Tiffany Studios lamps and objects sold well at Cottone’s Fine Art, Antiques & Clocks sale, Mar 24, 2018

For the foreseeable future I will publish once a week on Mondays.


Cottone Auctions held a Fine Art, Antiques & Clocks on Mar 24, 2018. Included in the sale was a nice selection of Tiffany Studios leaded lamps and objects.

Tiffany Studios Bamboo floor lamp, Cottone lot #330

The top lot of the Tiffany Studios group was #330, a Bamboo floor lamp. It sold above its estimated range of $100,000 – $150,000, realizing $241,900, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Moorish chain mail hall lantern, Cottone lot #331

Lot #331 was a rare and interesting Tiffany Studios Moorish hall lantern with chain mail decoration. It sold well above its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $23,010, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Butterfly inkwell, Cottone lot #339

The top result for Tiffany Studios objects was lot #339, a rare Tiffany Studios Butterfly inkwell, with an original iridescent blue Favrile insert and cap. It also sold well above its estimate of $7,000 – $10,000, realizing $18,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to enter your email address to see the prices realized.


Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

How to clean antique glass including Tiffany Studios Favrile glass and French cameo glass

Monday’s post will be up by noon.

Please note that I am permanently changing Thursday’s post day to Friday.

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


Every once in a while, I will re-post one of my most widely viewed blogs of the last nine years. This is one of the top three, originally written on September 14, 2009.

Having sold many thousands of antique glass vases over the years, I’ve learned a lot about how to clean them from trial and error. It also doesn’t hurt to have a Master’s Degree in Chemistry.

Most people are quite timid about using chemicals on glass. They’re afraid they’ll ruin their vases by removing the decoration or somehow damaging them. There are very few times this would actually be true. Cold-painted decoration on a vase could be ruined by the use of some chemicals but Tiffany Favrile vases and French cameo vases by Daum, Gallé, and others have no cold-painting, so all of the steps I describe below are appropriate. If you suspect that your vase has cold-painting on it, test a small area with one of the cleaners below, using a Q-tip. If any color comes off, stop and use only the mildest cleaners.

Eco-House citrous thinner

Eco-House citrous thinner

The first step is to remove any sticky substances, which will dissolve in organic solvents such as mineral spirits or acetone (nail polish remover). There are also some good  commercial products available, such as Goo Gone, available at stores like Home Depot or Office Depot, or online. Another product I like is citrous thinner, made from orange peels. It smells a lot better than the other solvents and is quite effective. Click here if you’d like to order it.

Start by looking for anything sticky with your eyes and your fingers. Put very little solvent on a Q-tip, rag or paper towel. Rub the affected area until the dirt or stickiness is gone. Mineral spirits is a gentler solvent than acetone, so try it first. Mineral spirits is especially good for removing the gum from old labels. Use acetone second, if you need a stronger solvent. These various solvents will also remove crayon, sap, or any similar substance.

Easy-Off Fume Free

Easy-Off Fume Free

Next we’re ready for aqueous cleaning. I suggest you do this in a sink. Most of the cleaners will make your vase slippery, so be very careful not to lose control and break it. The gentlest cleaners are dishwashing liquid or Windex. I like to use them with an old toothbrush. Scrub the vase with the first cleaner and see if the dirt comes off. If it’s stubborn, you can proceed to the next level of cleaning power with commercial products like Scrubbing Bubbles or Dow Bathroom Cleaner. Repeat the process. Spray the vase, let it sit for a few minutes and clean again with a toothbrush or similar brush. If that’s not strong enough, you can go to the highest level of cleaning power — Easy-Off, of which there are two types available. The blue can, labeled “Fume Free” is the one I recommend. (It’s not really fume free, but it’s not too bad.) It’s powerful and should remove any leftover dirt. Finally, rinse your vase thoroughly in plain water and dry completely with an old towel. If it’s safe, let it dry upside down. It’s a good idea to use gloves to protect your hands, an apron to protect your clothing and glasses to protect your eyes. Easy-Off in the yellow can is lye (sodium hydroxide). It’s very powerful. It will eat through the dirt nicely, but also through your clothes and skin, and can severely damage your eyes. Immediately flush with plain water if you have an accident. You’ll know you’ve gotten it on your skin if it feels slimy.

