Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014

Posted on June 23, 2014 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.

Christie’s New York held their Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale on June 12, 2014, a day after Sotheby’s. Christie’s sale was much larger, with 309 lots offered. Of those, 103 did not sell, for a sell-through rate of 67%. The sale totaled $5,954,500, for an average of $28,905 for each lot sold. Sotheby’s sell-through rate was 66%, with an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria lamp, Christie’s lot #15

Christie’s sale was much less reliant on Tiffany Studios than Sotheby’s. However, the top lot of the Christie’s sale was a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, lot #15. It sold near the high estimate of $350,000, realizing $437,000, including buyer’s premium. The previous day, Sotheby’s sold a Wisteria lamp of similar quality for $575,000.

Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann cabinet A ‘Meuble à Fards, Christie’s lot #107

The second highest price of the sale went to Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. Lot #107 was a 1926-27 cabinet entitled A ‘Meuble à Fards. It sold within its estimate of $200,000 – $300,000 realizing $281,000, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase, Christie’s lot #31

The top-selling French cameo glass lot was #31, a rare Daum Nancy Penguin vase. It more than doubled its high estimate of $7,000, to realize $18,750, including buyer’s premium. I would have loved to have bought this vase, but the price realized was the full retail price for a 6¾” example.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This A. Walter pâte-de-verre sculpture is coming shortly.

It’s spring, so there are no shows, but we’re still very much in business. 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.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Posted on June 16, 2014 by Philip Chasen

June is Decorative Arts Month, so the next several blog posts will cover the action at all the major and some of the lesser auction houses. Sotheby’s will be first. Thursday’s post will cover the result of the single-item sale of the world’s rarest stamp, the 1856 British Guiana 1-cent. Christie’s 20th Century results will be posted next Monday, with Bonham’s, Julia’s, Rago’s and others following.

Sotheby’s New York held their Important 20th Century Design sale on June 11, 2014. Included in the sale was an important collection of American art glass, including Tiffany Favrile, from the Estate of Dr. Edward and Helen McConnell. Of the 127 lots offered, 29 were from the McConnell Estate. 100% of the collection sold, with most of the vases easily exceeding their high estimates. Of the remaining 98 lots, only 55 sold, for a sell-through rate of 56% for the non-McConnell items. The sale totaled $4,476,376, for an average of $53,290 for each lot sold.

Important Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #12

The top selling lot of the McConnell Estate was no surprise. Lot #12 was a superb example of Tiffany Favrile Lava glass. It soared past its estimate of $75,000 — $100,000, to sell for $197,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #44

Neither was the top selling Tiffany lamp of the sale a surprise. Lot #44 was a nice example of the Wisteria pattern. It sold within the estimate of $300,000 — $500,000, realizing $575,000.

Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service, Sotheby’s lot #77

The second highest price of the sale went to an important Paul Lobel silver-plated coffee service. It realized $377,000, against a pre-sale estimate of $200,000 — $300,000. Considering the set wasn’t even sterling silver, the price was impressive, but again not a surprise.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This fabulous Gallé plum blownout vase just arrived

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Bonham’s Los Angeles held a diverse 20th Century Decorative Arts sale on April 16, 2014. Included in the sale were a number of lots by Tiffany Studios and The Pairpoint Co. that performed very well.

A Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier, Bonham’s lot #2237

One of the top lots of the sale was #2237, a Tiffany Studios Moorish chandelier. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $12,000 – $18,000 to sell for $46,250, including buyer’s premium.

A set of Tiffany Favrile tulip shades, Bonham’s lot #2246

A matching set of Tiffany Favrile gold tulip shades doubled its high estimate of $4,000 to realize $10,000, including buyer’s premium. What was even more surprising was that only six of the nine shades were in perfect condition. I’m guessing that the buyer of the Moorish chandelier might have been the buyer of these shades, as they’re the same as the chandelier’s.

