Tag Archives: Philip Chasen

Shopping for antiques in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Defensa Street, the main antiques street of San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Defensa Street, the main antiques street of San Telmo, Buenos Aires

We’ve been traveling to Argentina for over 35 years. In that time, we’ve watched the changes in the antiques market there. Early on, we were able to buy fairly well, especially French Art Deco glass by companies like Schneider, who made Le Verre Francais. There was a plethora of Le Verre Francais, as a result of the success of Argentina in the 1920s. Argentina was wealthy and influential and much of that wealth was directed to France for the purchase of the finest quality glass and furniture. Unfortunately (for buyers), times have changed. The world discovered Argentina and siphoned off the best items, so today there is a much more limited supply. With access to the Internet, Argentines are up-to-the-minute on prices all over the world. Even 35 years ago, dealers would show me catalogs from Sotheby’s and Christie’s to justify their prices, so even then they weren’t in a vacuum.

Argentina hasn’t suffered as badly as some of the countries of the world during this latest recession. Tourism is up, so foreign dollars are flowing in, and that seems to be a moderating influence. I saw tourists from many different corners of the globe, including Australia, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, and the US. Many people I spoke to said that business was fairly good. I’m quite pleased because Argentina went through a terrible crisis starting in 1999 that lasted for about three years. Many people lost their jobs, crime was up and civil unrest was high. During that time Argentina developed a bad reputation which scared off many tourists. Today there is no evidence whatsoever of the crisis. Buenos Aires is as safe as any other major world city.

But I digress — back to antiques shopping. The prices I was asked for the types of items I buy were so high, that they sounded like telephone numbers, rather than prices. The same stores are still in business from a few years ago, so they must be selling to someone, but I certainly don’t know who that might be. I wish I did. For instance, I sell original Louis Icart etchings starting at $850, in great condition, with a certificate of authenticity. The lowest price for the same etchings in Buenos Aires was $2,000, in relatively poor condition. A Gallé vase that should have been priced at $6,000 was priced at $14,000. To top things off, Argentine dealers price their antiques in US dollars, not just now, but always. That’s smart for them, but takes away the exchange rate advantage for foreigners.

Plaza Dorrego, in the center of San Telmo, Buenos Aires

Plaza Dorrego, in the center of San Telmo, Buenos Aires

I still suggest you visit the bohemian San Telmo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, which is the antiques center. There are many stores, with a wide array of items. It’s fun to search. I’m sure there are some good items available at fair prices, but you’ll have to be a determined shopper. For me, looking for important, mostly French items, it’s become a futile effort. Sometime during your visit, take a break for coffee or dessert with dulce de leche, in Plaza Dorrego, in the center of San Telmo.

The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010.

The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010.

This week starts a busy antiques season with shows in Miami and Miami Beach. The first, the Miami National Antiques Show, will be held from January 15-17 at the Doubletree Expo Centre, Miami Merchandise Mart, near the airport. It’s a beautiful show with important dealers. It’s also your opportunity to get first crack at the great items they’ll be bringing, before they go on the following week to exhibit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Make the time to smell the roses

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Roses in bloom in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, January 2, 2010

Roses in bloom in Villa La Angostura, Argentina, January 2, 2010

Life is short, so after working hard during the year, we make the time to smell the roses. And the roses are in bloom now in the Southern Hemisphere — Argentina in particular. It’s a beautiful, interesting country, where the dollar is still worth something, so we try to visit regularly.

On this particular trip, we got off to an interesting start when we arrived. Chelsea Clinton and her fiancé were on line with us for 1/2 hour while we waited at the airport in Buenos Aires to have our documents checked, so we had a chance to chat for a while. She’s really down to earth and lovely. They make a nice couple and we wish them the best.

That's the Perito Moreno glacier in the background.

That's the Perito Moreno glacier in the background.

I planned too hectic a trip, so we didn’t have enough time in each city, but we did get to visit El Calafate to see the glaciers, including the most famous one, Perito Moreno. You wouldn’t expect them to be blue, but they are, with some darker blues in some areas where the ice is more compact. We took an all day catamaran on Lago Argentino, for a beautiful day.

