ceiling cap, and seven cracked panels. In its favor were reddish turtleback tiles and nice mottled glass. It sold for $36,000, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $25,000.

Claire Colinet bronze, Brunk lot #327

Lot #327, a Claire Colinet French bronze of dancing children, 23″ tall, was featured on the inside cover of the catalog. It sold for $3,360, including buyer’s premium, above its high estimate of $2,500. I was busy during the sale, so I never bid, but I think I would have bought it if I had participated.

The three French cameo glass lots, #s 10-12, were two acid-etched-only Daum vases and one low quality Gallé vase. They all sold at or below their low estimates. I wouldn’t have bought them at any price.

For the complete results, click here. There were glitches with the website, so it was difficult to use, but you can try.

We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens next week with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM. I hope you can make it.

I recently listed over 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.