John McInnis Auctioneers sold a beautiful Gallé marquetry vase at their Three Day Spring Estates Auction, Sunday, March 26, 2017

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.

Gallé marquetry vase, McInnis lot #954

John McInnis Auctioneers held a Three Day Spring Estates Auction, March 24-26, 2017. Included in the Sunday portion of the sale was a rare and beautiful Gallé marquetry vase, lot #954.

Marquetry vases are quite sophisticated. The technique required pressing colored glass into the design when the glass was molten. On cooling, the finish work was hand-engraved to give the flowers realistic details. The quality was superb.

The original Gilman Collamore & Co. sticker affixed to the underside.

Additionally the vase had a sticker underneath from the original high-end retailer in New York City, Gilman Collamore & Co., which opened on 5th Avenue and 30th St. in 1890. I’m sure the vase’s provenance, provided by the sticker, gave a boost to its value.

The bidding began at $2,000 and immediately jumped to $11,000. By the time it was finished, the vase sold for $44,280, including buyer’s premium, many times the pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000. I was actively bidding until $30,000, when I had to drop out. There’s only so much a dealer can pay and still make a profit. Congratulations to the successful bidder for a superb purchase.

For the complete results, click here.


We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM.

I recently listed about 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Doyle New York held its Doyle at Home sale yesterday, March 8, 2017

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.


Doyle New York held its Doyle at Home sale yesterday, March 8, 2017. Included in the sale was a small selection of mostly mediocre French, Austrian and American art glass and lamps. Doyle used to include this type of merchandise in its 2-3 times yearly Belle Epoque sales, but all of the auction houses have moved to Design sales instead.

Loetz Phänomen vase, Doyle lot #229

Lot #229 was a standout Loetz 7¾” Phänomen vase with drip decoration, on a salmon-colored ground. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it realized $5,312, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Crystallerie vase, Doyle lot #226

Lot #226 was a nice 19th century example of Gallé Crystallerie production, which was usually clear glass with enameling. This smallish 5½” example also had applied cabochon flower centers, improving its beauty and sophistication. It sold above its high estimate of $1,500, realizing $2,125, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 3-light lily piano lamp, Doyle lot #526

The Tiffany Studios offerings were mostly low quality, reflected in their middling results. Lot #526, a Tiffany 3-light lily piano lamp, did OK, considering that one of the three shades was badly damaged and held together with tape. It sold for $4,375, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Next week we’ll be exhibiting at the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Collecting French cameo glass by subject matter

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.


Most of the French cameo glass companies of the Art Nouveau period repeated subject matter on vases and lamps of different sizes and shapes. Some collectors like to create groupings, usually odd numbers of at least three. I recall one Florida collector who collected only Daum Winter vases and lamps. I think she had over 70 examples by the time she stopped collecting in the 1980s.

A rare Daum Nancy Rain lamp

A lovely Daum Nancy Rain vase

Rain is one of the rarest and most highly sought after subjects for Daum glass. It can be found on many shapes from as small as miniature vases, all the way up to large vases and lamps.

Two lovely example of Galle dragonfly and water lily decoration

Gallé liked dragonflies, which were usually depicted flying over water lilies. Gallé produced very few miniature vases, but dragonflies can be found on small to monumental vases. The addition of a dragonfly to the decoration of a vase can double its value.

There are as many ways to collect glass as there are collectors. Everyone’s idea of what makes a nice collection varies, but collecting groupings can be a nice way to add a little variety.


Next week we’ll be exhibiting at the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The results of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3-5, 2017

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 Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show is over. It’s been a modest success, for which I’m thankful. Attendance was light to moderate for the entire show, but enough of the right people showed up to make it profitable. French glass sold best, which has been the usual modus operandi for most shows.

We sold a very similar Walter pâte-de-verre tray at the show

I don’t think the word is out yet that the show is new and improved. It’s much larger and better, so it’s worth a trip from anywhere. I think the show is going to get even bigger next year with the reopening of the second floor. That would be a great reason to visit. We’re signed up for next year in an even bigger booth.

