JULIA’S NOVEMBER AUCTION – ANOTHER EXTRAORDINARY OFFERING OF RARE GLASS & LAMPS

Fairfield, Maine, November 19 & 20, 2009. There’s a time and a place for old friends. There’s something even comforting about seeing the familiar. But in the auction world, collectors prefer a fresh to the market selection of goods over merchandise that has been seen, bought and sold by everyone under the sun. Renowned for assembling lively, quality sales in a variety of categories, James D. Julia Auctioneers is about to present another auction extravaganza for a highly developed buying public. The forthcoming 3-three-day event will combine the efforts of Julia’s advertising, toy & doll division head Andrew Truman and glass & lamp department head Dudley Browne in an outstanding array of quality antiques. Rare heirlooms and treasures abound from some of the finest collections and private homes in the country.
As a result of a meeting last December, Jim Julia together with his department heads and his management team, they discussed how to proceed in this new economy. One possibility was to do as 90% of all U.S. businesses had done in the past few months (i.e. let a significant portion of their staff go, cut back on services offered to their clients, ensure their commission charges would produce profit, etc.). But the Julia firm decided upon an entirely different approach. Jim Julia stated emphatically that his current auction company team was the finest that had ever worked for him and literally every employee was valuable to their success. Hence, he made a commitment to all the employees after that meeting that they would all be kept on full time and there would be no intention of cutting any positions. Furthermore, an aggressive ad campaign was developed including what was referred to as the “Julia Stimulus Plan”. The “Plan” outlined a host of benefits and features to be provided to consignors in the future. Foremost was the 0% commission fee on expensive items. The theory of the Julia team was to charge less, give better service, and work harder and smarter. In tough economic times such as these, consignments to auctions drop off precipitously so Julia’s reasoning was that by being even more competitive he would make less profit but make it up by stimulating maximum consignments. This new approach has proven to be exceedingly successful for the auctioneer, buyer, and seller. There can be no question that their formula is working. Since enacting the plan, the firm has had some of their largest and most successful auctions in their 40 year history.
The upcoming event features one of the finest selections of fine art glass and lighting to come to market this year. Including over 70 fine lamps such as Tiffany, Handel, Pairpoint and more, it also includes numerous specialty groupings such as an outstanding selection of French and English cameo glass; each segment is highlighted by several museum-quality examples. The auction will also include a fine grouping of ¬extremely rare Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre pieces.
Highlighting the leaded lamps will be a spectacular Tiffany Dragonfly with dichroic background glass that emits two distinct colors when lit and unlit. Consisting of a string of large dragonflies with cabochon eyes around the bottom perimeter, the background transforms from a deep lavender to a stunning amber with a pull of the chain. This outstanding lamp carries a presale estimate of $30,000-50,000. Also up for bid will be a Tiffany Clematis lamp with truly exceptional flowers in reds, purples, blues, and greens above a thin band of geometric panels. It rests on a ribbed flaring bronze base and is expected to sell for $85,000-95,000. Other fine examples include an 18” Tiffany Daffodil lamp with gorgeous flowers on a periwinkle background. Its base is completed with faux turtleback panels and comes with an estimate of $40,000-60,000.
The parade of leaded lamps also will include an extremely rare Duffner & Kimberly double dome chandelier. This large hanger consists of a large outer dome of geometric panels decorated with geometric brick work and oak leaf border design. Beneath is a smaller inverted dome to diffuse the light for a softer effect. This spectacular piece comes with a $30,000-30,000 estimate. Other Duffner & Kimberly examples include a French Renaissance table lamp on a base that is somewhat reminiscent of a cascading fountain. It leads to a dome shade of geometric panels with a broad band of windblown maple leaves in vibrant autumn reds. A marvelous lamp, it is expected to finish up at $10,000-15,000.
Seldom seeing the marketplace are two table lamps by John Morgan & Sons. These floral motif leaded lamps are exquisitely crafted and are accentuated by enameled highlights on the blossoms, creating a greater sense of realism. The examples included here consist of a Rose lamp with an irregular border of broad, deep red flower panels with green stems and leaves on a clambroth background. It carries an estimate of $6,500-8,500 while a superior Morgan Pansy lamp with a field of multihued flowers on a climbing vine base is forecasted to bring $16,000-20,000. The tremendous offering will also include examples by Wilkinson, Bigelow & Kennard, and Handel (both in the leaded and “unleaded” variety). For those who prefer the unleaded type, several reverse painted lamps include a remarkable Handel Macaw with vibrant birds flitting among the flowers on the domed shade. It comes with an estimate of $15,000-20,000.
Joining the lamps will be an incredible selection of French and English cameo and other fine art glass. A truly phenomenal find is an E. Michel padded and high relief carved pedestal vase in purple with windblown flowers, green stem and leaf highlights, and a scalloped collar. Michel once worked for Galle and his solo work is considered very advanced and is highly sought after. This piece comes with a presale estimate of $15,000-20,000. Another piece by Michel is a gorgeous, more slender vase with high relief orchids in varying stages of bloom with translucent green flowing stems. It is expected to sell for $10,000-15,000.
