MT. CRAWFORD, Va. – The market for 19th and 20th century colored glass is on the uptick, if Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates’ mammoth 1,167-lot Jan. 18 auction is any indication.The auction demonstrated that fine objects of great rarity will get bidders excited and that attractive and unusual examples are equally enticing to the market. Results were strong across the historical American section of the sale, as well as the Victorian opalescent and the art glass sections.

Internet live bidding was provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.

Two examples of mid-19th century Boston & Sandwich glass sold for $9,775 each at the auction, sharing the spotlight for the highest price of the day. The first item, a probably unique deep peacock-blue pressed Eye-and-Scale pattern hand candlestick/chamber stick (lot 11), was no less attractive than the pair of deep peacock-green pressed Loop/Leaf stand lamps (lot 37). Both lots had illustrious histories, having previously been in the Donald and Pamela Levine collection, and now being sold from the Greg and Joyce Prus collection. Brilliant amethyst, brilliant deep cobalt blue, and forest green glass objects also did very well in the auction, with a variety of vases, candlesticks and lamps realizing strong prices.

Another strong section of the auction was composed of Victorian opalescent glass. Virtually all of the lots offered sold above estimate, including those within the cranberry glass area. Two Swastika pattern cranberry opalescent items realized the highest prices for this section of the auction, with a water pitcher selling for $6,900 against a $2,000-$4,000 estimate (lot 453), and an Indiana mold syrup pitcher selling for $5,750 (lot 684). Both were made at Dugan Glass Co., circa 1904. Dugan also made a Swastika pattern nine-panel mold syrup pitcher, in green opalescent glass, which realized $3,737.50, over the $1,000-$1,500 estimate (lot 685).

The auction saw equally strong bidding for American art glass, European art glass, modern studio glass and cut glass. A set of eight Steuben engraved goblets, in shape 6596, sold for $2,990, estimated originally at $1,000-$1,500 (lot 905); a Charles Lotton “Multi Flora” studio art vase sold for $977.50, over the $400-$600 (lot 259); and a Thomas Webb & Sons English cameo cabinet vase, depicting scrolling foliage and flowers, sold for $3,450 against the original $400-$600 estimate (lot 999).

“This was our best performing glass auction since the recession started, grossing nearly $400,000. We saw many past buyers and numerous new buyers who were enticed by the high quality of merchandise and the conservative estimates, which combined to push some lots to near prerecession levels. Only three lots carried a reserve and all sold,” said auctioneer Jeffrey S. Evans.

Commenting on the antiques market in general, Evans added, “Things are really looking up. Collectors are beginning to recognize and take advantage of the great values presented by the current economy. We had a sizable in-house crowd throughout the day. The Internet accounted for 47 percent of lots sold and included buyers from 15 different countries. We have several very significant collections of glass lined up for the remainder of the year and anticipate a record breaking 2014.”

For details contact Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates at info@jeffreysevans.com or 540-434-3939

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE