Noguchi table leads the way at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 14, 2012

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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.

Important and unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, Christie's lot #175

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 14, 2012. A unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, lot #175, commissioned for the Chappaqua, NY home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Dretzin, 1948-49, led the sale with an impressive result. Estimated to sell for $800,000 – $1,200,000, it more than doubled its high estimate to sell for $2,882,500, including buyer’s premium.

Important R. Lalique cire perdue vase, Rondes D'Enfants, Christie's lot #153

Top lot of the glass section of the sale was #153, an R. Lalique cire perdue vase from 1930, entitled Ronde D’Enfants, #5/5 from a small edition of five. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, realizing $290,500. The Lalique market, in general, appears solid, with good results worldwide for better vases.

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp on blownout crab base, Christie's lot #111

A wonderful Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, lot #111, with a rare blownout crab base, was the lamp leader, selling for $266,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000.

Total sales were $8,821,337, roughly twice as much as Sotheby’s the day before, helped in no small part by the sale of the Noguchi table. For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 20th Century sale results.

Just prior to the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, Christie’s conducted a one-owner sale of seven Tiffany Studios lamps. Results were less than stellar, with four of the seven lamps selling, including a very fine Wisteria lamp for $602,500. For the results of this sale, click on the following link. Christie’s Henry Africa’s lamps results.

James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction is happening today, Thursday, June 21, while Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale will happen this Saturday. After that we can expect a calmer July.

Our next show won’t be until July 27-29, in Redondo Beach, CA, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A killer Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany Studios lamps and glass sell well at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 13, 2012

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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.

June is Decorative Arts month at the nation’s auction houses. Every major and many not-so-major auction house holds one in June. I’ll cover many of them in the next few weeks, each Monday and Thursday. Today, it’s Sotheby’s turn. They held their New York Important 20th Century Design sale on June 13, 2012.

Very pretty Tiffany Studios Pony (miniature) Wisteria lamp, Sotheby's lot #14

Tiffany Studios table lamps and glass were the sale’s top sellers, with only one lot, a 1960s aluminum chair by Gerrit Rietveld, selling for more. 100% of the Tiffany lamps sold, with many exceeding their high estimates.

Beautiful Tiffany Studios Favrile glass morning glory vase, Sotheby's lot #6

The top Tiffany Studios lot of the sale was #14, a Pony Wisteria lamp, which sold for $254,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $120,000 – $180,000. The top Tiffany Studios Favrile glass lot of the sale was #6, a beautiful paperweight vase with morning glory decoration. It sold for approximately double its low estimate, to reach $98,500. Total sales for the auction were $4,486,125, approximately half their December figures, as the December sales are usually larger and more important.

For the complete results of the Sotheby’s sale, click on the following link. Sotheby’s 20th Century results.

Still to come up are James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction, this Wednesday and Thursday, as well as Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale this Saturday. After that we can expect a calmer July.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A killer Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Loetz sells well at Doyle New York’s Belle Epoque sale, June 6, 2012

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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 6, 2012, with Loetz glass leading the way. The art glass section of the auction was fairly weak, except for Loetz, which was well represented with a great collection that appeared to be from a single owner. The Loetz was estimated very conservatively, so the results easily surpassed their estimates for many lots. I tried to get a statement from the head of the department at Doyle, but unfortunately received no answer.

Rare Loetz black bottom decorated vase, Doyle lot #581

Top results for the Loetz were shared by two lots, #s 581 and 583. Lot 581 was a rare black bottom vase that could have been estimated much higher than $1,000-1,500. It soared past its estimate to sell for $17,500 (including buyer’s premium).

A beautiful Loetz decorated vase, Doyle lot #583

Two lots later, a gorgeous Loetz vase with very busy decoration of drips and zippers shared the spotlight with #581. It sold for the identical price of $17,500, against the same pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $1,500.

Only two other Loetz lots exceeded $10,000, but many surpassed $4,000. For the complete results of the entire Doyle Belle Epoque sale, click on the following link. Doyle’s Belle Epoque sale results.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’re still very much in business. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A killer Gallé fuchsia blownout vase, just in

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Some interesting results at Humler & Nolan’s Rookwood XXII●Keramics 2012●Art Glass 2012 sale, June 2-3, 2012

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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.

Humler & Nolan held their Rookwood XXII●Keramics 2012●Art Glass 2012 sale on June 2-3, 2012. There were some diverse results in the the art glass section of the auction (which is the only part I will cover). Following are the two highlights.

Tiffany Studios mosaic scarab stamp box, Humler & Nolan lot #550A

Lot #550A was a very rare Tiffany Studios mosaic tile stamp box with jeweled scarabs on the lid. Estimated to sell for $8,000 – $10,000, it soared to $34,220 (including buyer’s premium), as it should have. What a great box! I don’t have enough adjectives to describe how fantastic this box was. I’m not sure I would have been the successful buyer, but I might have been if I hadn’t been on vacation. I would have given the successful buyer a run for his money.

