The changing antiques market

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Philip Chasen

I’ve been pondering the changing nature of the antiques business. After 35 years, I have the luxury of being able to stand back and look dispassionately at the changes.

One of the major changes I’ve noticed is that there are fewer collectors today. That hasn’t necessarily hurt the value of antiques, as many people are still decorating with antiques. I meet people at shows who have a spot for a lamp or a vase or a painting and then they’re finished. Previously I encountered many more people who were looking to accumulate collections.

Daum winter scenic bowl

A lady from Florida wanted only to collect Daum winter scenes. She would see me at a show and ask me if I had any new shapes. She would only buy from me if I had a vase in a shape she didn’t have. By the time she finished, she had collected 72 different Daum winter scenic vases and lamps. It was quite an impressive collection.

Sam Maloof furniture from a 2006 exhibit at the Oceanside Museum of Art

Another big change has to do with what is collectible today — and that’s constantly changing as time goes by. For example, most Victorian glass has gone down in value, as there are fewer collectors today. Just on the face of it, it seems that when certain antiques get “too old”, interest in them lessens. Maybe people want to collect items from their childhoods or their parent’s or grandparent’s childhoods. Older than that and the items are unfamiliar. Modernism has become more and more popular as the years go by. The collectors are mostly younger and the items they like are no older than from the ’50s, and much of it is much newer. For example, Sam Maloof furniture is highly collectible. Sam was making furniture until his death in May, 2009.

So what will happen as time passes? I wish I had the answer. I do know that whatever happens is not inevitable. Publicity can work wonders. After a traveling exhibition in the 1980s in Japan of the works of Louis Icart, interest in Japan soared. So how about a few important exhibitions for Tiffany or French cameo glass? I’d love to see some.

What’s your opinion? Please post comments.

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 Charles Martignette collection of American Illustration Art, part II

Posted on October 12, 2009 by Philip Chasen

I’ve previously written about the Charles Martignette collection of American Illustration Art, but I’m writing again because this time I’m giving you advance notice of an upcoming auction, being held by Heritage Galleries on Oct 27, 2009, where you will have the opportunity to buy paintings from his collection. Charles had accumulated one of the best American illustration art collections in the world before his untimely death in February, 2008.

Norman Rockwell, Heritage lot #96253

Norman Rockwell will be represented with several lots. Rockwell has sold for over a million dollars for some of his famous magazine cover illustrations, but this colored pencil on board from 1955, for Scott Tissue, is estimated to sell for $8,000 – $12,000.

Howard Chandler Christy, Heritage #96058

Howard Chandler Christy, Heritage lot #96058

Howard Chandler Christy is another fabulous artist who will be well represented at the sale with several lots, including a stupendous oil on canvas of several nudes, entitled In the Garden of Eden, dated 1925. This very large painting, 28″ x 71″, has a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000.

Cafe des Artistes, showing several Howard Chandler Christy paintings

Christy painted all of the paintings that decorated the interior of Cafe des Artistes, a quintessentially New York restaurant and a wonderful place for Sunday brunch. Unfortunately the restaurant closed this past summer and has since filed for bankruptcy. Hopefully the paintings will still be available for viewing at some point in the future.

The Heritage sale has many other paintings with lower estimates, but I suspect that the actual selling prices will be significantly higher. Remember what I’ve repeated in many of my blog entries — auctions always do well with fresh to the market items priced below fair value. I’ll write about the sale after it’s over and we’ll see if I’m right about my prediction. If you’re interested, here’s the link to the auction. Heritage Signature Illustration Art Auction #7016.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Some treasures I’ve owned, part III, Martin Brothers Stoneware

Posted on October 8, 2009 by Philip Chasen

A rare and fantastic Martin Brothers stoneware creature

If you’re not familiar with the Martin Brothers of London & Southall, you should be. They produced the zaniest, most whimsical stoneware that one could imagine. What’s amazing is that they did it over 100 years ago. Many Martin Brothers objects look like they could have been made yesterday.

A Martin Brothers spoon warmer

It’s hard to be neutral about Martin Bros. ceramics — either you love it or you hate it. In case you couldn’t figure it out (of course you could), I fall into the “I LOVE IT!” category. I look at a wonderful piece and smile. I love all the categories of items I sell, but Martin Brothers has to be my favorite. There are quite a few important collectors who agree and have put their money where their mouths are — I’m talking about very serious and valuable collections.

A rare and wonderful Martin Brothers double bird of two lovers.

Early Martin Bros. ceramics from the 1870s and 1880s was for lack of a better word “ordinary”. They produced vases with simple and realistic flowers or geometric decorations. At some point in the 1890s, they started to produce “grotesque” objects with sea creatures or monsters, or wildly imaginative birds. The more grotesque, the better. Today, the most famous and highly sought after pieces are the bird tobacco jars, with removable heads. Each bird is an individual, with no two identical, as they were not made in molds. The more personality, the better the bird.

