Glittering designer jewels, Tiffany lamps and a thrilling Wurlitzer Pianorchestra were crowd-pleasers at Morphy’s Fine & Decorative Arts sale

Above-estimate prices paid for book examples of decorative art, including circa-1906 Paul Dachsel ‘experimental’ Amphora vase and circa-1900 Zsolnay iridescent vase designed by Lajos Mack

DENVER, Pa. – Stunning jewels, art-glass lamps, a Wurlitzer Pianorchestra and a 1906 Amphora vase whose design foretold the future were among the highlights of Morphy’s June 11-12 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction. The $1.53 million sale offered bidders a widely varied choice with prized examples from many of today’s most popular collecting categories.

Twenty-five lamps by Tiffany Studios led the colorful parade of antique lighting. In addition to the coveted Tiffanys, there were scores of beautiful leaded and reverse-painted lamps by Handel, Duffner & Kimberly, and Pairpoint. The 72-lot group was crowned by a Tiffany “Peony” table lamp whose shade featured a medley of multicolored confetti glass, blossoms crafted from numerous types of Tiffany glass – including granite-backed reds and highly mottled opalescent whites – against a multicolored background of mottled cobalt and streaked sky-blue glass. Both the Peony shade and base were signed by Tiffany. The shade boasted illustrious provenance, having once been in the collection of Minna Rosenblatt (1944-2008); while the lamp’s base was previously acquired at a Sotheby’s auction. Ms Rosenblatt owned a premier Madison Avenue (NYC) antiques gallery for 35 years and was one of the influential dealers who fostered the 1950s revival of Tiffany lamps and other Art Nouveau glass. The stellar Peony lamp presented by Morphy’s sold within estimate for $110,700.

Peonies also featured prominently in a monumental Duffner & Kimberly leaded-glass table lamp. Mounted on a 32-inch-tall Duffner & Kimberly base, the shade was ablaze with color. Its lush, deep-red peonies against a warm yellow ground with multi-hued green leaves, was further beautified by the addition of draper glass, which continued the images of several blossoms. The lamp finished within estimate for $24,600.

A Handel “River Bed” reverse-painted art glass lamp was adorned with a tranquil woodland scene featuring a river flowing over rocks. The artist’s choice of a lavender sky was the perfect backdrop for the palette of lovely autumn colors. The Handel base with a mermaid motif completed the look. Against an estimate of $20,000-$25,000, the lamp went on to secure a winning bid of $33,825.

Moving from table to desk, a classic Tiffany Studios “turtleback” lamp with two large iridescent green turtleback tiles was signed Tiffany Studios New York 268 beneath its base, along with an impressed Tiffany logo. It sold for an above-estimate $14,145.

Pottery collectors couldn’t help but marvel at Paul Dachsel’s circa-1906 Amphora “Cactus” vase, which embodies one of the artist’s most innovative designs. The monumental vessel with undulating reticulated handles and a form that could easily be mistaken as “Moderne” was finished in an iridized matte green glaze. In mint condition, with a “PD” mark and the impressed number “1048,” it was the very example illustrated in Richard L Scott’s reference Ceramics from the House of Amphora. It was chased to $34,440 against a pre-sale estimate of $18,000-$24,000.

Two Fenton glass vases in the “Hanging Hearts” #3024 motif brought identical money, each selling for $8,610. One was a 13-inch double-handled vessel of hand-blown glass in aqua and purple; the other, a 12-inch example in iridescent red glass. Each came with provenance from the collection of Constance Henderson Hoblitzell of Williamstown, West Virginia, and had been entered in the sale with a $1,000-$3,000 estimate.

A European porcelain highlight, a Zsolnay (Hungarian) Art Nouveau “Symbolist” vase was designed around 1900 by Lajos Mack. Exhibiting a green eosin iridized glaze with reddish-purple highlights, this exquisite piece in mint condition can be seen in the Zsolnay book written by Eva Csenkey. It swept past its $1,800-$2,400 estimate to claim $7,380.

Designer jewelry and luxury watches added sparkle and brand cachet to the sale, with two signed pieces by Oscar Friedman at the forefront. An ultra-chic 18K yellow gold, emerald and diamond bracelet featuring 10 octagonal step-cut diamonds and 154 round brilliant-cut diamonds was accompanied by its original CGA Appraisal Report and sold for $23,370 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000. Also, an 18K white gold necklace with nine graduated emerald-cut emeralds and 640 brilliant-cut diamonds (gross weight: 57.5g) conveyed to its new owner together with its GemAssure Gemological Appraisals Report. It settled within its estimate range for $22,140.

Just in time for Father’s Day, a men’s 40mm stainless steel Rolex Submariner “Kermit” Anniversary watch, Ref. #16610V, came to auction with its paperwork and desirable Rolex inner and outer boxes. The handsome timekeeper left the gallery for $13,530. 

For many years, Morphy’s has been acknowledged as a leading auction source for antique occupational shaving mugs. The selection entered in the June 11-12 sale gave collectors exactly what they wanted: rare designs depicting unusual professions. A mug with a well-detailed image of a diner/soda fountain, with two seated customers and white-coated clerks behind the counter, was embellished in gilt lettering with the name of the mug’s original owner, Joseph Reifler. Against a comparatively modest estimate of $100-$300, it served up a winning bid of $6,150.

Sharing top-lot honors with the Tiffany “Peony” lamp, a fantastic circa-1909 Wurlitzer mandolin Pianorchestra, Style 33A, was manufactured by JD Phillips Co, Frankfurt, Germany, and imported by Rudolph Wurlitzer Co, New York. Within a single case, the self-playing antique music-maker combines the same instruments one would see in a full orchestra, with additional musical accents provided by two delightful mechanical birds in a gilded cage. In excellent condition, it even retained its auto-roll-changer and came with 56 playable Wurlitzer rolls. The multitalented entertainer of yesteryear took a bow at the midpoint of its estimate range, selling for $110,700.

After the hammer fell on the final lot, Morphy Auctions’ president and principal auctioneer Dan Morphy commented: “It was an excellent sale of very high-quality goods, which is what today’s buyers want. The top-estimated Tiffany lamp – the Peony – sold comfortably within its estimate range, as did the Wurlitzer Pianorchestra. On top of that, our fine jewelry selection did extremely well. There seemed to be buyers for everything, even in niche categories like occupational shaving mugs, whose prices only continue to rise in the marketplace.”

To discuss consigning a collection or single item to a future Fine & Decorative Arts Auction at Morphy’s, please call 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential, and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.