Very strong results for Tiffany Studios lamps at Sotheby’s New York 20th Century sale, June 16, 2010

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Sotheby's New York, lot #4, June 16, 2010

Sotheby’s New York held its early summer 20th Century Design sale on Wednesday, June 16, 2010. The sale began with 22 lots by Tiffany Studios, including several important lamps. The results continue a trend that has lasted decades — good Tiffany Studios items are still hot, and getting hotter yearly.

The top lot of the sale was #4, a 17″ blue Dragonfly table lamp — a stunning example on a killer matching Dragonfly mosaic base. Estimated to sell for $300-500,000, it brought $554,500, near the high estimate.

Tiffany Studios 24 inch Peony Border floor lamp, Sotheby's New York, lot #3, June 16, 2010

The second highest price of the sale went to lot #3, a fine Tiffany Studios 24″ Peony Border floor lamp, with exceptionally nice color. It was estimated to sell for $200-300,000, and sold for over twice the low estimate, bringing a total of $530,500.

The sale began with lot #1, a rare and beautiful Tiffany Studios 26″ variation of the more common Poinsettia decoration. Estimated at only $120-180,000, it quickly set the tone for the rest of the Tiffany items, as it more than tripled the low estimate, bringing a total of $458,500 (see photo below).

For the complete results of the sale, click on the following link. Sotheby’s 20th Century results.

Christie’s New York is holding their 20th Century Design sale on Thursday, June 17, 2010, the day after Sotheby’s. And James D. Julia is holding their Important Lamps and Glass auction in Fairfield, Maine, next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 22-23. I’ll be reporting the Christie’s results on Monday and the Julia’s results next Thursday or Friday.

I just added over 10 Galle vases to my website, 7 Tiffany lamps and 1 Newcomb vase. I’m spending a lot of time this spring adding new items. Please take a look. Click on this link chasenantiques.com.

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

Tiffany Studios 26 inch Poinsettia table lamp, Sotheby's New York, lot #1, June 16, 2010

Variations in Tiffany Studios Favrile lily lamps and shades

Posted on May 10, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Tiffany Favrile lily shade with wavy rim

Tiffany Favrile lily shade with ruffled rim

Tiffany Studios produced lily lamps in many sizes from 3-light to 18-light, as well as custom-order. Over the course of decades, the models were tweaked with subtle improvements, like thicker tubing, bronze leaf switches, better patina, etc. Early on, Tiffany spent little time matching shades, as can be seen in period photographs in books like Tiffany at Auction by Alistair Duncan. Later examples have better matched shades, which today’s collectors prefer.

Tiffany Favrile lily shade with straight rim

Tiffany Favrile lily shade (damaged) with 10-point rim

Most Tiffany lily lamps have gold iridescent shades, but the shapes vary. For the most part, they fall into four categories — straight, 10-point, wavy and ruffled.

Many of you may recall Minna Rosenblatt, a NYC dealer who had a shop on Madison Ave. For many years, she specialized in the works of Tiffany Studios, especially lamps.

Looking into the mouth of a Tiffany Favrile 10-point lily shade

She was a master salesperson, who could sell ice in the winter. She was the first person who I heard use the term “10-point” to describe a lily shape. The 10 points can easily be seen by looking into the mouth of the shade.

No need to look into the mouths of the other shapes to verify their shapes — they’re easy to tell. Besides the shape, other variations include color, iridescence, ribbing and size.

Occasionally I’m asked to find a replacement lily shade for a missing or damaged one. When matching them, I look first to the shape, then to the color, and then to the other characteristics. There are no perfect matches, only good ones. In today’s market, an individual lily shade is likely to cost $3-4,000. As most dealers are unwilling to sell individual lily shades, it’s best to buy good quality, complete lamps.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. In the last few days I’ve added to the Gallé glass and Icart etchings listings. 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.

Solid results at Rago’s 20th Century auction, April 24, 2010

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Philip Chasen

David Rago

Rago Arts held their 20th Century auction this past Saturday, April 24, 2010, with good results for pottery, furniture and glass, as well as a few exceptional results.