That's us, with family, in the mountains of Villa La Angostura, Argentina

That's us, with family, in the mountains of Villa La Angostura, Argentina

On to Patagonia to visit one of the more gorgeous parts of the earth — Villa La Angostura. It’s in the middle of beautiful mountains, lakes and streams. The air and water are clean. Just lovely to be there.

The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010.

The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010.

January starts a busy antiques season with shows in Miami and Miami Beach. The first, the Miami National Antiques Show, will be held from January 15-17 at the Doubletree Expo Centre, Miami Merchandise Mart, near the airport. It’s a beautiful show with important dealers. It’s also your opportunity to get first crack at the great items they’ll be bringing, before they go on the following week to exhibit at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Good results for Tiffany Studios objects at Sotheby’s New York, December 17, 2009

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Sotheby’s New York held their “Important Tiffany” auction on December 17, 2009, with good results. 30 of the 39 lots sold, for total sales of $3,038,250.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Sotheby's lot 434

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Sotheby's lot 434

The top lot of the sale was #434, a Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp with a fantastic organic root base. It carried a pre-sale estimate of $350-500,000 and realized $422,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Salamander lamp, Sotheby's lot #428

Tiffany Studios Salamander lamp, Sotheby's lot #428

Lot #428 was a rare Tiffany Studios Salamander table lamp that realized the second highest price of the sale. It sold for $362,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $3-500,000. It’s a stylized geometric decoration that is not my taste, but all that was needed was one buyer and the reserve, and that appeared to be the case.

Tiffany Studios rare blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sotheby's lot #418

Tiffany Studios rare blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Sotheby's lot #418

A wonderful and rare Tiffany Studios blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase sold for $86,500, including buyer’s premium, near the high end of the $50-80,000 pre-sale estimate. I bought almost this exact vase about 30 years ago in a home for about $5,000. Wish I had that one back. It would have looked nice on my shelf all these years.

Tiffany Studios Ninth Century desk set, Sotheby's lot #409

Tiffany Studios Ninth Century desk set, Sotheby's lot #409

The Ninth Century pattern in Tiffany Studios desk sets is quite attractive with blue and green jewels. A large set with a few rare items, including a thermometer and a scale, was sold as lot #409. It doubled its pre-sale estimate of $10-15,000, selling for $37,500, including buyer’s premium. Excuse me, Mister Buyer (or anyone else), I’ve got lots of additional items in the Ninth Century pattern for sale. Please contact me.

For complete results, click this link. Sotheby’s Important Tiffany results.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Now is the time to buy Louis Icart etchings at historically low prices

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I studied economics in college, so I understand the basics of the laws of supply and demand. The price of an item is inversely proportional to the supply, i.e., the price rises when the supply goes down and falls when the supply goes up. Also the price of an item is directly proportional to the demand, i.e., the price rises when the demand goes up and falls when the demand goes down.

Louis Icart etching 'Two Beauties'

Louis Icart etching 'Two Beauties'

The market in the works of Louis Icart follows these laws. Historically, the high-water mark for the Icart market was in the late 1980s, when the Japanese were buying heavily. The demand was so strong that prices for even the lowliest of Icart etchings was $4,000 and for the best and rarest as much as $55,000, e.g. Two Beauties.

Louis Icart etching 'Laziness'

Louis Icart etching 'Laziness'

The low-water mark for Icart etchings seems to be now. For whatever reason, there are few new collectors looking to acquire Icart etchings and existing collectors are not adding many to their collections. So, logically, the prices need to drop to increase demand. To that extent, I am going to drastically reduce the prices of authentic Icart etchings to levels not seen in 40 years. The new prices will start at $850 for the very same etchings that were selling for $4,000. Each and every one will come with a certificate of authenticity. I am changing from retailer to wholesaler for Icart etchings. Please check my website for the latest listings and prices. Click this link. Louis Icart Sale. Don’t take long to make up your mind, because at these prices, they’ll be gone fast. Most are available for immediate shipping, so if you still need a last-minute gift, there’s still time!

