Tag Archives: Philip Chasen blog

A construction update for the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center

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Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Fridays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Friday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

A view of the west side of the convention center, looking north

Last month I visited the Miami Beach Convention Center to check on the progress of the construction. I wanted to get a first-hand impression to form my own opinion. I’m feeling better now. It looks to me it will be completed in time for next year’s Original Miami Beach Antique Show in January, 2019.

The construction on the Washington Ave. (east) side of the building is ahead of the west side.

Construction on the west side of the building was taking longer because it was completely razed and rebuilt. Construction on the east side (Washington Ave.) was closer to completion because it was only renovated.

The northwest corner of the building. I don’t know what that circular structure is.

I spoke to a construction worker onsite who told me plans were to complete all the construction by August. That would seem to leave a cushion of time for unexpected delays until the show in January, 2019. I’d like to believe it to be true. I don’t think the temporary relocation of the show to the Miami Dade Exposition Fairgrounds was a good thing. It seemed to take all of the excitement and pizzazz out of the show.

Looking east at the west side of the building. The old parking lot is on the left.

It will be nice to be back at the Convention Center for next year’s show. Got my fingers crossed.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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 Rago’s Early 20th Century Design sale, January 20, 2018

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Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Fridays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Friday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.

Rago Auctions, Lambertville, NJ, held an Early 20th Century Design sale on January 20, 2018, with mixed results. A few items did very well, but many brought less than stellar prices. Personally I was the beneficiary, so I was able to buy a number of items for resale.

Tiffany Dragonfly tray, Rago lot #806

One item I knew would do very well was a large, 14¾” diameter, Tiffany Studios’ enamel on copper tray with dragonfly decoration. It doubled its high estimate of $15,000, realizing $37,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany mosaic inkwell, Rago lot #802

Another Tiffany Studios’ rarity, a mosaic inkwell with original chamois, also did well. Estimated to sell for $7,000 – $10,000, it realized $26,250, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé monumental, red floral vase, Rago lot #797

Lot #797, a monumental Gallé red poppy vase, led the group of 19 French cameo vases and lamps. It sold near its high estimate of $10,000, realizing $11,250, including buyer’s premium. Although this would seem to be a good result, the estimate was very low, so it’s not as good as it seems. My opinion is that the vase should have a retail price of $20,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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.

Some superb results at Sotheby’s Important Design sale, December 13, 2017

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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.

I was leafing through my catalogs when I noticed one from Sotheby’s Important Design sale on December 13, 2017. There were some great results that tie into the Arts & Crafts Conference we just finished last week. My post is a little late, but I hope you find it interesting and worth reading.

The top lot of the sale was #54, a Claude Lalanne Bureau Crocodile
that realized $2,175,000

Sales totaled $13,948,625 for the 165 lots offered. Three Crocodile lots, #s 52-54, by Claude Lalanne, topped the sale. However my interest is with the Arts & Crafts and the Art Deco lots in the sale.

Greene & Greene lantern from the Robert R. Blacker house in Pasadena, CA, Sotheby’s lot #83

Lot #83 was a beautiful Greene & Greene lantern with iridescent glass from the Robert R. Blacker house in Pasadena, California. It sold near its low estimate of $250,000, realizing $287,500, including buyer’s premium.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tree of Life window from the Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, New York, Sotheby’s lot #90

Seven lots of windows by Frank Lloyd Wright were included in the sale. Three lots, #s 88-90, all achieved the same result of $435,000 versus estimates of $200,000 – $300,000.

A rare R. Lalique Luxembourg vase, Sotheby’s lot #107, sold for $150,000, including buyer’s premium

Two good pâte-de-verre vases by Argy-Rousseau, #s 105-106, failed to sell, with identical estimates of $30,000 – $50,000, while five lots of R. Lalique glass all sold mostly at or above their high estimates.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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 31st National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC, February 16-18, 2018

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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.

There were about 200 people on line at the opening on Friday

If you’ve never visited the National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, you don’t know what you’re missing. There just isn’t another show anywhere like it. Let’s see. The venue is the astonishingly beautiful, historic Grove Park Inn. The show is contained, so it’s its own thing, with a personality. Everyone, including the dealers and attendees, was smiling and in a good mood. It’s Arts & Crafts heaven, with a ballroom filled with antique dealers and hallways filled with the finest craftsmen of modern Arts & Crafts lighting, ceramics, rugs, bronze, textiles and anything you can think of. The show hours are short and sweet — 5 hours on Friday, 6 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday, ending at 4 PM. Clients have enough time to make up their minds and dealers leave refreshed instead of exhausted. Nobody doesn’t like this show. It’s our favorite of the year.

