The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair opens this Friday, April 15, 2016

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


Click on the image above to buy tickets

Click on the image above to buy tickets

The Chicago Botanic Garden Antiques and Garden Fair in Glencoe opens this Friday, April 15, 2016, at 10 AM, and continues until Sunday, April 17, 2016, at 5 PM. It’s a fun show you’ll be glad you attended, with a great variety of plants, garden items and antiques. The forecast for this coming weekend is sunny, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s — perfect for a day at the show.

We'll have this fantastic  Daum Nancy Bleeding Hearts lamp at the show

We’ll have this fantastic Daum Nancy Bleeding Hearts lamp at the show

We’re loaded for bear with some great French and American glass and lamps and many more bronzes than we usually have. We’ll have everything for sale at the show, including Daum, Gallé and Tiffany glass; many nice Tiffany lamps, a really rare and desirable Daum lamp and lots of other items, too numerous to mention.

The aisles were packed last year in front of our booth

The aisles were packed last year in front of our booth

Last year we had a fabulous show, which will be hard to top this year. Our best clients won’t be there because they’re taking a trip to Japan. Hopefully a good percentage of our many clients in the greater Chicago area will attend. After all, we’ve been exhibiting there for over 30 years. We’re in one of the permanent buildings, in a large booth, so we have plenty of room to display our fabulous inventory. If you’re in the greater Chicago area, this is one show that’s worth the trip. Please stop in, say hi, and take a look at our great items, all for sale!

A look at the garden section of the show

A look at the garden section of the show

Make sure you tune into this Thursday’s blog, direct from the Botanic Garden. Next Monday I’ll post the results of the show.


If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Freeman’s Auction sold three Martin Bros. birds at their Art + Design auction, March 20, 2016

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

Three Martin Brothers bird tobacco jars came up for sale at Freeman’s Art + Design auction on March 20, 2016. Two of the birds sold well, near or exceeding their high estimates.

Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar, Freeman's lot #98

Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar, Freeman’s lot #98

Lot #98 was the top lot of the three birds. With its big beak, great personality and nice size of 11½”, it sold for $46,875, against an estimate of $20,000 – $30,000.

Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar, lot #97

Martin Brothers bird tobacco jar, lot #97

Lot #97 also did well. It sold near its high estimate of $25,000, realizing $27,500, including buyer’s premium. It was slightly smaller than lot #98, but also had plenty of personality.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is less than two weeks away. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Cottone Auctions offered Tiffany Studios lamps for sale on March 19, 2016

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

Cottone Auctions held a 30 Year Anniversary Fine Art & Antique Auction on Mar 19, 2016. Included in the sale were four Tiffany Studios leaded lamps.

Tiffany geometric and ball table lamp, Cottone lot #265

Tiffany geometric and ball table lamp, Cottone lot #265

Top lot of the group was #265, a rare 22″ diameter geometric and ball lamp. It sold within its estimated range of $50,000 – $75,000, realizing $72,450, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 20" diameter Daffodil table lamp, Cottone lot #260

Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Daffodil table lamp, Cottone lot #260

The second best result was a 20″ diameter Daffodil table lamp. It sold toward the lower end of its estimated range of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $35,650, including buyer’s premium.

Lot #271 was a 16″ Acorn table lamp with a few condition problems, described as “Shade slightly out of round and several cracked panels. Base has original patina, some wear, small dent.” It also sold at the low end of its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $8,625, including buyer’s premium. Lot #267 was a 24″ diameter Curtain Border floor lamp. It failed to sell with an estimate of $50,000 – $75,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is only two weeks away. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

French cameo glass sells well at Brunk Auctions, March 18, 2016

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

Brunk Auctions, Asheville, NC, held a diverse auction on March 18-19, 2016. Included in the sale were eight lots of French cameo glass.

Two Daum Nancy vases, Brunk lot #139

Two Daum Nancy vases, Brunk lot #139

Lot #139 included two small, but very nice, 4″ Daum Nancy vases. They soared past their pre-sale estimate of $1,000 – $2,000, realizing $8,850, including buyer’s premium.

Brunk lot #144 consisted of two Daum vases

Brunk lot #144 consisted of two Daum vases

Two Daum vases were sold together as lot #144. The vase on the left was very nice, with dandelions, gilding, and a verse in French (called Verrerie Parlante or Talking Glass). They sold above their high estimate of $1,200, realizing $2,360, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Crystallerie vase and Daum Nancy vase, Brunk lot #145

Gallé Crystallerie vase and Daum Nancy vase, Brunk lot #145

Brunk combined an early Gallé vase and a Daum vase together for lot #145. The very low estimate of $1,200 – $1,800 was easily exceeded with a final price of $7,080, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here and Search by Date for the March 18-19, 2016 sale and click submit.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Think your unsigned vase is Tiffany Favrile? Think twice. It might be Trevaise.