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Generally poor results at Heritage’s first New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction, December 10, 2009

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Heritage Auctions, the major Dallas, TX auction house, held their first auction of 20th Century Decorative Arts in New York on December 10, 2009. Results were generally poor in the lamp and glass sections of the auction, with many lots not reaching reserve. Heritage had hoped to break into the New York market and become a major player along with Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonham’s. It’s difficult to ascertain the exact reasons for the poor showing, but a few things are clear. First, they did not have a compelling group of items to sell. A fresh collection of important items at low estimates and reserves would have been a good way to kick start their New York presence. Unfortunately that was not the case. Secondly, they do not have a permanent exhibition space. They rented space from Tepper Galleries on the third floor of a building on East 25th St. — not an easy location to find. Third, they tried to enter the New York market in a difficult period in the economy. Heritage is a major auction firm primarily selling coins. They branched out into several antiques markets, some with excellent success, such as American Illustration Art. Perhaps they can crack the New York market, but they will have to upgrade their offerings and lower the estimates and reserves — a difficult task.

Tiffany Studios bamboo floor lamp, Heritage lot #74057

Tiffany Studios bamboo floor lamp, Heritage lot #74057

Tiffany lamps sold poorly, mostly because of too aggressive estimates and reserves. One of the major lamps of the sale was a Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp. It was estimated at $200-300,000 and did not sell.

Tiffany Studios 22 inch Dragonfly table lamp, Heritage lot #74064

Tiffany Studios 22 inch Dragonfly table lamp, Heritage lot #74064

Another major lamp that did not sell was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Dragonfly table lamp on a rare reticulated base. It was available for sale after the auction for $179,250.

Daum Nancy wheat vase, Heritage lot #75144

Daum Nancy wheat vase, Heritage lot #75144

French cameo glass also did not fare well. Many of the vases did not sell but a few did. Lot 75144 was a Daum acid-etched and enameled vase with wheat decoration. It carried a pre-sale estimate of $8-12,000 and sold for $9,560, including buyer’s premium.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany Studios lamps soar at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

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To say the least, the results of the December 8, 2009 Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany auction were interesting. There was real strength in the high end of the market and apathy in the low end. The best examples brought extraordinary prices, while the lower end results were tepid.

Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony table lamp, Christie's lot #11, December 8, 2009

Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony table lamp, Christie's lot #11, December 8, 2009

The high-water mark of the auction was achieved with the sale of lot 11, a Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony table lamp. It was estimated to sell between $600,000 and $900,000, and soared to $1,538,500, including buyer’s premium. That should make the purchaser of the Tiffany Studios Elaborate Peony lamp from the Skinner’s auction of the Richard Wright collection ecstatic. That one sold for $435,000 just a few weeks ago, and it was no slouch.

Tiffany Studios Trumpet Creeper table lamp, Christie's lot #35, December 8, 2009

Tiffany Studios Trumpet Creeper table lamp, Christie's lot #35, December 8, 2009

Strong prices continued with the sale of a Tiffany Studios Trumpet Creeper table lamp. It is the same size, shape and basic design as the Wisteria lamp, but with the rarer Trumpet Creeper decoration. It exceeded the high estimate of $500,000 reaching $794,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Christie's lot #17, December 8, 2009

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Christie's lot #17, December 8, 2009

Dragonflies are always crowd-pleasers and lot #17 filled the bill. It was a beautiful example with a rare matching mosaic-tile base. It sold for $602,500, including buyer’s premium, equaling the high estimate.

Other outstanding results were achieved with a Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp, $506,500, a Peony chandelier, $314,500, a drop-head Dragonfly lamp, $314,500 and a turtleback tile chandelier, $266,500. For complete results, click on this link. Christie’s Magnificent Tiffany results.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Astounding price for a Galle vase at Christie’s New York 20th Century Decorative Arts auction

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The 20th Century decorative arts market gets very busy at this time of year with most of the major auctions houses scheduling their sales this week and next. Christie’s New York held their sale yesterday with some very interesting results. Today I’ll review the French cameo glass.

