The results of the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 19-21, 2011

Posted on August 22, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The summer show season will end with the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair this week, Thursday, August 25 – Sunday, August 28. 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.

Sunday afternoon, about 2 PM

What a difference a day (city) makes! (Click this link to sing the song along with me and Dinah Washington.) The difference between Southern California and Rosemont, IL, is much greater than the 2000 miles that separates them. Changing cities from Pasadena to Rosemont felt more like changing decades, not cities. Although attendance wasn’t great, those who did attend were serious. Most of the dealers I spoke to were very pleased with their results. Personally, I had an excellent show, with the most interest and sales in Tiffany lamps and French cameo glass — the same areas that have been strong for a long time. One furniture dealer told me he didn’t do well, but that seems to be a trend that is continuing. Buyers prefer newer designs, by artists like Sam Maloof and George Nakashima. Their works continue to sell well, especially at auction.

My booth at the Chicago Summer Antiques Show

Serendipitously, the ANA annual coin show was held at exactly the same time as the antique show, in the same building. Most coin dealers I know are bored with coins, but they love antiques. They visited the antique show and made more than a few dealers happy. Next August, the ANA show will be held in Philadelphia, but the following four years, the ANA show will be held in Rosemont. Rosemary Krieger, the promoter of the antique show, told me that she has linked her show dates from 2013 – 2016 to the coin show. It’s a great idea and all the exhibiting dealers will benefit. For those dealers who have stopped exhibiting in Rosemont in August, I suggest you change your minds and try it again. You missed out on a good show this time.

The Baltimore Inner Harbor at night

Now we’re on our way to Baltimore for the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show. It’s the biggest and the best show of the summer, and one of the best of the year. First, it’s huge. Second, it’s deep in quality. Third, it’s held at the Baltimore Convention Center, in the heart of the Inner Harbor — a great area for restaurants, shops, museums, hotels, and the National Aquarium. Buyers fly in from all over the world, including Japan and Europe, to attend this show. If you were hesitating, don’t. Make your plans and come. The show is open from this Thursday, August 25th, at noon, to Sunday, August 28th, at 6 PM. (The Yankees will be in town and you can see them against the Orioles in Camden Yards, just a couple of blocks away.)

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

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show starts this week and the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair starts next week

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The summer show season is in full gear. In July and early August, we exhibited at the Redondo Beach Antiques Show and the Pasadena Antique Show in California. In mid to late August, we’ll be in Rosemont, Illinois, for the Chicago Summer Antiques Show and then Baltimore for the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. 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.

A wonderful Martin Brothers face jug. One of the many new items I am bringing to the shows.

This week we’ll be exhibiting at the Chicago Summer Antiques Fair, which takes place at the Rosemont Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. It’s adjacent to O’Hare Airport, so it’s quite convenient if you want to fly in to visit the show. It’s not a big show, but it’s very nice quality, so it’s surely worth a visit if you live anywhere in the Greater Chicago area. The show opens this Friday, August 19, at noon and continues until Sunday, August 21, at 5 PM. I’m bringing the largest and best selection of Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps that I’ve brought to any show in many years, including a gorgeous Tiffany Studios 7-light lily and a super Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Arrowroot. Additionally, I’m bringing a deep selection of the finest in French cameo glass by Daum Nancy and Emile Galle, and American glass by Tiffany Studios, Quezal, and Steuben. I will also have a great selection of American ceramics by Rookwood, Grueby, Van Briggle and others, as well as an amazing collection of Louis Icart etchings, including some extremely rare ones, including Mardi Gras, Melody Hour, Miss America and others.

A very rare Tiffany Studios 7-inch diameter blue Favrile counterbalance table lamp

The following week, the whole antiques world moves to Baltimore for the biggest and best show of the summer. The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair is not only huge, but super high quality, with some of the best antique dealers in the country, some of whom exhibit at very few shows during the entire year. Thousands of buyers travel to this show from all over the world, including many from Europe and Japan. If they can travel to Baltimore from Japan, you can travel to the show from anywhere.

