Tag Archives: Lalique

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

Antiques make wonderful Christmas gifts

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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. This week there will be no Thursday blog.

If you’re having trouble deciding on a Christmas present for your loved one, may I suggest an antique? Antiques are unique, unlike electronics or similar. Antiques have the possibility of appreciating in value, unlike electronics. Historically, antiques were frequently given as gifts. I’ve purchased many an Icart etching from someone who inherited it from their grandparents, who received it as a wedding gift in the 1920s or 1930s.

Think antiques are too expensive for Christmas gifts? Many items I have for sale are below $1000, with some below $500. Here are a few examples.

Tiffany Studios Pine Needle pen tray, priced at $450

Original Tiffany Studios desk set items, dating from 1900 – 1915, start at $350. Many items are priced below $1000, with the majority priced between $1000 and $2000. Rarer items will exceed $2000. Two presidents have used Tiffany Studios desk sets in the White House (Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush). I have many desk set items listed now on my website and will be adding items frequently. If you’re looking for something, but don’t see it, please email me. philchasen@aol.com. I have many items not listed yet. Here’s the link directly to my website. Tiffany Studios desk set items for sale.

Louis Icart original etching, Love's Awakening, $950, unframed, on special sale for Christmas

Original etchings by Louis Icart make superb gifts. Prices start at $950 for unframed etchings. Custom framing is available for any etching. There’s still time. Framing takes 7-10 days, with shipping as soon as overnight, if you’re desperate. Most etchings are priced between $1000 and $2000, with rarer examples from $2000 – $15000. Here’s the link. Original Louis Icart etchings for sale.

Galle scenic banjo vase, circa 1900, reduced to $1450 for Christmas

The average price for French cameo glass by Galle and Daum is slightly higher, with most prices in the $1000 – $5000 range, but some as high as $25000. Many Galle vases are available for $500 or less, but I don’t usually offer any of them for sale, as the quality is lower than I require. If an item isn’t good enough, it does not pass through my filter. That means you only have to like what you see. I’ve done all the vetting for you. You don’t ever have to worry about quality or authenticity. Here’s the link. French cameo glass for sale.

There are many other options available including Tiffany Favrile glass, American art pottery, French ceramics and much more. Remember two things. First, please check my website often, as I will add items frequently. Second, if you don’t see it, please email me and ask. philchasen@aol.com

Fine R. Lalique Monnaie du Pape vase with sepia staining

Look around my website. There are listings for sale, sold listings 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 NYC Pier Antiques Show opens this Saturday, November 19, 2011

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Recently I’ve had less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, because I haven’t had a show in a few weeks. When there’s no one in my booth at a show, I keep busy by writing blog posts. 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.

Print this coupon for a $5 discount or free for students on Sunday

The NYC Pier Antiques Show opens this Saturday, November 19, 2011, at 10 AM and continues until Sunday, November 20, 2011, at 6 PM. It’s a short show, and intense as a result. The crowds are usually deep and the action fast. If people don’t make their purchase decisions quickly, they risk losing to someone else, and often do. The selection of items for sale is so eclectic, there’s something for everyone. Besides high end glass and lamps (me), there’s everything else — silver, jewelry, Asian, ceramics, art, clothing (yes, they have Fashion Alley), famous autographs (15 dealers) and more miscellaneous than you can imagine. Many people come with their decorators because the selections are so varied and interesting that they need professional help. My booth is near the entrance, so I see all of the many packages and purchases as they leave the show.

Magnificent Tiffany Studios green Linenfold counterbalance floor lamp, just in

I’m bringing some truly fine items that I’ve recently purchased, in addition to the usual strong assortment of Tiffany Studios lamps and glass and French cameo glass. I just bought a very nice, large Andre Gisson oil painting that hung in a home for many years. It was purchased by the grandfather of the present owner.

