LONE JACK, MO – On July 13, Soulis Auctions dispersed The Mile High Collection, a Denver, Colorado-based collection of Moser art glass gathered during the last four decades. Described by the house as ‘one of the largest and most significant collections of Ludwig Moser art glass ever offered at auction,’ bidders paid heed and fought for these treasures. Full results for the sale are available at LiveAuctioneers.
Claiming top-lot status was a jaw-dropping undated Moser amberina glass jug lavishly decorated with gilt, raised enamels, and a handle in the form of a lizard. Estimated at $2,000-$3,000, it hammered for $5,000 and sold for $6,150 with buyer’s premium.
Dirk Soulis of Soulis Auctions said of the piece, “This was an iconic Moser form that came loaded from the factory. Instead of being blown from the standard amber glass, it had intense amberina shading, and there was a fantastic dragon-like creature that we found no record of on any of the other examples that had sold for prices on the low side of our estimate range.”
Another star lot was a late 19th-century Moser art glass cup that relied on a crackle glass technique and was festooned with three-dimensional enameled insects. Soulis credited this last detail with pushing the cup beyond its $500-$1,000 estimate to sell for $4,320 with buyer’s premium.
“It must have been all about the bugs,” he said. “The crackle glass and the lava applications weren’t uncommon Moser features, but those three-dimensional insects were very unusual. Not only were they good-sized and colorful, they weren’t finished in a glossy manner like the lizards and leaves on other Moser pieces. These had the feel of cold painted enamel details on a bronze sculpture.”
A third Moser piece that bested its estimate was an undated Moser blue glass jug with gilt and enamel decoration. “The blue ewer sold well because it was blue,” Soulis said, going on to explain, “That color is obviously a favorite among collectors, and nearly everything Moser in that color of glass has been a surprise to us.” Estimated at $500-$800, it sold for $1,845 with buyer’s premium.