A view of a small portion of the exhibitors at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show

Not only is the show exciting, but the downtown area of Baltimore has undergone an a complete revival in the twenty years since I’ve been doing the show. It’s almost unrecognizable from what it used to be. There’s lots to do at the Inner Harbor, the National Aquarium, the Maryland Science Center, Harborplace and the Gallery, cruises on the Inner Harbor, Little Italy, etc., etc. And don’t forget to eat crabs at world-famous Obrycki’s of Baltimore.

The Baltimore Aquarium at night in the Inner Harbor

Very rare Louis Icart etching entitled Mardi Gras

Check out my new acquisitions. I just listed quite a few Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint lamps. I also listed some very rare Louis Icart etchings including Miss America and Mardi Gras; a gorgeous Daum Nancy pink floral vase; 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

The summer antiques show season begins July 29, 2011, in Redondo Beach, CA

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The show season is starting again, with our first show this week in Redondo Beach, CA, July 29-31, 2011. Since I will have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, I will be 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 look for a new one the following Monday.

The Redondo Beach Antiques Show isn’t big. It’s more like a boutique show — small, but high quality. I’d like to think I’m one of the high quality dealers who will be exhibiting there. The show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM, and continues until 5 PM on Sunday. It’s surely worth a visit if you live anywhere in the greater Los Angeles area.

I’ve spent the last several months scouring the country and the world buying some extraordinary antiques. I’ll have them on exhibit for the first time at the Redondo Beach show this weekend.

Tiffany Studios 20-inch diam. Arrowroot table lamp

Tops in the lamp category is a really fine Tiffany 20″ diameter Arrowroot table lamp, with great color. In addition, I’m bringing a great assortment of fresh to the market Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint puffy lamps.

Very rare Tiffany Studios Favrile Agate vase

In American glass, I’m bringing some great items, including a fabulous Tiffany Studios Favrile Agate vase — very rare and very fine.

One of two Daum Nancy vases with mushroom decoration

For French glass, I’m bringing fabulous Daum Nancy and Gallé vases, including two exceptional Daum examples with very rare and sophisticated mushroom decoration.

In addition, I’ll have the usual fabulous assortment of original Louis Icart etchings, great American art pottery with fine examples by George Ohr, Van Briggle and Rookwood.

Make the time to visit me at the show, and I’ll show you some great antiques that you’ll love.

Rare Louis Icart etching Miss America

Check out my new acquisitions. I just listed a very rare Louis Icart etching, entitled “Miss America”, plus a gorgeous Daum Nancy pink floral vase; 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

Some treasures I’ve owned, part VII, Daum Nancy glass

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Philip Chasen

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!

The Daum Brothers produced cameo glass in Nancy, France, starting in the 1880s. By the turn of the century, they were turning out masterpieces. Some of the most beautiful examples utilized the techniques of acid-etching, followed by hand-painted enameling and firing. Some of the vases, especially scenic examples, were wonderful.

A rare Daum Nancy farm scenic vase

One of my favorite vases had a farm scene painted with bright yellow. I’m not sure what crop was growing, but it must have been a beautiful sight to behold in person. I haven’t seen or owned another example of this scene since this one, about 15 years ago.

Gorgeous Daum Nancy fall scenic box

Daum produced vases with decorations of each of the seasons. Naturally, the fall scenes were the most colorful (and therefore the most desirable in today’s market). One distinctive box had particularly bright color (the colors vary from example to example) and beautiful detail.

A spectacular Daum Nancy summer scenic vase

The example pictured above is not your typical summer scenic vase. The birch trees were exquisitely painted with leaves in multiple shades of green. The artistry was so fine, the trees looked alive. The artist for this vase was especially talented. The unusual colors, the fabulous detail, the depth, all worked together to create a stunning vase.

Not all of my best vases were in the past. I’ve got some special ones for sale right now that will be included in a future blog. Please take a look by clicking on the following link. Daum Nancy glass for sale.

