Tag Archives: Philip Chasen blog

What is the future of antique shows?

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Remember the Pier Antique Show in NYC?

What is the future of antique shows? Will they fail or survive? It’s an existential question for antique dealers like myself. We used to exhibit at more than twenty shows per year. Now we’re down to six. Important shows have folded, like the Pier Show in NYC, which I really miss. It’s amazing that we have no show in NYC.

The Baltimore Summer Antiques Show is held in the Baltimore Convention Center

The recent Baltimore Summer Antiques Show was the smallest it’s been in decades, as the attrition rate among dealers is high and increasing. Most antique dealers are in the age range of 60-80, with very few younger dealers coming in to take the places of the older ones retiring or dying. If 50-100 dealers a year drop out of important shows like Baltimore, the shows will reach a critical mass, below which they will fold. Personally I never saw this day coming until I had an inkling about 10 years ago.

Auction houses, on the other hand, are doing brisk business. Many of the baby boomers, who form the majority of collectors, are aging out. Their children consign their estates to auction, many without reserve. Auction houses don’t really care what they’re selling, as long as they’re selling. If items have no reserve, they’re guaranteed to sell and the auction houses are guaranteed to make their commissions.

Morphy Auctions in Denver, PA, is doing a brisk business

I never intended to retire from the antiques business, but the business may retire me. I’m switching tactics and trying my best to do more business from my website. If I could replace the income generated from antique shows with income from my website, I’d be a happy camper. Since a lot of the action has shifted to auctions, I utilize those too.

The future of the antiques business for me is murky. The changes are happening quickly and I’m trying to adjust accordingly. Only time will tell, so keep tuned.

No shows until Antiques + Modernism Winnetka (IL), November 1-4, 2018. We always look forward to our twice yearly exhibits in the greater Chicago area. But remember we’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. 

I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 30 – September 2, 2018

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There were a couple of hundred people at the opening on Thursday

Thursday, 6:50 PM Opening day is almost over. More or less, it’s been like other opening days for me in Baltimore — namely, lots of interest, but very few sales. However, it was a good day because we sold a Tiffany 7-light lily lamp to a new client, plus I made important private sales by email. If history repeats itself, business should be just fine later in the show. That’s my plan, but el hombre propone y Dios dispone.

We sold a Tiffany 7-light lily lamp at the show

Our booth was crowded early on Thursday afternoon

Friday, 3:10 PM The day started off with good attendance and interest, but slowed down dramatically by mid-afternoon. We made one Tiffany vase sale and hope to make another before the day is over. We’ll see.

We sold this lovely Gallé vase at the show

Friday, 6:30 PM A “be-back” (that’s what antique dealers call people who say they’ll be back) came back and purchased a very nice Gallé vase, so the day was decent (except for all the hours of sitting around crawling out of my skin).

Saturday, 2:30 PM Attendance and interest has been good at the start of every day, but the sales haven’t been coming as fast as they should. We sold a small KPM plaque to start the day and nothing since, but I’m optimistic the day will end well.

Saturday, 6:30 PM I was incredibly busy during the day with inquiries. At times I had to speak to several people simultaneously, but it only resulted in a couple of small sales. However, the day ended well, mostly because I made several important sales to my private clients by email. Thank goodness for my private clients.

We sold this beautiful Tiffany Studios Linenfold table lamp at the show

Sunday, 6:30 PM The show is over and I’m very pleased. Attendance was lighter today and there was less interest, but I sold a Tiffany lamp to a new client and a pair of candlesticks to another. Sales to new clients is very important.

Overall we’re quite pleased. Interest and sales in Tiffany lamps and glass were strongest. The show was smaller, but attendance was good, so the dealers benefited. Whatever buying power the public brought was spread over fewer dealers. I did hear a few complaints, but most dealers I spoke to were pleased.

Now we’ll take some time to smell the roses, but we’re always doing business, so keep in touch!

No shows until Antiques + Modernism Winnetka (IL), November 1-4, 2018. We always look forward to our twice yearly exhibits in the greater Chicago area. But remember we’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call.