Wonderful Gallé lilac vase, Humler & Nolan lot #587

Now for a Gallé vase that gets me ill. Not because there was anything wrong with it. Just the opposite. It was wonderful and sold for such a bargain that I’m speechless. Lot #587 was a gorgeous, huge (19″), colorful Gallé vase with vivid red lilacs on a yellow background. It was estimated to sell for $6,000 – $8,000 and sold for only $5,900 (including buyer’s premium). This was easily a $15,000 vase, so my vacation cost me thousands more in lost profits. Every once in a while, something wonderful falls through the cracks and this was one of those times.

For the complete results of the entire sale, click on the following link. Humler & Nolan results.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’re still very much in business. This coming week I’m going to list some new French glass purchases that are breathtaking, so make sure you check my website daily. Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A rare, fantastic Daum Nancy vase with penguin decoration

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Clarke Auction Gallery sells rare Tiffany Studios chandelier for $102,000 on April 15th, 2012

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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.

Clarke Auction Gallery, of Larchmont, NY, held a diversified auction on April 15, 2012, with a number of high quality lots. The auction went well, with a rare Tiffany Studios chandelier leading the way.

Rare Tiffany Studios chandelier sold at Clarke's

The chandelier came from a local Garrison, NY home, where it had hung for 30 years. It was a fancy variation with a row of turtleback tiles at the top and six suspended tulip shades. By auction day, the stage was set for a good show. The chandelier was fresh to the market, high quality, fairly estimated, and well advertised. It should have sold well, and it did. After spirited bidding from the audience and the telephones, the chandelier easily exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $60,000 – $80,000 to sell for $102,000, including buyer’s premium. I wouldn’t be surprised if it sold to a dealer, because it’s worth $150,000+ to the right buyer.

Tiffany Studios 16-inch diameter Colonial table lamp

Also in the sale were several more Tiffany Studios items, including a 16″ diameter Tiffany Studios Colonial table lamp. It sold for $9,600, including buyer’s premium – a high wholesale price.

Large Camille Fauré vase

Also in the sale was a fine, large, Art Deco Camille Fauré enamel on copper vase from France. In keeping with the strength in the Fauré market the last few years, it sold for $5,760, including buyer’s premium — another high wholesale price.

For a review of the highlights of the sale, click on the following link and scroll down the page. Clarke Auction Gallery highlights.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A rare, fantastic Daum Nancy vase with penguin decoration

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Sotheby’s sells Edvard Munch’s The Scream for $119,922,500

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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.

Edvard Munch's The Scream, Sotheby's lot #20

Sotheby’s New York held its Impressionist and Modern Art Evening Sale on May 2, 2012, with fabulous results. The big news for the evening was the sale of the world’s most valuable single work of art, Edvard Munch’s iconic painting, The Scream. Pre-sale chatter suggested the price may reach $80,000,000. That was blown away, when the painting sold for $107,000,000 at the hammer ($119,922,500, including buyer’s premium). Sotheby’s produced an interesting 2½-minute video with highlights of the painting’s sale, which can be viewed by clicking on the following link. Sotheby’s video.

The auction was a barn-burner, with total sales reaching $330,568,550, the second-highest total for any Sotheby’s auction ever. Only a few paintings did not sell. Surprisingly one of them was by Edvard Munch, entitled Sommernatt, (Summer Night). It was offered as lot #41, with an estimate of $2,500,000 – $3,500,000. But let’s not feel bad for Munch – four additional paintings by the artist sold in the auction.

Pablo Picasso's Femme Assise Dans Un Fauteuil, Sotheby's lot #4

Honors for second place went to Pablo Picasso. His Femme Assise Dans Un Fauteuil sold for $29,202,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $20,000,000 – $30,000,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Sotheby’s sale results.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair, April 27-30, 2012

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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 Merchandise Mart show didn’t end until Monday, so this week’s blog was postponed until Tuesday so I could report final results. Consequently, there will be no Thursday post this week.

Tiffany 20-inch diameter Lily Pad table lamp, sold at the show

This was an interesting show. There were substantial differences between my expectations and the results. A few weeks ago at the NYC Pier Show there were lots of new people and real action that I thought would carry over to the Chicago Mart show. But it didn’t. New York seems to have recovered from the recession sooner than Chicago. There were fewer people attending than some past years and many dealers saw less business. Here are a few results.

Our booth

Personally, my show was superb — the best show I’ve had at the Mart. Sales were best in Tiffany lamps and glass, Daum Nancy French cameo glass, Icart etchings and illustrator paintings. American art pottery was slow, as well as some of the other usual suspects, like art glass shades. Most of my business came from my very loyal clients (thank you, thank you, thank you). I was gratified to see some interest and sales coming from new blood.

Lia's got a few minutes to knit during a slow period at the show

In asking around, I heard results from “poor” to “great”. What I did notice is that many of the dealers who did well are good business people. They know what to buy and how to sell. The merchandise doesn’t jump off the shelves into the client’s hands — it has to be sold. That doesn’t mean being unscrupulous, it just means convincing a client that they would be better off buying than not.

