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

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 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

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 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

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

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

Some good results at Bonham’s 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, December 11, 2012

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.

Every year all the major and many secondary auction houses hold a 20th century decorative arts auction in December. This year Bonham’s New York was the first of the majors. They held their 20th Century Decorative Arts auction on December 11, 2012. Christie’s was next (this Thursday’s blog) and Sotheby’s was last (next Monday’s blog). Bonham’s results were good, but not superlative.

Good Tiffany Studios 20-inch diameter Dogwood table lamp, Bonham's lot #2047

Good Tiffany Studios 20-inch diameter Dogwood table lamp, Bonham's lot #2047

Two Tiffany Studios lamps tied for top lot of the sale. #2047 was a nice 20″ diameter Dogwood. Estimated to sell for $80,000 – $120,000, it realized $104,500 — within the estimate.

Tiffany Studios Miniature Wisteria table lamp, Bonham's lot #2049

Tiffany Studios Miniature Wisteria table lamp, Bonham's lot #2049

Lot #2049 was a Tiffany Miniature (Pony) Wisteria lamp. It carried the same estimate as the Dogwood lamp and brought the same result.

Daum Nancy Blackbird and Frog vase, Bonham's lot #2072

Daum Nancy Blackbird and Frog vase, Bonham’s lot #2072

The top French cameo glass item of the sale was a rare 14¼” Daum Nancy blackbird and frog vase, lot #2072. It was bid well past the pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $20,000 to a final price of $43,750, including the buyer’s premium. I thought it was ugly and wouldn’t have paid $5,000, but apparently two bidders disagreed with me. (They should have asked.)

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

I will be posting videos on YouTube of my lecture on French Cameo Glass to the Metropolitan Glass Club. I need some time to edit the videos. When they’re ready, I’ll put the link on my website and here in my blog.

Incredible Tiffany Favrile red decorated paperweight vase, just in

Incredible Tiffany Favrile red decorated paperweight vase, just in

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased and listed. Tiffany glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Fine Gallé clematis blownout vase, recently acquired

Fine Gallé clematis blownout vase, recently acquired

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

Demetre Chiparus was the star of Bonham’s Chiparus, Lalique & The Decorative Arts auction of November, 14, 2012

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 held its Chiparus, Lalique & The Decorative Arts auction in London on November, 14, 2012, with mixed results. Demetre Chiparus bronze and ivory figures sold well, but Rene Lalique items did not.

The top lot of the sale was #78, a bronze and ivory grouping entitled The Dolly Sisters. Estimated to sell for £150,000 – £200,000, it realized £277,250 ($444,136) — slightly above the high estimate, including buyer’s premium.

Demetre Chiparus bronze & ivory figure, Starfish, Bonham’s lot #77

Others Chiparus bronze & ivory figurines also did well, with Starfish selling for £91,250 ($146,165) — near its high estimate of £85,000.

R. Lalique blue vase, Escargot, Bonham’s lot #192

The top R. Lalique vase in the sale was lot #192, an electric blue Escargot vase. It sold for £49,250 ($78,879), near the low estimate, including buyer’s premium. Many Lalique vases did not sell, probably because the estimates were too aggressive. Conservative estimates almost always achieve the best results.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Bonham’s London Chiparus & Lalique results.

Just purchased this unbelievable Gallé seagull vase — one of the best Gallé vases I’ve ever owned

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased and listed. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

Wonderful Schneider controlled bubble vase with wheel-carved Art Deco handles, recently acquired

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 etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.

A few good results at Bonham’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, June 12, 2012

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 sale on June 12, 2012, with fair results. There were a few good sales, but more than a few items went unsold. Sotheby’s and Christie’s held their 20th Century sales in the two days following Bonham’s, with considerably better results.

Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp, Bonham's lot #4061

Top lot of the Bonham’s sale was #4061, a Tiffany Studios Lotus table lamp. Estimated to sell for $80,000 – $100,000, it squeaked by to sell near the low estimate, reaching $92,500, including buyer’s premium.

Art Deco bronze and ivory figure, Dourga, by Chiparus, Bonham's lot #4205

Second best lot of the sale was an Art Deco 24½” bronze and ivory statue by Demetre Chiparus, entitled Dourga. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000 to sell for $88,900. That continued the decade-long strength by important Art Deco bronze and ivory artists like Chiparus and Preiss.

Rare R. Lalique vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards, Bonham's lot #4195

René Lalique glass sold well, also showing continued strength. Top Lalique lot was #4195, a rare frosted glass two-handled vase, Deux Anneaux Lizards. It was sold privately after the auction for $20,000, against an aggressive estimate of $20,000 – $30,000.

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

Thursday I’ll cover James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction that took place on June 21.

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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Very fine, internally decorated Burgun & Schverer 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. Just this past week, I added about 10 new items. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Learn your Gallé and Daum Nancy shapes to stay out of trouble

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.

Glass vases are easily damaged. It’s the nature of glass — it’s delicate. So what does one do if a vase gets chipped? Doesn’t make sense to throw it in the garbage, so you get it fixed. Repairs to tiny chips don’t have much of an effect on value. For bigger chips or cracks, a makeover may be necessary, and that will certainly affect value. The vase will still have some value, but that’s a nebulous area. If it’s sold at auction, the discount could be slight or major. And that’s where the problem lies.