Save up your pennies, because Martin Bros. does not come cheap. A decent bird tobacco jar starts at $15,000 and goes up quickly from there, depending on the personality, glaze, size and condition.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Thank you, Chicago

Posted on October 6, 2009 by Philip Chasen

My booth at the Chicago Merchandise Mart Show

We last exhibited at the Chicago Merchandise Mart in May. The spring show is considered the better of the two shows because it’s more established and gets better attendance. But for us the results were the reverse. We were disappointed in the spring and thankful for a very fine show this time around.

Tiffany 14 inch diameter Acorn floor lamp with drink tray, ashtray and magazine rack

I asked a handful of dealers about their results and as always, there was a diversity of opinion. One dealer who is not a specialist and sells fine items from many different categories had one of the best shows ever in Chicago. Another dealer specializing in majolica didn’t do well. Two mid-west dealers said their shows were ok, but not better. Then there’s me. I’d like to thank all of my clients who made purchases. My clients are very loyal and as a result, I’m sincerely appreciative.

Tiffany glass and lamps garnered the most interest this time, with Art Nouveau French cameo glass by Gallé and Daum Nancy a close second. This time there was less interest in Art Deco glass by Le Verre Francais, etchings by Louis Icart and pottery by Rookwood.

Now it’s time for a short break and then back to the greater Chicago area for the Arlington Park Racetrack Show, October 16-18, and then on to Denver the following week.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

French Cameo Glass excels at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

Posted on October 5, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Leslie Hindman held an auction today with fresh-to-the-market French cameo glass from the Patricia J. Gottschalk Trust. Combined with the fact that the estimates were very conservative, the results excelled, with most items exceeding the high estimates, some items selling for 5-6 times the high estimate and one item bringing 8 times the high estimate.

Daum rain scenic vase, Hindman lot #23

Lot 23 was a Daum rain scenic vase. Rain scenes are very desirable, so there was no question this vase would do well. This example was very nice, with a good shape and size at 8″. It would have been excellent if there had been more pink in the sky. The pre-sale estimate was $1-2,000, which was very low. A fair estimate would have been $4-6,000. The vase sold for $13,420, including buyer’s premium — over 6 times the high estimate.

Daum wheel-carved footed vase, Hindman #24

A superb Daum vase, with highly detailed wheel-carving, was sold as lot 24. Apparently the staff at Hindman’s didn’t think much of the vase because the pre-sale estimate of $800-1,200 was even lower than for the previous lot. It sold for a strong $9,760, including buyer’s premium — 8 times the high estimate.

It was nice to see such strength and interest in the French cameo glass market. The key to great results at auction is fresh merchandise and low estimates and Hindman’s had both.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

The Chicago Merchandise Mart Preview Party

Posted on October 2, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Preview night at the Chicago Merchandise Mart Show

The preview party is in full swing as I type this post. There are lots and lots of people walking around, probably hundreds. What I don’t understand is why are we here?? I guess it benefits some charity, so the promoters feel it’s a good thing, but from a dealer’s point of view — GET ME OUTTA HERE! Most of the time, the attendees are just here for a good time. It’s a social event. See and be seen. Well, that’s great for everyone who attends, but not for the dealers. Remember, antique shows are a business. The dealers are here to sell. The cost to dealers to exhibit at a show is a few thousand to many thousands of dollars, not even counting the investment in time. If we don’t sell, we go out of business. If the show promoters would pay us just to exhibit and not sell, that would be another story, but unfortunately, that’s not the case.

My spacious booth at the show, #339

On this particular evening, one of my loyal Chicago clients came to my booth and purchased a couple of fine items, so the evening was not a complete loss, but this client would have bought from us during regular show hours, if there hadn’t been a preview party.

On the positive side, there was complimentary red and white wine and a few hors d’oeuvres, so that’s not bad. The hors d’oeuvres were even tasty.

So if I may sum up my feelings and speak directly to the show promoters. NO PREVIEW PARTIES, PLEASE!

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Setting up at the Chicago Merchandise Mart Show

Posted on October 1, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Setup at the Chicago Merchandise Mart Show

The Merchandise Mart Show started setting up yesterday and will open with a preview party tomorrow night. The show will open to the general public on Friday at 11 AM and finish at 3 PM on Monday.

The Fall show sets up on the 12th floor of the Mart, not like Spring show, which sets up on the 8th floor. The feel of the show is quite different, with each exhibitor getting a huge booth. My booth is over twice as large as the Spring show, which gives me an opportunity to properly display my items.

My booth, #339, being set up

The show has top quality exhibitors who exhibit only at the best shows, so you can expect a very diverse showing of the finest items. I’ve walked the entire show and I can testify that the dealers have set up some incredible booths with paintings, furniture, rugs, porcelain and of course me, with great glass, lamps and Icart etchings and paintings. This show is worth a trip, so try to make it your business.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Tiffany desk set items sell very well at Stefek’s Auction

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Philip Chasen

Stefek’s Auctioneers of Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, held an auction tonight. It was a well-rounded sale with furniture, lighting, paintings, etc. I only had interest in two lots in the sale, #257, a Tiffany Studios Byzantine perpetual calendar frame and #258, a Tiffany Studios Abalone desk set.

