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Detail of Tiffany Studios Nasturtium leaded-glass table lamp on telescoping cat’s-paw base. Sold within estimate for $123,000. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Dozens of Tiffany lamps led Morphy’s to glowing $1.9M result

Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Sheila Gibson Stoodley
Tiffany Studios Nasturtium leaded-glass table lamp on telescoping cat’s-paw base. Sold within estimate for $123,000
Tiffany Studios Nasturtium leaded-glass table lamp on telescoping cat’s-paw base. Sold within estimate for $123,000. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

DENVER, Pa. – Morphy Auctions set the stage for a beautiful Christmas season with its $1.9 million Fine & Decorative Arts Auction held December 19-20 at the company’s spacious Pennsylvania gallery. Collectors, tastemakers and holiday shoppers vied for superior jewels and watches, paintings, art pottery, silver, and more than two dozen dazzling Tiffany Studios lamps – a festive way to wrap a year of memorable, high-profile sales.

“The lamp selection was especially fine, with three particular Tiffany designs attracting the lion’s share of attention at the preview,” said Dan Morphy, president of Morphy Auctions. At the center of the Tiffany winners circle was a signed and numbered Tiffany Nasturtium lamp with a leaded-glass shade profusely decorated with multicolored confetti glass tiles and a bevy of richly-hued flowers. Resting on a telescoping Tiffany-stamped cat’s-paw base and in excellent condition, the scene-stealing lamp sold within estimate for $123,000.

Tiffany Studios Peony leaded-glass table lamp in vibrant color scheme dominated by red and pink blooms with yellow centers. Sold above high estimate for $79,950. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Tiffany Studios Peony leaded-glass table lamp in vibrant color scheme dominated by red and pink blooms with yellow centers. Sold above high estimate for $79,950. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

A Tiffany Studios Peony leaded-glass table lamp displaying a lively medley of red and pink blooms against a verdant ground sold well above estimate for $79,950, while a rarely seen Tiffany Studios double candlestick with blown-out Favrile glass and a decorative patinated bronze lily pad base met its pre-sale expectations, selling for $20,910.

Tiffany Studios blown-out double candlestick on patinated bronze lily pad base. Sold within estimate for $20,910. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Tiffany Studios blown-out double candlestick on patinated bronze lily pad base. Sold within estimate for $20,910. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

The sale featured a first-rate selection of European decorative art, including a very rare and appealing Loetz 10-inch triple-lobe glass vase. With purple-blue iridescent accents against a gold background and further enhanced by delicately detailed lotus leaves, this distinctive vase is prominently featured in a Loetz reference book. It sold for $33,210 against a $10,000-$15,000 estimate.

Rare Loetz Lotus Leaf vase with iridescent gold and purple-blue glass. Book example. Sold for $33,210, more than twice the high estimate. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Rare Loetz Lotus Leaf vase with iridescent gold and purple-blue glass. Book example. Sold for $33,210, more than twice the high estimate. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

An absolutely amazing Amphora Gres-Bijou vase, 17 inches tall with a motif of applied leaves, blackberries, and three-dimensional feline heads, presented in mint condition with an 8179 Amphora Crown mark. The epitome of unapologetic Continental grandeur, this extravagant ceramic confection surpassed its estimate to settle at $11,685.

Rare Amphora monumental Gres-Bijou cat vase, 8179 Amphora Crown mark. Sold above high estimate for $11,685. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Rare Amphora monumental Gres-Bijou cat vase, 8179 Amphora Crown mark. Sold above high estimate for $11,685. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Another piece that called upon the animal world for inspiration was a luminous pate-de-verre crab-motif bowl by A Walter, Nancy. Measuring 9½ inches in diameter, its frosted blue and cream-colored glass suggested a marine setting for the three-dimensional orange, yellow and mauve crustacean at its center. Signed and in excellent condition, it sold for an above-estimate price of $10,455.

