Tag Archives: Christie’s

Mediocre results at Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany auction on December 14, 2012

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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.

Christie’s New York held its Magnificent Tiffany auction on December 14, 2012, with total sales of $1,124,625. Most prices were unexceptional, so smart buyers had a rare opportunity to buy some nice items at good prices.

Tiffany Favrile reddish floriform vase, Christie's lot #10

Tiffany Favrile reddish floriform vase, Christie’s lot #10

The top lot of the sale was a rare, but boring, Tiffany Favrile reddish floriform vase. Sold as lot #10, it realized $134,500 — below the pre-sale low estimate, including buyer’s premium. The vase was not exciting, so the estimate of $120,000 – $180,000 seemed far too aggressive. The consignor was lucky to have sold the vase.

Tiffany Studios Rose table lamp, Christie's lot #3

Tiffany Studios Rose table lamp, Christie’s lot #3

Two Tiffany Studios lamps tied for second place, both selling for $86,500, against identical estimates of $70,000 – $90,000. One was lot #3, a very nice 25″ diameter Rose table lamp and the other was lot #8, a 20″ diameter Daffodil.

Tiffany Studios 18-light lily table lamp, Christie's lot #31

Tiffany Studios 18-light lily table lamp, Christie’s lot #31

A few bargains were had by sharp buyers, including a Tiffany Studios 18-light lily table lamp. 18-light lily lamps are much rarer than 7, 10 or 12-lily lamps and usually sell for $100K and up. This example sold for $56,250, against a pre-sale estimate of $45,000 – $55,000. Kudos to the buyer.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany 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.

François-Xavier Lalanne was the star of Christie’s Paris 20th Century auction, November 21, 2012

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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.

Christie’s Paris held its 20th Century auction, Arts Décoratifs Du XXe Siècle & Design on November 21, 2012. Sales were strong, with many items far exceeding their high estimates. Total sales were €7,174,525 ($9,301,876).

François-Xavier Lalanne bar, Les Autruches, Christie’s Paris lot #105

The top lot of the sale, #105, was a bar entitled Les Autruches (The Ostriches) from 1966 by François-Xavier Lalanne and the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. Made of biscuitware, silvered metal, steel, iron and silver, it stood 47¼” high by 76¼” long. Estimated to sell for €200,000 – €300,000, it more than quadrupled its high estimate to realize €1,465,000 ($1,869,787), including buyer’s premium.

Diego Giacometti tables, Christie’s lot #72

Sales of items by Diego Giacometti were received well, as usual. Lot #72 was a pair of bronze tables with green patina. The result of €331,000 ($422,457) doubled the high estimate of €150,000. Another table, lot #74, tripled its high estimate of €90,000 to sell for €313,000 ($399,484).

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

No more shows in 2012, so we’ll be spending the time buying treasures for the 2013 antiques season which begins with the Birchwood Manor Antiques Show in Whippany, New Jersey, January 5-6, 2013. (We might also find a little time for R&R.) After that we’ll be traveling south for the important Miami shows in late January and early February. In the meantime, we’re still in business, so keep the inquiries coming. Let me know what you’d like to buy, sell or trade. If you need a Christmas present, NOW is the time. I’ll be adding many new items to my website this week.

I will be posting videos on YouTube of my lecture on French Cameo Glass to the Metropolitan Glass Club. Right now my son Billy is creating the videos. When they’re ready, I’ll put the link on my website and here in my blog.

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.

French Cameo Glass sells well at Christie’s 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe auction, October 17-18, 2012

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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.

Many of the utility poles on my street are down and awaiting repair

I’ve been so preoccupied with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, that I haven’t had time to focus on business. Before I get to that, here’s a brief update. As of Wednesday night, we haven’t had power in my neighborhood for nine days (and none is expected until Monday, November 12th). LIPA (Long Island Power Authority) says that over 140,000 homes are still without power. We’re in the middle of another storm right this minute, which will probably cause more damage. Gas lines are getting longer, not shorter. It’s been pretty tough here for many people.

