Doyle New York held a Color & Light: The Collection of Thomas Chua sale on March 4, 2022

I will do my best to publish a new post every Monday.

Doyle New York sold the mostly French glass collection of Dr. Thomas Chua on March 4, 2022. Sales totaled $435,111, more than double the pre-sale estimate of $124,150-184,650. Spirited bidding pushed the sell-through rate to 98%. Following are a few of the highlights.

The top lot of the sale was #89; and hard to explain. The only thing special about it were the internal foil specks. The colors were mostly undesirable brown and green. The shape was nice, with a pinched-in rim, but nothing special. The size was small at 4½”. Yet it sold for $13,860, including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of $700 – $1,000. I probably wouldn’t have bought it even if had only brought $1,500. Like I’ve said before, sometimes bidders have more cents than sense.

 

Chat (Cat) decoration in Le Verre Francais is one of the rarest and most desirable. Lot #145 was a sterling example, with a great shape and superb color. At 10″ tall, it was a wonderful example. It sold for $11,610, including buyer’s premium, against a ridiculously low estimate of $300 – $400. I don’t buy much Le Verre Francais nowadays as I exhibit at very few shows. But if I did exhibit at more shows, I probably would have bought this vase.

 

There were only a few offerings by Tiffany Studios. Lot #183 was a so-so example of a Favrile glass floor lamp. It had nice color and ribbing in the shade, but there were quite a few chips on the fitter rim. The base had an unattractive statuary bronze doré finish. It was loose and needed help. It sold for $10,080, including buyer’s premium, against an estimate of $3,000 – $4,000. Seems about right. It would have sold for thousands more if the shade were in perfect condition and the base had a nicer finish.

For the complete results of the sale, click here.

No shows until October 20, 2022, when we’ll exhibit at the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. Two weeks later we’ll exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Show in Winnetka, IL, starting on November 4, 2022.

Let me know what interests you, even if you don’t see it on my website. I’ve got lots of items that I haven’t listed yet and I know how to locate what you desire.

I 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.