Christie’s announced the auction Magnificent Tiffany featuring Property from the Gluck Collection will be held as part of its 20th-Century Decorative Art & Design sales on December 8, 2009. On February 17, 1979, Christie’s held the landmark sale Magnificent Tiffany Featuring The Gluck Collection, the first major Tiffany offering at auction. The sale was an unparalleled success. It was the first time a Tiffany lamp commanded more than $100,000, with the “Cob Web” lamp selling for a then-remarkable $150,000. The Gluck Collection set the bar for future sales in the category. More than 30 years later, Christie’s will offer ten additional pieces from this legendary collection.
The Gluck Collection
Highlighting the selection of works from the Gluck Collection is an extraordinary “Elaborate Peony” lamp ($600,000-900,000). This model was produced for a very limited time by Tiffany Studios (about 1913-1920) and its rarity and beauty make it a coveted piece today by collectors and decorative art lovers alike. Also included in this selection is a glorious “Dragonfly” lamp, circa 1900 (estimate: $300,000-500,000) on a mosaic base, the lauded model designed by Clara Driscoll, as well as other lamps, candlesticks and desk items.
Tiffany Mosaics
The sale will also encompass the full range of works by Tiffany Studios. Among the more unusual works on offer are fragments of the original mosaic sign that adorned the exterior of the prominent Tiffany showrooms. The works originate from a large brownstone building, 347-355 Madison Avenue (at 45th Street), which was built in 1883 and was first home to the Manhattan Athletic Club (rival to the New York Athletic Club). In 1905 the building was purchased by Tiffany and became a large showroom for Tiffany Studios, with workrooms on the upper floors. The original sign spelled out “355 TIFFANY STUDIOS 347,” which was the address on Madison Avenue, with various decorative elements. Christie’s is offering the decorative elements in four 6-foot sections of the Tiffany glass mosaic sign at $20,000-30,000 each.
Important Private Collections
Among the notable highlights is an extraordinary group of eight lamps hailing from an Important European Collection. The Collection comprises important examples of Tiffany dragonfly, peony and filigree lamps, including a ‘Dragonfly’ table lamp (estimate: $200,000-300,000) and a ‘Peony’ lamp from circa 1910 (estimate: $300,000-500,000), and a ‘Poppy,’ lamp (estimate: $120,000-180,000). Also from a Private Collection is a splendid ‘Trumpet Creeper’ table lamp from circa 1905 (estimate: $300,000-500,000).
The sale will also feature an assortment of other exquisite table lamps and chandeliers as well as important examples of glass, floor lamps, and leaded glass windows, including an elegant example from circa 1900 depicting a girl (estimate: $60,000-80,000).
The auction features over 80 lots, with an expected value of around $4.4-6.7 million.
Image: ‘Elaborate Peony’ Leaded Glass and Bronze Table Lamp, 29 ½ inches (75 cm) high, 22 ¼ inches (56.4 cm) diameter of shade. Circa 1905. Estimate: $600,000 – 900,000. Photo: Christie’s Images Ltd., 2009