To clean the inside of your vase, you’ll need various brushes to reach hard-to-get-to areas. Just use one of the sprays above, let sit, and brush away. Justman Brush Company sells hundreds of different brushes.

A sick vase whose glass has been etched on the interior

Vases that have been filled with water can present bigger problems, such as scratches on the interior. The second and more serious problem is sick glass, which includes etching of the glass interior or the depositing of lime or other minerals. Etching will appear as frosting, while depositing will appear as white crust. Cleaners will not effectively fix these problems. The only real way to treat problems of this sort is to go to an expert who can “tumble” the vase to resurface the interior. It’s basically the same as sandpapering the entire interior — great for a transparent vase, but not as good for a vase that has a finish on the interior, like an iridescent vase. Use this link for Paul Nulton, who used to do this kind of work, but may or may not still be in business.

Sometimes vases were kept in homes where the owners smoked or had smoky fireplaces or stoves. The vase will probably appear to have dingy color. With a minimum amount of effort, the results can be quite gratifying, revealing unexpected bright and beautiful colors!

Good luck! (Have a good story to tell me? Please send it to philip@chasenantiques.com)


Our next show is not until May 18-20, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the 2nd edition of the resurrected Chicago Antiques + Art + Design Show at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It’s a wonderful venue for a show that deserved to be restored from purgatory.

We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 2-4, 2018

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.


There were a few people in our booth on Sunday

The Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show is over. We did quite well, selling across the board including four lamps, French cameo glass and Tiffany lamps, glass and desk pieces. Attendance was fairly decent the first two days, but Sunday was quite slow. Even still we sold every day including two sales on Sunday.

A Tiffany Studios 7-light lily table lamp was one of four lamps we sold

Asking around, I heard about 50/50 good comments vs. complaints. Glass dealers did fairly well while painting dealers I spoke to did not.

Now we’re getting ready for the big Original Miami Antique show at the Miami-Dade County Fair & Exposition Center. It opens to the public this Friday at 11 AM and continues until Monday at 5 PM. Got my fingers crossed it will go well. It’s a much bigger show than last week’s Airport Show, so there’s more action. If you can only make one show in Miami, this is the one. I’m looking forward to seeing you there. Stop by and say hello.

Can’t wait to get back into the renovated Miami Beach Convention Center next year. Construction is supposed to be finished by August, 2018, so I’m hopeful it will come true. More on that in a future blog post.


I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The market in Tiffany Studios’ lamps and glass is strengthening

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.


December is one of two months (June is the other) where all of the major and not-so-major auction houses hold their Design sales. Tiffany Studios’ lamps, glass and other objects are included in this wide category, which dates from the late 19th Century to the early 21st Century. The recent results are all in and the conclusion is that Tiffany Studios’ items are having a banner year, especially lamps and enamel on copper items.

Tiffany Geranium table lamp, Julia lot #1516

Julia’s started the season with a December 1, 2017 Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were lamps by Tiffany Studios. Three lamps, including a Geranium, sold for the same $84,700 price.

Sotheby’s sold this Tiffany Wisteria lamp, lot #218, for $975,000

Sotheby’s followed on December 13, 2017, with not one, but two Tiffany sales on the same day. You might think all this Tiffany might flood the market, but it didn’t. Very few objects failed to sell. Five lamps sold over $500,000, while two lamps sold for approximately $1,000,000.

Christie’s sold this Tiffany Drophead Dragonfly sold for $492,500

Christie’s followed the next day with a Design sale that included a wonderful collection of Tiffany enamel on copper items, which all sold well over their high estimates. The lamps also did well, with three selling for nearly $500,000 and one for nearly $1,000,000.