Works by Galle include a stunning marquetry vase where colored glass pieces were impressed into the base glass while still in a semi-molten state, and then wheel-carved into flowers and leaves. Further highlighted by foil inclusions in the glass, this bulbous vase comes with a $20,000-30,000 estimate. Other Galle includes a selection of mold blown pieces such as a crocus vase with red flowers covering the bottom half of the shapely form. It is estimated for $5,000-7,000. A mold blown fuchsia and a mold blown zucchini vase join the selection, coming with estimates of $7,000-8,000 and $3,000-4,000 respectively.
The ever popular Daum Nancy is represented by an impressive selection of pieces. Highlights include a scarce three-handled cameo and enameled stork vase. The textured frosty glass shows several storks flying among golden vines above a tranquil pond. It is expected to sell for $5,000-8,000. A four sided Daum winter scene vase accented by a flock of blackbirds assembling on a barren tree and foraging below comes with expectations of $10,000-15,000. Another Daum vase with a winter motif is a brilliant example in sunset orange with snow capped tree branches on a cylindrical form that comes to the block with an estimate of $6,000-8,000. A monumental Daum Nancy mushroom vase with pinched rim and wide bowl form is decorated with an assortment of colorful fungi against a mottled yellow background carries a $7,000-9,000 estimate. Also available will be numerous Daum vases and lamps including nautical, florals, and others.
A collection of English cameo glass, much of which comes from renowned Midwest collectors Jim and Laurie Wroda, boasts extremely high quality and will surely get the attention of serious collectors. Included is a monumental Webb underwater scene vase with white sea plants, coral, and seashells on a rich red background. Further highlighted by a pointy leaf trim at the mouth, this spectacular piece is expected to sell for $25,000-35,000. A Webb cylindrical vase with bamboo shoots and birds in the same brilliant red and white with textured decorative elements at the foot and rim comes to the block with an estimate of $15,000-20,000. Also included will be several perfume bottles and vases large and small in a variety of colors and decoration.
Tiffany glass includes a monumental peacock blue vase with a silver patinated foot accented by six blue favrile scarabs in the foot. Of exceptional quality, it is expected to bring $4,500-6,500. An exceedingly rare Tiffany cabinet vase in desirable red color is further enhanced by a dramatic pulled jagged wave decoration of silver favrile. It carries a presale estimate of $3,000-5,000.
Collectors will be delighted by a large offering of Steuben including a portion from the famed Rockwell family such as shades, vases, and decorated pieces. Highlights from this segment include an exceptional pair of Moss Agate torcheres. The amber glass shades are made even more spectacular by the waves and stipples of color within. Completed with a shiny finish, the pair is expected to sell for $4,000-6,000. A rare Cire Purdue polar bear figure standing on an iceberg signed by Frederic Carder comes with an estimate of $8,000-12,000.
A fine grouping of ¬extremely rare Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre pieces includes an outstanding Pillars vase. The teardrop shaped body is decorated with a detailed mystical scene of wooden bridges, fairies, and birds between vertical floral pillars. It is expected to reach $12,000-15,000. A Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre wide shouldered vase in the Jewel Tree pattern is likewise an otherworldly onslaught of fantastical flora and fauna, coming with an estimate of $8,000-12,000. And a six-sided Moorish bowl shows an interior palatial scene of fountains, columns, and arches of an Arab influence comes with a $7,500-10,000 estimate.
Seeming to be taking the cue of the Arab influence, Victorian era glass includes several Royal Flemish pieces including a large covered ewer. This tall vessel with domed stopper, twisted rope handle, and shield and gilt decoration is an outstanding example. It comes with a $4,000-6,000 estimate. Other Victorian glass includes several Crown Milano pieces as well as Mount Washington lava glass vase. Its obsidian background and solid form is completed with bright color swatches. It is expected to bring $1,500-2,500.
Helping to round out the sale will be a fine selection of highly desirable KPM plaques. The exquisite enameling and exceptional detail of these works of art never fail to impress. One such example depicts a flock of sheep on a rocky mountain ledge with an eagle soaring above. With unparalleled realism, this piece is expected to reach $6,000-8,000. Other examples include a springtime portrait of a stunning woman in a white dress draped in red standing among blossoming trees. Housed in an elaborate gilt and ebony frame, it carries an estimate of $2,000-3,000.
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 are available, or their lavish, full-color, detailed and illustrated catalogs are available for $39. Previews for the auctions will be Wednesday, November 18 from 9am-5pm, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 8-10 am with the glass & lamp auction commencing at 10am on Thursday and Friday and the toy & doll auction commencing at 10am on Saturday, all taking place at their auction facilities on Rt. 201 in Fairfield, Maine.

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