Julia's Summer 2012 Fine Glass and Lamp Auction

Fairfield, ME ~ June 20-21, 2012.  If the first few months are any indication, then the rest of 2012 should bode well for the auction firm of James D. Julia, Inc.  In March, they set yet another world auction record in their firearms division for conducting the highest grossing firearms auction ever held in history.  The previous record (set by Julia’s in 2008) was $12.4 Million; this recent auction eclipsed that mammoth figure by several million dollars when the final tally nearly hit a jaw-dropping $18 Million!  And a few weeks later, Julia’s opened their first satellite office in Woburn, Massachusetts to better service the Boston Metropolitan area and points west.  And on May 14, Julia’s was honored by Maine’s Governor Paul LePage, receiving the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence in a special ceremony.  The award recognizes Maine companies that demonstrate a high level of commitment to the community, their employees, and to manufacturing or to service excellence.  Only six Maine companies received this award this year, and as per Governor LePage, “This year’s honorees represent businesses that are regional, national, and International leaders in their fields”.

Now, as summer in Vacationland approaches and auction season in Maine is in full swing, Julia’s is preparing for their upcoming auction double header featuring another marvelous array of quality goods.  Combining the efforts of fine glass and lamp division head Dudley Brown and their toy, doll and advertising division department head, Andrew Truman, this multi-day event is sure to please auction goers of all levels and tastes.
          
The glass and lamp auction will feature nearly $2 Million in rare and highly sought after objects handpicked from collections and estates from across the United States.  Boasting fresh-to-the-market goods seldom seeing the public marketplace, this auction will be a delight you won’t want to miss.  One such highlight is an exceptional offering of Moser enameled glass from a private Midwest collection.  Numbering approximately 30 lots, these highly decorated and elaborately crafted items showcased the style and sophistication of the post-Victorian age.  A monumental two-piece handled vase with applied flowers, birds and berries is topped with a ruffled rim.  It comes in with a presale estimate of $20,000-30,000.  A stunning pair of Moser ewers with applied parrots and acorns against an Amberina background is also worthy of note.  The pair is expected to sell for $7,000-10,000  These are joined by a marvelous Moser punch set that includes a covered punchbowl and service for 12.  Decorated with a most elaborate design of applied and layered clusters of flowers atop a rich gold background, the set carries a $8,000-12,000 estimate.

One of Julia’s many strong suits has long been their ability to locate choice, hard to find items and bring them to market.  Bidders appreciate the rare opportunities and Julia’s is happy to oblige.  This time around, a select grouping of lamps includes some rare leaded examples such as a Tiffany Alamander table lamp comprised of lovely cream and butterscotch flowers against a confetti glass background for added dimension.  This exceptional lamp comes estimated for $90,000-120,000.  Also included is a Tiffany Poinsettia lamp atop a bronze urn base that features a dome shade that features a tight band of vibrant red flowers and a highly mottled background.  It carries a presale estimate of $40,000-50,000.  This joins numerous other examples in which Tiffany was inspired by nature including dragonflies, poppies, and the like.

Other leaded lamps include a rare Duffner & Kimberly Louis XV table lamp with a swirling geometric pattern of lavenders, greens, and purples segmented by an unusual alternation between convex and concave panels.  This piece is expected to sell for $30,000-40,000.

These are joined by several other lamps such as a selection of Handel including a scarce reverse painted example known simply as 6688.  This lovely lamp is decorated with an allover floral pattern accented by butterflies, making it even more desirable as it is somewhat more common to have only a band of flowers.  This lamp carries an estimate of $5,000-7,000.  A rare Handel black “Exotic Bird” table lamp with vibrant colors offset by its dark background is expected to bring $10,000-15,000.  Other lamps include Pairpoint, which is highlighted by a Pairpoint Puffy Apple Tree on its tree trunk base accented with bees.  The captivating shade is ripe with richly realistic fruit that really lights up a room.  This piece comes estimated for $22,500-27,500.

The selection of lighting continues with a large offering of mini lamps from a Connecticut collection.  Included will be a very rare skater’s lantern with an amber shade, an outstanding rainbow satin junior banquet lamp, and a standing elephant among many others
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Straddling the line of lighting and French cameo glass is an exceptionally large Daum nautical scene table lamp.  Picturing brown sailboats on a mottled orange and yellow background, it will be some time before you see its equal.  Standing a massive 36” high, it comes estimated for $15,000-20,000.  Other Daum includes a very rare prairie scene vase with cameo and enameled prairie flowers on a rich pink background leading to a delicate ruffled rim.  This piece comes with a $10,000-15,000 estimate.  French cameo is further highlighted by a selection of Galle including such showstoppers as a large mold blown shoulder vase with luscious plums weighing down the branch on its frosted yellow background.  This piece carries an estimate of $12,000-15,000.  And a Galle egg shaped jar with scenic mountain decoration is further enhanced by stately soaring cameo eagles on the lid.  This magnificent piece comes estimated for $2,750-3,250.