Tiffany Pond Lily table lamp, Bonham’s lot #20

Bonham’s New York held their Modern Decorative Art + Design sale on the same day as Christie’s (not a good move). They didn’t have a strong selection of Tiffany items except for lot #20, a Pond Lily table lamp that sold for $143,750.

Rago held an Early 20th Century Design sale this past Saturday, January 20, 2018. His selection of Tiffany Studios’ items didn’t include many rarities, but one enamel on copper tray sold for double its high estimate of $15,000.

So what’s going on? The simple answer is new (wealthy) blood. There is nothing better for a market than new players. Personally I have no idea who these people are, American or foreign, but I welcome their presence. I hope this recent enthusiasm translates to sales at the upcoming shows in Miami. Tune in for my posts. The first Miami show opens 11 days from now.


The Miami Airport Show opens to the public on February 2, 2018. I will have a very strong display, as I’ve been buying up a storm since my last show in the Chicago suburbs.

I recently listed some of the new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look. I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items at Julia’s Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, December 1, 2017

Monday’s post will be up by noon.

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.


Sorry for the temporary outage on my website and blog yesterday, January 17, 2018. There were some technical problems that were resolved, so everything should be up and running just fine now.

James D. Julia, Inc., held a Rare Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry sale on December 1, 2017, with total sales over $2,500,000. The results were relatively strong for the entire sale, but especially strong for Tiffany Studios’ glass and lamps. 16 of the 17 highest priced lots were Tiffany Studios’ lamps — impressive, considering there were 739 lots in the sale.

Rare Tiffany Butterfly table lamp, Julia’s lot #1473

The top lots of the sale, #s 1428, 1473, and 1516, were all Tiffany Studios’ lamps that each sold for the identical price of $84,700, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, Julia’s lot #1453

A rare and very desirable Tiffany Treasure Chest inkwell, lot #1453, sold for approximately twice its high estimate of $7,000, realizing $17,545, including buyer’s premium.

Rare Gallé Butterfly vase, Julia’s lot #1115

The top lot of the French cameo glass portion of the sale was #1115, a rare wheel-carved Gallé Butterfly vase. It was an interesting vase, technically very sophisticated, but not as eye-appealing as it could have been with muted colors and no decoration between the butterflies. It sold just below its low estimate of $18,000, realizing $19,360, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to sign in (free) to see the prices.


The Miami shows are only two weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look.

I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 13, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.


Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with the second of the two sales, Tiffany Dreaming in Glass. Sales totaled $5,111,250 for the 41 lots offered. 37 of the 41 lots sold, with many of them exceeding their high estimates. The results were strong, with two lamps selling just below or just above $1,000,000. This sale continued the recent strengthening of the Tiffany market (which I will write about in a separate blog).

Tiffany Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp, Sotheby’s lot #222

The top lot of the sale was #222, a rare, beautiful and important Cobweb and Apple Blossom table lamp with mosaic-tiled base. It sold near its high estimate of $1,000,000, realizing $1,155,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Favrile Lava vase, Sotheby’s lot #227

Results for the 13 lots of Tiffany Favrile glass were mixed. Lot #227, an important Lava vase sold for the highest price, $112,500, including buyer’s premium, but this was below it’s pre-sale estimate of $100,000 — $150,000.

Tiffany Butterfly enamel on copper box, Sotheby’s lot #201

The first lot of the sale, #201, a rare enamel on copper Butterfly box, set the tone for the sale. It almost quadrupled its high estimate of $30,000, realizing $125,000, including buyer’s premium. Rare Tiffany enamel on copper items have been on fire.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

Thursday’s post will be about the results of Julia’s glass and lamp sale, which also included strong results for Tiffany Studios’ items. You’ll want to read it.


The Miami shows are only two and a half weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look.

I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Very strong results at Sotheby’s Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection sale, December 13, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.