Back to business. Christie’s New York held a successful two-day 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe auction on October 17-18, 2012, with gross sales of $4,280,225. Included in the sale was a fantastic one-owner collection of French cameo glass, much of which was purchased as recently as one year ago at auctions in New York City. I find it curious that the collection was for sale so soon after purchasing some of it. Since I believe the owner(s) are still alive, my best guess is that the collection was sold as part of a divorce (but that’s wild speculation on my part).

A rare 21″ Gallé parrot vase, Christie’s lot #326

The top French cameo glass lot of the sale was #326, a rare, large Gallé vase with parrot decoration. Estimated to sell for $40,000 – $60,000, it realized $47,500, including buyer’s premium, toward the low end. Most of the vases in the sale had low estimates, but not this one. I imagine it was because the buyer paid a record price for it at Christie’s December 8, 2009 auction, where it sold for an astonishing $104,500. $47,500 was a much more realistic price. Here’s the link to my original blog about the sale. December 9, 2009 blog.

Wonderful Daum fall scenic vase, Christie’s lot #325

The second best-selling French cameo glass vase was a truly gorgeous fall scenic by Daum, sold as lot #325. Most Daum fall scenics are beautiful, but this one was both exceptional and large (18½”). It sold for $26,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $7,000 – $9,000 — over triple the low estimate. I really wanted to buy this vase, but the price was too strong for a dealer. Another Daum fall scenic vase, lot #324, almost as nice, sold for $25,000.

Fine Gallé plum blownout vase, Christie’s lot #347

A very attractive Gallé mold-blown plum vase, lot #347, was the fourth strongest French cameo glass lot of the sale. Against an estimate of $5,000 – $7,000, it sold for $21,250 — too rich for a dealer, but not for a collector.

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 500 Years Decorative Arts Europe results.

The NYC Pier Antiques Show will be held November 17 & 18, 2012

The big, important NYC Pier Antiques Show is coming next weekend, November 17th-18th. If you haven’t made your travel plans yet, there’s still time. This is one show you shouldn’t miss. You can knock off two birds with one stone — see the show and enjoy the Big Apple!

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

Click this link to view some of the new objects I recently purchased. I recently listed over 25 new items. French glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.

I’ll have this rare, special Tiffany Studios red decorated Favrile vase for sale at the NYC Pier Antiques Show

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

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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 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

Noguchi table leads the way at Christie’s New York Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 14, 2012

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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.

Important and unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, Christie's lot #175

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 14, 2012. A unique marble table by Isamu Noguchi, lot #175, commissioned for the Chappaqua, NY home of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C. Dretzin, 1948-49, led the sale with an impressive result. Estimated to sell for $800,000 – $1,200,000, it more than doubled its high estimate to sell for $2,882,500, including buyer’s premium.

Important R. Lalique cire perdue vase, Rondes D'Enfants, Christie's lot #153

Top lot of the glass section of the sale was #153, an R. Lalique cire perdue vase from 1930, entitled Ronde D’Enfants, #5/5 from a small edition of five. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, realizing $290,500. The Lalique market, in general, appears solid, with good results worldwide for better vases.

Rare Tiffany Studios Dragonfly lamp on blownout crab base, Christie's lot #111

A wonderful Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly table lamp, lot #111, with a rare blownout crab base, was the lamp leader, selling for $266,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $100,000 – $150,000.

Total sales were $8,821,337, roughly twice as much as Sotheby’s the day before, helped in no small part by the sale of the Noguchi table. For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Christie’s 20th Century sale results.

Just prior to the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, Christie’s conducted a one-owner sale of seven Tiffany Studios lamps. Results were less than stellar, with four of the seven lamps selling, including a very fine Wisteria lamp for $602,500. For the results of this sale, click on the following link. Christie’s Henry Africa’s lamps results.

James D. Julia’s Important Lamp and Glass auction is happening today, Thursday, June 21, while Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale will happen this Saturday. After that we can expect a calmer July.

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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A killer Gallé fuchsia blownout 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. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show starts this Friday, April 13, 2012

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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.

The Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show starts this Friday, April 13, 2012, at 11 AM, and continues until Sunday, April 15, 2012, at 5 PM. It’s a small, but very nice show, with a diverse selection of quality dealers. We have many friends in the greater Chicago area so it’s a pleasure to return after not having exhibited there since last November. We’ve been doing Chicago shows for so many years that it feels like home.

A very fine Tiffany Studios 10-light lily table lamp (one of two)

I’ve been buying up a storm, so I’ll be bringing my new purchases, which include Tiffany lamps, glass and metalware, outstanding Daum Nancy and Gallé glass, a Le Verre Francais lizard vase, a nice selection of Martin Bros. stoneware, a wonderful Pairpoint puffy lamp, delightful American illustrator paintings, and a great selection of Icart etchings.

A rare and wonderful Daum Nancy egg with swan decoration

The French cameo glass market has been good, with rare items selling strongly at auction. Click on this link to read my blog about the 10″ Daum Nancy blackbird vase that was sold last month at Christie’s for $40,000. Christie’s results blog.

Wonderful Joe Hennesy oil on canvas cover illustration

I just bought a group of nine American illustrator paintings, one better than another. I’ll have them all at the show.

Have I given you enough reasons yet to visit the show? Make sure to stop by my booth and introduce yourself. I want to know what you’d like to buy, sell or trade.

Our next show will be at the Merchandise Mart, in downtown Chicago, Friday-Sunday, April 27-30. It’s Chicago’s best show, and one of the best shows in the entire country. There will be great exhibitors, many of whom exhibit at very few shows a year. It’s worth a trip from anywhere.
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One of the rarest and most beautiful of all Louis Icart etchings, Mardi Gras

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

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

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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.

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

Great results for French cameo glass at Christie’s 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, March 8, 2012

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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. Monday’s blog will be about the results of the NYC Pier Antiques Show. You won’t want to miss that.

Christie’s New York held their 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on March 8, 2012. There was a relatively small, but sophisticated, selection of French cameo glass for sale, as well as a few Tiffany lamps. The high quality French cameo glass sold very well, with several impressive results.

Rare Daum Nancy vase, Christie's lot #6

Top lot of the French cameo glass was a very rare bird and gilded frog decorated vase. It wasn’t gorgeous or highly detailed, but it was very unusual, with techniques not often seen together. At 13¾” tall, it was moderately large. The selling price of $56,250 was almost seven times the high estimate of $7,000. (Remember the sale price includes the buyer’s premium.)

A superb Daum Nancy blackbird vase, Christie's lot #3

Daum blackbird vases are rare and very desirable. Lot #3 was a special example, with excellent detail, yellow in the background, an attractive shape, and good size at 11″. Conservatively estimated to sell for $6,000 – $8,000, it quadrupled its high estimate to sell for $40,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Peony table lamp, Christie's lot #43

There was a small selection of Tiffany Studios lamps offered, with one selling for a bargain. Lot #43 was a full-size Tiffany Studios 22″ Peony table lamp. Estimated to sell for $80,000 – $120,000, it sold for only $74,000 at the hammer ($92,500 including the buyer’s premium). Kudos to the buyer for scooping it up.

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

Our next show is the New York City Pier Show at Pier 94, the Hudson River and 54th St., in New York City, this coming weekend, March 17th and 18th. It’s always fun, so make sure you come to the Big Apple and visit our show! You’ll be happy you did.
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Very fine Daum blownout scenic vase with wheel-carved detail

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

A couple of interesting surprises at Christie’s New York Interior sale, December 8, 2011

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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.

Christie’s New York held an Interiors sale on December 8, 2011. Two lots that I was following had very interesting results.

R. Lalique vase Senlis, Christie's lot #82

Lot #82 was a gray R. Lalique vase, entitled “Senlis”. I knew that Senlis was a very good model because it had bronze handles. The problem was that I only knew enough about R. Lalique glass to be dangerous. I’m not nearly as knowledgeable about Lalique as I am about French cameo glass or Tiffany Favrile glass. I hoped that perhaps it would go unnoticed and slip through the cracks. Wrong! Estimated to sell for $2,000 – $3,000, it sold for $40,000, including the buyer’s premium. I would have gambled up to $10,000, but not more since I didn’t really know the value. Obviously others did.

