Some good results for French Cameo Glass at Brunk Auctions, November 16, 2013

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Philip Chasen

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 held a diverse sale November 15-16, 2013. Many of the Art Nouveau items were from the estate of Dr. Laurence and Dorothy Grossman, of Nashville, Tennessee. Included in that group was a nice selection of French cameo glass.

Rare Daum vase with applications, Brunk lot #692

Lot #692 was a rare Daum vase with martelé-carved, applied cabachons. This was a lovely, rare piece, with a butterfly and gilding, that ordinarily I would have aggressively gone after, but did not because of the significant wear to the gilding. This is a perfect example of how I act as a filter. If it’s good enough for me to buy, it’s good enough for you to buy, and vice versa. It wasn’t good enough for my inventory — close, but no cigar. Regardless, it sold for $6,600, including buyer’s premium — well above its estimate of $2,000 – $3,000.

Gallé clematis blownout vase, Brunk lot #678

A nice Gallé blownout vase with clematis flowers was offered as lot #678, with an estimate of $2,000 – $3,000. Even though the color was only decent, it still sold for almost triple its high estimate, realizing $9,120.

Tiffany Favrile padded and wheel-carved vase, Brunk lot #672

Brunk put a very low estimate of $1,000 – $2,000 on lot #672, a Tiffany Favrile padded and wheel-carved vase with pretty variegated pink flowers. The price flew past its estimate to sell for $8,400, even with a small chip to the interior of the rim.

For the complete catalog, click here. As of today, the results haven’t been posted, but they should be by the end of the week.

The NYC Pier Show will be held this coming weekend, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. It will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February. We’re bringing some incredible new items, so don’t miss this show!

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Click here to view my new website and look around. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps

Heritage held a very successful Illustration Art auction, October 26, 2013

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Norman Rockwell’s The Song of Bernadette, Heritage lot #78138

Heritage Auctions held their Illustration Art auction on October 26, 2013, with some impressive results. Norman Rockwell’s The Song of Bernadette from 1944 was supposed to be the highlight of the sale and it was. It sold within its estimate of $400,000 – $600,000, to realize $605,000, including buyer’s premium.

Gil Elvgren, Lucky Dog (Dog Gone Robber), Heritage lot #78071

Gil Elvgren is one artist who can be counted on to do well at an illustration art auction. His Lucky Dog (Dog Gone Robber), Heritage lot #78071, scored the biggest hit, selling for $173,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – $75,000. This was the highest price ever paid for an Elvgren at a Heritage auction. Two other Elvgren paintings at this same auction sold for over $130,000.

Stevan Dohanos, The Future Fireman, Heritage lot #78014

Steven Dohanos is another fine artist whose works command premium prices. I was particularly enamored of lot #78014, The Future Fireman, the cover for the November 14, 1953 Saturday Evening Post. I wasn’t alone, as it soared past its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000, to realize $106,250.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in or register for free to see the prices realized.

The NYC Pier Show will be held next weekend, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. It will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February. We’re bringing some incredible new items, so don’t miss this show!

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Some strong results at Rago’s Early 20th auction, October 26, 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Philip Chasen

SEG fireplace surround, Rago lot #10

Rago Arts held an Early 20th auction on October 26, 2013, with some strong results. Leading the pack was a fireplace surround by the Saturday Evening Girls, for the private residence of Edith Guerrier, located near the Paul Revere Pottery works in Boston. It easily surpassed its high estimate of $150,000, realizing $219,750, including buyer’s premium.

Martin Bros. bird, Rago lot #125

Martin Bros. birds are hot and have been for years, making it difficult for auction galleries to attract good consignments. Rago has been able to buck the trend with several sales of fresh-to-the-market Martinware. Lot #125 was an 11″ bird, with a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $50,000. It sold for $59,375, near the high estimate.

Rare Tiffany scarab inkwell, Rago lot #383

Of particular interest to me was lot #383, a rare Tiffany Studios scarab inkwell. It was a beauty, with curved blue iridescent inserts and a beautiful patina. It carried a very fair pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000. I bid strongly, but had to drop out when the price moved into retail territory, with a final sale price of $25,000. Oh well, can’t win ’em all.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

We’ll exhibit next at the NYC Pier Show, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. It will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

If You Only Go To Three British Antiques Fairs Next Year…

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Today’s post is the first by a guest writer. William Robinson has spent most of his life working with antiques and fine art, while developing a family run business, Loveday Antiques, into one of London’s finest showrooms. Will’s passion for exotic wood and classic carpentry keeps his love of antiques strong.

If you would like to be a guest writer for my blog, please submit your post to philchasen@gmail.com. I suggest you send me your idea first. If it’s interesting, illustrated, and well-written, I’ll be happy to post it.