Luminous A. Walter, Nancy, pate-de-verre Hermit Crab bowl. Signed and in excellent condition. Sold for above-estimate price of $10,455. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Luminous A. Walter, Nancy, pate-de-verre Hermit Crab bowl. Signed and in excellent condition. Sold for above-estimate price of $10,455. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

A Paul Dachsel monumental Pinecone vase was reminiscent of decorative styles seen in both Vreeland’s book Monsters and Maidens: Collector’s Edition and Scott’s The House of Amphora. Standing 17 inches high with a ribbed composition, applied enameled pinecones, and stunning green, red and beige glazing, the marked (PD 12/2086) vessel reached the upper end of its estimate range, selling for $8,610.

Paul Dachsel monumental Pinecone vase, 17in tall. Sold at upper end of estimate range, for $8,610. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Paul Dachsel monumental Pinecone vase, 17in tall. Sold at upper end of estimate range, for $8,610. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

The auction’s 329-lot Jewelry, Watches & Coins section included 20 sought-after wristwatches, 96 pocket watches, rare coins and currency; and luxe jewels. Not surprisingly, the Rolex brand commanded the spotlight.

Men’s steel and gold Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Chronometer Ref. 116503, black dial with luminous markets. Complete with all links, box, papers, tags. Sold above high estimate for $34,440. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Men’s steel and gold Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Chronometer Ref. 116503, black dial with luminous markets. Complete with all links, box, papers, tags. Sold above high estimate for $34,440. Courtesy Morphy Auctions

A steel and 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daytona Cosmograph Chronometer, Ref. No. 116503, featuring a 40mm case and handsome black dial with luminous markers, could not have been more complete. It came with all of its links, the original outer box, inner box with watch holder, warranty card, booklets and both original hang tags. It was bid beyond its high estimate and closed at $34,440.

Rolex GMT Master II Batman Ref. 116710BLNR with card. Sold for $14,760. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Rolex GMT Master II Batman Ref. 116710BLNR with card. Sold for $14,760. Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Nicknamed the “Batman” model because of its black dial with ceramic black and blue bezel, a Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT Master II stainless steel wristwatch was also well documented, retaining its factory international guarantee card with an original purchase date of 04/15/2019. Unpolished and near mint, it sold for $14,760.

14K white gold Cuban-link necklace with 26.00 carats of (1,543) round, brilliant-cut diamonds. Gross weight: 229.0g. Sold within estimate for $20,910. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
14K white gold Cuban-link necklace with 26.00 carats of (1,543) round, brilliant-cut diamonds. Gross weight: 229.0g. Sold within estimate for $20,910. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

Weighing in at 229.0 grams (gross), a 14K white gold Cuban link necklace glittered with 1,543 round, brilliant-cut diamonds having a total carat weight of 26.00 carats. The 22-inch-long statement piece changed hands for a within-estimate price of $20,910.

Extremely rare 18th-century set of 15 hair ‘painted’ buttons, many depicting nautical or fishing scenes, with paperwork. Displayed in wood box under glass. Sold within estimate for $34,440. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
Extremely rare 18th-century set of 15 hair ‘painted’ buttons, many depicting nautical or fishing scenes, with paperwork. Displayed in wood box under glass. Sold within estimate for $34,440. Courtesy Morphy Auctions

Unquestionably, the most unusual lot in the auction was the very rare 18th-century set of hair “painted” buttons housed in a glass-topped wood box. Many of the 15 buttons depicted nautical or fishing scenes, and all exhibited a remarkable degree of expertise and creative artistry. Offered with paperwork documenting and describing the contents, the buttons sold at the midpoint of their estimate range, for $34,400.

1795 Bust Dollar, two leaves, VF20, PCGS. Sold for $9,225 against a $6,000-$7,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions
1795 Bust Dollar, two leaves, VF20, PCGS. Sold for $9,225 against a $6,000-$7,000 estimate. Image courtesy of Morphy Auctions

To discuss consigning fine or decorative art, fine jewelry, timepieces, coins or other valuables to a future auction at Morphy’s, please call toll-free 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. Visit Morphy Auctions online at www.morphyauctions.com.

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Tiffany lamps