Excellent results at Sotheby’s New York Tiffany: Dreaming in Glass auction, December 17, 2014

Posted on December 18, 2014 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.

Sotheby’s New York held its Tiffany: Dreaming in Glass auction yesterday, December 17, 2014 with total sales of $6,585,875. 36 of the 41 lots offered sold, for an average of $182,941. Most of the Tiffany lamps sold near or above their high estimates.

Tiffany Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #216

Leading the sale were two nearly identical Tiffany Wisteria table lamps, selling for $1,145,000 and $1,205,000, respectively. Both were outstanding examples.

Tiffany table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #218

The third best-selling lot of the sale was a Tiffany 22″ diameter Drop-Head Dragonfly table lamp with a vividly colored shade and an important mosaic and turtleback glass base. The lamp sold for $965,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 — $900,000.

Tiffany Poppy paperweight vase, Sotheby’s lot #207

The top lot of the glass section of the sale was #207, a paperweight vase with Poppy decoration. It sold for $87,500, easily exceeding its high estimate of $50,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

I won’t cover Christie’s Tiffany Studios auction of December 9, 2014. It was too depressing. I can’t begin to explain why Sotheby’s did so much better than Christie’s, but they did. You’re on your own for Christie’s results.

I’ll be spending the next five weeks looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. So far the buying has been great, so look for lots of new goodies to be listed on my website soon. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. 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 Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp led the way at Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction, November 21, 2014

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp, Heritage lot #60031

Heritage Auction held its Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction on November 21, 2014, with gross sales of $1,441,233. Leading the way was a Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp, Heritage lot #60031. It sold for $143,000, including buyer’s premium — about the mid-point of the pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000. The lamp was part of the Weider Health and Fitness Collection from Los Angeles, purchased in the 1970s.

R. Lalique Le Jour et la Nuit clock, Heritage lot #60229

R. Lalique sold well, with lot #60229 being the top selling lot of the group, and the second highest selling lot of the sale. However, it’s final price of $47,000 was below its low estimate of $60,000. Other lots did better, such as #60217, a purple Borromée vase selling for $46,875, near its high estimate of $50,000.

Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp, Heritage lot #60138

The top lot of the French cameo glass section of the sale was a pretty Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp. Selling as lot #60138, it too sold near the mid-point of its pre-sale estimate of $35,000 – $45,000, realizing $43,750.

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

I’ll be spending the next month and a half looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Louis Comfort Tiffany-designed necklace to be auctioned by Heritage Auctions on December 9, 2014

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Louis Comfort Tiffany necklace, Heritage lot #54124

Most people are aware that Tiffany Studios made lamps and many people know they made other items, including glassware and desk sets. But I suspect if you were to ask someone if Louis Comfort Tiffany designed jewelry, the answer would probably be “I don’t know.” or “No.”. Well, he did, and Heritage Auctions will sell a lovely example on December 9th. Lot #54124 in the Holiday Fine Jewelry Signature Auction is an amethyst, enamel and gold necklace, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany, for sale at his father’s store on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Tiffany & Co. The necklace features a 35 carat amethyst, enhanced by several smaller amethysts, set in 18k gold, with enameled leaves and suspended by an 18k gold chain. It is marked Tiffany & Co.

Enamel detail

The pre-sale estimate is $30,000 – $50,000. In most auctions, the reserve is kept secret, but in this case Heritage revealed the reserve of $20,000. That means as soon as the bidding hits $20,000, the item is sold. It can stop at $20,000 or sky’s the limit. Anything less than $20,000 will mean the item will go unsold. It’s provenance will certainly help. It’s been passed down through three generations of New York women.

It will be on public view in NYC at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion on E. 79th St. for several days prior to the sale. I’m curious to see what happens as I specialize in the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany, but never his jewelry. I’ll let you know after the sale.

For the complete catalog, click here.

I’ll be spending the next month and a half looking for treasures to bring to Florida for our southern circuit. The Florida shows begin with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2015.

Tiffany Studios lamps sell well at Doyle’s Belle Epoque sale, September 23, 2014

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Doyle New York held its Belle Epoque sale on September 23, 2014. Included in the sale were several Tiffany Studios lamps, which performed well as a group.

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Doyle lot #533

Top lot of the sale was a Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, deaccessioned by the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. With impeccable provenance, and a beautiful shade, the lamp did not disappoint. Selling as lot #533, it realized $87,500 (including buyer’s premium), against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000-$70,000.