My booth on Friday

As opposed to the Original Miami Antiques Show last week, this show started with energy and enthusiasm. At 1:00 PM on Friday, the crowd rushed in and the action started right away. We were busy almost all the way to closing at 6 PM. Friday was a good day.

The aisles were crowded early on Saturday

Saturday was another story with a much slower pace. What a difference a day makes. We ended the day disappointed with one small sale.

We sold this wonderful Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar on Sunday

Sunday was slow until a flurry of activity mid-afternoon. We wound up making three good sales to make it our best-ever Grove Park show!

We look forward to next year’s show. Put it on your calendar and make sure you attend next year. I promise you you won’t regret it!

By the time you read this post we’ll be on our way home. Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

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 2018 Original Miami Antique Show, February 9-12, 2018

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Thursday’s post will be delayed until Monday to include the results of the the 31st National Arts & Crafts Conference this weekend.

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.

My lovely wife Lia is helping a client

We bought this fabulous Tiffany lamp at the show and sold it before the show was over

The 2018 Original Miami Antique show at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center is now history. Personally we did okay, certainly not great, selling mostly French cameo glass and Tiffany lamps and desk items. The pace was plodding, with a sale here and there. Most of the action took place each day before 4 PM, with very little after then.

Saturday afternoon in my booth

The coolest booth in the entire show, Eduardo Cohen, Buenos Aires, Argentina, displayed model airplanes and ships. Unfortunately I believe he had a poor show.

It’s a huge show that’s spread out over several buildings, with one whole building filled with just jewelry dealers. The other buildings were full of a very diverse group of antique dealers.

Monday was a total bust. I have no idea why show management insists on ending a show on Monday. Four-day shows should run Thursday –  Sunday. It put me in a foul mood, so I didn’t feel like asking other dealers how they did. Sorry. Blame the management.

The construction on the Washington Ave. (east) side of the Miami Beach Convention Center is ahead of the west side.

We’ve signed a contract for next year’s show at the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. Got my fingers crossed that the construction proceeds smoothly so we can return to Miami Beach.

By the time you read this post we’ll be on our way to Asheville, NC, to exhibit at one of our favorite shows of the year, the 31st National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, this coming weekend, February 16 – 18. It’s a great show that I recommend you make the effort to attend.

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. 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.

Setting up at the Original Miami Antique Show, February 7, 2018

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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.

We spent yesterday setting up our booth for the Original Miami Antique show at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. Our booth is a bit smaller than last week, but setup is still going smoothly. We’ll have it all done for Friday’s opening at 11 AM.

We’ll have this fabulous, just acquired, Tiffany lamp in our booth

The show is much larger than last week with many additional dealers with incredible and varied selections. Nobody will be disappointed when they visit this immense show. It continues through Monday at 5 PM.

Based on the action last week, I’m cautiously optimistic. I will delay my usual post-show Monday post until Tuesday, since the show ends on Monday.

Next week we’ll exhibit at one of our favorite shows of the year, the 31st National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC, February 16 – 18.

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. 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 2-4, 2018

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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.

There were a few people in our booth on Sunday

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show is over. We did quite well, selling across the board including four lamps, French cameo glass and Tiffany lamps, glass and desk pieces. Attendance was fairly decent the first two days, but Sunday was quite slow. Even still we sold every day including two sales on Sunday.

A Tiffany Studios 7-light lily table lamp was one of four lamps we sold

Asking around, I heard about 50/50 good comments vs. complaints. Glass dealers did fairly well while painting dealers I spoke to did not.

Now we’re getting ready for the big Original Miami Antique show at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. It opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and continues until Monday at 5 PM. Got my fingers crossed it will go well. It’s a much bigger show than last week’s Airport Show, so there’s more action. If you can only make one show in Miami, this is the one. I’m looking forward to seeing you there. Stop by and say hello.

Can’t wait to get back into the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center next year. Construction is supposed to be finished by August, 2018, so I’m hopeful it will come true. More on that in a future blog post.

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. 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 to the public this Friday, February 2, 2018

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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.

By the time you read this blog, we’ll already be in warm, sunny Miami for the opening of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show this Friday, February 2, 2018. It opens at 11 AM and closes on Sunday at 5 PM. The weather is predicted to be in the 70s all week. The show will feature over 200 premier exhibitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe and South America, offering the finest antiques and decorative arts. It’s a very high quality show that is worth a trip from anywhere in the world (and clients do fly in from as far as Japan).