Sotheby’s New York, held two sales on the same day, December 13, 2017, devoted to the works of Tiffany Studios. Today’s post will be concerned with one of the two sales, Tiffany, The William A. Richardson Collection. (Monday’s post will highlight the second sale.) Sales totaled $7,309,500 for only 42 lots offered. Only one, lot #323, a Wisteria lamp, failed to sell (but almost surely sold privately after the sale). The results were very strong, with many of the lots selling for near or over their high estimates. The Tiffany market hasn’t been this strong in quite a while. (I will devote a separate blog to the strengthening Tiffany market.)

Tiffany 22″ Dragonfly floor lamp, Sotheby’s lot #313

The top lot of the sale was #313, a 22″ diameter Dragonfly floor lamp in beautiful shades of blue. It sold over its high estimate of $500,000, realizing $675,000, including buyer’s premium. It was one of five lamps selling over $500,000.

Tiffany mosaic pedestal, Sotheby’s lot #303

A rare mosaic tile pedestal from the home of Ralph Linder Pope, Brookline, Mass., sold for triple its high estimate of $120,000, realizing $399,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp, Sotheby’s lot #317

To give you an idea of how strong the sale was, take a look at lot #317. It was a standard Tiffany Turtleback swivel desk lamp that sells at auction after auction in the $10,000 – $15,000 price range. It isn’t rare, but it sold for the ridiculous price of $37,500, against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000 — $12,000.

The sale was quite special, so I’m a happy camper. I do a big business in Tiffany lamps, glass and desk sets, so a strong market is a good market.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


The Miami shows are only three weeks away, with the first on February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look.

I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Tiffany Studios’ items sell very well at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 14, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. Now that the weather is colder, I have gone back to publishing twice weekly, as often as possible.


Christie’s New York, held its Design sale on December 14, 2017, with total sales of $6,756,750. Of the 69 lots offered for sale, 33 were made by Tiffany Studios. The results were strong, which seems to coincide with a general strengthening of the Tiffany market, as evidenced at several recent auctions.

Tiffany Studios Gourd floor lamp, Christie’s lot #28

The top lot of all the Tiffany Studios’ items was #28, a rare floor lamp in the Gourd pattern. It sold near its high estimate of $800,000, realizing $948,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Apple Blossom enamel box, Christie’s lot #9

Tiffany Studios enamel on copper items are quite rare and desirable. This sale included a wonderful selection of nine enamels from the collection of Dr. Alan Feld. The results were very strong, with lot #9 doing best. It was a beautiful Apple Blossom box, estimated to sell for $10,000 – $15,000. It soared to $106,250, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Favrile Lava vase, Christie’s lot #13

Tiffany Favrile glass was underrepresented in the sale with only three lots, but lot #13 was a good one, a rare Lava glass vase. It sold for approximately double its pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000, realizing $68,750, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

The strength of the Tiffany market will be the subject of an upcoming post. Be sure to follow my blog.


No more shows until February 2, 2018, when we’ll exhibit at the Miami Airport show. I’ve been beating the bushes finding new treasures and have come up with some beauties. I just listed over 18 new items on my website and will list more every week. Click Philip Chasen Antiques to take a look.

I will make every effort to actively list new items as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

The results of the Denver World Wide Antique Show, October 20-22, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. The weather is getting colder and my show schedule is picking up, so I will try to publish twice weekly again. If readership picks up, I will continue to publish twice weekly, as often as possible.


I’m starting on Friday to write a contemporaneous account for Monday’s blog.

There were a fair number of people in my booth on Friday morning

Friday, 3 PM: The show is off to a very slow start. There have been a fair number of people, but only a few inquiries, mostly not serious. No sales yet, not even close.

One of the dealers told me that important clients will be coming to the show. I know them, since they bought from us the first time we exhibited in Denver several years ago. Hopefully they’ll come.

