Tag Archives: Philip Chasen blog

Strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 13, 2017

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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.

Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with the second of the two sales, Tiffany Dreaming in Glass. Sales totaled $5,111,250 for the 41 lots offered. 37 of the 41 lots sold, with many of them exceeding their high estimates. The results were strong, with two lamps selling just below or just above $1,000,000. This sale continued the recent strengthening of the Tiffany market (which I will write about in a separate blog).

Tiffany Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #222

The top lot of the sale was #222, a rare, beautiful and important Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp with mosaic-tiled base. It sold near its high estimate of $1,000,000, realizing $1,155,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #227

Results for the 13 lots of Tiffany Favrile glass were mixed. Lot #227, an important Lava vase sold for the highest price, $112,500, including buyer’s premium, but this was below it’s pre-sale estimate of $100,000 — $150,000.

Tiffany Butterfly enamel on copper box, Sotheby’s lot #201

The first lot of the sale, #201, a rare enamel on copper Butterfly box, set the tone for the sale. It almost quadrupled its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $125,000, including buyer’s premium. Rare Tiffany enamel on copper items have been on fire.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Thursday’s post will be about the results of Julia’s glass and lamp sale, which also included strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items. You’ll want to read it.

The Miami shows are only two and a half 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.

Very strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection sale, December 13, 2017

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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.

Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with one of the two sales, Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection. (Monday’s post will highlight the second sale.) Sales totaled $7,309,500 for only 42 lots offered. Only one, lot #323, a Wisteria lamp, failed to sell (but almost surely sold privately after the sale). The results were very strong, with many of the lots selling for near or over their high estimates. The Tiffany market hasn’t been this strong in quite a while. (I will devote a separate blog to the strengthening Tiffany market.)

Tiffany 22″ Dragonfly floor lamp, Sotheby’s lot #313

The top lot of the sale was #313, a 22″ diameter Dragonfly floor lamp in beautiful shades of blue. It sold over its high estimate of $500,000, realizing $675,000, including buyer’s premium. It was one of five lamps selling over $500,000.

Tiffany mosaic pedestal, Sotheby’s lot #303

A rare mosaic tile pedestal from the home of Ralph Linder Pope, Brookline, Mass., sold for triple its high estimate of $120,000, realizing $399,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp, Sotheby’s lot #317

To give you an idea of how strong the sale was, take a look at lot #317. It was a standard Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp that sells at auction after auction in the $10,000 – $15,000 price range. It isn’t rare, but it sold for the ridiculous price of $37,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 — $12,000.

The sale was quite special, so I’m a happy camper. I do a big business in Tiffany lamps, glass and desk sets, so a strong market is a good market.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

The Miami shows are only three 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.

Art & Antiques Magazine published a very interesting article on Daum Nancy glass

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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.

Fine Daum Nancy Mushroom vase

Sheila Gibson Stoodley approached me for an article she was writing for the November, 2017, issue of Art & Antiques Magazine. I was glad to help with discussions and photographs. Click here to read it. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Then if you’re inspired, click Chasen Antiques’ Daum vases to view some of the Daum Nancy selection I have for sale.

Thursday’s post will be about the very strong sale of Tiffany Studios lamps and objects at Sotheby’s New York. You won’t want to miss it.

No more shows until 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.

Tiffany Studios’ items sell very well at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 14, 2017

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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.

Christie’s New York, held its Design sale on December 14, 2017, with total sales of $6,756,750. Of the 69 lots offered for sale, 33 were made by Tiffany Studios. The results were strong, which seems to coincide with a general strengthening of the Tiffany market, as evidenced at several recent auctions.

Tiffany Studios Gourd floor lamp, Christie’s lot #28

The top lot of all the Tiffany Studios’ items was #28, a rare floor lamp in the Gourd pattern. It sold near its high estimate of $800,000, realizing $948,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom enamel box, Christie’s lot #9

Tiffany Studios enamel on copper items are quite rare and desirable. This sale included a wonderful selection of nine enamels from the collection of Dr. Alan Feld. The results were very strong, with lot #9 doing best. It was a beautiful Apple Blossom box, estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000. It soared to $106,250, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Favrile Lava vase, Christie’s lot #13

Tiffany Favrile glass was underrepresented in the sale with only three lots, but lot #13 was a good one, a rare Lava glass vase. It sold for approximately double its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

The strength of the Tiffany market will be the subject of an upcoming post. Be sure to follow my blog.

No more shows until 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.

