A day in Drubovnik, Croatia

Posted on September 19, 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.

We’re on vacation this week, so there won’t be a Thursday post.

A view of the old city of Dubrovnik from the hill above

Our first stop was in Dubrovnik, Croatia, an interesting city, with a population of fewer than 50,000 people.

I was surprised by a few interesting, unrelated facts, in no particular order — it’s a very small city; the water is as clear and clean as the Caribbean; Game of Thrones is filmed there; the city has fully recovered from the 1990’s war.

The old city is completely walled in, with no vehicles of any sort. It’s possible to walk the entire old city in 30 minutes or less. It used to be a fortification, but now it’s a tourists-only site.

There are many tame animals on Lokrum, including peacocks and rabbits

Lokrum is the closest of many islands just off the coast of old Dubrovnik. 100 Kroner (about $15) gets you a 15-minute round-trip boat ride to this lovely island, with an inland lake. There is no sand, so bathers sit on the rocks and swim in the crystal-clear coastal water. We visited on a beautiful Sunday, so there were plenty of locals sunbathing and swimming.

That’s Lia and me at one of the sites that’s used for the filming of Game of Thrones

It was a big, pleasant surprise to find out that Game of Thrones is filmed there. After visiting some of the site locations, it’s easy to understand why they chose Dubrovnik. Our guide told us that many of his friends were used as extras in the filming. They all find it most amusing to see themselves in the background. Now I have to go back and re-watch some of the episodes.

Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, November 4-6, 2016. This is our only fall show in the greater Chicago area. 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.

Christie’s South Kensington sold some French cameo glass at their Interiors sale, September 14, 2016

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s South Kensington held their Interiors sale yesterday, September 14, 2016, with total sales of £764,688 ($1,009,329). Included in the sale were about twenty French cameo vases. I probably would have bought a few of them, but unfortunately I missed the sale.

Daum Nancy Rain scenic vase, Christie’s lot #201

Lot #201 was a nice Daum Nancy 8½” Rain scenic vase. It exceeded its pre-sale estimate of £3,000 – £5,000, realizing £6,875 ($9,151).

Daum Nancy Thistle vase, Christie’s lot #139

The top lot of the Daum Nancy selection of glass was #139, a huge 19¾” vase, with nice coloration and very fine martelé work in the background. I’ve had similar vases in the past, which were superior to this example, in my opinion. I didn’t like the carving on the foot as it looked too haphazard, like the carver was trying to eliminate flaws in the making. It was all original, but not to my taste. Regardless, it exceeded its high estimate of £6,000, realizing £7,500, ($9,982).

Gallé wheel-carved and intercalaire vase, Christie’s lot #138

Top lot of the Gallé glass was #138, a Hazelnut vase with internal decoration, called intercalaire. Brown is not usually a desirable color, but the high-quality workmanship, including wheel-carving, was attractive to bidders. It sold over its high estimate of £6,000, realizing £8,750 ($11,646). I didn’t like it, so I wasn’t going to bid, no matter what the price.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Dramatic changes coming to Chicago antique shows

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Philip Chasen

The Chicago Merchandise Mart

Dramatic changes are coming to Chicago antique shows. First came the good news. Rosemary Krieger, president of Dolphin Promotions, revived the antiques show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, to be held May 18-21, 2017. Since this was my favorite show of the year, I was thrilled.

Then came the bad news out of nowhere. The Chicago Botanic Garden decided to cancel their spring show permanently. The excuse sounded like double-talk. Here it is verbatim.

As you know, the Antiques & Garden Fair was repositioned in 2015 to become the Antiques, Garden & Design Show in the hope of bringing in new audiences. As the Garden has evolved, so too has this event. After careful consideration, we have decided that now is the perfect time to turn our attention to creating new opportunities to grow the Garden, reach new audiences, and surprise and delight our loyal members and visitors.

With that, 2016 marked our last Antiques, Garden & Design Show.

A look at the garden section of the show

Huh? Truly disappointing. This was a lovely show, with an excellent facility, good attendance and good business. I will miss this show.