French dolls, Christie's lot #235

Lot #235 was listed as: A FRENCH BISQUE AUTOMATON DOLL STANDING BEFORE A CHEVAL MIRROR, with an estimate of $800 – $1,200. The lot was actually two dolls — one seated and the second an automaton with a mirror. Apparently the dolls were way better than estimated, as they sold for $20,000, including buyer’s premium. Again, I knew enough about dolls to be dangerous. Many years ago, I bought about 100 dolls from one collection and learned the basics from that experience. So I knew that to sell for $20,000, there had to be something else going on. I never had a chance to examine the dolls in person, but I suspect that one was made by an important French maker, like Bru, Jumeau or others. That would explain it.

Knowledge is power. Need more proof?

Rare Tiffany Arabian lamp in glorious blue color

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

What recession? There’s no recession in the art and antiques market.

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Recently I’ve had more time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world. When there’s no one in my booth at a show, I keep busy by writing blog posts. So for the next few weeks, I will 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.

This Gustav Klimt painting sold at Sotheby's New York for $40,402,500 on November 2, 2011

If you just listen to the news, you would think that the sky has fallen. The housing market is bad in many parts of the country, with many homeowners underwater. Unemployment is currently 9%. The Occupy Wall Street movement has spread. The financial troubles in Greece, Italy and the rest of Europe make stock market investors shiver.

But I’m looking out of my window and see that not only has the sky not fallen, but the sun is shining. There appear to be some good anecdotal economic signals. Sales of luxury cars are improving. Reservations are difficult to get at top restaurants. The antiques business is solid, with new auction records being set for art and antiques. Sotheby’s New York Impressionist & Modern Art sale realized a strong $199,804,500 just a few days ago.

Marc Chagall painting La Mariée sold for $1,022,500 at Christie's New York on November 2, 2011

Here’s my take on what’s going on– no deep analysis, just my observations. There appears to be a dichotomy between the haves and the have-nots — between two dimensions that exist together, but do not interact. On the one side are all the people in the news who are in trouble. They’re worried about the next mortgage payment, not about purchasing antiques. On the other side is a quiet group, not in the news, of successful entrepreneurs, business people and professionals. They aren’t suffering, rather they’re prospering. They have disposable income and are the ones who are actively involved in supporting the art and antiques markets — and they’re not just Americans. Chinese buyers are paying extraordinary prices to repatriate their treasures and are dabbling in other areas. Russian buyers are still active, but less so than a few years ago. Brazilian buyers are starting to flex their economic muscles.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp sold at Christie's New York for $578,500 on June 16, 2011

The Tiffany Studios glass and lamp market is solid. So is the French cameo glass market. That’s not to say that all areas are doing well. For instance, in markets that I have personal knowledge, art glass shades, Steuben glass, Rookwood pottery, Louis Icart etchings and some others are soft. In the early 1990s, the severe recession in the antiques market caused prices to drop precipitously. In some cases, prices dropped over 50% from their peaks (but recovered smartly in the second half of the decade). Nowadays, prices are increasing in many areas. Some collectors are investing, hoping that fine antiques will be a good addition to a diversified portfolio. I’m frequently asked about investing in antiques, but since I’m not good at predicting, I try to restrict my advice to factual information about quality, rarity and condition.

The Pier Antiques Show will be held on the weekend of November 19-20. Sometimes it helps me gauge the health of the market. December is also a big month for auctions. Every major (and minor) auction house holds a 20th Century sale. Those results should be telling. For me, the best predictor of the year to come are the results of the big Miami Beach Convention Center Antiques Show in early February. Buyers fly in from all over the world, so it’s possible to take the pulse of the international market. Here’s hoping good business will continue.

A fine Martin Bros. grotesque vase from 1903

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. I’ll be photographing all my new Gallé and Daum purchases and listing them on my website. Recently I listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps and a very rare Louis Icart etching, Mardi Gras. There are also several fine Daum vases; a Daum lamp; several Galle vases; and several more Tiffany Favrile vases. Coming soon will be several wonderful European ceramic items by Clement Massier, Zsolnay and Amphora. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com