Rare Pairpoint Geranium puffy table lamp, Bonham’s lot #2238

A rare Pairpoint puffy Geranium table lamp in an equally rare potted base sold well above its high estimate of $5,000, to sell for $11,250.

I tried to buy some of the sale’s better items, but prices were too strong, so I bought nothing. For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This rare R. Lalique blue Piriac vase is a recent purchase

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

Prices were nuts at Woody Auction’s The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection sale, March 20, 2014

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Philip Chasen

Woody Auction held a sale, The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection, on March 20, 2014, with superb results. Bidding throughout the sale was fiercely competitive, with multiple bidders vying for the “fresh meat”. Dr. Rieger had put together a varied and high quality collection and it was put up at auction with no reserves, or estimates, on any item. They were going to sell for whatever the market would bear, and the great results bore out that modus operandi. I tried to buy many items, but was outbid on most everything. But I’m not complaining, as it means the market is healthy.

Fantastic Tiffany Favrile vase, Woody’s lot #383

The best prices were achieved by the high quality offerings of Tiffany Favrile glass, French cameo glass and English cameo glass. Top lot of the sale went to Tiffany, with lot #383, a magnificent, very rare, paperweight vase with several wheel-carved insects. It sold for $60,000.

Rare Daum Nancy Rain table lamp, Woody’s lot #161

The top French cameo glass lot of the sale was a rare Daum Nancy Rain scenic table lamp, 13½” tall. It soared to $38,000.

Superb Webb cameo vase, Woody’s lot #150

A beautifully carved English cameo vase by Webb was the top lot of the English glass offerings. It went out the door at $35,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

Remember, the NYC Pier Antique Show will be held this coming weekend, March 29-30, 2014. It’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. We’ll have our new purchases from our European buying trip for sale at the show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Martin Brothers leads the way at Rago’s 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, March 1, 2014

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Philip Chasen

David Rago held two early 20th Century sales yesterday, March 1, 2014, The Lillian C. Hoffman Collection of American and European Ceramics and 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction. The Martin Brothers were well represented in both sales and did not disappoint. Many of the offerings exceeded their high estimates.

A rare Martin Brothers triple bird, Rago lot #18

As expected, lot #18, a rare Martin Brothers triple bird, led the way. It easily trounced its estimate of $30,000 – $40,000, to sell for $112,500, including buyer’s premium. Another triple bird, lot #199, smaller, with no wooden stand, and probably an early re-glaze, sold within its pre-sale estimate, realizing $46,875.

Martin Brother frog tobacco jar, Rago lot #17

A wonderful Martin Brothers frog jar, lot #17, also did very well. It nearly quadrupled its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $20,000, to sell for $87,500.

A rare Tiffany Favrile blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, Rago lot #435

The cover lot of the 20th Century sale, a very rare blue Tiffany Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase, was the best Tiffany Studios item in the sale. To my surprise, it sold for the low estimate of $50,000 + buyer’s premium, for a total of $62,500. I thought it had a good chance of exceeding its high estimate, but some minor factory flaws may have hurt its result.

For the complete results of the sale, click here .

This internally decorated Burgun & Schverer mini vase is a recent purchase

We have about three weeks until our next show, the NYC Pier Antique Show, March 29-30, 2014. That’s always fun and exciting, so make your plans to come to the Big Apple. In the meantime, we’ll be on a European buying trip looking for more treasures to offer for sale. You know we’ll come back with some exciting items, which we’ll exhibit at the show.

We’ll have this wonderful Amphora portrait vase at the show

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

December is 20th Century month, with every major and many minor auction houses holding a sale. Sotheby’s held two sales yesterday, December 18, 2013, with some truly impressive individual results. The Important Tiffany auction realized total sales of $3,675,625, while the Important 20th Century Design sale realized $5,145,500.

Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #330

First among the results was a world-record price for a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp at auction. Sold as lot #330, with a pre-sale estimate of $600,000 — 800,000, it soared to $1,565,000, with two phone bidders who wouldn’t give up. The color was strong and the provenance royal, from Baron Heinrich Thyssen-Bornemisza of Spain.

