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

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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

Tiffany Furnaces mosaic inkwell, Doyle lot #227

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

Tiffany Studios pottery vase, Doyle lot #224

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

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

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

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

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

Posted on October 6, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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

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

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

Tiffany Favrile Peacock vase, from the Havemeyer donation

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

Tiffany American Indian chandelier

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

Tiffany mosaic fountain, contribution of Lillian Nassau

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

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

Cute glass “food”

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

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on July 4, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Killer Tiffany Favrile red Tel el Amarna vase

Spring is an unusual time for my business because of various opposing forces. First the weather gets nice and summer vacation approaches. People spend less time indoors, so they spend less time at their computers searching for antiques and more time planning for the summer. Opposing that is the glut of merchandise that comes onto the market in June. Every auction house, major and minor, in the US and in Europe, has a June Decorative Arts sale.

Wonderful Daum Nancy vitrified floral vase

Then there is the business of antique shows. Historically there have been very few shows in the spring. The result is lots of merchandise to buy and very few people to sell it to. Dealers with the deepest pockets have the easiest time smoothing out spring’s rough ride. Business gets better in the summer, with a couple of antique shows (there used to be more), including the important Baltimore Summer Antiques Show at the end of August (which I always eagerly look forward to).

Superb mini Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase

What does it all mean? I’ve been buying like crazy, all over the world, both at auction and privately. The new merchandise is mostly fine French cameo glass by Daum Nancy, Gallé, A. Walter and Argy-Rousseau, but also includes Tiffany Favrile glass and several fine lamps by Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint. The new items have all been hand-selected by me and meet my high standards. You know you can buy from me with confidence.

Rare Gallé blownout Fig vase

I’m trying to list many new items but it’s been difficult because we’re packing for our Denver show (where it will all be on display). I did list a few items and will continue to list more as time permits. Please check my site often or email me with your requests.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

The Denver World Wide Antique Show is close at hand, July 15-17, 2016. If you’re in the area, please make the time to come and visit. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

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.

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

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held its Important Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, June 16-17, 2016, with total sales of approximately $2.5 million. Jewelry, silver, Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre, KPM, Webb, Mt. Washington, non-Tiffany lamps, Steuben and paperweights were sold on the first day. The second day was devoted mostly to Tiffany Studios, Loetz and French cameo glass. The sale was so large (1,162 lots), that it’s difficult to cover everything in one short blog, so I’ll limit myself to the Tiffany and French glass. You can view the results of the entire sale in a day or two when Julia’s will post everything.

Tiffany Studios Geranium table lamp, Julia’s lot #2005

Sales of the Tiffany objects were soft, but there were some bright spots. A rare and beautiful Tiffany Studios 17″ diameter Geranium table lamp sold for $94,800, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000 – $95,000.

Interest picked up considerably when the sale shifted to the French cameo glass section, which included two collections of high quality glass with no reserves. That combination always kicks the excitement level up a few notches. Bids came in from Japan and Russia, as well as all across the US. The strong interest continued throughout the rest of the French cameo glass section. Two lamps did very well, as did most of the Daum glass and some of the Gallé glass, especially blownout vases.

Daum Rain lamp, Julia’s lot #2340

A rare Daum Rain lamp sold for twice its low estimate of $10,000, realizing $23,700, including buyer’s premium. It sold to a dealer who is certain he has a client for it. Unfortunately, I was the underbidder.

Gallé 4-color table lamp, Julia lot #2553

A rare Gallé 4-color lamp with outstanding color and workmanship, lot #2553, sold for a strong $47,400. The consignor was convinced to lower the reserve to $40,000, low enough to entice a buyer in the audience. Personally I had no interest as I felt the pre-sale estimate was too strong at $50,000 – $70,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. The results should be posted within a couple of days. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

No shows until next month, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, July 15-17, 2016. In the meantime, we’re very much in business, so call or email me with your wants or items for sale. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

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

Posted on June 13, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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

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

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

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

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

Posted on June 9, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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

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 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

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

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.

Making sense of Tiffany Studios’ desk set numbering

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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 “41”

Much 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”

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

St. Michael’s Church in NYC is the perfect venue for meetings of the Art Glass Forum

Posted on May 5, 2016 by Philip Chasen

The main windows of St. Michael’s are spectacular

One of the many original Tiffany Studios windows in St. Michael’s, with fantastic drapery and mottled glass

The Art Glass Forum holds their monthly meetings at St. Michael’s Church on W. 99th St. in New York City. It’s the perfect venue for a glass collector’s club, many of whose members collect or sell Tiffany Studios Favrile glass and lamps. Much of the interior of the chapel was designed and made by Tiffany Studios. It’s a gorgeous and fitting location.

The window above is signed and dated 1912

Yesterday’s meeting included a lecture by Amy McHugh, the assistant archivist at Tiffany & Co., entitled Cabinet Curiosities: Silver-Mounted Favrile Glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Tiffany Studios. She researches their extensive archives, which include some collaborations with Tiffany Studios. (Charles Lewis Tiffany was one of the founders of Tiffany & Co. and the father of Louis Comfort Tiffany, founder of Tiffany Studios.) Amazing what you can learn at one of the lectures.

The entire wall is made of tiny iridescent mosaic tiles

Membership in the Art Glass Forum is open to the public. Yearly dues are quite reasonable, $70 for individuals, $90 for households and $25 for students and young professionals. If American or European art glass interests you, why don’t you join and attend the lectures? Contact artglassforumny@gmail.com. They accept PayPal, checks, shekels, whatever you like.

The colorful iridescent Favrile glass tiles are spectacular

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

Identifying the newest Tiffany Favrile reproductions

Posted on April 28, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Several years ago I bought a Tiffany Favrile vase that bothered me somewhat. The vase looked contemporary, but the signature was perfect, so I thought my instincts were wrong. I showed it to another dealer who thought the vase was modern, but I still didn’t listen. After all, I’m an expert on Tiffany signatures and this was perfect.

Reproduction Tiffany Favrile vase

Fast forward to today. I now know for a fact the vase was a reproduction. Apparently someone is signing new vases with picture-perfect signatures. It’s like looking at a forged copy of your own signature that’s so good, you’re not sure if you didn’t sign it yourself.

tiffany-reproduction-2 Let’s take a good look at the example above. To those who are knowledgeable, the vase is an obvious reproduction. Everything about it is wrong, including the decoration and color, but especially the iridescence. Then look at the signature. It’s perfect, and includes the notation “A. Coll.”, meaning it was in the personal collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Poor Louis is so unhappy, he’s turning in his grave.

What’s the lesson here? You cannot tell an authentic vase, of any kind, from the signature alone. The shape, the decoration, the workmanship, the wear, the age AND the signature all have to say the same thing — I am authentic.

Denver, July 15-17, 2016

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

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Philip Chasen

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

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

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

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.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: authentic Tiffany

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

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

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

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

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

Making sense of Tiffany Studios’ desk set numbering

St. Michael’s Church in NYC is the perfect venue for meetings of the Art Glass Forum

Identifying the newest Tiffany Favrile reproductions

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