Tiffany Studios lamps were alive and well at Cottone Auctions Art, Antiques & Modern Design sale, March 25, 2017

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.

Cottone Auctions, Geneseo, NY, held its Art, Antiques & Modern Design sale on March 25, 2017. Included in the sale were several good Tiffany Studios lamps, which performed very well.

Tiffany Studios Dragonfly table lamp, Cottone lot #56

The first of the group, lot #56, was a very nice quality 20″ diameter Dragonfly with beautiful mottled glass and green jeweled eyes. Estimated to sell for $40,000 – $60,000, it sold for a very healthy $80,500, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios Greek Key table lamp, Cottone lot #61

Much more surprising than the result for the Dragonfly was the result for lot #61, a 22″ diameter Greek Key lamp with superior mottled glass. It sold for an astonishing $89,125, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $35,000. There was no way I could have predicted that.

More modest results were obtained by other lamps, including a Tiffany Studios Daffodil chandelier @ $51,750. The group also included lamps by Duffner & Kimberly, Handel and Wilkinson. For the complete results, click here.


We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM.

I recently listed about 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

DuMouchelles sold a wonderful Tiffany Favrile vase, March 11, 2017

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.

Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, DuMouchelle’s lot #1010

DuMouchelle’s held its March auction on the weekend of March 10-12, 2017. Included in the Saturday portion of the sale was a beautiful Tiffany Favrile paperweight vase, lot #1010. I was bidding on the telephone, but barely had a chance to open my mouth when the bidding flew past me. Estimated to sell for $3,000 – $5,000, it soared to $37,200, including buyer’s premium. I was left in the dust.

This was a beautiful example that appeared to be in superior condition, but I was still surprised at the final price. I thought the retail value was $15,000 – $20,000. Apparently the successful bidder disagreed with me.


We haven’t exhibited in the greater Detroit area in over 10 years, but at the encouragement of a fellow dealer, we’ve decided to give it another shot. I enjoyed doing the show years ago and hope that business is good so we can add it to our regular schedule. The show opens with a preview party on Friday, April 21st and continues until Sunday, April 23rd at 5 PM.

I recently listed about 15 new items on my website and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

Doyle New York held its Doyle at Home sale yesterday, March 8, 2017

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.


Doyle New York held its Doyle at Home sale yesterday, March 8, 2017. Included in the sale was a small selection of mostly mediocre French, Austrian and American art glass and lamps. Doyle used to include this type of merchandise in its 2-3 times yearly Belle Epoque sales, but all of the auction houses have moved to Design sales instead.

Loetz Phänomen vase, Doyle lot #229

Lot #229 was a standout Loetz 7¾” Phänomen vase with drip decoration, on a salmon-colored ground. Estimated to sell for $800 – $1,200, it realized $5,312, including buyer’s premium.

Gallé Crystallerie vase, Doyle lot #226

Lot #226 was a nice 19th century example of Gallé Crystallerie production, which was usually clear glass with enameling. This smallish 5½” example also had applied cabochon flower centers, improving its beauty and sophistication. It sold above its high estimate of $1,500, realizing $2,125, including buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios 3-light lily piano lamp, Doyle lot #526

The Tiffany Studios offerings were mostly low quality, reflected in their middling results. Lot #526, a Tiffany 3-light lily piano lamp, did OK, considering that one of the three shades was badly damaged and held together with tape. It sold for $4,375, against a pre-sale estimate of $1,500 – $2,500.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


Next week we’ll be exhibiting at the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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 National Arts & Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn, February 17-19, 2017

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.


We sold this beautiful Tiffany Favrile lamp at the show

The National Arts & Crafts Conference finished its three-day run yesterday at the Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC. In contrast to our shows in Miami, Tiffany Studios lamps, glass and desk set items sold best.

It was quite busy on Friday shortly after opening

Attendance and interest seemed better than last year, which was a good year. This show is unlike any other we do. True collectors and decorators fly in from all over the country to attend. Most are knowledgeable, courteous and friendly. It’s a real pleasure to exhibit at this show. We look forward to next year’s show.

I was busy on Sunday on a short day, from 11 AM to 4 PM, so I didn’t have a chance to record other dealer’s reactions. However in asking around most dealers were quite upbeat. I saw sale after sale. The UPS packer on the show floor was busy every minute of every day. It was very refreshing.

I recorded a short video of the show. Click here to view it.


After exhibiting at four shows in the last few weeks, we’re off on a brief vacation to view the Aurora Borealis. If we get lucky, we’ll see it and I’ll write a blog with photos. I will have complete access to my email, so don’t hesitate to write. I’ll answer as soon as I finish drinking my Cuba Libre.

Our next show is a new one for us, the Charleston Antique Show in Charleston, SC, March 17-19, 2017. I have no idea what to expect since I’ve never exhibited there, but I figure it’s worth a shot. I have low expectations and am hoping for a nice surprise.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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 NYC Big Flea Antiques Market opens this Thursday, January 19, 2017

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.