After a few rough years of the show getting smaller, a serendipitous series of events led to the show growing again. Last year the show grew to 200 dealers from only 60 the previous year. This year the show has stabilized at 200 dealers, as many of the dealers from the Original Miami Beach Antique Show decided they would only exhibit at one show in Miami due to the temporary relocation of the Original Miami Beach Antique Show to the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. (Supposedly the show will be back in the Miami Beach Convention Center in 2019. We’ll see if that materializes, but more on that later when I hear the scuttlebutt in a few days.)

We’ll have this beautiful Tiffany 18″ Peony at the show, along with many other original Tiffany Studios’ lamps

We’ve been buying like crazy, so we’ll have a fabulous display at both Miami shows. Our inventory of quality French and American glass and lamps is stupendous. We had to rent an additional showcase beyond the eight we already bring just to fit it all. Come and visit the show. The quality and selection are extraordinary! You’ll be able to get first crack at the items that are being exhibited exclusively at this show plus the items that will be brought to the Original Miami Antique show the following week.

Speaking of which, the Original Miami Antique Show follows the Miami Airport Show, starting on Friday, February 9 and continuing until Monday, February 12 at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition center. If you can’t make both shows, make sure you visit this one.

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. 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 market in Tiffany Studios’ lamps and glass is strengthening

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

December is one of two months (June is the other) where all of the major and not-so-major auction houses hold their Design sales. Tiffany Studios’ lamps, glass and other objects are included in this wide category, which dates from the late 19th Century to the early 21st Century. The recent results are all in and the conclusion is that Tiffany Studios’ items are having a banner year, especially lamps and enamel on copper items.

Tiffany Geranium table lamp, Julia lot #1516

Julia’s started the season with a December 1, 2017 Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were lamps by Tiffany Studios. Three lamps, including a Geranium, sold for the same $84,700 price.

Sotheby’s sold this Tiffany Wisteria lamp, lot #218, for $975,000

Sotheby’s followed on December 13, 2017, with not one, but two Tiffany sales on the same day. You might think all this Tiffany might flood the market, but it didn’t. Very few objects failed to sell. Five lamps sold over $500,000, while two lamps sold for approximately $1,000,000.

Christie’s sold this Tiffany Drophead Dragonfly sold for $492,500

Christie’s followed the next day with a Design sale that included a wonderful collection of Tiffany enamel on copper items, which all sold well over their high estimates. The lamps also did well, with three selling for nearly $500,000 and one for nearly $1,000,000.

Tiffany Pond Lily table lamp, Bonham’s lot #20

Bonham’s New York held their Modern Decorative Art + Design sale on the same day as Christie’s (not a good move). They didn’t have a strong selection of Tiffany items except for lot #20, a Pond Lily table lamp that sold for $143,750.

Rago held an Early 20th Century Design sale this past Saturday, January 20, 2018. His selection of Tiffany Studios’ items didn’t include many rarities, but one enamel on copper tray sold for double its high estimate of $15,000.

So what’s going on? The simple answer is new (wealthy) blood. There is nothing better for a market than new players. Personally I have no idea who these people are, American or foreign, but I welcome their presence. I hope this recent enthusiasm translates to sales at the upcoming shows in Miami. Tune in for my posts. The first Miami show opens 11 days from now.

The Miami Airport Show opens to the public on February 2, 2018. I will have a very strong display, as I’ve been buying up a storm since my last show in the Chicago suburbs.

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. 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.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items at Julia’s Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, December 1, 2017

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Monday’s post will be up by noon.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.

Sorry for the temporary outage on my website and blog yesterday, January 17, 2018. There were some technical problems that were resolved, so everything should be up and running just fine now.

James D. Julia, Inc., held a Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale on December 1, 2017, with total sales over $2,500,000. The results were relatively strong for the entire sale, but especially strong for Tiffany Studios’ glass and lamps. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were Tiffany Studios’ lamps — impressive, considering there were 739 lots in the sale.

Rare Tiffany Butterfly table lamp, Julia’s lot #1473

The top lots of the sale, #s 1428, 1473, and 1516, were all Tiffany Studios’ lamps that each sold for the identical price of $84,700, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, Julia’s lot #1453

A rare and very desirable Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, lot #1453, sold for approximately twice its high estimate of $7,000, realizing $17,545, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Gallé Butterfly vase, Julia’s lot #1115

The top lot of the French cameo glass portion of the sale was #1115, a rare wheel-carved Gallé Butterfly vase. It was an interesting vase, technically very sophisticated, but not as eye-appealing as it could have been with muted colors and no decoration between the butterflies. It sold just below its low estimate of $18,000, realizing $19,360, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices.

The Miami shows are only two weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 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. 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.