I spent a lot of time on Monday creating a video of the show. I’m not a professional videographer, but I did my best with a complicated video editing program called Serif MoviePlus. Click here to view it. I would love to know what you think. PLEASE send me an email. philip@chasenantiques.com.

This week we’ll move to the Miami-Dade County Fair Expo Center in southwest Miami for the Original Miami Antique Show. It opens to the public this Friday at 12 PM and continues until Monday at 5 PM. I have no idea what to expect with this move to a new venue. I’ll keep you posted.

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens this Friday, February 3, 2017

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 Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and closes on Sunday at 5 PM. It will feature over 200 premier exhibitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America, offering fine antiques and decorative arts.

Our booth at a previous Miami Airport show

This year the show has grown to 200 dealers from only 60 last year as many of the dealers from the Original Miami Beach Antique Show have jumped ship due to the uncertainty surrounding the relocation of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show. The Miami Beach Convention Center is undergoing extensive renovation which forced the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to move to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. We’ve decided to exhibit at both shows and let the chips fall where they may.

We’ll have this just-purchased, incredible Daum Nancy Blackbird vase at the show.

We always bring a strong inventory to Miami, but this year is exceptional. You won’t believe the quantity and quality of the French and American glass and lamps we’ll have at the show. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. It’s always good but this year it will be great!

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The results of the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market, January 19-21, 2017

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.


A few of the Gallé and Daum vases in our booth

It’s 12:30 PM on Saturday as I begin to write this blog. The show will end today at 7 PM, having opened at 9 AM today and yesterday. There were almost no people for the first hour, so the show should have opened at 10 AM. Closing today at 7 PM will be a burden. There will be no people here the last hour or two. The show promoters should shorten the hours to make it easier on the dealers. The public will have enough hours to do their shopping.

We sold this beautiful Gallé Chrysanthemum vase at the show

As of now, we’ve had very few sales, but those few sales coupled with a good purchase pre-show added up to a modest success. If we sell more today, it will be a success, period.

More Gallé and Daum in our booth

UPDATE: Saturday, 7 PM. The show is over and unfortunately it ended with a bust. No sales at all on what should have been the busiest and best day. Attendance was a little bit better today, but overall attendance ranged from very light to light. A few of my good clients showed up today, but no one made a purchase. It was a long, boring show that ended with very few sales and a small profit. Beats the pants off a loss, but still quite disappointing.


Now we’re headed to Miami for important shows, beginning with the Airport Show on February 3rd. This year may be the turning point for the show becoming the more important of the two Miami shows. If you missed us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.

The Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, moving from Miami Beach to a new venue. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

The NYC Big Flea Antiques Market opens this Thursday, January 19, 2017

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.


This week we’ll be exhibiting at our first show of the new year, the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market at the Manhattan Center, Historic Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. and 8th Ave. in New York City. The show opens on Thursday at 1 PM and runs until Saturday at 7 PM. The facility is closed on Sunday, which explains the unusual show days. This is our only show in New York City, so please come and visit. The weather forecast for this coming week predicts 50s, so that should make for easy traveling.

We’ll have this fabulous B&S internally decorated vase at the show

We will be there with all of our new and exciting purchases including a sensational selection of French and American glass and lamps. You won’t want to miss us.

Don’t be fooled by the name NYC Big Flea Market. There will be plenty of fine merchandise at the show. It’s the perfect week to visit as there will be more exciting antiques events in New York City at the same time, as it’s Americana Week. Click here for a link to some of the shows, lectures, museums, etc.

Following the show, we’ll be heading to the all-important Miami shows, beginning with the Airport Show on February 3rd. This year may be the turning point for the show becoming the more important of the two Miami shows. If you can’t see us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

2016 Year in Review

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.


2016 was a good year, with French cameo glass leading the action. That wasn’t an easy task as the antiques business has changed significantly over the last few years, with many antique shows failing and relocating. What was good were loyal clients. Thank you.

Burgun & Schverer made exceptionally beautiful, internally decorated French cameo vases. The market has been solid for their work. This vase was one of the very fine examples sold during the year.