Tiffany Studios Favrile glass sells well at Skinner’s 20th Century Design sale, December 14, 2017

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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.

Happy New Year, everyone! Here’s hoping that 2018 will be a great year, especially if our illustrious politicians don’t screw it up.

Skinner’s Auction, Boston, MA, held its 20th Century Design sale on December 14, 2017. Included in the sale was a lovely collection of Tiffany Favrile glass from the estate of Nan Edwards. The results were excellent.

Fabulous Tiffany red Favrile exhibition vase, Skinner lot #72

The top lot of the group was #72, a killer red decorated Favrile vase marked “Exhibition”, meaning it was made to exhibit at a fair. Exhibition vases are usually top quality and quite rare. It went on the block with an estimate of $4,000-6,000 and soared to $33,210, including buyer’s premium — not surprising considering its quality and rarity.

Tiffany Favrile black decorated millifiori vase, Skinner lot #76

Lot #76 was another fine Tiffany Favrile example from the collection of Nan Edwards. The quality and rarity of this black decorated millifiori vase made up for its small, 4¾” size. It sold for over 10 times its high estimate of $900, realizing $12,300, including buyer’s premium.

Early Gallé Crystallerie vase, Skinner lot #179A

For the most part, the French glass offerings were quite weak, except for lot #179A. It was a superb example of 19th century Gallé Crystallerie glass, with a grasshopper and flowers. At 9″ tall, it was offered with an unrealistically low estimate of $400- $600. It sold for a very fair price of $10,455.

Fake Gallé jar, Skinner lot #178

Embarrassingly Skinner sold lot 178 as authentic Gallé glass, when in fact it was an obvious reproduction. I guess they were fooled because it came from the collection of Nan Edwards. It means that Nan Edwards was fooled first and then Skinners. I suggest the buyer return it immediately.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until 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 10 new items on my website and will list another 10 or more within the first week of January. 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.

In a stunner Morphy Auctions buys James D. Julia Auctions

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My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. There has been a lot of auction action in December, which I’ll cover in the next few weeks. You won’t want to miss these posts, which will be every Monday and Thursday.

First and foremost I want to wish a Merry Christmas to all of my Christian friends, clients and readers.

We’re just back from a wonderful 3-week vacation in Asia, having visited Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong. Now back to work.

Because of the importance of this post, I will leave it for the entire week. The next post will be next Monday.

Dan Morphy (left) and Jim Julia (right) shake hands

In a stunning turn of events, Morphy Auctions of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, has bought James D. Julia Auctions of Fairfield, Maine. Their publicity lists the sale as a merger, but that seems like a bit of hyperbole. Well I guess it is a merger, sort of. Morphy Auctions will acquire the mailing lists of Julia Auctions and will continue to employ the sales staff and department experts of Julia’s. All of the support staff at Julia’s including secretaries, accountants, photographers, shippers, etc. will lose their jobs. Julia’s will still hold a February and a March sale in Maine, but will close its doors on May 1, 2018. I’m told those employees losing their jobs will receive generous severance packages.

Sales at Morphy’s have been approximately $35 million per year, while Julia’s had sales of $43 million. Dan Morphy is hoping the combined company will achieve sales equal to or better than the individual totals. Morphy will gain important departments, including the highly successful Rare Firearms and Glass and Lamps divisions. Mike Fredericks, head of Julia’s Glass & Lamp Department, will be moving up to become manager of all departments — a smart move by Morphy.

I’m sure part of Jim Julia’s motivation is to spend as much quality time as he can with his wife, Sandy, who is dealing with brain cancer. They are both personal friends of mine whom I wish nothing but the best.

If size is important (and it probably is) and Morphy does a good job of integrating Julia’s staff, it should work out well. Time will tell. Got my fingers crossed for all involved. Don’t be surprised if Morphy buys another auction house a few years down the road. You heard it here first.

No more shows until 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 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.

Unfortunately I missed Doyle Auction’s Doyle + Design sale, November 21, 2017

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We’re back from vacation, so I’ll begin posting new blogs twice weekly, starting Monday, Christmas Day. It will be a good one on an important and unexpected merger in the auction business. You won’t want to miss it.

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.

November 21, 2017 was a busy day for auctions, with four auction houses holding simultaneous sales, including Leslie Hindman, Bonham’s LA, Heritage and Doyle New York. I had catalogs from all of them, but I was (and still am) so busy I didn’t realize it until the sales were over. I did manage to buy some nice items at two of the sales, but I should have paid more attention to the sale at Doyle’s. It was a disaster for them, but a gold mine for buyers.