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.

Trevaise glass from the collection of Frank W. Ford

Trevaise glass from the collection of Frank W. Ford

Vases exist that look an awful lot like Tiffany Favrile glass, with good reason. Here’s the story.

This Tiffany Favrile vase has a button pontil

This Tiffany Favrile vase has a button pontil

The Alton Mfg. Co. of New York bought the old Sandwich Glassworks, which had closed in 1888. They hired a talented gaffer, James H. Grady, who had worked at Tiffany Studios in Corona, NY, to come to Sandwich, MA, to head a team to produce “High Class Glassware”, to be called Trevaise. Production began sometime in May 1907, but stopped by the end of the year when the glassworks was closed for extensive repairs. Work was supposed to resume after the holidays, but never did. In February, 1908, C.F. King, the president of Alton Mfg. Co. disappeared with the proceeds of the company. He was later arrested and convicted of 27 counts of larceny. The Alton Mfg. Co. permanently closed. Therefore Trevaise glass was only made for a few months, from mid-May, 1907, to the end of the year.

Another Trevaise vase from the collection of Frank W. Ford

Another Trevaise vase from the collection of Frank W. Ford

Here are some characteristics of Trevaise glass. Mostly vases were produced without handles. The vases always have button pontils and they are never signed. Of course, there have been unscrupulous people over the years who’ve decided it was easier to sell these vases with Tiffany signatures, so some of them are found today with spurious signatures. The glass is usually thicker than authentic Tiffany Favrile vases, so they’re often heavier than similar examples from Tiffany.

Many thanks to Frank W. Ford for his assistance in the preparation of this post.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.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 interesting results at Bonham’s Los Angeles The Elegant Home sale of March 7, 2016

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

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a diverse sale, The Elegant Home, on March 7, 2016, with some interesting results. Following are a few.

Spelter Art Nouveau inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt, Bonham's lot #249

Spelter Art Nouveau inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt, Bonham’s lot #249

Lot #249 was an amusing early 20th century French, Art Nouveau, spelter, figural inkwell of Sarah Bernhardt with devil’s wings. Helped by her wings, she flew to a final price of $20,000, the highest price of the sale, against a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 – $4,000. I could understand this result if it were bronze, but white metal? I’m sure it was a nice surprise for the consignor.

Lee Lash painting of New York, Bonham's lot #201

Lee Lash painting of New York, Bonham’s lot #201

I liked lot #201, an oil on canvas illustration of New York in the ’30s, by Lee Lash. Although it wasn’t Norman Rockwell quality, it had a nice look. The public agreed, pushing the price past its high estimate of $6,000, to realize $8,125, including buyer’s premium.

Pairpoint puffy Azalea table lamp, Bonham's lot #50

Pairpoint puffy Azalea table lamp, Bonham’s lot #50

Several reverse-painted and puffy lamps were sold from the collection of Jane Fonda. The top lot of this group was a very pretty Pairpoint Azalea puffy table lamp, lot #50. It easily exceeded its high estimate of $6,000, realizing $10,250, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show, with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.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?

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.

From time to time I like to post an update on what’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques. First I’ve hired my daughter, Lauren, to develop my online presence. We now have a Facebook page (please like it), an Instagram page (please follow us), and a presence on eBay. We’re working on starting a 1st Dibs account and other platforms. Hopefully that will lead to additional online sales, as more shows seem to be failing. Now we only exhibit at a handful of shows, when we used to exhibit at over 20 per year.

The new merchandise is mostly fine French cameo glass, especially Daum Nancy, but also includes reverse-painted lamps by Handel and Pairpoint and KPM plaques.

Rare Daum Nancy Bleeding Hearts lamp

Rare Daum Nancy Bleeding Hearts lamp

First up is the killer of all killers, a stupendous 13½” tall Daum Nancy acid-etched and enameled Bleeding Hearts boudoir table lamp. In over 40 years, I haven’t seen or owned a Daum Nancy lamp with this subject matter. The gorgeous color and detail make it one of the most special items I’ve had for sale in quite some time. Common Daum lamps are acid-etched only and are usually plain Jane.

Killer Daum Nancy French Alps scenic vase

Killer Daum Nancy French Alps scenic vase

Recently I’ve had the good fortune of being able to purchase several fine Daum Nancy scenic vases. The finest of the group is a truly outstanding 9½” tall vase depicting a village and river in the French Alps. I don’t like to be repetitive, but in this case I must. It’s killer!

Rare Handel 18" Bird lamp

Rare Handel 18″ Bird lamp

A beautiful and rare 18″ diameter Handel table lamps with exotic birds on a black background is one of the new lamps just in. It’s special and priced right.