Tiffany Studios Byzantine calendar frame, lot #257

Original perpetual calendars come with a set of month and date cards that allow for every possibility, so they can be rotated monthly to make the date come out on the correct day of the week. Nowadays, they’re more useful as photo frames. Byzantine is a rare pattern, probably because it was quite expensive when new. It comes with many jewels inset in the design, but not always the same colors from set to set. Coral, white and dark blue are some of the other colors I’m familiar with. Stefek’s lot #257 came with turquoise round jewels and deep green, diamond-shaped jewels. This example seemed to be in especially fine condition. The pre-sale estimate was $2-3000 + 15% buyer’s premium. I was prepared to bid to about $2500 as perpetual calendar frames are small and Byzantine collectors are few and far between. To my pleasant surprise, the frame sold for $7475 — quite a sparkling result. If I’m not the buyer, I like strong prices. They show me that the market is alive and well.

Tiffany Studios Abalone desk set, lot #258

The next lot in the sale, #258, was a Tiffany Studios Abalone desk set with some very nice items, including the best item, a frame, and the second best item, a scale. Some of the items showed considerable wear but the better items seemed to be in good condition. The pre-sale estimate was $12/14000 — quite aggressive in my opinion. I was prepared to bid $7-7500. The lot sold for $9775, including the buyer’s premium — a fair price. If I had been the successful buyer, I would have sold all of the items individually, giving different collectors the chance to buy an item or two.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

What is Art Deco?

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Philip Chasen

The Chrysler Building in New York City

The Art Deco movement began developing in the 1910s during a transitional period from the Art Nouveau movement. It was in full bloom by the 1920s and 1930s. Art Deco is characterized by stylized designs of people and flowers, as well as geometric designs, and is frequently symmetrical. This is the total opposite of Art Nouveau, where asymmetry is the usual rule. European works of Art Nouveau art trumped American examples, but not necessarily so with the Art Deco movement. There are exceptional examples on both sides of the pond.

An entrance to Rockefeller Center in New York City by Alfred Auguste Janniot

New York City has some of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in the world. The Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center are prime examples. In collaboration with famous European artists, the French sculptor, Alfred Auguste Janniot, was employed to create a superb Art Deco, gilded bronze entrance to Rockefeller Center.

Le Verre Francais Poissons vase

In France, Charles Schneider fully embraced the Art Deco movement and created the finest glass of the period. The designs were stylized and symmetrical. The technique was acid-etching and the vases were signed “Le Verre Francais”. The colors of Art Deco glass are bright and happy as opposed to the mostly true-to-life colors of the Art Nouveau period.

Icart etching 'Speed II', 1933

Louis Icart was most popular during the Art Deco period. His art became more Art Deco as the period became more popular. Here is an example of one of his famous etchings, entitled Speed II, published in 1933. It’s more Art Deco than his original version which was published in 1927 and was very successful. Notice especially the change in the woman’s hairdo.

Speed I on the left and Speed II on the right

By the early 1940s, the Art Deco movement had pretty much run its course, but its popularity is very much alive today.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Thank you, Baltimore

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Philip Chasen

My booth with a great new Tiffany floor lamp addition

I say thank you now, but for most of the weekend, I didn’t think I would say that. The show started off well on Thursday with good attendance, good interest, and moderate sales. Attendance stayed good throughout the four days of the show, but that was partly due to the promoter’s generous distribution of complimentary tickets.

I’ve got mixed emotions about that. On the one hand, you can’t make a sale to someone who’s not there, so good attendance is important. On the other hand, there are a tremendous number of people who attend shows because it’s great entertainment, either free or low cost. That’s great for the attendees, but surely not for the dealers. You can understand that, right? Shows are better than museums. You can hold and touch the objects and ask questions of experts. Try touching something at a museum and see what happens. Off with your head!#&*%

Sunday afternoon at the show

Business was much slower on Friday (to be expected) and non-existent on Saturday (not to be expected). Sunday is the day when I never know what to expect. Most of the time, Sunday attendees are out for a good time, so sales usually suffer. Occasionally, serious clients can only make it on Sunday, or clients who were in earlier return, so it can be a good day. This particular Sunday was the latter. So the result for me was a decent show, off from previous years, but good for today’s economic climate.

I spoke to several other dealers and asked how they did. One dealer was ecstatic and said it was his best show in Baltimore. Another one did very well and was quite pleased. The majority of dealers I spoke with described their results as mediocre. No big surprise there.

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 or 516-922-2090. And please visit my website. chasenantiques.com

Philip Chasen Antiques

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Tag Archives: Philip Chasen

The changing antiques market

The Charles Martignette collection of American Illustration Art, part II

Some treasures I’ve owned, part III, Martin Brothers Stoneware

Thank you, Chicago

French Cameo Glass excels at Leslie Hindman Auctioneers

The Chicago Merchandise Mart Preview Party

Setting up at the Chicago Merchandise Mart Show

Tiffany desk set items sell very well at Stefek’s Auction

What is Art Deco?

Thank you, Baltimore