Andre Gisson oil painting, 24" x 36", fresh to the market

This is a show that is worth traveling to from any distance. I’ve said it before, but people travel from Europe and Japan, as well as from all over the US. It’s the excuse you’ve been waiting for to come to New York City. If you want to see a great antique show and enjoy New York City at the same time, this is the weekend. The weather has been great in New York recently and should continue until the weekend. Broadway has great shows running. Museums and galleries have superb exhibitions going on right now. The restaurant choices in the city are mind boggling. So what are you waiting for? Make your plans right now. Stop into my booth and let me know you came to New York because you read my blog.

Fine R. Lalique Monnaie du Pape vase with sepia staining

In the meantime, check the listings on my website, which I will update as often as I can. 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

On a buying trip in France, September 1-9, 2011

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The Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair ended the summer show season. The fall season will begin with the AVENUE show at the Park Avenue Armory on Thursday, September 22nd. Since I have less time to write about the interesting things happening in the antiques world, I am posting new blog entries once or twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. If you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

The high speed TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse)

I’m writing this blog post from the TGV, a high-speed train, traveling south from Paris at 150 mph. We’re in France on a buying trip that has been somewhat successful thus far.

A Daum fall scenic vase, similar to the lamp I just purchased

Last minute tickets from New York to Paris were extremely expensive. Many flights from JFK were canceled because of Hurricane Irene, so passengers had to be rebooked, leaving very few seats available. We had to first fly to Helsinki, Finland, to get an expensive, but not ridiculous fare. The flight was full, so some people were upgraded to business class. Miraculously we were two of them. What a difference that made. Among other amenities, the seats reclined flat for sleeping.

Marché Dauphine on Rue des Rosiers

Saturday, we visited the flea markets, where you can get lucky or not. We were lucky. Considering that many of the shops were closed (I guess because some of the dealers were at the fairs in the south and others weren’t back from vacation), we were able to buy some truly outstanding objects, including an extremely rare and beautiful Daum acid-etched and enameled fall scenic lamp. I’ve had quite a few fall scenic vases over the years, but this is the first lamp. I don’t have a photo at this time, but I’ll post one on my website or blog as soon as I’m able.

A Daum swan miniature vase with the same decoration as the larger tumbler I just purchased

We were also able to purchase a super Daum tumbler with swan decoration, a Daum rain miniature pillow vase, a fabulous Daum scenic blownout vase (haven’t had one in many years), a beautiful Daum footed vase with bright yellow flowers, a rare Galle box with two dragonflies on the lid, a gorgeous triangular Galle vase with blue flowers on yellow (windowpane technique), an R. Lalique Monnaie du Pape vase and finally an R. Lalique half-moon shaped clock with birds and rare enameled glass ATO face. I’ll try to post photos on my website, but failing that, they will all be for sale at the upcoming AVENUE show starting September 22.

Now we’re off to the fairs, which are a bigger crapshoot. We could wind up buying some fabulous items or nothing. Plus there’s lots of competition. I’ll let you know the results in my next blog post. The whole trip is really a crapshoot. The expenses are high and the chances of success are variable. Not to mention, pounding the pavement for days on end. There’s lots of hard work involved. The objects don’t magically appear in my booth at the shows. But at least the hard work is in France. Not a bad place to spend time working, especially with my honey!

Fantastic Burgun & Schverer internally decorated vase

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

Are any two French cameo glass vases identical?

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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

Strong results for Arts & Crafts at Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design sale, December 16, 2010

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Every major and not-so-major auction house holds its 20th Century Decorative Arts sale in December. It makes for a very busy month.

Sotheby’s held three decorative arts sales on December 16th. In my previous blog, I covered the superb results of the Important Tiffany sale. Today I’ll review the results of the Important 20th Century Design sale, which grossed $6,933,688, despite the failure of the cover lot to sell, a Greene & Greene desk and chair from the Pratt House of Ojai, CA.

The first section of the sale was devoted to Arts & Crafts furniture, ceramics and lighting. The strong results probably had most of the consignors smiling.