I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 Baltimore Summer Antiques Show opens to the public this Thursday, August 30, 2018

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It was busy in my booth last year

Seems like it was just a few months ago that we last exhibited in Baltimore. Time passes in a blink. The much anticipated Baltimore Summer Antiques Show will open to the public this Thursday, August 30th, at noon, and continue until Sunday, September 2nd at 6 PM. I always look forward to this show, especially since there aren’t many great shows left. Many guests travel great distances to visit this show and that includes Europe and Japan. Where else can you see an international selection of the finest antique dealers, all in one location? The show is truly worth a trip from wherever you are. Baltimore has great restaurants, the Inner Harbor, street performers, fine stores, the National Aquarium and of course the best antique show money can buy.

I’ll have this important Louis Tiffany Favrile vase at the show

Personally I’ve been buying and buying since our last show in Chicago in May. I’ll be bringing those items to complement the finest selection of French and American art glass and lamps. It will be the first time the new items will be exhibited for sale.

It’s not too late to make plans. I just looked up a 3-day stay on Hotwire for Baltimore Inner Harbor. There are bargains galore. Excellent hotels were available from $67 to $79/night. The locations are a very short walk to the Baltimore Convention Center, where the show is being held.

You can print this form or click on it

If you’ve never visited the city of Baltimore and especially the show, you’re really missing out. The show is wonderful. You have my personal guarantee. Maybe a couple of free tickets to the show will help you make up your mind. Either print the form above or click on it to redirect you to a form you have to complete. You’ll receive one free ticket to the show, good for two.

Monday’s post will have the results. Tune in again.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

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Important Louis Tiffany Favrile vase

We haven’t exhibited at a show since last May at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. That’s given us plenty of time to search far and wide for the best American and French glass and lamps, with great success.

Here’s a sample of what we’ve recently bought. We’ll bring it all to the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show next week, but it’s all for sale before we get there (hint, hint).

Very rare and beautiful Schneider vase with applied tulip


Rare Gallé vase with a beetle and oak leaves


Very rare Marblehead Pottery vase with herons


One of 15 new Tiffany Grapevine desk set items I recently purchased

I’ve got new items in every category from American glass, pottery, desk sets and lamps to French glass and lamps. Check them out on my website or email me. I’ve got plenty of items I just haven’t had the time to list.

You can print this form or click on it for free tickets for two people

BTW, it’s not too late to make your plans to attend one of the best antique shows in the country. The show opens to the public on Thursday, August 30th, at noon and runs until Sunday, September 2nd, at 6 PM. There are still plenty of high quality, inexpensive rooms. Check out hotwire.com.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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 stock is down significantly, partly because of two “Mystery” paintings

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Buste de femme de profil by Pablo Picasso. Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s.

Sotheby’s stock (very clever symbol BID on the New York Stock Exchange) is down significantly to $46.99 (as of August 10, 2018) from a recent high of $59.67 on June 8, 2018. Analysts attribute part of the drop to a decline in margin resulting from the sale of two “Mystery” paintings. Art experts have identified the two paintings as a Modigliani sold in New York and a Picasso sold in London. Even though their selling prices were very high, their results hurt the bottom line.

Following is the link to an article from cnbc.com that explains the seeming contradiction. The two mystery paintings that sunk Sotheby’s stock.

The Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show is now only two weeks away, at the end of this month, August 30 – September 2, 2018. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

Add this new type of Daum Nancy reproduction to your list

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In my duties as the paid glass and lamps expert for several major auction houses, I’m regularly asked to review items for potential sale at auction. This past week I reviewed an interesting vase.

Most reproduction vases are low enough quality that it takes me a millisecond to identify them. The example above took a few seconds, as the quality of some reproduction vases is improving.

Let’s take a closer look, as there are no instant giveaways that an untrained eye would notice. The most obvious is the top rim, which rarely has a ring of colored glass and seldom is ground flat (but there are plenty of exceptions to that rule).