Our booth last year at the Chicago Botanic Garden

It first appeared that we would increase the number of our shows in the greater Chicago area from two to three, when we suddenly got shot down. Now we’re back to two and thankful to Rosemary Krieger for that. She’ll be able to choose from a pool of previous dealers at the Merchandise Mart plus Chicago Botanic Garden dealers, who will now want to exhibit at her show. It will be a strong group by the time she’s finished. Her timing couldn’t have been better or luckier. Rosemary, time to go out and buy a lottery ticket!

The results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show (video version)

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Philip Chasen

I’ve been working hard on the video version of my post from last Monday about the results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. I’ve been using a software program from Serif called MoviePlus X6 Digital Edition. Some programs have steeper learning curves than others and this one has been a challenge. Anyway I was able to create a beginner’s video. It’s got lots of mistakes and is far from polished, but it will give you a lot more insight into the show than my normal blogs. Click here to view the video on YouTube. Hope you enjoy it.

Please let me know if you’d like to see more videos and I’ll try to create them. (This is not a generic question. I really need to get some feedback and this means you!) I’m sure as time goes by, they’ll get a little more professional.

I want to publicize this first video, so I will leave this post for the entire week. There will be no new post this Thursday.

Our next show will be in Winnetka, Illinois, November 4-6, 2016. We always look forward to exhibiting in the greater Chicago area. We have lots of friends and clients. Put it in your calendar. It’s a lovely show!

Emile Gallé’s grave was spruced up after having been neglected

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Philip Chasen

The family grave of Louis Majorelle

On my visit to Nancy, France in May of 2015, my colleague, Xavier Eury, took me to visit a cemetery filled with surprises. Inside were the graves of Emile Gallé and family, the Majorelle family, the Daum family and a whole host of very famous French designers and craftsmen of the late 19th century and early 20th century. Needless to say, I was shocked. I’ve been selling their works for decades and had no clue they were all buried in the same cemetery.

The grave of Emile Gallé, his wife, and his son in May, 2015

Emile Gallé’s grave was a big disappointment, as it was totally neglected. Disgraceful that the grave of the one of the most important glass makers of the Art Nouveau period was a mess! Everyone oohed and aahed over his glass but totally neglected his final resting place. How very sad.

I decided to take things into my own hands. After all, Gallé had taken care of me, so it was my turn to return the favor and show some respect. I emailed Xavier and suggested we split the cost of upgrading and maintaining the plantings at his grave. Xavier agreed and then took care of it himself.

Emile Gallé's grave today The result is lovely. Here’s the updated photo from August, 2016. I think you’ll agree it’s a very nice improvement.

The results of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 25-28, 2016

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Philip Chasen

There were approximately 300 people on line at the opening on Thursday morning

The 2016 edition of the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show is now history. It’s changed somewhat from the recent past. First and foremost is that the show was smaller. I heard reports that there were 100 fewer dealers. Attrition is a big problem in the antiques business as both the dealers and the public are aging. Not sure why so many dealers dropped out, but I could speculate retirement, health, death, disappointment with previous shows, etc. The show was still outstanding with really fabulous merchandise from an international group of dealers. I don’t think any of the buying public was disappointed, except possibly the smaller size.

There were times when our booth was quite busy

I spoke to several dealers about their results and recorded them on video. I just bought a new software program to edit video (Serif MoviePlus 6) and I’m learning, but it definitely has a learning curve. If you’re an expert, please contact me as I have a few questions. I hope to have a reasonable video of the show with firsthand interviews with several dealers for my Thursday blog. You won’t want to miss my first attempt at video, so tune in Thursday. (UPDATE – MONDAY)

One of the fine Daum vases we sold at the show

For those who want a quick summary, here goes. Most dealers I spoke to did fairly well. Personally we had a good show, but not great. It was 20% off from last year, but 50% ahead of the year before. Attendance was fairly good most days. If you want specifics, visit my blog on Thursday. (UPDATE – MONDAY)

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show opens today, August 25, 2016

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Part of the extensive display of Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps in our booth

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show begins today, August 25, 2016, as you read this post. Setup went smoothly and the booth looks great.

Butler & Butler are one of the fine dealers at the show

All dealers walk around the show floor during the two days of setup buying from each other. I was able to purchase several wonderful Daum, Gallé and Argy-Rousseau vases during setup, which I’ll have at the show. Early buying is one of the advantages of being an exhibitor, which sometimes works out very well.