Sometimes the experts at auction galleries know that a vase has had a major alteration and sometimes they don’t. That puts most of the responsibility on your shoulders. If you know what the shape should be, you’ll notice any alterations. Here are a couple of examples.

Sotheby's lot #211 is on the left

The first is a Gallé chrysanthemum blownout vase that was sold at Sotheby’s New York on March 7, 2012, as lot #211. It was estimated at $6,000 – $8,000 and sold for $7,500, including buyer’s premium. Chrysanthemum is a rare model that would have done much better, if it were perfect. As you can see from the photo, a substantial portion of the top of the vase was missing. My guess is that the buyer was unaware of the problem (and will be pretty unhappy if (s)he reads this blog).

Bonham's vase is on the left

Bonham’s will be selling a Gallé seed pod blownout vase. They know that the top has been cut off, so it’s listed in the catalog as “reduced”, but they apparently don’t know the foot has been “reduced” also. The estimate is conservative at $1,000 – $1,500. This is a vase that is so problematic, it’s anyone’s guess what it may sell for (and it may not sell, if there’s a reserve).

So what is a collector to do? There are only a few choices. The first is to become knowledgeable and learn your shapes. That’s not an easy thing to do, as it takes lots of time and exposure to the vast selection of French cameo glass available. The second is to buy from a dealer who’s knowledgeable and whom you trust. (Hmm, I have a suggestion.) Third, is to deal with reputable auction galleries. Ask for condition reports in advance. Hopefully, the experts in charge will have the knowledge you need.

Our next show is the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, in Arlington Heights, IL, April 13-15. We always enjoy coming to the greater Chicago area. We’ve got lots of friends there and look forward to seeing them again. Come to the show! There are some great exhibitors and we’ll be bringing an outstanding display.
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Rare Le Verre Francais Lézards vase, 11½ inches tall

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

Louis Comfort Tiffany and Demetre Chiparus lead Bonham’s 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, December 14, 2011

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 sale on December 14, 2011. The sale went well, with choice items and reasonably estimated items doing best. Lots with overly strong estimates and/or reserves either did not do well or failed to sell.

Demetre Chiparus Art Deco bronze and ivory figure, Clara, Bonham's lot #3168

Top lot of the sale was #3168, an Art Deco bronze and ivory statue by Demetre Chiparus, entitled “Clara”, sold together with a champlevé enamel pedestal. Aggressively estimated at $100,000 – $200,000, it sold for $98,500, including buyer’s premium, below the low estimate. That meant that the reserve was set lower than the low estimate. By New York State law, the reserve cannot be set higher than the low estimate. Other Art Deco bronze and ivory figures by Ferdinand Preiss were more conservatively estimated and sold well, most at or above the high estimates.

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Bonham's lot #3066

The Tiffany Studios section of the sale was led by a fine 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp. Although the base was simple and the cap not original, the shade had very good color and mottling, and was in excellent condition. With a conservative pre-sale estimate of $35,000 -$45,000, it sold for double the low estimate, realizing $86,500, including buyer’s premium

Other good results were a Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Daffodil table lamp, lot #3073, $50,000; a gorgeous Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, lot #3029, $10,625; and a Gallé two-handled vase with leaves and a grasshopper, lot #3080, $11,875. For the complete results, click on the following link Bonham’s results.

Very rare R. Lalique red vase, Ronces

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 items do well at Bonhams 20th Century Decorative Arts sale of June 7, 2011

Lots of interesting things have been happening in the antiques world recently. Since I have a bit more time to write about them during the spring and summer, I will be posting new blog entries twice a week, instead of once — Mondays and Thursdays for the next few weeks. So make sure you come back often and tell your friends about my blog!

Bonham’s New York held its 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on June 7, 2011. While the Tiffany Studios items were not as deep in quality as the Sotheby’s and Christie’s New York sales, there were some notable exceptions. The results showed a continuation of the strength of better Tiffany Studios objects.

Fine Tiffany Studios Wisteria Lamp, Bonham's lot #6097

Lot #6097 was a Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp, in beautiful shades of blue. Estimated conservatively at $200,000 – $300,000, it soared past its high estimate to achieve $792,400, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios paperweight vase, Bonham's lot #6026

The best of the Tiffany Studios glass was lot #6026, a fine and rare paperweight vase. It exceeded its pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – $30,000, selling for $39,040.

Very rare Tiffany Studios Pine Needle triple frame, Bonham's lot #6051

A very rare Tiffany Studios triple frame in the Pine Needle pattern, in mint original condition, was the top lot of a nice offering of twelve frames. It doubled its pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000, to sell for $19,520, an auction record for any frame in the Pine Needle pattern.

Other notable results were a Tiffany & Co. carved mahogany clock, lot #6014 ($91,500) and a cracked Tiffany Studios blue decorated mini vase, lot #6034, ($3,416), continuing the trend of “cracks don’t make a difference at auction”.

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

Impressive 11½ inch Daum Nancy floral vase

Check out my new acquisitions. This week I listed a gorgeous Daum Nancy pink floral vase; a very fine Tiffany Studios Favrile flowerform vase — better than the one that sold at Christie’s for $27,500; a rare Tiffany Studios desk lamp in the Spanish pattern; several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Soon I’ll be listing a wonderful Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp with beautiful shades and a fine patina. Also coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com