This gorgeous B&S vase was sold in 2016

The market in Daum Nancy has been consistently strong for quite some time. 2016 was no different.

This killer Daum Nancy French Alpine scenic vase was sold in 2016

This special red Tel el Amarna vase was one of the fine Tiffany Favrile vases sold during the year.

Gorgeous red Tiffany Favrile Tel el Amarna vase

Here’s hoping that 2017 will be a good year. The stock market is experiencing a Trump rally, so hopefully that will put everyone in a buying mood.

The Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center

Next week we’ll be exhibiting at our first show of the new year, the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market at the Manhattan Center, Historic Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. and 8th Ave. in New York City. We’ll be there Thursday – Saturday, January 19-21, 2017, with all of our new and exciting purchases. Then on to the all-important Miami shows at the beginning of February. If you can’t see us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.


I just listed this killer Daum Prairie pitcher for sale on my website

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

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.

Sotheby’s Paris held their Emile Gallé sale on November 22, 2016

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.


Sotheby’s Paris held their Emile Gallé sale on November 22, 2016, with total sales of €1,458,063 ($1,545,547) for the 51 lots offered, of which 9 lots failed to sell. Since the overall quality of the offerings was high, the average was a strong $36,798 for each of the 42 sold lots.

Gallé Coupe La Nature, Sotheby’s lot #128

A huge 17½” diameter, marquetry bowl entitled Coupe La Nature was the top lot of the sale. It sold close to its low estimate of €200,000, realizing €247,500 ($262,350), including buyer’s premium.

Gallé vase Parlant La Giroflée De Muraille, Sotheby’s lot #135

The second highest lot of the sale, #135, also brought just below its low estimate of €200,000, realizing €235,500 ($249,630), including buyer’s premium. The vase was technically very sophisticated, with internal decoration and an inscribed poem, but not very pretty. I believe both items would have done better had they been offered with less aggressive estimates.

Gallé vase, Les Ephémères, Sotheby’s lot #125

I loved lot #125, a gorgeous vase with wheel-carved and internally decorated butterflies, but it sold beyond my budget, realizing €60,000 ($63,600), including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of €30,000 — €50,000. If I had my way, this vase would have sold for more and others would have for less, but once again I wasn’t consulted. What is wrong with those people?

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I just listed this killer Daum Prairie pitcher for sale on my website

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

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.

French glass sold well at Sotheby’s Important Design sale, December 14, 2016

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.


Sotheby’s New York held their Important Design sale on December 14, 2016, with total sales of $8,993,250 for the 168 lots offered. 40 lots failed to sell, for a strong average of $70,260 for each sold lot. Included in the sale were 17 lots of important French glass, from a Midwest collection, by Emile Gallé, Daum Nancy, Burgun & Schverer and Argy-Rousseau. Also included were one Tiffany Studios lamp, two Loetz vases and an assortment of very high-end jewelry, furniture and assorted items.

Gallé Crystallerie Sauterelle et Chrysanthèmes vase, Sotheby’s lot #239

Two French glass vases tied for the highest price at the sale, $75,000, including buyer’s premium. Lot #239 was an early Gallé Crystallerie vase from the 1880-1885 period, entitled Sauterelle et Chrysanthèmes (Grasshopper and Chrysanthemums). The techniques were wheel-carving and gilding for the grasshopper and enameling for the flowers and leaves. Its final price of $75,000 was triple its low estimate of $20,000.

Gallé marquetry vase, Sotheby’s lot #245

Lot #245 was a gorgeous Emile Gallé marquetry Crocus vase with a wonderful applied foot. It realized the same price as the early Gallé vase above, but only doubled its low estimate of $30,000.

4 of the 17 lots of French glass failed to sell, for an impressive average of $30,866 for each of the 13 sold lots.

Tiffany Studios Fishscale lamp, Sotheby’s lot #215

The only Tiffany Studios lamp in the sale, lot #215, was a Fishscale design on a Grueby pottery base. This rare lamp probably sold to an Arts & Crafts buyer. It realized $150,000, including buyer’s premium, equal to the low estimate of $120,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

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.