CHRISTIE’S TO SELL EXTRAORDINARY PEONY LAMP FROM THE STORIED GLUCK COLLECTION THIS DECEMBER Over 80 examples of Tiffany Offered at hristie's Magnificent Tiffany Auction in New York December 8
New York - Christie’s is pleased to announce the auction Magnificent Tiffany featuring Property
from the Gluck Collection will be held as part of its 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sales on
8 December 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 (pictured above, $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 (pictured left,
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 (detail above, right).
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 (pictured left,
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 (pictured right,
estimate: $60,000-80,000).
The auction features over 80 lots, with an expected
value of around $4.4-6.7 million.
Auction: Magnificent Tiffany Featuring The Gluck Collection – December 8, 2009
Venue: New York, 20 Rockefeller Center
Viewing: 4-7 December, 2009
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