“Britain is world famous for hosting some of the largest and most prestigious antiques fairs in the world. A rich heritage and a natural affinity for antiques has resulted in Britain, notably England, being well stocked with a multitude of valuable antiques. Spotting a bargain, picking up a premium piece or simply admiring the beautiful craftsmanship from the rafters – antiques fairs around the world pull audiences from all sizes, shapes, ages and demographics looking for a day of culture and class.

There are hundreds of antiques fairs and home shows that you could attend within the next year, but for the best experience I recommend the following three for their facilities and the exceptionally large variety of antiques that are available for purchase.

Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair

1. The Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair is the largest antiques fair in the South of England and is hosted at the South of England Showground. This particular antiques fair is incredibly easy to access, as it is only an hour’s journey from England’s capital, London, and is just 12 miles from Gatwick Airport.

The Ardingly fair is popular amongst a multitude of ages and has seen an increase in visitors of 28% since 2009. This increase may be due to the welcoming atmosphere. It’s a large event, but does not overwhelm the senses or feel crowded — an amazing feat considering the showground can hold up to 1,700 stalls. The fair specialises in a wide range of quality European ornamental and decorative items, with the smaller, more fragile pieces kept indoors, while the larger products such as wooden furniture, sculptures and household items are kept outdoors beneath marquees and tents.

The Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors Fair will take place between Tuesday the 7th of January and Wednesday the 8th of January, 2014. Entry tickets for Tuesday are £20 and include entry for Wednesday; entrance to the event taking place on Wednesday is £5.

Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair

2. The Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair is owned by International Antiques & Collectors Fairs Ltd (IACF) and has been crowned as Europe’s largest antiques fair, housing more than 2,500 dealers. Due to the remarkable number of dealers, the Newark antiques fair offers an amazingly diverse selection. It has become so popular that the IACF has run it up to 6 times a year. It is located at the Nottinghamshire Showground, with an approximate area of 84 acres.

One of the beautiful things about the Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair is that it began as a method for antiques dealers worldwide to stock up and share their knowledge with one another. Over the years, as vintage has become more and more intriguing for the younger generation, the fair now attracts audiences of all ages. The variety of people is almost as large as the variety of antiques available.

The first antiques fair of 2014 in Newark will last from Thursday, the 6th of February to Friday, the 7th of February. Tickets for Thursday are £20 and include entry to Friday whilst tickets to enter on Friday are just £5.

The Lincolnshire Antiques & Home Show

3. The Lincolnshire Antiques and Home Show is an antiques fair with an ever increasing following. With more than 2,000 stalls available to purchase from and more than 200 acres of showground, the Lincolnshire fair at the Lincolnshire Showground is one of the largest and most diverse fairs throughout Europe, ranging from some of the most refined wares to bric-a-brac. No matter your taste or preference, you should be able to find something. This antiques and home show is a three day event that charges a £20 entrance fee for Monday, £5 for Tuesday and only £2.50 for Wednesday.”

Next month we’ll be working from home base, exhibiting at the NYC Pier Show, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. It will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

French cameo glass was on fire at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, Thursday, October 23, 2013

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers held their 20th Century Decorative Arts auction last Thursday, October 23, 2013, with some impressive results, especially for French cameo glass. Much of the French glass was consigned from the Adrienne Krumhorn Trust of Highland Park, Illinois. It was high quality, fresh-to-the-market, and estimated low — red meat for the lions. Even condition problems, which normally are kisses of death, did not deter buyers.

Gallé Crystallerie ewer, Hindman lot #1

The tone was set from the beginning, with lot #1, a 12½” Gallé ewer, with a cracked handle. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $1,000-2,000 to sell for $8,125, including buyer’s premium of 25%.

Gallé rhododendron blownout vase, Hindman lot #8

Most of the French cameo glass lots at least doubled their high estimates, with many selling for much more. Lot #8 was a Gallé rhododendron blownout vase with a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-12,000. It wasn’t the best example, with only fair color. Regardless of my opinion, the lot doubled its high estimate to sell for $25,000.

Daum Dragonfly table lamp, Hindman lot #28A

The most important French cameo lot of the sale was #28A, a Daum lamp with applied and wheel-carved dragonflies. It had several problems — weak color, a missing dragonfly tail, reproduction hardware, and finally a shortened base. Never mind the problems, don’t get in the way of a moving freight train. This auction was hot and there was no stopping it. The lamp realized $47,500, approximately five times the high estimate of $9,000.

I haven’t raised my prices on French cameo glass, but if other auction houses start having similar results, I will. Let me know what interests you, before that happens. For the complete results of this exciting sale, click here.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Setting up at the Overland Park Antique Show, October 23, 2013

Posted on October 24, 2013 by Philip Chasen

We’re just getting started

Today, we started to set up our first show ever in the Kansas City area. It’s the Overland Park Antique Show, to be held at the International Trade Center in Overland Park, KS. It opens to the public on Friday, October 25, at 10 AM and continues until Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 4 PM.