In an email reply to my inquiry, David made the following remarks about his sale.

“As for the ac sale, the low estimate was 690k and the sale hammered at 718k. it was 88% sold at the hammer (with things selling after the sale, as always). Better things did better, which I’m sure comes as no surprise. The market is really expressing a discerning eye and the bottom end of most things has really fallen away. The tiffany that either didn’t sell or attracted little interest were the obviously weak lots. If I never see another acorn table lamp again I’ll be thrilled. Unless the background glass is red. And the base is decorated with mosaic tiles. And the reserve is $5k.

Our approach has been to curate smaller, tighter sales with conservative estimates, and reserves under the low estimates, to attract competitive bidding. While I do miss those two day, 1000 lot Arts and Crafts/Art Nouveau auctions, our sell through rate and our total sales ($850k including bp) have been gratifying.”

Marblehead bowl with panthers, Rago auction, lot 1

The first lot of the sale was a Marblehead bowl, with rare panther decoration. It carried a pre-sale estimate of $25-35,000. The result doubled the low estimate, with the bowl selling for $61,000, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany pottery vase, Rago auction, lot 262

There weren’t many Tiffany lots in the sale, but for the most part, they did very well. A rare 6″ tall pottery vase, in the form of an artichoke, sold for $19,520, approximately double the high estimate.

Tiffany Favrile decorated vase, Rago auction, lot 272

Lot 272 was a Tiffany Favrile 9″ vase with elaborate gold hearts & vines decoration on a deep carmel background. The vase sold for $26,840, approximately four times the pre-sale estimate — a surprising result. Perhaps the hint of red was the reason for the enthusiasm.

For the complete auction results, click on the following link Rago Early 20th Century auction results.

I’ve taken a lot of time to add new items to my website. 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.

Results of the Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show, April 9-11, 2010

Posted on April 13, 2010 by Philip Chasen

My booth at the Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show

The Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show was held this past weekend in Arlington Heights, IL, a suburb of Chicago. It’s a small show that unfortunately has been getting smaller as time goes by. Shawn Hastings is the new promoter, having bought the show from Rosemary Krieger of Dolphin Promotions. The show used to occupy the entire first level of the racetrack, as well as a small area on the second floor. Now the show occupies approximately 50% of the original space, and that’s too bad. Real collectors show up for this show, so I would think that the show would stabilize or grow. If dealers do well at a show, the word gets around and other dealers want to exhibit there. It starts a beneficial cycle, where more dealers exhibit and more attendees come and the show gets better and better. I’ll start the ball rolling and see if I can facilitate it.

Tiffany Favrile blue decorated mini vase

I spoke to many dealers at the show and asked how they did. Almost to a person, everyone said they had a good to outstanding show. One dealer told me he had his best Arlington show ever. Not one single dealer told me he had a poor show. That’s the kind of news everyone likes to hear. It means there’s no more talk of recession and no negativity. The new management increased the advertising budget to include television, and that’s always good. Attendance at the show was only moderate, but the right people showed up.

Tiffany Favrile black decorated vase

On a personal level, I would like to thank all of my loyal clients, some of whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing for twenty years. Most of my business was to these clients, which on one hand is great, but on the other, gets me nervous. Thank you, thank you. You know who you are. I always need new clients. There were some, but not enough. Interest at the show was strongest in Tiffany Favrile glass and French cameo glass.

I’m looking forward to two super shows in a couple of weeks, the Los Angeles Antiques Show at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, April 22 to April 25, and the Chicago Merchandise Mart International Antiques Show, April 30 to May 3. More on those in future blog posts.

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.