Rare Louis Icart etching Miss America

Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale on June 15, 2011 was its strongest since 2008

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy floor lamp, Sotheby's lot #19

Sotheby’s New York held their Important 20th Century Design sale on June 15, 2011. The results were generally strong, with total sales of $7,139,250. That’s the highest gross for a Sotheby’s 20th Century sale since 2008, before the “great recession”. Tiffany Studios items did well, with a few exceptions, including one that I don’t understand. Lot #19 was an outstanding Tiffany Studios Oriental Poppy floor lamp. Estimated to sell for $400,000 – $600,000, it did not reach reserve and was bought in. Apparently the lot was sold privately, after the auction, for $434,500, including buyer’s premium. The buyer was smart, because in my opinion, it should have sold at or above the high estimate. But inconsistency and odd results are normal at auction. Sometimes fair quality items sell for much more than they’re worth and other times excellent quality items don’t sell at all.

Rare pair of Tiffany Studios Arts & Crafts turtleback wall sconces, Sotheby's lot #8

A rare pair of Tiffany Studios wall sconces in the Arts & Crafts style, lot #8, sold well above the high estimate of $35,000, to reach $92,500. Both sconces had cracked turtleback tiles, but that didn’t slow the bidding down at all. Recent buyers at major auctions seem willing to overlook damage. That’s more frequently the case when the market is strong.

Importand and rare Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann dining table, Sotheby's lot #65

I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to the furniture in the sale, but this time I had to. Ruhlmann ruled (pun intended). Ten lots of Ruhlmann furniture sold for a combined $2,877,500, accounting for approximately 40% of the total sale. Lot #65 was catalogued as “An Important and Rare Dining Table, Model 1314 NR”. It carried a hefty pre-sale estimate of $700,000 – $900,000, but did not disappoint, selling for $1,482,500, including buyer’s premium.

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

Actor Steve Martin scammed by art forgers

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Steve Martin

In July, 2004, Steve Martin purchased a purportedly 1915 painting, Landscape with Horses, by the German painter Heinrich Campendonk, to add to his extensive collection of modern art, which includes works by Pablo Picasso, Edward Hopper, and Roy Lichtenstein. He purchased the painting in Paris at the Cazeau-Béraudière Gallery for €700,000. He then consigned the painting to auction at Christie’s London, where it sold two years later for €500,000, a loss of €200,000.

The fake Heinrich Campendonk painting Landscape with Horses

The scam was uncovered only last year, when Wolfgang Beltracchi, was arrested together with three accomplices – his wife, his sister-in-law and another accused forger named Otto Schulte-Kellinghaus. They were accused of creating and selling at least 35 forgeries of famous artists, including Fernand Léger and Max Ernst, starting in the early 1990s. Beltracchi painted the forgeries and then the gang concocted elaborate stories and labels that traced the paintings back through various owners, including his wife’s grandfather, Werner Jägers. Apparently Beltracchi is quite a talented guy, as his paintings fooled many experts, both private and at prestigious auction galleries like Christie’s. So here’s my question. Why would such a talented artist paint forgeries? Yes, yes, I know. I’m not naive, but what a waste! He couda been a contenda! Now he’ll wind up in a German pokey. But he will have plenty of time to paint and maybe now he’ll sign his own name. With his new notoriety, perhaps you’ll want to own a Beltracchi one day. It’s got a nice ring to it.

Mr. Martin has stated to the New York Times that he doesn’t know if he has any legal liability, but that the Cazeau-Béraudière Gallery has accepted responsibility. French law is quite strict about the sale of forgeries, so it’s quite unlikely that Mr. Martin will have any personal liability.

In my one personal dealing with Mr. Martin, he was quite the gentleman. After having my gallery deliver three Handel lamps to his apartment on Central Park West in Manhattan in 1989, he called to say that he and his wife couldn’t make up their minds, so they were going to pass on the lamps. When I personally went to his apartment to collect the lamps, he had left a bottle of champagne and a signed note of apology. (I wish I could find the note, but somehow it got lost in the shuffle. Oh well!)

Check out my new acquisitions. This week I listed several fine Daum vases, a Daum lamp and several Galle 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

Are any two French cameo glass vases identical?

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Philip Chasen

I try to mix up my blog posts. Today’s is a teaching post with an interesting lesson about French cameo glass — one of my favorite topics. Today’s question is “Are any two French cameo glass vases identical?”