Tiffany Studios Double Poinsettia table lamp. Sotheby’s lot #317

Another Tiffany lamp with a super result was lot #317, a 22″ Double Poinsettia. It was a particularly nice example, with strong red and blue colors — just what collectors like. It sold for $221,000, against an estimate of $120,000 — $180,000.

Wonderful, rare Tiffany Favrile red carved vase, Sotheby’s lot #304

The selection of Tiffany Favrile vases in the sale was limited, but choice. I lusted for lot #304, a fantastic cherry red Tiffany Favrile vase, completely wheel-carved with flowers and leaves. It sold for $21,250, against an estimate of $8,000 — $12,000. Unfortunately, I was the underbidder. There’s only so much a dealer can pay. Retail buyers will win every time.

There were some disappointments too. The cover lot, a rare Tiffany Bat lamp failed to reach its reserve of $500,000, against an estimate of $550,000 – $750,000. Another important lot, a piano from Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio in the Charles Tiffany mansion in NYC, also failed to sell, against a reserve of $200,000 – $300,000.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. Tune in Monday for the results of Christie’s 20th Century sales being held today, Thursday, December 19, 2013.

We’ll be busy buying for the next several weeks in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t exhibit again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Two more VERY interesting items from Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Christie’s held their Interiors sale last week, December 11-12, 2013. I last wrote about a couple of interesting French lots in the sale. Today’s post will be about two very curious American lots from the same sale. They’re both interesting, but for very different reasons. Let me explain.

Christie’s lot #254 is on the left. A complete vase is on the right.

Lot #254 was a rare and very desirable Tiffany Favrile vase, but not exactly this example. You see it was only half a Tiffany vase. Someone, sometime, in its history decided to re-carve the vase into an amusing shape. It’s hard to believe this was done at the factory, so the best explanation is that someone took a seriously damaged vase and became very creative. The workmanship involved in cutting the vase was expert. Christie’s didn’t even think it was an authentic Tiffany Favrile vase, so they called it “AN AMERICAN CLEAR AND COLORED CAMEO GLASS VASE, SIGNED IN ETCH ‘L.C. TIFFANY-FAVRILE’, EARLY 20TH CENTURY”. In fact, if it were complete, it was a killer example. The color was much better than usual and the grape clusters were bigger. Even with the creative carving, it realized $3,125, including the buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,000.

Pairpoint Hummingbird & Roses puffy table lamp, Christie’s lot #463

Lot #463, a Pairpoint Hummingbird & Roses puffy table lamp, wasn’t quite as amusing, but still interesting. Why was the lamp photographed with the shade on the table? Take a look at the spider arms. They’re upside-down, so the shade couldn’t possibly rest on the arms. That tickles me. This was another lot that I had hoped to sneak up on. The shade was the larger of two versions, 16″ in diameter, with no chips and a very desirable green background. BUT, I didn’t bid one penny for it. Upon inspection, the interior paint was peeling off the roses — a very rare occurrence. How disappointing! The lamp failed to sell, even with a very fair estimate of $4,000 – $6,000 and a likely reserve of half the low estimate, or $2,000. The paint peeling was subtle, so it probably wouldn’t have been detected in a condition report. This is one bullet I dodged by viewing the item in person.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase with wheel-carved leaves, just in

Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction grosses over $1 million, December 4, 2013

Posted on December 9, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Heritage Auction held a Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction on December 4, 2013. It wasn’t a stellar sale, with mostly B level items, but the results were decent. 344 of the 364 offerings sold, for a high sell-through rate. The sale totaled $1,030,706, for an average of $2,996 per sold item.