This vase is authentic

Next let’s move to the martelé wheel-carving in the background. It’s very uneven and carved too deeply into the background color. Pictured above is an example of martelé carving on authentic Daum vase. It’s more even and more subtle.

Notice the center of the flower is acid-etched and appears hollow. Daum didn’t do that.

The signature is bad, but that would be very tough for an amateur to tell. In this example, notice the A in Daum is modern (and different from the A in Nancy) and the M has a curved trough at the end. They’re just wrong.

Lastly is the color scheme, which is close, but off. That observation would take a trained eye.

I’m curious whether reproductions of this type are coming from Romania. Most of the Gallé and Daum reproduction glass is Romanian. Let me know if you know.

If you still can’t tell if your vase is authentic, I am available for authentications/appraisals. My fee is $125 for the first item and $75 for each additional.

The Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show is now only three weeks away, at the end of this month, August 30 – September 2, 2018. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

A funny thing happened at Sloans & Kenyon’s July Estate Catalogue auction, July 21, 2018

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Sloans & Kenyon, Chevy Chase, Maryland, held a July Estate Catalogue auction this past weekend, July 20-21, 2018. Included in the sale were several very nice Tiffany Favrile vases that for some strange reason were catalogued as follows “This vase is not being sold as authentic Tiffany.” I called to find out why and was told by the house expert that she had shown the vases to several dealers and they had their doubts about their authenticity. But guess what? They didn’t ask me. The vases were 100% authentic, so I was able to buy them for relatively bargain prices.

Tiffany Favrile vase, Sloans & Kenyon lot #1199

Lot #1199 was sold with an estimate of $100 – $200, a ridiculously low estimate for a 10″ authentic Tiffany Favrile vase, but not a reproduction, as Sloans & Kenyon assumed. I was the winning bidder with a bid of $478, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile decorated vase, Sloans & Kenyon lot #1200

The next lot, #1200, was an even better deal. At 14¾”, it had an elegant shape with beautiful decoration. It too had a very low estimate of $200 – $250. I bought it for $836.50, including buyer’s premium. Bargain #2.

The third lot was a lovely 19½” Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase. I already had a beautiful example for sale, but at the right price I needed a second one. $5,975 was the right price, so I bought it too.

Tiffany Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sloans & Kenyon lot #1201

All of the vases are for sale. You can buy them all at very fair prices.

And a note to Sloans & Kenyon. My services are available to authenticate and appraise glass and lamps. I already am the paid consultant to several major auction houses.

The Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show is now only five weeks away, at the end of the summer, August 30 – September 2, 2018. We were forced to give up shows like Denver. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

What was so special about a Daum vase I recently sold?

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Daum vase with applied flower

I recently sold a small Daum vase that looked innocuous, but was actually special. Let’s take a look under the hood.

First we have to look at the single flower, whose center was molten applied with blue internal coloration during the making of the vase. After cooling, an artist hand-engraved (wheel-carved) a bumpy texture (martelé) onto the flower center and details into all of the leaves. To complete the vase, the artist carved a martelé texture into the background and the foot rim.

Daum vases with wheel-carving often had hand-engraved signatures, as was the case with this vase. It’s fancy, textbook-perfect, and found on the underside.

The vase wasn’t very flashy or colorful, but it was sophisticated because of the number of difficult techniques employed in its manufacture. That and the high-quality workmanship made it special.

The Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show is now only six weeks away, at the end of the summer, August 30 – September 2, 2018. We were forced to give up shows like Denver. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

A Tiffany Studios lantern was sold on eBay for $12,323 on May 9, 2018

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Tiffany Studios Turtleback Tile lantern, eBay #302721920597

On May 9, 2018, a Tiffany Turtleback Tile lantern that started at 99¢ sold for $12,323 on eBay? What’s up with that? Let’s start from the beginning.

The title for the sale of item #302721920597, Rare Tiffany Studios Favrile Glass Turtleback Tile Arts & Crafts Lantern Lamp, was accurate. If you were knowledgeable, you would know that. But there are so many reproductions and bogus items for sale on eBay that if you weren’t an expert, you were taking your life into your own hands. I knew it was correct, so I bid up to $8,650 — not enough to win the item.

