Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, sold a beautiful Burgun & Schverer French cameo glass bottle at auction, October 25, 2016

Posted on October 27, 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.

Burgun & Schverer (B&S) internally decorated bottle, Northeast lot #200

Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH, held an auction, October 17-18, 2016. Included in the sale was a beautiful Burgun & Schverer French cameo glass bottle with silver mounts and internally decorated bleeding hearts decoration, lot #200. It sold for $4,320, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,500. I was the underbidder. I would have bid higher, but the bottle had some minor condition problems, including a chip to the inner rim of the bottle and a chip to the stopper.

Following is a link to a prior blog post on B&S glass, so you can appreciate its importance and desirability. Click here.

For the complete results of the Northeast Auctions sale, click here.

Our next show in Winnetka, Illinois, is next week, 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!

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.

Setting up at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 18-19, 2015

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Philip Chasen

Setup was just beginning

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show begins today, August 20, 2015, as you read this post. Setup went smoothly and the booth looks great.

I just bought this large, killer B&S internally decorated vase with orchids

I was able to purchase several wonderful Daum, Gallé and B&S vases during setup, which I’ll have at the show. Early buying is one of the advantages of being an exhibitor, which sometimes can make up for a poor show.

Another of the wonderful items I purchased at the show

I’ve got my fingers crossed that the show will go well, but it’s not up to me. I did my best to gather the finest items. Now it’s up to the public. Tune in Monday for the show results.

On a sad note, I have to report two deaths. James (Jimmy) Roush, 70, and Sig Monroe, 77, both of cancer. They will be missed.

Our next show will be The Big Flea Market at Pier 94 in New York City, September 26-27. Last year was the first time for this show and it was good. The attendees were completely different than the established Pier Antique Show that takes place in November and March each year, making it a totally different experience.

What’s new at Chasen Antiques? Part III

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Philip Chasen

This outstanding 18″ tall Gallé is fresh from a Florida collection

I’ve always been an active buyer and seller of French cameo glass. Recently I bought a collection in Florida, as well as many items in various locations. I’ve now got four Gallé lamps for sale. Usually I don’t even have one.

Galle Fuchsia vase, just in

Gallé blownout vases are highly collectible and desirable. The Fuchsia example above is one of four different, beautiful blownout models I have for sale.

Gorgeous Burgun & Schverer Bleeding hearts vase

Do you have any idea how much work went into the making of a single Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase? I’ll tell you. First the gaffer (glass blower) blew the undecorated vase. When cold (24-48 hours later), the vase went to a decorator who hand-painted the flowers, branches and leaves with glass enamel paint. Then into the kiln to melt and fuse the design to the vase. At that point, the decoration was on the outside of the vase. It then went back to the gaffer to be reheated and covered with a layer of clear glass. The technique is called paperweight (because the decoration becomes internal). It was difficult, as well as time and labor-intensive. Many of the vases cracked during cooling. If it survived, 24-48 hours later, the cold vase was sent to a decorator who covered the vase with a waxy resist, hand-carved the leaf, branch and top rim icicles and then sent it for a hydrofluoric acid bath to etch the design. After washing and drying, the vase was heated to melt off the remainder of the waxy resist. Then off to an engraver who hand-carved the details in the flowers and leaves and the martelé flourishes in the background. Not finished yet. Then back to another decorator who hand-painted the gilded details in the veins of the flowers and the top rim. At this point the gold was black, so off to the kiln for still another firing. After cooling, (24-48 hours), out came a piece of art, with internal flowers, incredible workmanship, and shiny gold details, ready for sale. How long would you guess that took, by how many artisans? My best guess is two weeks of work and up to ten very talented glass artisans. I hope next time you look at an internally decorated B&S vase, you’ll have a different appreciation. The example pictured above was recently purchased. It’s gorgeous, with outstanding work and a rare, beautiful rose-red background.

Striking Daum Nancy Marine pillow vase

Lastly I’d like to mention that I’ve been able to acquire several outstanding Daum vases, including the marine scenic example pictured above. Please take the time to look over the various offerings I’ve listed on my website. I tried to picture most of the examples I have for sale, but they’re not all there. Time doesn’t permit me to picture everything. Either you can ask me for something specific or best of all, come to see me at one of my shows in Florida. You won’t be disappointed!

