Tiffany Dragonfly table lamp flies to $142K
The top seller among more than 80 leaded and non-leaded lamps offered at James D. Julia’s November auction was a Tiffany Dragonfly table lamp that realized $142K.
FAIRFIELD, Maine — The James D. Julia Inc. team brought its 2014 season to a close with a $1.5 million glass and lamp auction, held Nov. 12-13, that contributed to the firm’s highest grossing year to date at approximately $54 million.
This sale offered a stellar array of everything from Tiffany leaded glass lamps to
exceptional art glass, to finely detailed contemporary paperweights. One such rarity, and the top seller among the more than 80 leaded and non-leaded lamps offered, was a Tiffany Studios dragonfly table lamp. With a conical shade of mottled blue panels completed by a chain of seven leaded mottled glass dragonflies, it rested on a bronze trumpet base with onion decoration on the foot. One of the finest examples available, it landed at $142,200.
Other Tiffany leaded table lamps included an example with an amber geometric background highlighted by a Greek Key band in nicely contrasting purple, lavender and aqua ($22,575). A scarce Tiffany green Linenfold table lamp in which the glass panels are formed to look like fabric settled at $16,590. And a Tiffany slag panel lamp with bronze acid etched pine needle overlay sold post-auction for $22,515.
The diversity of lighting was not limited to Tiffany. A Quezal gas and electric chandelier with six bronze arms terminating in stylized women’s faces surrounding a central inverted shade, featuring matching Quezal shades with the same fishnet design, went out at $16,945.
A selection of Pairpoint Puffy lamps included a rose bouquet table lamp with pink and red blossoms covering the shade. Most realistic, this rarity resting on a silver urn base sold for $9,480. A Pairpoint Puffy tulip boudoir lamp with rich flowers highlighted by gilt stripe outlines likewise sold for $9,480.
Bidders were also treated to several exquisite reverse painted lamps such as a duo of Handel Bird of Paradise table lamps with brightly colored exotic birds ($9,480 each). A Handel reverse painted, nautical-themed table lamp with sailing ships navigating the nighttime waters beneath the full moon sold for $7,702.
The auction continued with a generous selection of French Cameo glass by such makers as Galle, Daum and other desirables. A Daum cameo glass and enameled rain scene lamp with a pointed dome shade decorated with windswept trees and pelting rain, and resting on its matching base sold for $36,735. A cylindrical Daum prairie vase with delicate cameo and enameled flowers on the exterior and an interior painted background went out at $18,367.
Art glass was another area to make a strong showing. The auction featured more than 25 pieces of R. Lalique art glass with intricately decorated patterns. Pieces marked “R. Lalique” (as opposed to pieces lacking the “R”) signify the earlier and more sought after items the company created. Highlights included a sensual R. Lalique vase with its sides impressed with nude sirens and topped with a nude female figural stopper ($17,775), a bulbous Lalique Courges pattern vase done in rich blue glass with deeply impressed pears encircling the piece ($15,405) and an R. Lalique luminaire depicting a nude woman draped with a shawl with her arms outstretched is a tribute to the beauty of the female form ($10,665).
The selection of art glass also included a generous selection of Loetz. A Loetz Phanomen sterling silver overlay vase with bright blue iridescent decoration and violet highlights against a green iridescent background sold for $13,035. A Loetz Titania overlay vase with silvery blue dragged loop design against a yellow background with sterling silver garlands circling the body sold for $8,295.
Julia’s upcoming events include its winter antiques, fine art and Chinese artifacts auction Feb. 4-6, 2015, a firearms and military memorabilia auction March 15-16 and a special, single-owner auction of fine Asian antiquities from the personal collection of Dr. Helga Wall-Apelt (formerly the Museum of Asia, Sarasota, Florida), also in March. For consignment and other information, contact Julia’s at 207-453-7125; James D. Julia Inc., P.O. Box 830, Dept. PR, Fairfield, ME 04937; or info@jamesdjulia.com.