It's time to start packing up and go home

OK. Here’s some of the scuttlebutt. One silver dealer did very poorly — not sure if they even opened their books. Another silver dealer did fairly — they made their expenses and a little bit more. A major diversified dealer told me he covered his expenses (very high because of a huge booth) and earned a little because of a big jewelry sale. Another diversified dealer did very well — they have great items and know how to sell. A dealer in Russian items only did OK. A dealer in furniture and bronzes was contemplating not returning until he made a major sale on Monday. I’m happy to say he’s returning. I did hear of a few dealers who did poorly and will not be returning. A first time diverse dealer at the show who sells a lot of jewelry was one of the people who told me his results were “great”. You know he’s coming back.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair preview party is tonight, April 26, 2012

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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.

Lia is setting up our glass and ceramics

Setup went well at the Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair. We doubled the size of our booth, so we had lots of space to properly exhibit our special selection of lamps, glass, ceramics and paintings. You’ll have to come in person to see the completed fabulous display.

The Best of France has a great display of furniture and bronzes

The show is about 10% larger than before, with several exhibitors on the north side of the show floor, where previously there was no one. I walked the entire show and was blown away by what I saw.

Toulouse Antiques has fantastic paintings and 19th Century antiques

I assure you, this is one show you shouldn’t miss. The exhibitions are very high quality and very diverse. Almost everything that could interest you is on display. The show opens to the public this Friday, April 27th at 11 AM. The preview party is tonight, to invited guests. The show is killer, so make sure you come!! Then come to my booth and tell me I was right.

John Atzbach Antiques has fabulous Russian Imperial antiques

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.

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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens this Friday, April 27, 2012

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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 Chicago Merchandise Mart is located downtown, on the river, a few blocks from Michigan Ave.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair opens this Friday, April 27th at 11 AM, and continues until Monday, April 30th, at 3 PM. It’s Chicago’s best antiques show and one of the best in the entire country. The quality is very high throughout, with many of the exhibitors displaying at very few shows. Some of them will travel from around the world to exhibit at this show. It’s an opportunity to see amazing exhibitions that exceed the quality and breadth of many museum’s collections.

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago will benefit from the preview party on Thursday night, April 26th. They treat people with a variety of diseases ranging from cerebral palsy and spinal cord injury to arthritis and chronic pain. Most of you know I’m not a fan of preview parties, but this one is a cut above many of the others. The Merchandise Mart treats its dealers well, unlike some other promoters. There’s plenty of food and drink for everyone. All you get at some other shows is a clear plastic box with a half sandwich, a cookie and a few grapes. I’m not joking and I’m not exaggerating. It’s shameful.

One of two Tiffany Studios 10-light lily lamps I'll have at the show

I’m bringing a fantastic assortment of Tiffany Studios lamps and glass, French cameo glass by Daum Nancy and Emile Gallé, stoneware by the Martin Brothers, superb American illustrator paintings and a large collection of Louis Icart etchings, including some very rare ones.

Fantastic original oil painting for the 1934 movie poster of East River

The show is worth a trip from anywhere, so walk, drive, fly, or do whatever it takes to visit. Chicago weather at this time of year is usually fantastic, with tulips in bloom on Michigan Avenue, although they may be finished this year because of unusually warm weather in March.

Our next show won’t be until July, but we’ll still be very much in business (except for a two week well-deserved vacation). Don’t hesitate to call or write, and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell, or trade.
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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The results of the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, April 13-15, 2012

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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.

It was time to set up the show on Wednesday and Thursday

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show was held in Arlington Heights, IL, from April 13-15, 2012. Unfortunately, the show has gotten smaller and smaller over the years and has been in a vicious cycle. There were fewer dealers, so there were fewer people. Some dealers didn’t do well and won’t come back, and round and round it goes. It’s possible to reverse a vicious cycle, but it takes extraordinary effort and money. A show promoter has to commit to a show and pour money into promotion to attract new dealers and new attendees. It’s been done before. The problem is that the show promoter, Shawn Hastings, has been very ill for quite some time, so he wasn’t able to do what needed to be done. Hopefully, he’ll do something now and reverse the trend.

Saturday afternoon at my booth

Personally, my show went well. Thanks to a very loyal customer base in the greater Chicago area, the right clients showed up and made purchases. (You know who you are, so I’d like to send each of you a personal thank you.) There was interest in a variety of areas, including French cameo glass by Daum and Galle, Tiffany desk items, and American Art Pottery. Icarts, paintings, and lamps were slow at this show, but unpredictability is why I made a conscious decision many years ago to diversify. Everything that didn’t sell at this show may sell at the next.

Another aisle on Saturday afternoon

In asking around, a few dealers did okay and a few were complaining. I didn’t hear anyone rave about his/her show. Attendance was fairly light all weekend, with mostly tire-kickers coming on Sunday.

Our next show will be at the Merchandise Mart, in downtown Chicago, Friday-Sunday, April 27-30. It’s Chicago’s best show, and one of the best shows in the entire country. There will be great exhibitors, many of whom exhibit at very few shows a year. It’s worth a trip from anywhere.
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A wonderful Martin Brothers stoneware face jug

Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and Louis Icart etchings. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com