Tag Archives: Bonham’s

I tried to buy a couple of interesting items at auction…

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For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.

I recently tried to buy a couple of nice items at auction. I hoped they would fall through the cracks so I could buy them for resale. But alas, they did not. They sold for retail prices, so I wasn’t the buyer.

Tiffany Studios Pine Needle clock, Fontaine lot #2

The first item was a very nice Tiffany Studios clock in the Pine Needle pattern. It sold at Fontaine Auction Gallery’s Antiques & Fine Art auction in Pittsfield, Massachusetts on March 24, 2018 as lot #2. Against a low estimate, it realized $6,655, including buyer’s premium. That’s a fine price for a retail buyer, but not a dealer, so I wasn’t the buyer.

For the complete results of Fontaine’s sale, click here.

Quezal lily shade sconce, similar in design to Bonham’s chandelier pictured below

Quezal chandelier, Bonham’s lot #221

The second item sold as lot #221 in Bonham’s Elegant Home sale in Los Angeles on March 26, 2018. It was a wonderful original Quezal chandelier with nine matching shades. I’ve seen a similar, smaller model before, in the form of a wall sconce with lily shades, but never the matching chandelier. Bonham’s lot was an original mashup of four sconces made into one huge chandelier. How cool is that! It sold for $7,500, including buyer’s premium, against a very low estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. Again, the price was just fine for a retail buyer, but not a dealer, so I didn’t buy it.

For the complete results of Bonham’s sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 Bonham’s Los Angeles The Elegant Home sale of March 7, 2016

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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.

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a diverse sale, The Elegant Home, on March 7, 2016, with some interesting results. Following are a few.

Spelter Art Nouveau inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt, Bonham's lot #249

Spelter Art Nouveau inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt, Bonham’s lot #249

Lot #249 was an amusing early 20th century French, Art Nouveau, spelter, figural inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt with devil’s wings. Helped by her wings, she flew to a final price of $20,000, the highest price of the sale, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $4,000. I could understand this result if it were bronze, but white metal? I’m sure it was a nice surprise for the consignor.

Lee Lash painting of New York, Bonham's lot #201

Lee Lash painting of New York, Bonham’s lot #201

I liked lot #201, an oil on canvas illustration of New York in the ’30s, by Lee Lash. Although it wasn’t Norman Rockwell quality, it had a nice look. The public agreed, pushing the price past its high estimate of $6,000, to realize $8,125, including buyer’s premium.

Pairpoint puffy Azalea table lamp, Bonham's lot #50

Pairpoint puffy Azalea table lamp, Bonham’s lot #50

Several reverse-painted and puffy lamps were sold from the collection of Jane Fonda. The top lot of this group was a very pretty Pairpoint Azalea puffy table lamp, lot #50. It easily exceeded its high estimate of $6,000, realizing $10,250, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. 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.

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.

Collector hits the jackpot at Bonham’s London auction, February 24, 2016

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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.

16th century oak door panel of King John

16th century oak door panel of King John

How’s this for a story? A collector in England buys an item on eBay for a few thousand pounds, then consigns it to Bonham’s auction, where it sells for £184,900 ($263,033)? Knowledge is king (pun intended). For the rest of the story click on the following links. Oak panel from King Henry VIII era sells for £185k and SURVIVING TUDOR TURMOIL: HISTORIC HENRY VIII PANEL LEADS BONHAMS’ FIRST OAK INTERIOR SALE AT NEW BOND STREET. For the actual result from Bonham’s auction, click here.

Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martin Brothers aquatic vase, Bonham's lot #1010

Martin Brothers aquatic vase, Bonham’s lot #1010

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

Daum Nancy Impressionist vase, Bonham's lot #1011

Daum Nancy Impressionist vase, Bonham’s lot #1011

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

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

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

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

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

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

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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.

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

Tiffany Studios 16

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

Tiffany Studios 18" diameter Peony table lamp, Bonham's lot #15

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

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

Tiffany Favrile Aquamarine vase, Bonham's lot #18

Tiffany Favrile Aquamarine vase, Bonham’s lot #18

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

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

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

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

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

French cameo and Loetz glass sell well at Bonhams New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 11, 2015

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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.

Bonhams New York held a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on June 11, 2015. Included were a few nice examples of French cameo and Loetz glass. As a group, they performed very well.

Fine Daum Nancy Cyclamen vase, Bonhams lot #27

Fine Daum Nancy Cyclamen vase, Bonhams lot #27

Lot #27 was a lovely 12″ Daum Nancy vase with cyclamen flowers and gilding. It almost doubled its high estimate of $5,000 to realize $11,875.

Fantastic Loetz vase, Bonhams lot #29

Fantastic Loetz vase, Bonhams lot #29

A really great Loetz vase was sold as lot #29. It brought $43,750 — almost double its high estimate of $18,000. The vase was big, fabulous and rare, so there was no question it was going to do well.