Rare Tiffany Studios Fern table lamp, Doyle lot #525

While the result for lot #533 could have easily been predicted, the result for lot #525 was completely unexpected. It was a small Tiffany Studios table lamp with a rare Fern base and a 10″ diameter Pine Needle shade, totally damaged. It was expected to sell in the $1,200-$1,800 range, but sold for $31,250 — about 14 times the high estimate. So what was the deal? I spoke to the successful bidder, a collector/dealer, who answered, “When was the last time you saw this base for sale?” It was very rare and he was determined to buy it, no matter what. I imagine he’ll replace the shade with a top-notch Favrile glass shade.

For the rest of the Tiffany lamps and the complete results of the sale, first click here and then choose the September 23, 2014 Belle Epoque sale from the drop-down menu.

No shows until November, when we have four in a row. We’ll start in New Jersey at the Morristown Armory, then travel to Chicago for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, followed by the Kansas City Antiques Expo, ending up back at the Pier in NYC for the usual November show. Remember to check my website for the latest items and keep reading my blog. We’ll spend a lot of time finding some great new items for our November circuit.

Click here to view our new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Grogan and Company held their sale entitled The June Auction on June 8, 2014. Included in the sale were several art glass lots by Daum Nancy, Emile Gallé, and Tiffany Studios. The exceptional results are detailed below.

Tiffany red decorated vase, Grogan lot #496

The better art glass started with lot #496, a red decorated Tiffany Favrile vase. Red is the cat’s meow when it comes to Tiffany and the result did not disappoint. The vase sold for $18,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Daum Nancy Violets bowl, Grogan lot #557

The Tiffany vase was followed by lot #557, a huge, 16″ long, Daum Nancy Violets bowl. It more than doubled its high estimate of $4,000, realizing $10,200, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé padded and wheel-carved vase, Grogan lot #615

Lot #615 was a sophisticated Gallé vase with an applied cabochon, wheel-carved, with internal foil, and a second, tear-like, application. The decoration was undersea with wheel-carved scallop shells. To my eye, the workmanship was outstanding, but the artistry a failure. Luckily for the consignor, the buyer did not ask my opinion. It sold for $15,600, against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $10,000.

Gallé wheel-carved flacon, Grogan lot #620

Lot #620 was a gem — an important Gallé perfume bottle, in the original leather case, with a mixed-metal top, made for the Paris Exposition of 1889. This was really a museum-quality object. Estimated to sell for $5,000 – $10,000, it went out the door at $19,200.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

It’s spring, so there are no shows, but we’re still very much in business. Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps.

Sales total over $2.3 million at James D. Julia’s Lamp and Glass auction, June 11-12, 2014

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia, Inc. held their Lamp and Glass auction on June 11th & 12th, 2014. It was a huge two-day sale with 1418 lots crossing the block, and sales of $2.3 million. Some areas showed strength and others weakness, with two private collections performing very well.

Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Dragon King vase, Julia’s lot #1274

The first collection was the Betty and Leonard Issod collection of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre. Top lot of this group was #1254, a 24″ Lustre Dragon King vase — the largest known example. It sold near its high estimate of $60,000, realizing $74,062.50, including buyer’s premium.

Pair of Moser ewers, Julia’s lot #1035

The top lot of the George Klabin collection of Moser glass was #1035, a pair of decorated ewers. Even with a crack to the handle of one of the ewers, the lot almost doubled its high estimate of $10,000, realizing $20,737.50.

Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase, Julia’s lot #2000

Three French glass lots tied for the top price of $15,405 (excluding R. Lalique) — #2000, an Argy-Rousseau pâte-de-verre Poppy vase; #2082, a Daum Nancy Winter scenic boudoir lamp; and #2083, another Daum Nancy Winter scenic boudoir lamp.

Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Julia’s lot #2462

Lots #2462 and #2560a shared the spotlight for the highest price realized by a Tiffany Favrile vase — $14,220. #2462 was a lovely Lava example, with a hairline crack that was probably original to the making. Lot #2560a was a Paperweight example with white jonquil flowers.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

A Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp led the way at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 10, 2014

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Arts auction on June 10th, 2014, a day ahead of Sotheby’s and two days ahead of Christie’s. 227 lots crossed the block with 100 failing to sell, for a sell-through rate of 44% — less than Sotheby’s sell-through rate of 66% and Christie’s sell-through rate of 67%. Bonham’s did not post total sales.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Bonham’s lot #70

Top dog of the sale was a beautiful 24″ diameter Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp. It sold for $425,000, including buyer’s premium.