Three Gallé banjo scenic vases

Take a look at the photos above. They are each examples of Gallé scenic banjo vases, meant to be the same. If you look carefully, you can see that although the scenes are very similar, they are not identical. The easiest detail to note are the birds in the sky. The vase on the left has two birds, the one in the center, three birds and the one on the right, five birds. Upon very close inspection, there are many small differences in the trees, branches, reflections, etc. The glass artists started with a prototype that was the standard to copy, but were given latitude to make minor changes, as they saw fit. The colors also varied quite a bit, depending on the applied glass layers.

Two examples of Gallé water lily scenic vases

The differences in the two vases above are more difficult to spot, but if you spend enough time, you’ll find plenty. (Kind of like the two similar photos side by side in People magazine.) The easiest place to spot differences are in the tips of the leaves. They are more curled in the vase on the right. These vases are another example that shows that no two French cameo vases are identical.

Lalique vases can be identical because they were cast from the same mold. French cameo vases were not molded, except for blownout vases. Even those vases were not identical because they were acid-etched after being mold-blown. Small differences occurred during the etching process.

What I find most striking are not the minor differences, but rather the major similarities. There are so many similarities that it appears to me that perhaps the artists started with stencils and then used hand tools to refine the details, which make for the various differences. I can’t prove my hypothesis, but give me a better explanation and I’ll listen.

Regardless, the total process of producing a quality French cameo glass vase by Gallé, Daum or others was very time consuming. It required many steps and many hours to produce any vase and much more time to produce special vases. I’m very pleased with the continuing popularity of French cameo glass. The earliest French cameo glass vases, produced in the 1890s, are closing in on 125 years old. There are so many collecting areas that have fallen out of favor, that today’s popularity is a tribute to the French artists of yesteryear.

Check out my new Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé acquisitions. I’ll be listing several fine Tiffany lamps in the next few weeks. First to be listed will be a fine Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp with beautiful shades and a fine patina. Later I’ll be getting a 20″ Dragonfly and several floral lamps. Also coming soon will be a gorgeous 7″ diam. blue Favrile counterbalance desk lamp. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

Results of the Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 29 – May 2, 2011

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Saturday afternoon in my booth

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show ended on Monday, May 2, 2011. Many of the dealers were pleased with their results, but a few were not. Following is some of the scuttlebutt.

An important Art Nouveau dealer is not returning because he did not do enough business after having exhibited at the show twice. An important dealer of Art Nouveau, 19th century and Asian antiques only had a fair show, mainly because he sold Chinese antiques to Chinese dealers. (The Chinese market is red hot because of the new wealth in China. Chinese buyers are repatriating fine Chinese antiques.) A dealer in Russian antiques only had a decent show. A dealer in French furniture and bronzes did very well, exhibiting for the first time at the show. Another dealer who deals in general, but fine antiques, did very well. An important dealer in general, but fairly unique items, only had a fair show. Another who deals in mainly 19th century fine antiques and art only had a fair show. An English dealer of silver had a very good show. A domestic dealer of silver had a barely passable show. An English dealer of ceramics and other objects barely made expenses. (Last year was much better for them.) Finally several dealers in Asian antiques did well.

One of the fine sold Daum Nancy vases -- "Rain"

Personally, my show was very good. I have to thank all of my loyal clients, who made a point of visiting my booth and purchasing from me. Interest and sales were best for Tiffany lamps and French glass by Gallé and Daum Nancy. I was disappointed that few of my sales were to new people, but thankful for the good show.

Where else but my blog can you get such accurate information about a show? NOWHERE! Most people who write about antiques have an agenda, but I don’t. I’ll tell you like it is. So have you told one of your friends to read my blog? Send them the link. https://blog.chasenantiques.com

So what was the consensus? Many dealers did OK, some did well, and others only had fair shows. I didn’t hear from a single dealer who had a great show. The best I heard was “pretty good”. Business was solid, but not ebullient. Overall, there have been better years, but almost every dealer is returning, with the exception of a few. So that means they think Chicago is a good city to exhibit and the Chicago Merchandise Mart is a good venue to exhibit. The Mart does a really fine job of making the dealers feel like they’re important. Kudos to the staff of the Merchandise Mart.