Tiffany Studios 22″ Belted Turtleback table lamp, Heritage lot #89039

Top lot of the sale was a Tiffany Studios 22″ Belted Turtleback table lamp, with a rare base, in a non-mosaic tile version. When inset with mosaic tiles, this same base is much more valuable. The lamp sold just below the low estimate of $100,000, for a total of $118,750, including buyer’s premium. The consignor was lucky to sell the lamp, as it wasn’t exciting and carried an overly optimistic estimate.

Fine Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, Heritage lot #89049

The top Tiffany Favrile glass lot of the auction was #89049, a fine paperweight example, purchased in 1978 from Grover Antiques. It sold just below its low estimate of $25,000, for a final price of $30,000.

Fine Loetz black bottom vase, Heritage lot #89172

The most interesting lot of the sale was #89172, a rare, desirable, signed Loetz 7″ black bottom vase. It carried a ridiculously low estimate of $1,000 – $1,500. Black bottom Loetz vases have been selling in the $10,000 price range for the last 20 years, so why did Heritage put a $1,000 – $1,500 estimate? Only two explanations make sense. First they didn’t know, or second they did it purposely to generate excitement. Regardless of the reason, the vase soared to a final price of $13,750.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in to get the prices realized.

We’ll be busy buying for the next couple of months in anticipation of the important Florida shows, starting with the Miami National Antiques Show on January 24, 2014. We’ll end our winter schedule with the wonderful Grove Park Inn Arts & Crafts Conference, February 21 – 23, 2014. We last exhibited there a few years ago and couldn’t do it again because of scheduling conflicts. This year there were no conflicts, so we’re happy to return. It will immediately follow the important Palm Beach Antiques Show.

Fine Tiffany Favrile vase with applied handles, just in

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

Posted on November 18, 2013 by Philip Chasen

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Wonderful Tiffany floriform vase, sold after the Baltimore show

First a short follow-up to the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. Not only was the show a success, but it got even better afterward. I made a sale to a gentleman who was considering purchasing a major Tiffany vase at the show, but didn’t make up his mind until a couple of days afterward. Another gentleman, who had seen a French dueling gun set in my booth, called to buy it. Unfortunately for him (and for me), I had already sold it at the show. Follow-up show sales are few and far between, so it was very gratifying to hear from these two gentlemen.

Beautiful, rare, red Tiffany Favrile vase, just in

I had some good luck buying recently, including several Tiffany Favrile, Daum and Gallé vases. Of the Tiffany vases, a 5¾” red example, with a great shape, was one of the better buys. It’s really red, not orange, like some of the less desirable examples.

Just look at the great color and detail of this Daum Nancy fall scenic tumbler

One of my fine Daum Nancy purchases was a fall scenic tumbler. I love Daum fall scenic vases because of their great color and detail. This 4¾” square tumbler has vivid color.

Galle 9¼” berry blownout vase

A fine blownout vase with blue berries was one of my better Galle purchases. Galle blownout vases are rarer than standard cameo vases and as such are very desirable and easy to sell. Collectors from all over the world enjoy them.

Don’t have any shows for several weeks, so I’m devoting more time to updating my site. I’ve already listed about 10 new Tiffany, Daum, and Gallé vases. Click here to take a look. Then look for my totally redesigned website, with many changes and improvements, coming sooner than later. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

Wonderful Daum Nancy scenic blownout vase, in rare purple variation, just in

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

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Tiffany Favrile

Christie’s New York sells over $5 million at its Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale, June 12, 2014

Strong results for Tiffany Studios at Sotheby’s New York Important 20th Century Design sale, June 11, 2014

Lamps sell well at Bonham’s Los Angeles 20th Century Decorative Arts sale, April 16, 2014

Prices were nuts at Woody Auction’s The late Dr. Ernest Rieger Collection sale, March 20, 2014

Martin Brothers leads the way at Rago’s 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction, March 1, 2014

Sotheby’s New York sells a Tiffany Studios Wisteria table lamp for $1,565,000, December 18, 2013

Two more VERY interesting items from Christie’s Interiors sale, December 11, 2013

Heritage’s Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass auction grosses over $1 million, December 4, 2013

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

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?