This week we’ll be exhibiting at our first show of the new year, the NYC Big Flea Antiques Market at the Manhattan Center, Historic Hammerstein Ballroom, 34th St. and 8th Ave. in New York City. The show opens on Thursday at 1 PM and runs until Saturday at 7 PM. The facility is closed on Sunday, which explains the unusual show days. This is our only show in New York City, so please come and visit. The weather forecast for this coming week predicts 50s, so that should make for easy traveling.

We’ll have this fabulous B&S internally decorated vase at the show

We will be there with all of our new and exciting purchases including a sensational selection of French and American glass and lamps. You won’t want to miss us.

Don’t be fooled by the name NYC Big Flea Market. There will be plenty of fine merchandise at the show. It’s the perfect week to visit as there will be more exciting antiques events in New York City at the same time, as it’s Americana Week. Click here for a link to some of the shows, lectures, museums, etc.

Following the show, we’ll be heading to the all-important Miami shows, beginning with the Airport Show on February 3rd. This year may be the turning point for the show becoming the more important of the two Miami shows. If you can’t see us in New York City, don’t miss us in Miami.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

$2,652,500 Tiffany window leads the way at Sotheby’s Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale, December 14, 2016

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.


Sotheby’s New York held their Tiffany Dreaming in Glass sale on December 14, 2016, with total sales of $5,460,500 for the 67 lots offered. 13 lots failed to sell, yielding a very strong, but skewed, average of $101,120 per sold lot, because of the very strong result of one lot.

Tiffany Studios’ window The Stream of Life, Sotheby’s lot #437

Lot #437 was a gorgeous, large, 3-panel, scenic, 1914 Tiffany Studios window from the First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant, Erie, Pennsylvania, entitled The Stream of Life. It sold for an astonishing $2,652,500, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $250,000 – $350,000. It was a good week for Tiffany Studios’ windows, with the top lot at Christie’s also being a Tiffany Studios’ window.

Tiffany Studios’ Pebble lamp, Sotheby’s lot #404

The results for lamps were mixed, with several beautiful lamps failing to sell. One lamp that did very well was a rare Pebble lamp. Instead of the usual glass, the lamp was mostly composed of quartz pebbles. It’s certainly not my taste, but the bidders loved it. It sold for $312,500, including buyer’s premium, almost double the estimate of $100,000 — $150,000.

Tiffany Favrile Egyptian Onion vase, Sotheby’s lot #413

Top lot of the Tiffany Favrile glass was #413, an Egyptian Onion floriform vase. It sold just below its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 — $50,000, realizing $35,000, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete and very interesting results of the sale, click here.


I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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 price for a Tiffany Studios window at Christie’s New York Design sale, December 12, 2016

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 Design sale on December 12, 2016, with total sales of $3,572,625 for the 154 lots offered.

Tiffany Studios Snowball and Wisteria window, Christie’s lot #103

I was only interested in the 11 lots of Tiffany Studios’ objects. Of that small group, lot #103, a Snowball and Wisteria window, did best. It sold for $499,500, including buyer’s premium, well above its pre-sale estimate of $200,000 – $300,000, and was the top lot of the sale.

Tiffany Studios Laburnum table lamp, Christie’s lot #107

Of the Tiffany group, a large Laburnum table lamp performed second best. It sold within its estimated range of $150,000 – $200,000, realizing $211,500, including buyer’s premium.

Rembrandt Bugatti bronze sculpture Jeunesse, Christie’s lot #116

The second best-performing lot of the entire sale was a 1906 bronze by Rembrandt Bugatti, entitled Jeunesse (Youth). It sold below its estimate of $400,000 – $600,000, realizing $391,500, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

Some superb items were sold at Rago Auctions The Jerome Shaw Collection, October 14, 2016

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.


Sorry for the delayed coverage of the Rago Auctions in October. I meant to write about them earlier, but life got in the way. I covered Rago’s October 15, 2016 Mid-Mod sale last week. Today I’m covering the high end, eclectic Jerome Shaw Collection, which Rago sold on October 14, 2016, with mixed results. I think the aggressive estimates on the best lots held back some of the interest.

Carabin sculpture, Rago lot #13

The top lot of the sale was a hand-sculpted wooden sculpture entitled Femme et Grenouille (Woman and Frog), exhibited in 1907 at the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. It sold below its low estimate of $150,000, realizing $150,000 with buyer’s premium. Carabin was a sculpting genius, whose work is on display in many museums, including the Musée D’Orsay. (See my post of 1/17/12)

Loetz black-bottom vase, Rago lot #49

Two important Loetz vases, lots #48 and #49, sold for prices near their low, but strong, estimates. Lot #49 was a monumental, 18″, Phänomen vase, model no. 387, usually referred to as a black-bottom vase. It sold just below its low estimate of $50,000, realizing $53,125, with buyer’s premium.