Rare Greene & Greene lantern, Sotheby's lot #30

The top lot of this section of the auction was a Greene & Greene lantern, one of six that had been removed from the Blacker House in Pasadena, CA. It sold toward the lower end of the estimate of $400,000-600,000, realizing $470,500, including buyer’s premium. It’s curious to note that the following lot, #31, another of the six Greene & Greene lanterns, failed to reach reserve and did not sell.

Rare 17 inch Teco Calla Lily vase, Sotheby's lot #23

Rare and impressive examples of Arts & Crafts ceramics all sold well, with one Teco vase doing exceptionally well. Lot #23 was a rare 17″ Teco Calla Lily vase, estimated to sell for $80,000-120,000. It soared to three times its pre-sale estimate, to sell for $314,500.

Rare Gustav Stickley book cabinet, Sotheby's lot #38

Gustav Stickley was well represented in the sale with furniture and metalware. A rare book cabinet, lot #38, sold for $194,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $80,000-120,000.

Other superb results from the sale were a cire perdue René Lalique statuette ($602,500), a cire perdue René Lalique vase ($494,500), a pair of armchairs by Emile Ruhlmann ($410,500) and a dining suite by Claude Lalanne ($386,500). For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link: Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design results.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Tiffany, Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve recently listed many of them on my website, including Daum blackbirds, swans, rain, and more to come in the next few days, plus a killer red Tiffany Favrile vase. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com

R. Lalique red vase soars at Ron Rhoads auction, November 28, 2010

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Lalique vase, Hirondelles, Ron Rhoads lot #802

Ron Rhoads Auctioneer of Spring City, PA, held a Thanksgiving weekend auction on Saturday and Sunday, November 27-28, 2010. Much of the sale was the estate of Stanley Baker of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a noted author and collector of Railroadiana for seventy years. The second half of the sale, on Sunday, was mostly his wife’s collection and included some choice pieces of art glass, including a rare Lalique vase.

Lot 802 was listed as: Lalique Hirondelles Vase circa 1919
Rene Lalique Vase Hirondelles An amazingly rare approximately 24 centimeters tall red glass Lalique Vase signed LALIQUE in the mold condition listed as good, photo shows typical scattered air bubbles Lalique Vase with winged birds, deep red glass with etched flower, signed “Lalique” (embossed), “France” etched on base

Condition report
Good.

Estimate $5,000 – $10,000
Starting Bid $1000

The bidding started at $25,000, so immediately it was clear that the estimate was low. It went up in $5,000 increments, with action from four phones and five floor bidders. When it was finally over, the winner was present at the sale, and paid $115,000 + buyer’s premium of $17,250, for a total of $132,250. Everyone at the auction house was surprised, except for the bidders, who knew the rarity and value of the vase. The Hirondelles model is desirable in any color, but is rarest and most valuable in red, the holy grail.

Tiffany Studios Favrile vase, Ron Rhoads lot #839

Also in the sale were a couple of very nice Tiffany Favrile vases. Lot 839 was small at 3½” tall, but very nice quality and somewhat rare. It was estimated at $800-1,200 and sold for $3,737.50, including buyer’s premium. The bidding started at $500 and quickly jumped to $3,000, with a bidder on the Internet, and ended at $3,250.

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. I just listed another fifteen incredible Daum items, including swans, rain, and more in the last few days. Here’s the link. chasenantiques.com Then check out the huge sale I’m having on Icart etchings. For the complete listing, click this link. Available Icart etchings.

Results of the Arlington Park Antiques Show, October 15-17, 2010

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Arlington Park Racetrack

Some days you can do no wrong and others you can do no right. Unfortunately the latter was closer to the truth for this show. According to the promoter, Shawn Hastings, attendance was better at this show than the previous two. The problem for me was that the wrong people came. Many of my clients showed up at the show, but just to say hello and admire my items. It was frustrating getting the same response from so many of them.

R. Lalique frosted vase 'Monnaie du Pape'

The show was not a total disaster. Friday was a bust with absolutely no sales. For half of Saturday, there were no sales. I started to write my Monday blog in my head, beginning with the fact that this was the only show in the last ten years where I’d sold absolutely nothing. Luckily business picked up a little on Saturday and late Sunday, so I didn’t actually write it. I probably made my expenses and a ham sandwich. Not exactly a good show’s pay, but not terrible. There was interest in Rookwood and Marblehead pottery and Lalique glass.