Gallé parrot vase, Christie's lot #188, December 8, 2009

Gallé parrot vase, Christie's lot #188, December 8, 2009

The runaway record price of the French cameo portion of the sale was for a large Gallé vase decorated with parrots. The subject matter was rare and the vase was big (21¼”), but the workmanship was standard acid-etching and the colors were chartreuse and brown — tough colors to sell. It was estimated to sell for $30-50,000, which in my opinion was too high. I was bidding on the telephone and told the Christie’s representative that I thought the vase would not reach reserve and would fail to sell. Wrong!!! The old adage that it only takes two to make an auction was certainly true today. Two determined bidders fought for this vase all the way to $104,500, including buyer’s premium — an astonishing price. If I had owned it, I would have marked it $25,000 and would have had trouble selling it, but what do I know? I’ve only been selling French cameo glass for 35 years.

Daum dragonfly bottle, Christie's lot #189, December 8, 2009

Daum dragonfly bottle, Christie's lot #189, December 8, 2009

A beautiful small Daum bottle with an applied dragonfly and wheel-carved stopper sold for $12,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $10-15,000. Another Daum vase, with wheel-carved stylized flowers, sold slightly below estimate at $7,000 + buyer’s premium ($8,750), while carrying a pre-sale estimate of $8-12,000. A Daum lamp with grape decoration and applied snails was estimated too aggressively at $60-80,000 and as a result failed to sell.

Muller magnolia vase, Christie's lot #186, December 8, 2009

Muller magnolia vase, Christie's lot #186, December 8, 2009

A huge Muller vase, 14½” tall and bulbous, with magnolia flower decoration, exceeded the high estimate, selling for $13,750. It carried a fair pre-sale estimate of $6-9,000.

Tomorrow I’ll review the Tiffany lamps sold at the Christie’s sale. There were some fireworks, so you won’t want to miss this report.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

The turkeys are back

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Lia Chasen, with friend Sandra Pak, feeding the wild turkeys

Lia Chasen, with friend Sandra Pak, feeding the wild turkeys

Having never seen a wild turkey on Long Island for my whole life, I’ve now seen them three times in a month. Today they visited again and this time they brought their friends (or relatives). Today’s visit included a rafter of nine turkeys. (How do you like the term “rafter of turkeys”? Had to look that one up online to find the proper term.) Two of the eight were probably the alpha males. They were much bigger and had their tail feathers open. They seemed to be in charge and protective of the others. Two of the turkeys flew up to drink from the bird bath. Did you know that turkeys can fly? Well, not very far, according to my research. Basically they just fly up into trees.

The alpha male turkeys

The alpha male turkeys

Long Island’s wild turkeys are quite tame. So many people feed them that they’re practically domesticated. We had a hunt on Long Island a few weeks ago, but that was farther out on Long Island in Suffolk County. Hunters had to get licenses and were permitted only one turkey per permit. Very few turkeys were caught during the five day hunt. They haven’t yet learned to fear humans, so hunting them shouldn’t have been that difficult. I guess the problem was locating them, as there aren’t that many yet — approximately 3000 on all of Long Island, and Long Island is very big.

A couple of the turkey hens drinking from the bird bath

A couple of the turkey hens drinking from the bird bath

It’s fun to get a visit from the local turkeys, as long as they leave soon, and they usually do. A rafter of nine turkeys can leave quite a bit of poop. Just ignore them and stop feeding them — that seems to do the trick. At least they’re not as bad as geese (and we have lots and lots of geese on Long Island). Once they decide they like your property, it’s very difficult to get rid of them.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Make your plans for the two big antique shows coming to Miami in January, 2010

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The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010

The Miami National Antiques Show, January 15-17, 2010

Now is the time to start making your plans to come to Miami for the two big antique shows in January. The first show is the Miami National Antiques Show, held at the Doubletree Expo Centre (near the airport), January 15-17, 2010. This show has a long history, back to the time about 30 years ago when Marty Ellis was the show promoter. I remember one January when there were so many people on line that the fire marshalls were only permitting people into the show as other visitors were leaving. I’ve exhibited at some busy shows since then, but that was the high-water mark for show attendance. Although the show has gotten a little smaller (there’s no second floor any more), the quality has managed to stay extraordinarily high. Many of the best dealers exhibit at this show, so it’s a good way to start the new year’s antique season. There’s a concentration of the best dealers in glass and lamps, so that’s an especially good reason to visit.