Some of the wonderful Daum Nancy vases that I bought at the show

I brought one of the best collections of French and American glass and lamps to the show. Here’s hoping the show will go well. Tune in Monday for the results.

Click on the image above to obtain two free tickets to the show. It will redirect you to a form that you have to complete. You’ll receive one free ticket, good for two, to the show.

We don’t have a show scheduled for quite some time. We probably won’t exhibit at the NYC Pier Antiques Show, now that it’s become a very expensive version of the old show. The original show folded and was replaced by a show from the Palm Beach Show Group, who were forced to move after being shut out of the NY Armory.

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show opens this Thursday, August 25, 2016

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Philip Chasen

A previous year in our booth

The much anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show has arrived! It opens to the public this Thursday at noon and continues until Sunday at 6 PM. It’s probably the best show of the year, especially now that the Miami shows will be in a tumult this coming winter. Both exhibitors and attendees come from all over the world, including Europe, South America and Japan. So wherever you are, you don’t have a good excuse. Baltimore has great restaurants, the Inner Harbor, street performers, stores, and the National Aquarium.

baltimore-8-2016(2) There’s still plenty of time to make arrangements to visit the show. I like to use Hotwire for the best deals on hotels. I just checked a 3-day stay in the Baltimore Inner Harbor area (walking distance to the show), starting on Thursday and departing on Sunday and found two 4-star hotels for $102 and $103/night, respectively. That’s a pretty great deal.

I’ll even offer you two free tickets to the show by clicking on the image above. It will redirect you to a form that you have to complete. You’ll receive one free ticket, good for two, to the show.

We’ll be exhibiting his 10½-inch spectacular Daum scenic vase at the show

We are bringing one of the best selections of French and American glass and lamps that we have ever brought. You will not be disappointed! Hope to see you there.

Thursday’s post will be from the floor of the show and Monday’s will have the results. Tune in again.

A Daum Nancy vase with applied snails is a modern reproduction

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Philip Chasen

Which vase is fake?

Authentic Daum vases with applied and wheel-carved snails are rare, highly desirable and valuable. So I was surprised yesterday when I received photos of a “Daum Nancy” vase with applied snails. It was immediately obvious to me that the vase was a reproduction. The fake vase is crude and harsh. Take a look at the photos above, comparing an authentic example and the reproduction example. If you have trouble telling which is which, you should only buy from an expert who unconditionally guarantees authenticity. The example on the right is a modern reproduction.

daum-fake-and-real-snail-vases-2 The real snail on the left is delicate and beautifully wheel-carved by hand. The fake snail on the right is crude, with gilded details.

The signature on the fake vase is close to the original

baltimore-8-2016 The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show is right around the corner, August 25-28, 2016. It’s the best show of the summer and maybe now the best of the year (with all the changes coming this winter in Miami). People fly in from all over the world to attend, including from as far away as Japan. If you haven’t yet visited, you should. It’s big, with some of the best national and international dealers. You’ll also enjoy Baltimore. Hope to see you there!

In the meantime, we’re very much in business. 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.

A visit with John Atzbach at his museum of Shelby and Lamborghini automobiles

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Philip Chasen

John’s collection of Shelby Mustang automobiles

John Atzbach is a friend of ours who my wife and I met through the antiques business. He is a specialist in Imperial Russian antiques, and an authority on Fabergé enamels.

That's John by his pride and joy -- the first Shelby Mustang competition car ever built

That’s John, standing by his pride and joy — the first Shelby Mustang competition car ever built

So what does John do in his spare time? He collects, restores and displays important, vintage Shelby Mustang and Lamborghini automobiles. We visited him at his Issaquah, Washington, shop/museum.

John, 3rd from the right, with his team and his trophies

In 2015 John exhibited his race-trimmed ’65 G.T. 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, as it was the 50th anniversary of the birth of the Shelby G.T. 350. John won his category and Road & Track magazine’s “car they’d most like to take home from the event”.

The Lamborghini section of John’s shop

The Lamborghini on the wall is a Diablo VT factory prototype. It used to hang on the wall at the Lamborghini factory museum, so John decided to do the same. It has no engine or transmission, but still weighs 1750 lbs.

Our visit was great fun. Thanks for your hospitality, John.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

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