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

Posted on March 3, 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.

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

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

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 excellent results at James D. Julia’s Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction, November 20-21, 2013

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Philip Chasen

James D. Julia Inc. held their Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction over two days, November 20-21, 2013. The sale totaled $2.1 million, with some assorted areas of strength, including Loetz glass and Tiffany Studios lamps.

Tiffany Studios 20 inch Dragonfly lamp, Julia’s lot #2350

The top lot of the sale was #2350, a Tiffany Studios 20″ diameter Dragonfly lamp, with an unusual green ripple glass background. It sold near the high estimate, realizing $118,500.

Monumental Daum Nancy blackbird vase, Julia lot #2084

An important, monumental Daum Nancy blackbird vase was re-offered after failing to sell at the last auction. The estimate was lowered by $10,000, so it sold this time. Selling as lot #2084, it realized $30,800 — below the new low estimate, but above the reserve. If the original estimate had been lower, it would have sold the first time, probably at a higher price. Most of the objects in the auction that didn’t sell had too high an estimate and too high a reserve.

Rare Loetz Phanomen vase, Julia lot #1212

Most of the Loetz glass in the sale was from a private Connecticut collection. It was fresh-to-the-market and estimated reasonably, with commensurate results. Lot #1212 was the top seller of the group. It was a rare Phanomen vase, estimated to sell for $7,000 – $10,000. The final price of $11,257.50 was closer to the high estimate than the low estimate.

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

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

Some strong results at Rago’s Early 20th auction, October 26, 2013

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Philip Chasen

SEG fireplace surround, Rago lot #10

Rago Arts held an Early 20th auction on October 26, 2013, with some strong results. Leading the pack was a fireplace surround by the Saturday Evening Girls, for the private residence of Edith Guerrier, located near the Paul Revere Pottery works in Boston. It easily surpassed its high estimate of $150,000, realizing $219,750, including buyer’s premium.

Martin Bros. bird, Rago lot #125

Martin Bros. birds are hot and have been for years, making it difficult for auction galleries to attract good consignments. Rago has been able to buck the trend with several sales of fresh-to-the-market Martinware. Lot #125 was an 11″ bird, with a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – $50,000. It sold for $59,375, near the high estimate.

Rare Tiffany scarab inkwell, Rago lot #383

Of particular interest to me was lot #383, a rare Tiffany Studios scarab inkwell. It was a beauty, with curved blue iridescent inserts and a beautiful patina. It carried a very fair pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – $7,000. I bid strongly, but had to drop out when the price moved into retail territory, with a final sale price of $25,000. Oh well, can’t win ’em all.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

We’ll exhibit next at the NYC Pier Show, 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.

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.

Setting up at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 20, 2013

Posted on August 21, 2013 by Philip Chasen

The booth is messy, but getting there. This is the first time the Tiffany Venetian base in the case is for sale.

Today was the first day of setup for the Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair. It went smoothly, but there’s lots more to do before the doors open to the public this Thursday, August 22nd, at noon. It always gets done, usually with excellent results. In the meantime, dealers visit each other looking to buy, with a decent amount of merchandise changing hands. I was able to buy some very nice Daum, Galle and Tiffany vases, and I’m hoping to buy more tomorrow.

Another four Tiffany vases, fresh from a private collection, just in for the show

I can’t rave enough about this show. It’s huge and very high quality, with some dealers who exhibit at very few shows the entire year. It’s also fun, with lots of action. I like to think of it as the Miami Beach show of the summer. It’s worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. The show runs four days, from Thursday to Sunday. And if you read my blog, you can get two free tickets to the show with no strings attached. Click here to get them.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. Can’t wait to show you and get your reaction!

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

The results of the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 16-18, 2013

Posted on August 19, 2013 by Philip Chasen

Gorgeous Tiffany Studios 17″ Dragonfly table lamp, sold at the show

The Chicago Summer Antiques Show was held this past weekend, August 16-18, 2013, in conjunction with the ANA Coin Show. Rosemary Krieger, owner of Dolphin Promotions, Inc., has decided that it’s beneficial for the antique show to be tied to the coin show. Many of the dealers and collectors at the coin show buy antiques, so it seems to be a good move. Because of the connection, there will be a substantial change in the schedule next year. The antique show will be held a week earlier, August 7-9, 2014, and will run from Thursday to Saturday. You read it right, NO Sunday. That aligns the show perfectly with the coin show, which runs in another hall of the same Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. That also gives plenty of time for Baltimore show dealers to get to Baltimore. With this year’s schedule, some of the Baltimore dealers decided not to exhibit in Chicago because it didn’t give them enough time to get to Baltimore, which starts setting up this Tuesday. There will be no problem next year for those dealers.

Several of these wonderful Tiffany Favrile vases were sold at the show

I asked a number of dealers how they did at the Chicago show and got some of these responses. “Great” from a dealer in general antiques; “Off a little from last year’s show, but still decent” from a dealer in French general antiques; “Fair” from a dealer in European ceramics. He sold to some of the coin dealers, but not to the general public; and “OK” from a dealer in general antiques. Personally I had one of the best shows of the year, just about equal to Miami. How’s that for a little show in Rosemont, IL? Tiffany glass and lamps, as well as French glass were all doing well.

Saturday afternoon in my booth

Attendance was light all three days of the show, and lightest on Sunday, but that won’t be a problem next year. What was important was that the right people showed up. I encourage dealers to give the show another try next year. If the show starts to get bigger and better, the word will get out and more people will attend. It will be the start of a virtuous circle.

Beautiful Daum Nancy columbine vase, just in

The really huge and great Baltimore Summer Antiques Fair will be held this week. It opens to the public on Thursday, August 22nd, at noon. It’s a show worth traveling to from anywhere in the world. Buyers fly in from all over the country, Canada, Europe and even Japan. How about two free tickets to the show with no strings attached? Click here to get them.

I’m in the process of having my website totally redesigned, with many changes and improvements. It’s coming in the next few weeks. 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.

Gorgeous Daum Nancy Fall scenic vase, sold at the 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

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 excellent results at James D. Julia’s Extraordinary Lamp & Glass auction, November 20-21, 2013

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

Some strong results at Rago’s Early 20th auction, October 26, 2013

What’s new at Philip Chasen Antiques?

Setting up at the Baltimore Summer Antiques Show, August 20, 2013

The results of the Chicago Summer Antiques Show, August 16-18, 2013