Tiffany Studios turtleback inkwell, Rago lot #143

I’ve been following the travels of lot #143 for a few years. Originally it sold to a dealer at Nadeau’s Auction in Windsor, Connecticut on October 30, 2010 for $37,500. That dealer sold it to a collector (who I now assume was Jerome Shaw) for $75,000. At this sale it sold within its pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $60,000, realizing $53,125, including buyer’s premium, a loss for Shaw. I’ve always loved this item for both its beauty and rarity. If I were just a collector, I would have tried to buy it.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I just bought this killer Martin Brother 11½-inch bird.

I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future, including a couple of fabulous Martin Brothers birds and a great face jug. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. After that we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. The changes are happening because the Original Miami Beach Antiques Show will no longer be in Miami Beach, instead changing its name to The Original Miami Antique Show and moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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 lamps lead the way in James D. Julia’s record $3.1 million Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction, November 18, 2016

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.


James D. Julia, Inc. held its Important Lamps, Glass & Fine Jewelry auction on November 18, 2016, with gross sales of $3.1 million, a record for the lamp & glass division. Much of the merchandise offered was fresh to the market from important collections in the Midwest, Florida and elsewhere.

Tiffany Studios 22" diam. Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp, Julia lot #1259

Tiffany Studios 22″ diam. Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp, Julia lot #1259

Top lot of the sale and a record for any item ever sold by Julia’s lamp & glass division was #1259, a Tiffany Studios 22″ Drop Head Dragonfly table lamp. It more than tripled its low estimate of $120,000, realizing $515,475, including buyer’s premium.

Lot 1216, a Tiffany Studios 22-inch Peony table lamp on a rare mosaic base sold for $394,605

Lot 1216, a Tiffany Studios 22-inch Peony table lamp on a rare mosaic base sold for $394,605

All of the top three Tiffany lamps were consigned from the same Florida collection and all of them were offered with very low estimates and reserves. This was the guidance given to the consignor by the division head, Mike Fredericks, and it certainly was good advice. Each of the three lamps vastly exceeded their estimates and each broke the previous record for any lot sold by the division. As I’ve stated many times before, there is nothing like high quality, fresh merchandise at low estimates. It’s raw meat for the hungry lions.

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1058

Gallé marquetry vase, Julia lot #1058

The French glass section of the sale included many fresh, high quality items, which overall did very well. Top lot of this section of the sale was #1058, a fine 17″ Gallé marquetry vase. It sold a little below its low estimate of $50,000, realizing $52,732.50, including buyer’s premium. In my opinion, it would have done better had it been consigned at a less aggressive estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Tiffany & Co. mixed metal chocolate pot, Julia lot #1409

Tiffany & Co. mixed metal chocolate pot, Julia lot #1409

The sale included some nice silver, including Tiffany & Co. mixed metal objects. They were met with enthusiasm, with lot #1409, a mixed metal chocolate pot more than tripling its low estimate of $10,000, realizing $40,290, including buyer’s premium.

For the complete results of the sale, click here, but not immediately. The results are expected to be posted sometime on Monday or Tuesday. You will have to sign in (free) in order to see the prices.


I’ve been listing on my website many of the new items I’ve recently purchased and I’ll be listing more in the near future. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.

Doyle New York sold some interesting Tiffany Studios objects at its 20th Century Art and Design sale, November 9, 2016

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.


Doyle New York held its 20th Century Art and Design sale yesterday, November 9, 2016. Their sales used to be called Belle Epoque, but the times they are a changing. Most auction houses have switched to newer titles that include the word Design. Included in the sale were several interesting lots by Tiffany Studios.

Tiffany Furnaces mosaic inkwell, Doyle lot #227

Tiffany Furnaces mosaic inkwell, Doyle lot #227

The top lot of the Tiffany Studios section of the sale was #227, a very rare gilded bronze and mosaic inkstand and letter opener. The design was not Tiffany Studios, but rather Marshall Fields. That made sense because the original owner of the set was Potter Palmer II, the son of Potter Palmer, the Chicago business magnate and business partner of Marshall Field. It certainly was a unique special order item. I wanted to buy it, but it zoomed past my top bid, selling for $34,375, including buyer’s premium — an impressive multiple of the pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $8,000.

Tiffany Studios pottery vase, Doyle lot #224

Tiffany Studios pottery vase, Doyle lot #224

A fine Tiffany Studios pottery vase with bird nest decoration, lot #224, sold for $7,500, including buyer’s premium, well above its pre-sale estimate of $2,500 – $3,500. This was another lot I tried to buy, but couldn’t justify paying the price, which was good for a collector, but not a dealer.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.


I’ve been negligent in listing new items, but that’s already changed. I listed half a dozen new items this past weekend and I’ll be listing more this week. Please check my site as often as you can.

No more shows in 2016. Our next show will probably be the NYC Big Flea, the weekend of January 21, at the Lexington Avenue Armory. If not, we’ll be in Miami for the Miami Antiques + Art + Design Show, February 3 – 5, 2017. This is the airport show, which will be new and improved, with many additional exhibitors. It’s all happening because the Miami Beach Antiques Show will not be at the beach, instead moving to a new location in southwest Miami. It will all make for an interesting winter season.

Click here to check my website for the latest items and to look around. I will update it 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.