Perhaps even more impressive is a selection of Tiffany glass highlighted by an exceedingly rare monumental centerpiece vase.  Its swirled gold glass body is decorated in a brown pulled feather design and rests in its bronze base with beaded trim and pad feet supports.  Truly lovely and would accent any advanced collection, it comes estimated for $15,000-25,000.  A rare and large black Tiffany vase with blue iridescent pulled feather decoration surrounding its shoulder carries a $10,000-15,000 estimate.

The elegance of Tiffany & Co. also includes a selection of sterling silver such as an early Tiffany footed tureen.  This elegant work features two figural handles in the form of steers’ heads, and a lid topped with an elaborate artichoke finial.  It carries an $8,000-12,000 estimate.  Another great Tiffany rarity is a 5” sterling and enamel creamer with wisteria and butterfly decoration.  This may have been an exhibition piece and comes estimated for $20,000-40,000.  A lovely Tiffany teapot with repousse decoration surrounding its body on its matching stand and dated October 7, 1891 carries an estimate of $3,000-4,000.  Also included is a 14kt Tiffany box with ruby clasp that is estimated for $2,750-3,750.

This is followed by a variety of Tiffany bronze desk accessories.  A 14-piece Venetian desk set including a frame, scale, double letter holder, and more is a real stunner, coming in with an estimate of $8,000-12,000.  This is joined by a rare Tiffany bronze double inkwell and other bronze accessories being sold individually and in small groups.

The sale is further enhanced by a stellar grouping of art glass including Loetz, Steuben, Quezal, and even some impressive Victorian such as an extremely rare plated Amberina finger bowl and under plate with terrific color and ribbing.  It carries a presale estimate of $15,000-20,000.  This is joined by a Royal Flemish rose bowl with unusual partridge decoration both in flight and on the ground.  On a light blue and frosted geometric background and highlighted with gold enamel, this impressive piece is expected to sell for $5,000-7,000.  An exquisite and large cut rock crystal bowl signed “W. Fritsche” is estimated for $12,000-15,000.  And a monumental red cut to clear presentation chalice by Mt. Washington to Fredrrick William Woodhouse carries a $3,000-5,000 estimate.

The sale is rounded out by a grouping of glass paperweights from the collection of Uma and Henry Blake.  Included will be a variety of examples ranging from antique to contemporary with highlights including a Clichy paperweight of roses on a muslin background that is expected to bring $5,000-7,000, a Baccarat silhouette millefiori paperweight on a moss ground (est. $8,000-10,000), and a collaboration between Steven Lunburg and Rick Ayote of a bird nesting atop a footed paperweight with floral decoration inside and out (est. $500-700).

More information on the Julia auction can be obtained by going to their website at www.jamesdjulia.com or calling 207-453-7125. Free full-color brochures will be available, or their lavish, full-color, detailed and illustrated catalogs will be available for $39.  Previews for the auction will be Tuesday, June 19 from 9am-5pm, and 8-10am June 20, 21 & 22.  Auction commences at 10am on June 22, all taking place at their auction facilities on Rt. 201 in Fairfield, Maine.

For more information, contact Andrew Truman
207-453-7125
atruman@jamesdjulia.com

A selection of Tiffany glass highlighted by an exceedingly rare monumental centerpiece vase.  Its swirled gold glass body is decorated in a brown pulled feather design and rests in its bronze base with beaded trim and pad feet supports.  Truly lovely and would accent any advanced collection, it comes estimated for $15,000-25,000.




A select grouping of lamps includes some rare leaded examples such as a Tiffany Alamander table lamp comprised of lovely cream and butterscotch flowers against a confetti glass background for added dimension.  This exceptional lamp comes estimated for $90,000-120,000.




A collection of Moser enameled glass from a private Midwest collection is highlighted by a monumental two-piece handled vase with applied flowers, birds and berries is topped with a ruffled rim.  It comes in with a presale estimate of $20,000-30,000.




French cameo glass includes a very rare Daum prairie scene vase with cameo and enameled prairie flowers on a rich pink background leading to a delicate ruffled rim.  This piece comes with a $10,000-15,000 estimate.




Other leaded lamps include a rare Duffner & Kimberly Louis XV table lamp with a swirling geometric pattern of lavenders, greens, and purples segmented by an unusual alternation between convex and concave panels.  This piece is expected to sell for $30,000-40,000.




A 14-piece Venetian desk set including a frame, scale, double letter holder, and more is a real stunner, coming in with an estimate of $8,000-12,000.




A Pairpoint Puffy Apple Tree on its tree trunk base accented with bees with richly realistic fruit comes estimated for $22,500-27,500.




Also included is some impressive Victorian glass such as an extremely rare plated Amberina finger bowl and under plate with terrific color and ribbing.  It carries a presale estimate of $15,000-20,000.




The sale is rounded out by a grouping of glass paperweights from the collection of Uma and Henry Blake.  Included will be this Baccarat silhouette millefiori paperweight on a moss ground that comes estimated for $8,000-10,000).