A Tiffany Studios 7-light lily lamp, similar to the one that I will be getting soon with a fine patina

I’m in the process of acquiring some wonderful Tiffany Studios lamps — a 7-light lily with beautiful shades and a fine patina, a 20″ Dragonfly and a 16″ Poinsettia. I should have them reasonably soon, so email me if you’re interested and I’ll send you photos as soon as they’re in my possession.

Check out my new Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé acquisitions. I just listed a couple of important Tiffany vases, straight from a private home. I also listed about ten Daum and Gallé vases plus about 10 Tiffany Pine Needle and Grapevine desk pieces. I’ll be listing even more Pine and Grapevine pieces within the next few days. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show preview party, April 28, 2011

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Philip Chasen

Results of the show Tuesday afternoon, as the show ends Monday, May 2.

My booth during the preview party

I started writing this blog from my booth at the preview party of The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show. I’m glad to say that I couldn’t finish writing it there because it was fairly busy later in the evening. At first there were quite a few people, but very few questions and little interest. Things picked up during the latter half of the party, resulting in a couple of sales and one item on hold. Pretty good for a preview party. The preview party in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago was also good. To the credit of the Merchandise Mart, the food and drink were excellent and plentiful, as always.

Some of the unique items in the booth of M.S. Rau of New Orleans

This is really a show you should make the time to visit. There are very few shows in the US with the same quantity and quality of dealers. M.S. Rau of New Orleans has an enormous booth filled with one-of-a-kind rarities. Green River Stone Co. has wall plaques of river animal and plant fossils over a million years old, removed directly from the river. The diversity of dealers in this show is wonderful, from Asian to art to Chanel purses to silver. There are no junk dealers in this show.

Green River Stone Co. fossils

You’ll surely like what I’ve brought, including many items which will be exhibited for the first time; European ceramics by Clement Massier, Dalpayrat, Zsolnay, and Amphora; Daum vases including a very rare and fine mushroom example, Galle vases and Icart etchings. I hope you come and visit. The hours are Friday 11 AM – 7 PM, Saturday 11 AM – 7 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 6 PM and Monday, 11 AM – 3 PM.

One of the fine new Daum Nancy vases I will be exhibiting for the first time.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show will be open from April 29 – May 2, 2011

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Philip Chasen

The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 29 - May 2, 2011

The Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show will open to the public on Friday, April 29 and remain open until Monday, May 2, 2011. If you only attend one antique show a year, this is the one you were waiting for.

The show is everything you would want from an antique show — it’s elegant, it’s moderately large, it has world-class exhibitors. What else? It’s in downtown Chicago, conveniently located a few blocks west of Michigan Ave, right on the river. It’s spring, so the weather will be near perfect, with fabulous floral displays around the city, especially the tulips on Michigan Ave. You can eat at some of the best restaurants in the world and shop in some of the best stores.

A superb Daum winter ewer that I'll be showing for the first time

Convinced yet? Some of the exhibitors exhibit at very few shows, so you’ll have one of the rare chances to see them. For example, M.S. Rau of New Orleans exhibits at this show and usually bring incredible items, including paintings by Norman Rockwell and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Many of the exhibitors are international, from England, France, Italy and Turkey.

Fantastic bronze grouping in the booth of Greenwald Antiques

Greenwald Antiques has one of the most fantastic items I’ve ever seen at a show. It’s an amazing 6 feet long, gilded bronze grouping of horses and a chariot by the French sculptor E. Picault, given as a gift by the citizens of a town to the local sheriff in England in 1880, with the original presentation plaque, marble base and hand-carved furniture base. It’s a show-stopper.

The show begins on Thursday evening with a preview party. I’m not a fan of preview parties, but the last one in LA was good. Maybe one day I’ll change my mind about preview parties. In the meantime, I’ll appreciate the good food and drink.

Another of the fabulous Daum vases from my buying trip

Personally, I’m bringing some of the finest items I’ve ever shown. We will have an incredible 18″ Tiffany Studios Peony table lamp with superb red flowers plus another dozen Tiffany lamps, including four floor lamps. We’re just back from a European buying trip, so we’ll have some great Daum & Gallé glass that will exhibited for the first time.

I’ll post results on Tuesday, because the show ends on Monday.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Daum Nancy