It had a few problems. 1. It wasn’t signed (but lanterns like this are never signed). 2. The glass in the lower door panel was cracked. 3. The original socket was missing. 4. The chain and ceiling cap were missing. 5. The turtlebacks were gold (green are more desirable). These are all problems that a Tiffany dealer could solve, but not most individuals.

This Tiffany Turtleback Tile lantern sold at Sotheby’s in December, 2016

A similar lantern was sold at auction in NYC at Sotheby’s on December 14, 2016, for $20,000, including buyer’s premium. That green example had no problems.

All you need for a successful auction is two bidders. This item had 24 bids from several bidders. After my bid of $8,650, the bidding jumped in the final minute to $12,223 and then the final bid of $12,323. That’s a technique that smart eBay bidders use to avoid a reply bid. Time runs out and the auction is over. That’s contrary to the ethos of standard auctions which continue the bidding until the last man standing is the highest bidder. Some electronic auctions extend the bidding by a few minutes if there is bidding at the end, but not eBay. They are set in their ways. I suggested to them years ago to change their format, but they weren’t interested. I think there should be an option for sellers to allow extending the auction if there is bidding in the last five minutes. There is no downside for either eBay or the seller, only upside. Auctions should go to the highest bidder, not the one with the fastest trigger finger.

So did the buyer on eBay get the lantern at a good price? I think so, especially if the buyer can take care of its problems. And now you know the rest of the story. (Read that last sentence slowly and with emphasis, as Paul Harvey did in his national radio broadcast.)

No shows until the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show at the end of the summer, August 30 – September 2, 2018, as we were forced to give up shows like Denver. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.

St. Maarten is recovering nicely from Hurricane Irma

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This limousine was totaled by the hurricane

Every once in a while, my post is about travel. Today’s post concerns St. Maarten, a beautiful half Dutch, half French island in the Caribbean. On September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma, a category 5 hurricane, with sustained winds of 185 mph or greater, quickly passed over the island, leaving near total devastation. My wife and I visited the island last month. Tourism is the lifeblood of the island, so we went to do our part and see the reconstruction with our own eyes.

The airport terminal is closed during reconstruction

The almost new, $100 million airport, sustained considerable damage to its roof. I heard rumors that rather than cover the roof with tarps to stop the rain, supervisors ordered no tarps, so a bigger insurance check would come. As a result, the water infiltration led to extensive mold growth, forcing the closing of the terminal. It will take $75 million to restore the $100 million terminal. In the meantime, temporary tents were erected to handle visitors.

Divi Little Bay Beach Resort

To our eyes, the island has made remarkable progress. Many roofs have been repaired, making the buildings habitable again. The Divi Little Bay Beach Resort was opened to visitors last month, at the beginning of May. 25% of the resort was ready for guests, with construction continuing at a brisk pace on the remaining 75%. It will be substantially ready for business this coming winter season.

That’s me on the left, Chef Dino Jagtiani in the middle and my lovely wife, Lia on the right

Many of our favorite restaurants were closed, due to their destruction. Chef Dino Jagtiani lost his restaurant, Temptation, in the storm, but he is now the executive chef at a new restaurant, Emilio’s, our new favorite. We had several fantastic meals there. Other favorite restaurants, like Le Santal and Mr. Busby, were destroyed. Tropicana, at the marina in Marigot, survived, but was only open for lunch.

The Grand Casino in Maho Beach is being rebuilt

The beaches all survived, except for Dream Beach. The water is still as clear, clean and beautiful as it always was. It’s a wonderful island that can use your tourist dollars. You’ll have a great time and participate in the island’s recovery.

No shows until the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show at the end of the summer, August 30 – September 2, 2018, as we were forced to give up shows like Denver. Unfortunately the Baltimore show promoter has moved the show one week later than usual, to the Labor Day weekend. The show used to be held over the Labor Day weekend, but that was many years ago. The show is wonderful, so we’ll continue to exhibit there regardless of the change of dates.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. 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.