I can’t believe it. By the middle of next week, we’ll be in Miami setting up the Miami National Antiques Show (the Airport show) and by Saturday we’ll be open to the public for business. If you plan on going to the big Miami Beach show the following week, you should consider coming a few days early to visit this one. You’ll get first crack at some of the following week’s merchandise (and out of the cold!).

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.

Burgun & Schverer French cameo glass can be extraordinary

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Philip Chasen

The finest Burgun & Schverer vase I’ve ever owned

Burgun, Schverer & Cie (B&S) started business in the Alsace-Lorraine region of France, along the German border, in 1711. Germany annexed the area after defeating the French in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, but it was returned to France in 1919 after Germany’s defeat in WWI. So technically B&S glass made in the 1890s is German, but that’s only a technicality. Everyone regards it as some of the best Art Nouveau French cameo glass ever made.

A stunning pink floral internally decorated B&S vase

The best examples were internally decorated, accomplished through a complicated, difficult process. The process started with hand-blowing the glass to form the vase. After cooling, the floral decoration was hand-painted on the outside surface with glass enamel paint. Swirls were sometimes added. The vase was then reheated and covered with a layer of clear glass. This important step left the decoration inside the layers, hence the term internally decorated. After cooling, the vase was acid-etched to form the icicle border rim and the outlines of the flowers. Then it was time for hand-engraving, a technique called wheel or intaglio-carving, which increased the realism of the flowers. Splashes of martelé texture were also wheel-carved into the background. Finally, the gilded details were hand-painted. These included the veining in the leaves and stems and the gilded rim. The final step was to fire the vase to convert the painted gilding into shiny gold.

Closeup photo of internal flowers with wheel-carved details on the surface layer

Many laborious steps were necessary to finish an internally decorated vase. My best guess is that it took two weeks to produce a single vase from start to finish.

An example of a wheel-carved B&S vase without internal decoration

B&S isn’t as well known as Gallé and Daum, but they should be. I assume the scarcity of their work is largely responsible for that. Most good vases are priced in the $5,000 – $25,000 price range, when available, which isn’t very often.

No shows in September, but we’ll be back for the Arlington Park Racetrack Show in October. In the meantime, we’ll travel and find great new items. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I just purchased this fabulous A. Walter Art Deco pate-de-verre working clock

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. I will be adding more items this week. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair opens today, August 25, 2011

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair ends the summer show season. The fall season will begin with the AVENUE show at the Park Avenue Armory on Thursday, September 22nd. Since I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, I am posting new blog entries once or twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. 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.

Some of the fabulous paintings in the booth of M.S. Rau of New Orleans

This is one of the rare times in the summer that I have the time to write a Thursday blog. Next Monday’s blog will be about the results of the Baltimore show. The results might be skewed by the hurricane that is roaring up the East Coast. It could head east and be no problem or it could head west and affect the whole East Coast. Not to mention the earthquake that hit the East Coast. I just exhibited at two shows in California. The entire time, I was thinking to myself that an earthquake could hit at any moment and do extensive damage to my inventory. When we left with no earthquake, I was relieved. It was surreal to come to Baltimore and experience a once-in-a-century earthquake. I knew instantly that it was an earthquake, since I’ve been through two of them in California. But it was so gentle in Baltimore that I wasn’t the least bit worried.

Super rare Le Verre Francais vase with bonsai trees

Back to the Baltimore show. It’s such an amazing show — only equaled or exceeded by the amazing Miami Beach Antiques Show. The Baltimore show is huge, with great dealers, some of whom exhibit at very few shows. If you make the trip to Baltimore you’ll see a vast selection of antiques that you would be hard pressed to find anywhere else. Where else can you find dealers from all over the United States and some foreign dealers, all under one roof, at the same time. It’s really incredible. There’s almost nothing that you can think of that isn’t here for sale.

Breathtaking B&S internally decorated 6" diameter vase

If you’re concerned about the possible hurricane, come early. Right now, the hurricane isn’t due until Sunday, if at all. The show opens today, Thursday, August 25, at noon, and continues until Sunday at 6 PM. The scope and breadth of the displays is truly astonishing. You will not regret your decision to come.