Just bought this rare Tiffany Studios decorated 3-light lily lamp

We’ve got a lot riding on this show. If it goes well, we’ll try again next summer on the way to Denver. If we decide not to return, we won’t make a dedicated trip to Denver. It will also impact our decision to exhibit again at the Winnetka Antiques Show next October, which will be held the week before the Overland Park Antique Show. The results of the show will help us decide how to juggle our show schedule, which changes as we add new possibilities and eliminate laggards. Tune in Monday for the results.

In the meantime, Leslie Hindman held a 20th Century Decorative Arts auction today with French glass, which was ON FIYAH! I’ll cover the results in full next Thursday.

Next month we’ll be working from home base, exhibiting at the NYC Pier Show, November 23-24, 2013. The show is under new management, U.S. Antique Shows, which usually portends improvements. That will be our last show of the year, followed by the important Florida shows in January and February.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

The results of the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, October 18-20, 2013

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Philip Chasen

My lovely wife is busy with her iPad

I’m writing this blog at 2 PM on Sunday. As of this moment, the show is not going well, and will probably end with a break even result. It’s definitely not fun. Perhaps a white knight will come before the end of the day and change the result.

Some of the Tiffany glass on display in my booth

The show has been slow, with light attendance each day. The hours were unbearably long, starting with a preview party on Thursday night, followed by 23 hours open to the public, from Friday to Sunday. Some shows have shortened from three days to two days, just for that reason. Shortening the hours of a show forces people to come at the same time and adds a little excitement. It’s also far less stressful and costly to the dealers. I strongly suggest the promoters shorten this show to two days.

Some of the Daum vases on display

I haven’t had much luck transferring my many clients in the greater Chicago area from the defunct Arlington Racetrack show to the Winnetka show. I’m sure it would have gone better if more of them had shown up. The jury is still out as to whether we’ll return next year. We’ll make that decision later.

UPDATE. 5 PM Sunday. The show has closed. No white knight, but we made a couple of sales between 2 PM and 5 PM, so the show turned a small profit. A gentleman also brought in a Tiffany lamp that he may sell to me. If he does, the show will have worked out well.

Next month we’ll be working from home base, exhibiting at the NYC Pier Show, November 23-24, 2013. That will be our last show of the year, followed by the wonderful Florida shows in January and February.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile blue decorated vase, just in

Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Our booth is taking shape

The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show will open tonight with a preview party (whoopdee doo!). I’ve never been a fan of preview parties, but some are better than others, especially if the food and drink are good. I recall they’re pretty good in Winnetka.

Another exhibitor is putting the final touches on his booth

We moved our booth (again!). Our new location is called an end cap (open on three sides), in a very good location. Last year we were in the gymnasium, that many people never found. Our new booth is a little small and cramped, but still nice.

I hope many of our greater Chicago clients come and visit us at the show, especially since the Arlington Racetrack show is no more. We’ll see how the show goes and report about it in my Monday blog. The show looks great, with a nice variety of high-quality exhibitors. I’ve brought some really fine items that I’ve recently purchased, so I encourage you to come and visit!

Next week we’re off to Overland Park, KS to exhibit at the Overland Park Antique Show in the International Trade Center. The show will be open to the public from Friday, October 25th – Sunday, October 27th. It will be our first time there and hopefully it will go well. If it does, we’ll exhibit there again next summer, on the way to the Denver show, the following week.

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

A Swiss air show adventure at the top of a mountain

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Philip Chasen

If you follow my blog, you know that we were in Parma, Italy to attend a huge antiques fair, at the invitation of the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Southeast (IACC) and the Fiere di Parma. After the show, we decided to take a side trip to Switzerland — land of the Alps and infinite scenic beauty.

The peak is 30 minutes away. Look for the white porta potties at the top, in the distance

Trying to figure out what to do on our trip, I searched the Internet and found out there would be a Swiss air show nearby on the dates we would be in Switzerland. Did you know Switzerland has an active military? I didn’t. Everyone’s heard of Swiss Army knives, but that was just a name. Why do they need a military? They never fight any wars. They guard the pope, but I didn’t think they do anything else. Seems like a good job to join the Swiss military, knowing you’re never going to fight in a war. However, domestic search and rescue, as well as peacekeeping missions around the world, are part of their job.

The show was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, October 9th and 10th. The concierge at our hotel called to get information and found out we could go on Tuesday, October 8th. It was a practice day for the show, unadvertised, but still the same show. Great! We went.

