Fragile pieces see sturdy hammer prices at John Moran Auctioneers’ March 6th Antiques and Fine Art A - Art glass by Tiffany, Steuben, Gallé, Daum Nancy, and others achieve a 97% sell-through rate
- Selectivity and quality set fine precedent for John Moran Auctions in 2012
Pasadena, CA— In their f
News-Antique.com - Mar 16,2012 - Art glass proved to be the hottest ticket of the evening, reaching through-the-roof prices. Art Nouveau cameo glass by Emille Gallé proved its timeless appeal: a “Prunus” boudoir lamp decorated with red cherry blossoms on a yellow ground, estimated at $2000 – 3000, reached an ultimate selling price of $13,200. Only a few lots later, a maroon on yellow ground vase featuring poppies saw a closing bid of $3600 (estimate: $500 - 700). Another poppy-themed vase, in light brown on caramel ground, brought a robust $2280, much more than the estimated $600 - 900. Acid-etched and enameled works by Daum, another top maker of ‘’l’ecole de Nancy’’ along with Gallé) were also offered, among them a “Prairie en Fleurs” vase that spurred phone bidders to a final bid of $12,000, double the initial estimate. Overall, art glass sold at a rate of 97%, with only one lot left unsold.
Tiffany items, glass or otherwise, are always in demand at John Moran auctions, and this sale proved no different. A pair of reticulated bronze and green glass candlesticks performed nicely, realizing $3300 (estimate: $1800 – 2400) (PHOTO 2). Three LC Tiffany Favrile glass shades, striking in iridescent yellow and lavender, soared to a final selling price of $2000, nearly three times the high estimate.
Asian objects also reached impressive heights. A large Chinese cloisonné enamel brazier with a gilt bronze cover stirred up a lot of pre-sale interest and kept the phone agents busy with excited bidders. They were to be disappointed, however, as the piece went to a very determined floor bidder for $5400 (estimate: $600 – 900) . A lead and inlaid gilt lacquer suzuribako (writing box), decorated overall in a crested wave pattern, made a lasting impression on those who were present to preview, and bidding quickly ramped up to $2040 (estimate: $1000 – 1500). Two bamboo sho (a Japanese woodwind instrument modeled after the Chinese “sheng”) made bidders sing, all the way up to a selling price of $7200, more than seven times the high estimate.
In all, healthy hammer prices were achieved across all categories. Additional highlights from this sale include:
• A French armillary sphere, probably by Delamarche, brought out bidders from all over the world and tied up every available phone line on the day of the sale, finally bringing $5100 (estimate: $1200 – 1800)
• A much-anticipated French gilt bronze-mounted violet marble jardinière bearing the stamp of Maison Millet, estimated at $9000 – 12,000, did not disappoint, and quickly climbed to a final selling price of $32,400
• A visually arresting Victorian silver plate four-branch epergne, estimated at $1500 – 2500 served up competitive bidding, going for $3900
• A watercolor by Henri Schafer (1833 – 1916 French) depicting the interior of Brussels Cathedral realized $1560 (estimate: $800 – 1200)
John Moran Auctioneers’ next sale will be held April 17th, 2012, and will feature European and American works of Fine Art in a two-session sale. The first session will feature exquisite European and