Daum Nancy floral vase, Doyle lot #169

Lot 168 was a beautiful 11″ Daum Nancy vase, estimated to sell for $2,000 – $4,000 — a fair, but low estimate. The vase actually sold for $1,250, including buyer’s premium. It’s a vase that I could have easily sold in the $6,000 – $8,000 price range. Ouch! That hurts.

Handel floor lamp with Tiffany 10″ Favrile shade, Doyle lot #174

Lot #174 was more of a dealer lot. By that I mean it was a marriage of a 10″ Tiffany Favrile shade and a Handel base that a lamp dealer could make into two proper lamps. Namely you would need a suitable Tiffany Studios base for the shade and a 10″ Handel or Steuben shade for the base. It sold for the low estimate of $3,000 ($3,750 including buyer’s premium). It wasn’t the greatest of lamps, but it was well worth the money, especially to a dealer.

French marquetry game table, Doyle lot #170

One more example was lot # 170, a beautiful French hand-carved and marquetry game table. It sold for only $1,875, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-auction estimate of $3,000 – $5,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site 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.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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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.

These 20 turkeys were not too bright visiting just before Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday. It’s secular, so everyone can celebrate with family and friends. We give thanks for the wonderful life and opportunities we’ve been given in this beautiful country. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!

Click here for a very short video of our turkey visit.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site 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.

Works by Patrick Nagel led Heritage Auctions’ Original Illustration Art sale, October 14, 2017

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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.

Patrick Nagel painting, Bold, Heritage lot #71116

Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, held their Original Illustration Art sale on October 14, 2017, with total sales of $1,098,328. An acrylic on canvas work by Patrick Nagel entitled Bold led the sale with a $200,000 result. Personally I don’t understand it, but guess what? The bidders didn’t ask me and didn’t care what I thought. I wouldn’t have bought it at any price.

Hugh Joseph Ward illustration, Heritage lot #71171

I would love to have bought lot #71171. It was a wonderful cover illustration by Hugh Joseph Ward entitled Undercover Man for the April, 1942 edition of Detective magazine. It sold for $81,250, including buyer’s premium — the second best result of the sale.

Gil Elvgren 1968 calendar illustration, Swingin’ Sweetie, Heritage lot #71047

Works by Gil Elvgren frequently led previous Heritage’s Illustration sales, but not this time. It appears that prices for Elvgren’s works have been heading lower after peaking several years ago. The top Elvgren lot of the sale, #71047, a 1968 calendar illustration for Brown & Bigelow entitled Swingin’ Sweetie sold for $32,000, good for the fifth best result of the sale.

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

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site 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.

Leslie Hindman sold the Estate of Robert Smith in its Modern Design sale, 11/14/17

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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.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago, IL, held their Modern Design sale on 11/14/17. Included in the sale was the Estate of Robert Smith, which consisted mostly of French cameo glass. Don Williams was Robert’s main source for glass, until Don passed away a few years ago. Then Robert turned to me to continue collecting. He passed away last year from a rare form of bone cancer.

Daum Nancy Alpine vase, Hindman lot #467

I was anxious to buy back some of the glass that I’d sold to him, especially lot #467, a beautiful and rare Daum Nancy Alpine scenic vase, but it eluded me. It sold for $12,500, against an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000. I was the underbidder. The buyer who bought it paid a fair price, but it was just beyond what a dealer can pay and still make a fair return on his investment.

B&S vase, Hindman lot #468

Robert’s collection included more than a few fine examples of internally decorated Burgun & Schverer (B&S) vases. I was successful in purchasing a couple of them. The top result of the group went to lot #468, probably because collectors appreciated the rare shape. It sold for $8,125, against an estimate of $4,000 – $6,000.

B&S Orchids vase, Hindman lot #472

Lot #472 was beautiful and sold for a song, because of a major flaw on the backside, original to the making. It sold for $2,750 against an estimate of $2,000 – $4,000. I wasn’t going to buy it at any price, but the collector who did, bought an impressive vase at a very low price.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. That gives us time to beat the bushes to find new treasures and take some time to smell the figurative roses. November is usually a good month for business. Then business dies in December because most people are looking for less expensive Christmas gifts than we offer. Occasionally we make a Christmas sale, but that’s the exception, not the rule. Cold weather and the New Year bring a new wave of enthusiasm.

I will update my site 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.