2001 William Morris sculpture Laibon Man, Bonham’s lot #227

The last lot of the sale sold for the second highest price of the sale — a 31½” contemporary cast glass and steel mount by William Morris, entitled Laibon Man from the Man Adorned Series of 2001. It sold for $100,000, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014

Posted on June 23, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 12, 2014, a day after Sotheby’s. Christie’s sale was much larger, with 309 lots offered. Of those, 103 did not sell, for a sell-through rate of 67%. The sale totaled $5,954,500, for an average of $28,905 for each lot sold. Sotheby’s sell-through rate was 66%, with an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp, Christie’s lot #15

Christie’s sale was much less reliant on Tiffany Studios than Sotheby’s. However, the top lot of the Christie’s sale was a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, lot #15. It sold near the high estimate of $350,000, realizing $437,000, including buyer’s premium. The previous day, Sotheby’s sold a Wisteria lamp of similar quality for $575,000.

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann cabinet A ‘Meuble à Fards, Christie’s lot #107

The second highest price of the sale went to Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Lot #107 was a 1926-27 cabinet entitled A ‘Meuble à Fards. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000 realizing $281,000, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase, Christie’s lot #31

The top-selling French cameo glass lot was #31, a rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $7,000, to realize $18,750, including buyer’s premium. I would have loved to have bought this vase, but the price realized was the full retail price for a 6¾” example.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This A. Walter pâte-de-verre sculpture is coming shortly.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Philip Chasen

June is Decorative Arts Month, so the next several blog posts will cover the action at all the major and some of the lesser auction houses. Sotheby’s will be first. Thursday’s post will cover the result of the single-item sale of the world’s rarest stamp, the 1856 British Guiana 1-cent. Christie’s 20th Century results will be posted next Monday, with Bonham’s, Julia’s, Rago’s and others following.

Sotheby’s New York held their Important 20th Century Design sale on June 11, 2014. Included in the sale was an important collection of American art glass, including Tiffany Favrile, from the Estate of Dr. Edward and Helen McConnell. Of the 127 lots offered, 29 were from the McConnell Estate. 100% of the collection sold, with most of the vases easily exceeding their high estimates. Of the remaining 98 lots, only 55 sold, for a sell-through rate of 56% for the non-McConnell items. The sale totaled $4,476,376, for an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Important Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #12

The top selling lot of the McConnell Estate was no surprise. Lot #12 was a superb example of Tiffany Favrile Lava glass. It soared past its estimate of $75,000 — $100,000, to sell for $197,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #44

Neither was the top selling Tiffany lamp of the sale a surprise. Lot #44 was a nice example of the Wisteria pattern. It sold within the estimate of $300,000 — $500,000, realizing $575,000.

Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service, Sotheby’s lot #77

The second highest price of the sale went to an important Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service. It realized $377,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000. Considering the set wasn’t even sterling silver, the price was impressive, but again not a surprise.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a diverse 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on April 16, 2014. Included in the sale were a number of lots by Tiffany Studios and The Pairpoint Co. that performed very well.

A Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier, Bonham’s lot #2237

One of the top lots of the sale was #2237, a Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000 to sell for $46,250, including buyer’s premium.

A set of Tiffany Favrile tulip shades, Bonham’s lot #2246

A matching set of Tiffany Favrile gold tulip shades doubled its high estimate of $4,000 to realize $10,000, including buyer’s premium. What was even more surprising was that only six of the nine shades were in perfect condition. I’m guessing that the buyer of the Moorish chandelier might have been the buyer of these shades, as they’re the same as the chandelier’s.

Rare Pairpoint Geranium puffy table lamp, Bonham’s lot #2238

A rare Pairpoint puffy Geranium table lamp in an equally rare potted base sold well above its high estimate of $5,000, to sell for $11,250.

I tried to buy some of the sale’s better items, but prices were too strong, so I bought nothing. For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This rare R. Lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: authentic Tiffany

Excellent results at Sotheby’s New York Tiffany: Dreaming in Glass auction, December 17, 2014

A Tiffany Studios Border Peony floor lamp led the way at Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction, November 21, 2014

Louis Comfort Tiffany-designed necklace to be auctioned by Heritage Auctions on December 9, 2014

Tiffany Studios lamps sell well at Doyle’s Belle Epoque sale, September 23, 2014

French Cameo and Tiffany Favrile Glass shine at Grogan’s The June Auction, June 8, 2014

Sales total over $2.3 million at James D. Julia’s Lamp and Glass auction, June 11-12, 2014

A Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp led the way at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 10, 2014

Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014