An art glass auction catalog is always an explosion of color, and Heritage Auctions’ Nov. 14 20th Century Decorative Arts Auction is no exception, with page after page of practically glowing pieces by Tiffany, Lalique, Daum and others. Some of our favorites are below.
1. Taking the phrase museum-quality literally, this spectacular Tiffany Studios Leaded Favile Glass Window: Christ on the Road to Emmaus has been on long-term loan at the Art Museum of Southeast Texas, where it can be viewed in person until the auction in mid-November. The window (est. $50,000-70,000), which depicts Christ on the road to Emmaus, previously belonged to the collection of Robert Louis Tiffany pieces at the Garden Museum of Japan.
2. A favorite in the department, this vibrant Lalique Indigo Peacock Blue Glass Barromee Vase (est. $30,000-40,000) is even more show stopping in person.
3. This limited-edition Lalique Black Glass Mossi Vase (est. $2,000-3,000) displays the distinctly modern design first offered in 1933. In black, this version is even … dare we say “edgy?” Brilliant black cabochons stud the satin base in sharp contrast. We imagine it as perfectly at home surrounded by contemporary fine art.
4. One of numerous pieces of Tiffany favrile glass in the auction (and grouped together in a stunning photo on the cover of this auction’s catalog), this luminous Floriform Vase (est. $2,000-3,000) sits on an almost impossibly delicate stem.
5. The auction contains an important collection of pâte-de-vèrre glass, the difficult kiln casting technique which employs molds to create structures. This early 20th-century Almeric Walter Pate-de-Verre Beetle Paperweight by Henri Bergé (est. $1,800-2,400) is one of the more whimsical examples of the technique.
Written by: Steve Lansdale