The crowd at the peak is awaiting the start of the show

All we would have to do is get to the top of the Axalp mountain. No problem! The road to Axalp was closed on Wednesday and Thursday, but not on Tuesday. So off we drove up a winding mountain road to the Axalp. Everyone was prepared for a crowd, even on Tuesday. We had to pay 12 Swiss francs (CHF) to park. (They don’t use the euro in Switzerland.) Then we stopped for some breakfast in a lovely local restaurant, and proceeded to the chair lift, also 12 CHF each. You see how easy it is to get to the top? They even gave us free Swiss Army caps for the cold at the top and ear plugs for the jet noise. The chair lift was a long ride, so how far could the top be?

The show in underway

We reached the end of the chair lift about 15 minutes later to find we still had a hike of 90 minutes to get to the top. Nobody bothered to give us any details. In the US, trails are usually marked easy, moderate, or difficult. In Switzerland, there are mountains everywhere, so they don’t bother much with trails or markings. You’re Swiss, mountains are a way of life, so get on with it. By the way, what is the next designation after difficult? There was no path, nothing flat, nothing smooth. We were in the clouds at that elevation and the grassy surface was getting muddy, making it even more difficult to climb. After 30 minutes or so, the terrain changed from moderate to steep. We had to stop every few steps to recover because of the altitude and because we weren’t in shape. It was exhausting, with no guarantee there would even be a show. If the fog didn’t clear, there would be no show. I had confidence the overhead sun would burn off the fog by the 2 PM start time. At around 7000 feet, some blue sky appeared and then the weather got better. By the time we reached the summit (which took us 3 hours!!), we had a spectacular view. We were above the clouds, sitting in a mountain meadow, looking at the Alps. There was a concession stand and portable toilets at the top — pretty classy.

Gorgeous!

The announcer (they were set up with loudspeakers) told us we could set our watches for 2 PM, for the first flyby. True to his word, the first jet streaked by at 2:00 PM. The show was underway and it was great fun. The announcer thoughtfully made some announcements in English. After 30 minutes, the fog rolled back in and then it seemed we switched from fog to clear every 10 minutes. The 90-minute show was cut short, but at least we got to see some of it.

Lia is having a tough time on the way down

Now for the good part — going down. If we thought going up was difficult, it was a piece of cake compared to going down. Now we were completely in the clouds. The condensation was dripping from my hair. The path down was even more slippery. Lia fell a few times and was so miserable, she almost cried. One Swiss gentleman saw Lia’s distress and insisted on helping her down the entire climb to the chair lift. I insisted on buying beers for everyone, including the gentleman and his two friends.

We were in the middle of the clouds on the way down

That was it for the mountain, the Swiss air show, and Switzerland. Lia had had enough. She wanted out, so we left a day early to return to Italy. Switzerland is a beautiful place, with great people, but it was time to leave. It’s also very expensive. A New York $20 Thai lunch was $60 in Switzerland.

Now we’re off to Chicago to exhibit at the Winnetka Community House, this Friday to Sunday, October 18-20. The show opens to the public at 11 AM on Friday and continues until 5 PM on Sunday. We recently bought some great items, all of which we’ll have at the show, so please come and visit!

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

Norman Rockwell painting, The Song of Bernadette, to be sold at Heritage Auctions’ Illustration Art Signature ® auction, October 26, 2013

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Norman Rockwell’s The Song of Bernadette, Heritage lot #78138

Heritage Auctions’ will hold their Illustration Art Signature ® auction on October 26, 2013. Included in the sale will be Norman Rockwell’s famous painting The Song of Bernadette, which was originally commissioned to publicize the 1945 movie of the same name, starring Jennifer Jones. It is one of Rockwell’s most reproduced works. The painting is expected to be the top lot of the sale, selling for millions.

Jesse Wilcox Smith’s A Child’s Prayer, Heritage lot #78153

Other important artists included in the sale will be J.C. Leyendecker, Jessie Willcox Smith, Stevan Dohanos, Dean Cornwell, Gil Elvgren and Alberto Vargas.

Gil Elvgren’s Lucky Dog, Heritage lot #78071

Gil Elvgren’s works are usually met with enthusiasm and spirited bidding. Lot #78071 will feature Elvgren’s 1958 painting, Lucky Dog, considered by many to be one of his best. It is likely to exceed its pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – $75,000.

For more information on the sale, click here.

Wonderful 12″ Daum rain scenic vase, just in

Philip Chasen Antiques

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Tag Archives: Philip Chasen

Some good results for French Cameo Glass at Brunk Auctions, November 16, 2013

Heritage held a very successful Illustration Art auction, October 26, 2013

Some strong results at Rago’s Early 20th auction, October 26, 2013

If You Only Go To Three British Antiques Fairs Next Year…

French cameo glass was on fire at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, Thursday, October 23, 2013

Setting up at the Overland Park Antique Show, October 23, 2013

The results of the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, October 18-20, 2013

Setting up at the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show

A Swiss air show adventure at the top of a mountain

Norman Rockwell painting, The Song of Bernadette, to be sold at Heritage Auctions’ Illustration Art Signature ® auction, October 26, 2013