I listed several new items last week and I’ll be listing many more this coming week, so please check my site often.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is approaching quickly. We’ll be in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show, at the Chicago Botanic Garden, starting April 15th. It’s a beautiful show with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Collector hits the jackpot at Bonham’s London auction, February 24, 2016

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


16th century oak door panel of King John

16th century oak door panel of King John

How’s this for a story? A collector in England buys an item on eBay for a few thousand pounds, then consigns it to Bonham’s auction, where it sells for £184,900 ($263,033)? Knowledge is king (pun intended). For the rest of the story click on the following links. Oak panel from King Henry VIII era sells for £185k and SURVIVING TUDOR TURMOIL: HISTORIC HENRY VIII PANEL LEADS BONHAMS’ FIRST OAK INTERIOR SALE AT NEW BOND STREET. For the actual result from Bonham’s auction, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. It’s a beautiful show with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.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 Belle Epoque Paris apartment was opened for the first time since WWII

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.


Madame de Florian’s vanity

Madame de Florian’s vanity

If you’ve ever wanted to go back in time, this story will bring you as close as you can get. A turn-of-the-century Paris apartment was opened for the first time in 2010, after the death of its owner. The apartment was completely untouched after being abandoned sometime between 1939 and 1942 (details are conflicting), to escape the invading Nazis. The owner, Madame de Florian, had paid rent on the apartment until her death in 2010. It was a time capsule of life during the Belle Epoque.

Giovanni Boldini painting of Madame de Florian’s mother Marthe de Florian

Giovanni Boldini painting of Madame de Florian’s mother Marthe de Florian

The most fabulous object discovered in the apartment was a painting of Madame de Florian’s mother, Marthe, painted by Giovanni Boldini, her lover. The painting was sold at auction for $3.4 million, helped by its provenance and juicy history.

There’s more to the amazing story, so click on the following three links for more details and photos. The Parisian Belle Epoque Time Capsule and This lavish apartment was discovered untouched for 70 years and Auctioneers Open Up A Paris Apartment Abandoned Since 1939 And Find Priceless Art


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. It’s a beautiful show with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Anything French was on fire at Sotheby’s Design sale, March 2, 2016

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


Sotheby’s New York held their Design sale yesterday, March 2, 2016, with total sales of $3,495,188. Anything French — glass, bronze, wood, was hot.

Art Deco screen, Sotheby's lot #140

Art Deco screen, Sotheby’s lot #140

An Art Deco screen, with inlaid bronze panels, lot #140, estimated to sell for $5,000 – $7,000, had multiple bidders until the dust finally settled at an amazing $187,500, including buyer’s premium. Don’t get me wrong. My wife and I admired it, so it’s conceivable we would have tried to buy it within the estimated range, but $187,500??

Gallé bat lamp, Sotheby's lot #59

Gallé bat lamp, Sotheby’s lot #59

French glass did very well, with lot #59 performing second best (to a Daum lamp with an applied dragonfly, lot #83). This bat flew away for $31,250, against a pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000. The Gallé shade with bats was rare and bats are very desirable subject matter, but the problem was the fair workmanship and the boring color. Then consider the shade was made around 1900 and the Art Deco base around 1925, so they weren’t born together. I assume the bidders had a lot of money and not much knowledge – in other words, more cents than sense.

Daum pâte-de-verre Owl vide poche, Sotheby's lot #86

Daum pâte-de-verre Owl vide poche, Sotheby’s lot #86

Pâte-de-verre sold very well, with a rare Daum Owl vide poche, lot #86, selling for almost four times its high estimate of $6,000. It reached $27,500, including buyer’s premium.

Fernand Grange Art Deco floor vase, Sotheby's lot #147

Fernand Grange Art Deco floor vase, Sotheby’s lot #147

A beautiful French Art Deco floor vase, 55¾” tall, by Fernand Grange, was another standout. It soared to $112,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – $15,000.

Pairpoint Orange Tree puffy lamp, Sotheby's lot #45

Pairpoint Orange Tree puffy lamp, Sotheby’s lot #45

You wouldn’t know the Pairpoint puffy lamp market has been soft for a while from the result of lot #45, a rare Orange Tree. It zoomed past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000, to realize $47,500, including buyer’s premium. Even a healthy chip on the inside lower rim and many light leaks (from missed spots in the original paint) didn’t stop the determined bidders.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Click on this image to buy tickets

Click on this image to buy tickets

Our next show is not until April 15th, when we’ll be at the Chicago Botanic Garden, in Glencoe, IL, for the Garden, Antique & Design Show. It’s a beautiful show with both antiques and gardening, that you’ll absolutely enjoy. We only have two remaining shows in the greater Chicago area, so come and say hi!

If you’re selling, please let me know. If you have what I’m looking for, I’m paying the highest prices. My decisions are quick and my payments just as quick. Just snap a photo and email it to me.

I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. I will continue to list more as often as possible. Please click here to take a look.There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.