This is the third show I’ve done in the greater Chicago area in the last seven weeks and that may be part of the problem. Possibly compounding the problem, I’m exhibiting at a fourth show in the greater Chicago area this coming week, in Winnetka, IL. Winnetka is a wealthy northern suburb of Chicago. I’ve got my fingers crossed that different people will attend the show, but whether they’re interested in what I’m selling is a question I can’t yet answer. I’ll let you know in a week if my experiment was a success or a failure.

Fantastic Japanese cloisonné vase with dragon decoration

I’ll be bringing at least 25-30 new items that I’ve just purchased, including a few you wouldn’t think of finding in my booth. How about a Satsuma bowl with underwater seashells and flora on the underside, or a really great cloisonné vase with a dragon?

If you like my blog, please let your friends know by sending them a link. Then check out my new Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique acquisitions. I’ve listed them all on my website. Here’s the link chasenantiques.com.

The Chicago Merchandise Mart Fall Antiques Show runs from October 1-4, 2010

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The Merchandise Mart in Chicago runs a very successful antiques show in the late April to early May every year. The success of the show led the Mart to create a fall version, which will open with a preview party on Thursday evening, September 30, 2010. This will be the third time the Mart has run the fall show and it’s getting better every year. It doesn’t have some of the international exhibitors who exhibit there in the spring, but nonetheless it’s an A-1 show that deserves a visit, even if you have to travel some distance.

The Merchandise Mart Fall Antiques Show, October 1-4, 2010

I recently returned from a successful buying trip, so I’ll be bringing some very fine items that you haven’t seen before, especially glass by Daum Nancy, Gallé and R. Lalique.

A superb Daum Nancy ewer with poppies and gilding, 9¾ in. tall

The show hours are Friday, October 1, 11 am–7 pm; Saturday, October 2, 11 am–7 pm; Sunday, October 3, 11 am–6 pm; and Monday, October 4, 11 am–3 pm. Not many shows end on a Monday. I can’t say I’m fond of it, but as this promoter insists on it, we’ll be there until Monday, October 4th.

Make your plans to visit the show. The weather in Chicago in early October is great, the city is vibrant and the restaurants are superb. Introduce yourself to me and let me know what you’d like to buy, sell or trade.

Check out the newly acquired Daum, Gallé and R. Lalique vases I’ve recently listed on my website. Please take a look by clicking on this link chasenantiques.com.

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

Solid results at Christie’s sale of Lalique, South Kensington, London, May 26, 2010

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Christie’s held an all Lalique sale at it’s South Kensington location in London on May 26, 2010. The results were solid, with a few exceptional ones. Interest in Lalique seems to be good worldwide, but always a little better in London.

R. Lalique vase 'Perruches', Christie's South Kensington lot 179, May 26, 2010

R. Lalique vase 'Perruches', Christie's South Kensington lot 179, May 26, 2010

The top lots of the sale were three examples of the same vase, Perruches, in three different colors. The blue and the amber examples each sold for £32,450 ($46,598), against identical pre-sale estimates of £15,000 – £20,000, over double the low estimates. The green example brought slightly less at £30,000 ($43,080).

R. Lalique bowl 'Madagascar', Christie's South Kensington, lot 197, May 26, 2010

R. Lalique bowl 'Madagascar', Christie's South Kensington, lot 197, May 26, 2010

Rarer items achieved better results, as would be expected. Lot 197 was a bowl with monkeys, entitled Madagascar. It carried a pre-sale estimate of £5,500 – £6,500 and sold for £13,750 ($19,745), more than twice the low estimate. A rare vase with veiled nudes, entitled Camées, sold for £10,000 ($14,360), against a pre-sale estimate of £7,000 – £9,000.

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

Today I’ll be adding to my website several new Galle vases that I’ve recently acquired. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

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