Reproduction "Galle" lamp, Bonham's lot #23

Reproduction “Galle” lamp, Bonham’s lot #23

Unfortunately, Bonham’s also sold lot #23 as an authentic Gallé lamp. In my opinion, there was no question the lamp was a reproduction. I told the expert in charge, who decided to disregard my counsel. The lamp did not sell.

All prices include the buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, at the Denver Mart, EXPO Building, 451 East 58th Avenue, July 24-26, 2015. We’re still in business, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. Keep checking my website for the latest offerings, which I’ll be posting in the next week.

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.

Some strong results at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 29, 2015

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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.

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale yesterday, April 29, 2015. The offerings were more or less mediocre, but there were a few goodies mixed in — and they did well.

Bronze & ivory figure Thaïs by Demetre Chiparus, Bonham's lot #288

Bronze & ivory figure Thaïs by Demetre Chiparus, Bonham’s lot #288

Top lot of the sale was #288, an Art Deco bronze & ivory figure entitled Thaïs by Demetre Chiparus. It sold for $185,000, including buyer’s premium — near the pre-sale low estimate of $150,000. Apparently the recent problems created by new ivory regulations did not deter the bidders.

Martin Brothers bird, Bonham's lot #224

Martin Brothers bird, Bonham’s lot #224

The Martin Brothers market continued strong, as evidenced by lot #224, a large (12¾”), wildly grotesque bird tobacco jar. Collectors were willing to overlook its condition problems — several chips to the head and the rim and a missing wooden base. The bird flew well beyond the pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – $30,000 to realize $50,000, including buyer’s premium.

Marblehead Panther bowl, Bonham's lot #214

Marblehead Panther bowl, Bonham’s lot #214

The sale began with a nice collection of Marblehead pottery from the collection of the actor, Bruce Willis. Top lot of this group was a rare Panther bowl. It growled its way almost to the high estimate of $30,000, realizing $35,000, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, at the Denver Mart, EXPO Building, 451 East 58th Avenue, July 24-26, 2015. In the meantime, we’ll be traveling in Europe. We’re sure to come up with some goodies, so keep an eye on my site for the latest additions. I’ll always be in touch, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

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.

Bonham’s New York sold Alan Turing’s Wartime Manuscript for $1,025,000, April 13, 2015

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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.

Alan Turing

Alan Turing

You may know of Alan Turing from history or the latest movie about him, The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. In a nutshell, Alan Turing is considered by many to be the father of modern computing. His work during WW II helped the Allies break the German Enigma codes and speed the end of the war.

A page from the manuscript

A page from the manuscript

On Monday, April 13, 2015, Bonham’s New York sold an original, hand-written manuscript by Alan Turing — the only known example. The 56 pages of mathematical notes on logic were probably written in 1944. The auction house did not disclose a pre-auction estimate in their catalog, but it was available as “Estimate on request”. It sold for $1,025,000, including buyer’s premium — probably helped by the publicity from the movie.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until July, when we’ll be in Denver for the Denver World Wide Antique Show, at the Denver Mart, EXPO Building, 451 East 58th Avenue, July 24-26, 2015. In the meantime, we’ll be traveling in Europe. We’re sure to come up with some goodies, so keep an eye on my site for the latest additions. I’ll always be in touch, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

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.

Bonham’s New York had a good 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, Tuesday, December 16, 2014

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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.

Bonham’s New York held its 20th Century Decorative Arts auction on Tuesday, December 16, 2014, a day ahead of Sotheby’s. The sale was fairly small, with total sales of $1,136,534, for the 95 of 166 lots that sold. Many of the unsold lots were radios, which skewed the results. Tiffany lamps were a large contributor to the total.

Tiffany Floral Bouquet chandelier, Bonham's lot #52

Tiffany Floral Bouquet chandelier, Bonham’s lot #52

Leading the sale was a beautiful Tiffany Floral Bouquet chandelier, which easily exceeded its high estimate of $120,000, realizing $197,000, including buyer’s premium.

Webb perfume bottles, Bonham's lot #7

Webb perfume bottles, Bonham’s lot #7

Lot #7, two Webb lay-down perfume bottles, was a nice surprise. It soared past the pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,000, to realize $21,250, including buyer’s premium. To be fair, the pre-sale estimate was quite low, and the quality was high. Mice are rare subject matter, the detail was superb, and the lids were 14K gold, instead of the usual sterling silver.

It was nice to see two sales in a row where Tiffany Studios lamps and glass sold well. It appears that the poor results at Christie’s sale were just an anomaly.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

miami-national-show-1-2015I’ll be spending the next month 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 Laburnum table lamp led the way at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 10, 2014

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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.

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

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

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

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.