Cottone Auction a barnburner in Geneseo, New York, March 27, 2010

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Philip Chasen

It’s difficult to find a high quality, diverse auction nowadays, as auctions have become more and more specialized. Cottone Auctions put together a fabulous sale on March 27, 2010 and got the results to go with it. Geneseo, New York, is a rural town in the northwest section of the state. One would think it would be difficult to get high-quality, fresh goods in that area. But guess what? They’re doing it. Apparently upstate New York, which includes Buffalo and Rochester, is fertile territory for great consignments. The sale included great paintings, Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberley lamps, French cameo glass, Imperial Russia china, silver, furniture and more.

Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington

The top lot of the sale was an 18th century Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, that closely resembles the Stuart portrait of Washington that hangs in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. The painting was in undisturbed original condition and came with impeccable provenance. The bidding started at $250,000 and ended at $1.06 million, with a west coast bidder on the phone losing to a Pennsylvania dealer on the floor.

Tiffany Studios Magnolia floor lamp

The top Tiffany lamp at the sale was a Magnolia floor lamp that descended in the family of Merton Armstrong, co-founder of the Sterling Alarm Company. Some of Armstrong’s lamps were purchased directly from Tiffany Studios in the 1920s and ’30s. The lamp sold for $661,250 — not a record for a magnolia lamp, but very respectable.

Tiffany Studios 20 inch diam. Dragonfly table lamp

A very good 20″ Dragonfly, on a great lily pad base, sold for $172,500, in large part due to the rarity and desirability of the base.

Click this link for some of the highlights of the auction. Cottone Auctions.

Remember to come see me this week if you’re in the greater Chicago area. I’m exhibiting at the Arlington Park Racetrack Antiques Show, Friday-Sunday, April 9-11, 2010. You won’t believe all the great things I’m bringing.

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.

Results from the NYC Pier Show, March 13-14, 2010

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Sunday afternoon at the NYC Pier Show, March 14, 2010

The weather in NYC was miserable this weekend, especially Saturday. Heavy, steady rain accompanied by strong wind, made for a rough day. Ordinary inclement weather is usually good for attendance and business at shows, but awful weather can have a negative effect. Attendance was down from the previous show, but still decent. The show didn’t have its usual buzz and snap. Business was off on Saturday from the previous show, but not drastically.

Very attractive Gallé 10-inch scenic vase

Sunday’s weather was slightly improved — just nasty, but not raining cats and dogs and not nearly as windy. Attendance got off to a very slow start because the show opened at 10 AM. There is no good reason whatsoever for a show to open at 10 AM on a Sunday, especially with the change to Daylight Savings Time. Everyone’s body clock told them it was 9 AM. Anyway, most people sleep late on Sunday. For the first hour and a half, dealers were all sitting around waiting for the first person to come and ask a question. Everyone would do the same business if the show hours were 11 AM – 5 PM on Sunday and the dealers would all be elated. (Hello Irene. [Irene Stella is the promoter of the show.] How about it?)

Superior quality Tiffany 12-inch blue Favrile vase with green hearts and vines

Business picked up a little on Sunday, but overall sales were somewhat disappointing. Sales were diverse at the show, with Tiffany, Quezal, Gallé, Daum, and Icart garnering the most interest. In speaking to several other exhibitors, most were satisfied with their results, but none were ebullient.

Now here’s something not to do at a show. Les Fisher, an Italian restaurant owner from the south shore of Long Island, came into my booth on Saturday. He decided to buy an expensive Art Nouveau bronze, and after a bit of negotiation, he agreed to purchase it if I gave him time to pay it off. I do that with lots of people, so I had no problem with the arrangements. He shook my hand, told me he would be in on Sunday, not only with a significant deposit, but lunch from his restaurant. Very nice. The only problem is that Les never showed up, never called, and never answered two phone calls. Not only is that not nice, but irresponsible, inconsiderate and rude. The item was marked sold for several hours and as a result, might possibly have resulted in the loss of the sale to another client. The courtesy of a phone call would have been the least that he should have done.

I’m taking a lot of time to add new items to my website. I’ve already listed new items under Gallé glass, Daum Nancy glass, Tiffany Studios glass and Marblehead pottery, to name a few. 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.