Friday, 6 PM: The first day is over and I’m hopeful. We made one small sale, but we also have a client who is contemplating a major Tiffany lamp purchase. Got my fingers crossed that’s going to happen.

Part of the Gallé glass we had on exhibit at the show

Saturday, 3:30 PM: Interesting day. The wealthy couple who was going to come to the show are here, but so far have completely ignored my booth. Didn’t think it would go that way. Another client is here who is also seriously interested in the same Tiffany lamp as yesterday, but neither has pulled the trigger. We did make one decent sale earlier, but that’s it. The total thus far is two sales, not nearly enough for a decent show. That could turn around in an instant. I’m still cautiously optimistic.

Sunday, 12:00 PM: We made another sale yesterday afternoon, so we’re up to three. The problem is that the totals are insufficient to make it worthwhile to travel from New York. At this point, we might be close to breaking even. Whoop dee do.

My best prospect for selling an important Tiffany lamp has demurred. My second best prospect is highly unlikely to purchase it. And the wealthy couple who came to the show never even said hello, let alone step foot into our booth. So as of this moment, we’re finished with Denver. But that’s subject to change. We’ll see what happens by the end of the day.

We sold this lovely Amphora portrait vase at the show

Sunday, 4:00 PM: The show is over and the verdict is in. We made one additional small sale today, but the total was only good enough for a local show, not for a long-distance show. Oh well. We like the show and would have loved to return, but business is business. Hasta la vista, Denver.

Print the coupon above for a $2 discount on admission

Now we’re off to Southfield, Michigan, for the Southfield Pavilion Antiques, Art, & Modernism Show. That’s another show that has to go well for us to return. Then we’ll travel to Winnetka, Illinois the following week for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show. That’s one show we don’t have to worry about. We have great clients in the greater Chicago area, so we really look forward to it.

I hope to be able to add a number of wonderful examples of recent purchases to my website, but I’ve been busy, so it’s been hard to find the time. If you’re looking for something, send me an email. I’ll make the time to respond to your request.


I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.

Setting up at the Denver World Wide Antique Show, October 18, 2017

My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. The weather is getting colder and my show schedule is picking up, so I will try to publish twice weekly again. If readership picks up, I will continue to publish twice weekly, as often as possible.


October 20-22, 2017

Yesterday was the first day of setting up at the Denver World Wide Antique Show. We have a nice large booth, in the center of the show, allowing the setup to go as smoothly as possible. We finished about three-quarters of the work and will finish the rest today.

Part of the enormous amount of furniture offered at the show

In asking around, I was told that the October Denver show was the best of the three Denver shows, so there will be no excuses. If we can’t do well in Denver in October, then Denver is not a city for us. Tune in Monday for the results.

One of the fine dealers at the show

The show is larger than the summer version and looks like it will be enjoyable for the public. There’s a large variety of dealers and merchandise from jewelry to paintings to furniture to glass and lamps. (I’m not the only glass dealer in the show, even though I have the most and the best.)

Part of our huge selection of Daum and Gallé at the show

We have a great selection of American and French glass and lamps, including Tiffany, Handel, Daum Nancy and Gallé, to mention a few. Come visit the show and consider making a purchase, especially if you would like us to return.

Print the coupon above for a $2 discount on admission

Next week we’ll travel to Southfield, Michigan, for the Southfield Pavilion Antiques, Art, & Modernism Show. That’s another show that has to go well for us to return. Then we’ll travel to Winnetka, Illinois the following week for the Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show. That’s one show we don’t have to worry about. We have great clients in the greater Chicago area, so we really look forward to it.

I hope to be able to add a number of wonderful examples of recent purchases to my website, but I’ve been busy, so it’s been hard to find the time. If you’re looking for something, send me an email. I’ll make the time to respond to your request.


I will update my site as often as time permits. We’re still very much in business between shows, so please don’t hesitate to email or call. I always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on my website and at every show. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. And remember to keep reading my blog.