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 21-25, 2010

The Original Miami Beach Antique Show, January 21-25, 2010

Immediately following that show will be the eagerly anticipated Original Miami Beach Antique Show, at the Miami Beach Convention Center, January 21-25, 2010. This is a huge show that attracts both exhibitors and attendees from all over the world. I’ve done business at this show with people from almost every continent. There’s always a lot of action, with millions and millions of dollars of merchandise changing hands. Many dealers save their best items just for this show. Give yourself at least two days to see everything.

Have you tried Hotwire.com or Priceline.com to book your hotel or car? Take my advice from a very experienced traveler. Hotwire is great most of the time. You won’t know the name of the hotel until you’ve paid with a credit card, but you will know the location and the star rating. You can be pretty sure that a 3 or 4-star rating will be a nationally-known brand-name hotel. I like to stay in Miami, not Miami Beach, for the duration of the two shows. Parking and eating is much less of a hassle and the hotels are better and cheaper. The least expensive 3½-star hotels on Hotwire were $89/night, so I tried Priceline and bid $69/night. To my amazement, I got the Embassy Suites near the airport. Embassy Suites are great and $69/night??? What a deal!

The Miami shows are wonderful. First of all, you can escape winter for as long as you’re there. Then you’re at the heart of the antiques world for a couple of weeks. What a combination. Make your plans now, while good hotels are still available and airfares are cheap. I’ll see you there!!!

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass (including a blownout vase), Daum Nancy glass and Tiffany Studios glass. Soon I’ll be adding many Tiffany Studios desk pieces. Many are priced right for great holiday gift-giving. Who wouldn’t like to receive a genuine Tiffany desk set accessory as a Christmas or Chanukah gift? I’ll soon be starting a big sale on Icart etchings. Please take a look, as every day I’m adding more. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Oops! I broke it, part II

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Most damage happens because of carelessness, but occasionally there’s another reason. This was one of those times.

Daum blackbird vase

Daum blackbird vase

Lia and I used to go to Paris several times a year on buying trips. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it. We haven’t gone in quite some time, mostly because of the dollar’s weakness, making domestic buying more attractive. On one particular trip we bought some lovely items for resale, including one very special Daum vase with blackbirds. It was a beautiful example with lovely color and a great shape with an applied foot.

Daum blackbird vase, Julia's lot #2250, November 20, 2009

Daum blackbird vase, Julia's lot #2250, November 20, 2009

Blackbird decoration is one of the rarest and best decorations. Just this past weekend at Julia’s lamp and glass auction, a beautiful Daum 5″ vase with blackbirds sold for $12,650, including buyer’s premium.

The unfortunate result

The unfortunate result

When a vase is dirty, I usually clean it before putting it up for sale. So I took it to the sink, sprayed it with some cleaners and scrubbed it clean. I held it by the foot and turned it upside-down to let the excess water drain. Then to my utter astonishment, the body of the vase separated from the foot and dropped to the floor, smashing into many pieces. I stood there motionless for a while, incredulous, trying to understand what had just happened. Finally, I got around to examining the foot and noticed that there was glue residue on it. Daum vases are not made with glue, so that meant that someone had reattached the foot to the body. LUCKILY for me, I hadn’t paid for it yet. I called the dealer in France to tell him the bad news. He had sold me a restored vase and therefore it was not my responsibility. I emailed him photos of the disaster and ultimately gave him back the pieces. He said he didn’t know it was restored, but someone, somewhere, along the line of possession was responsible for the restoration and no one was willing to own up to it. To the best of my knowledge, the dealer who sold the vase to me took the loss. He tried to go back to the person who sold it to him, but that person refused to accept responsibility (or so he said).

Please send me your suggestions or questions about art glass, lamps, Louis Icart, shows, auctions, etc. If it’s interesting, I’ll answer your question in a future blog entry.

Call or write and let me know what you would like to buy, sell, or trade. philchasen@gmail.com or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com