Very rare set of fabulous signed Quezal shades

Personally, I’ve got a really great selection of items, most of which you haven’t seen before. I bought a few new extraordinary items, including a really fantastic B&S internally decorated vase, an ultra rare Le Verre Francais vase with Bonsai trees, and a fantastic Quezal set of decorated shades. Make sure you visit my booth. I’ve moved to a very big booth in the corner of the building. As you enter, make a right turn, and go into the corner. That’s the location of my new booth.

Killer Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp with great shades and patina

Check out my new acquisitions. I recently listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps. I also listed some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Melody Hour and Mardi Gras; several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Also coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Good results at Christie’s Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale in New York, June 17, 2010

Posted on June 21, 2010 by Philip Chasen

June is 20th Century Decorative Arts Month, or so I’ve named it. Every June (and December), it seems every major (and minor) auction house has a 20th Century Decorative Arts sale. The June sales usually don’t have as powerful a selection as the December sales, but it’s still quite good. The June sale at Sotheby’s was strong, as I reported in my last blog entry. The overall results of the Christie’s sale the following day were good, with total sales of $5,853,100, but the Tiffany lamp sales were weaker, except for the best examples. Sotheby’s selection of Tiffany lamps was more select than Christie’s and the results showed. This time around, collectors were looking for superior examples and those excelled. Bargains were to be had for some of the less expensive lamps. For the most part, under $50,000 lamps suffered, while the over $100,000 lamps did well.

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann commode, circa 1925, Christie's lot #97, June 17, 2010

The top lot of Christie’s sale was #97, an Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann burl walnut and ivory commode, circa 1925. Estimated to sell for $150,000-200,000, it quadrupled the low estimate to sell for $614,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Grape chandelier, Christie's lot #45, June 17, 2010

A beautiful Tiffany Studios Grape chandelier, lot #45, was the second highest lot of the sale. It more than doubled the low estimate, selling for $398,500, against an estimate of $150,000-200,000. It continued the trend of strong results for the best examples.

Tiffany Studios 16 inch diameter Linenfold table lamp, Christie's lot #29, June 17, 2010

At the other end of the spectrum, there were bargains to be had. Lot #29 was a 16″ diameter Tiffany Studios Linenfold table lamp. It was estimated very conservatively at $8-12,000 and sold for $9,375, including buyer’s premium, slightly below the low estimate. At retail, the lamp is estimated to sell for $15-20,000.

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

I just added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps, 1 Grueby vase, 1 Newcomb vase, Daum Nancy glass and a fabulous Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase. I’m spending a lot of time this spring adding new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your comments or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer you in a future blog.

Some treasures I’ve owned, part I, French Cameo Glass

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Philip Chasen

I received two similar requests. Matt Long wrote. “Just a thought, what about writing about some of the most amazing pieces you have seen or dealt with over the years on your blog? The pieces that pop into your head. As much info about them as you have would be interesting to me and others I would think, as they would be great eye candy! And informative too.” And almost the same request from Joe Mollica. “Over the years I am sure you have seen some spectacular objects. Would you share some of the stories surrounding the objects and what made them significant?”

Thanks, Matt and Joe. Here are a couple of my favorite French cameo objects that I’ve handled over the years.

Burgun & Schverer vase

Burgun & Schverer is famous for their fantastic internally decorated vases. The work is technically complicated and the workmanship superb. This example has it all with extraordinary color that I haven’t seen in any other example. Every time I look at the photo, I go wow!

Rare and unusual Daum Nancy footed bowl

I’ve bought and sold countless numbers of Daum Nancy objects, but this is one of the most unusual and beautiful. The technique is acid-etching, followed by hand-painting with enamel and gilding, and finally firing. This technique is what most collectors are looking for. What makes this object so unusual is the great shape. Daum produced lots of bowls, but most of them were square with rounded corners and pinched sides. Until I bought this bowl, I’d never seen this shape before — a bowl raised on three curved legs that look like furniture. How cool is that? The decoration is the very desirable violets flower, with exceptional color and detail. The combination of the wonderful shape, subject matter, color and workmanship make this a superb Daum Nancy rarity.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: B&S