The NYC Pier Show is coming this weekend, March 13-14, 2010

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Philip Chasen

The NYC Pier Show, March 13-14, 2010

There are only a few shows each year that get people excited. The NYC Pier Show is one of them and it’s coming this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14. Last fall’s show was a resounding success with incredible attendance. I haven’t seen the aisles as packed in years. It appears that the antiques business in general seems to be a leading indicator of the direction of the entire economy, and that’s up. On the New York Stock Exchange, Sotheby’s stock is near a multi-year high.

16 inch Tiffany Favrile Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase

What’s so special about the show? Mostly it’s great fun, because there’s an enormously eclectic group of dealers from high end Tiffany glass and lamps (that would be me) to vintage clothing and everything in-between. The expenses for exhibitors at this show are quite reasonable for the level of exposure. It allows many interesting dealers to exhibit, who might not otherwise be able to afford to exhibit at fancier shows. The show is frequented by many decorators who find the most unusual items at the show for their clients. Buyers fly into town from all over the world, including Japan and Europe. It’s a great excuse to come to New York and enjoy the show and the city. You won’t regret it! And wait until you see some of the characters who attend. They’re a hoot!

Wonderful Tiffany Favrile 12 inch decorated vase

I’m bringing lots of new acquisitions that are special. How about a 12″ blue decorated Tiffany Favrile vase of the finest quality? A Tiffany Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase? Or an Argy-Rousseau Poppy vase? This is just a taste of the wonderful items I’m bringing.

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 pottery by Newcomb College, Marblehead and Rookwood. 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.

Doyle New York’s 2/24/10 Belle Epoque auction was a success

Posted on March 3, 2010 by Philip Chasen

Doyle New York holds a Belle Epoque auction twice yearly. It’s a diverse sale of objects from 19th Century Victorian to Art Nouveau, Art Deco and some modern. The winter sale was held on February 24, 2010 with generally excellent results. I asked the expert in charge, Malcolm MacNeil for his impressions of the the sale. Here is his reply.

Tiffany Studios Venetian table lamp, Doyle lot #335

“I was extremely pleased with the results of yesterday’s Belle Époque auction. It is a popular sale and always widely anticipated with lots of local, national and international interest. With respect to the art glass, there were approximately 59 lots. As one would expect, items having the greatest dealer and collector interest because of rarity, quality, good condition and desirability had the greatest interest and competitive bidding and generated good results. Of the 20 art glass lots that had an auction pre-sale estimate of $2,000 or higher only one lot failed to sell. It was a green geometric leaded glass shade attributed to Tiffany Studios and estimated at $3,000-5000. It had a high reserve and although it was felt that the glass was indeed by Kokomo (one of Tiffany’s suppliers), alas, it was not by the firm of Tiffany Studios. Returning to the 20 lots having an auction pre-sale low estimate of $2,000 or higher, 9 lots sold below the low estimate and 9 lots sold above the low estimate. Two of the highlights were a Tiffany Studios bronze and leaded favrile glass desk lamp in the Venetian pattern, estimated at $40,000-50,000, which sold for $65,000, plus buyer’s premium, and a Tiffany Studios leaded glass and bronze hanging shade estimated at $70,000-90,000, which sold for $110,000, plus buyer’s premium. Other items in the sale had spectacular results, including furniture, silver and porcelain. Good quality is selling well and great quality is selling very well.”

Handel Connecticut River scenic table lamp, Doyle lot #304

Other items which performed well were a Handel obverse and reverse-painted scenic table lamp, estimated for $3-5,000 that sold for $10,625, including buyer’s premium, several good Quezal shades that descended in the family of Edward Conlan, the secretary of the Quezal Art Glass and Decorating Co., and a green Tiffany Studios millifiori decorated vase, estimated at $2,500-3,500, that sold for $9,375, including buyer’s premium. Here is the link for the results for the entire sale. Doyle Belle Epoque results.

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.

Results from the Morristown Armory Antiques Show

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Philip Chasen

My booth at the Morristown Armory Antiques Show

The Northeast has been hammered with several major snowstorms this winter, with the latest one starting last Thursday. The rain/snow line was I-95 in New Jersey, with snow to the west. Unfortunately Morristown, NJ is west of the line, so the show started out with one strike against it. Many people called the show management to see if the show was canceled, but conditions improved rapidly, so there was no problem. The show opened on time, but attendance on Saturday was a little slower than normal. Sunday attendance returned to normal.

Tiffany Studios Pine Needle paper rack (a smaller version than the one sold at the show)

Sales on Saturday were lackluster with interest in Tiffany desk pieces and Fulper pottery. Sales on Sunday were dismal, but interest was strong in a couple of important items that may sell after the show.

I still haven’t made up my mind as to whether I’ll return to exhibit in Morristown. I’ll wait to see if any sales develop after the show. Right now, it’s probable that I won’t be back. It’s not enough for people to admire my display. The local people have to support the show by purchasing from the exhibitors or the exhibitors won’t be back.

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.

Results from the Grove Park Inn Antiques Show

Posted on February 22, 2010 by Philip Chasen

A few of the Tiffany lamp offerings in my booth at the Grove Park Inn

Friday: The antiques portion of the show opened at 3 PM and lasted until 6 PM. The main ballroom is small and holds about 50 antiques dealers. The crowd was large for this small room, so it was packed and busy. Lots of folks thanked us for exhibiting at the show and raising the level of quality at the show — that’s very nice to hear! Not many sales, but the show is off to a good start.

Saturday: Hours today are 12 – 6 PM — short by most show standards. A good crowd showed up, but not the exceptional crowd that I was led to believe would be here. One dealer told me that the show used to be only Saturday and Sunday and it was his theory that Saturday was slower than normal because the show was open for 3 hours on Friday. I’ve always liked 2-day shows like the Pier Show in NYC, because of the intensity and excitement. I would like to see this show revert back to that format.

A fabulous Tiffany Studios 12 inch diam. blue Favrile floor lamp with carved butterflies, vines and florettes

Again sales were few, but good ones, so the day was a success. Interest was strong in anything Tiffany Studios. I assumed that there would be more interest in the pottery I displayed, but I was wrong. There was so much pottery at this show that my offerings were diluted by the plethora of offerings. In looking around the show, sales of Arts & Crafts furniture were quite good, with many items having sold tags on them.

Sunday: Nice short hours from 11 AM – 4 PM — can’t beat that. That’s more than enough time for people to make up their minds and short enough for dealers to get out early on Sunday and start their trips home.

I made a bet with Lia that we wouldn’t sell a thing on Sunday, and I’m happy to report that I lost. One nice sale and one small sale. So the final tally was a good show for me. Business is certainly back. Every show so far in 2010 has been a good one. In speaking to other dealers at this show, almost everyone remarked that it was a big improvement from last year. One furniture dealer told me it was his best show ever, at this show or any show!

I’d love to exhibit here next year, but I think there’s going to be a date conflict with another show, so I may have to skip it. Too bad! It’s very pleasant here — the folks, the atmosphere, the promoter, the other dealers.

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.

Philip Chasen Antiques

The blog for chasenantiques.com

Tag Archives: Tiffany Studios

Very strong results for Tiffany Studios lamps at Sotheby’s New York 20th Century sale, June 16, 2010

Variations in Tiffany Studios Favrile lily lamps and shades

Solid results at Rago’s 20th Century auction, April 24, 2010

Results of the Arlington Racetrack Antiques Show, April 9-11, 2010

Cottone Auction a barnburner in Geneseo, New York, March 27, 2010

Results from the NYC Pier Show, March 13-14, 2010

The NYC Pier Show is coming this weekend, March 13-14, 2010

Doyle New York’s 2/24/10 Belle Epoque auction was a success

Results from the Morristown Armory Antiques Show

Results from the Grove Park Inn Antiques Show