: On November 6, Rago Arts and Auction Center conducted its sixth
annual Lalique and Perfume Presentations auction.
There was significant presale interest from collectors and
dealers worldwide, and under the direction of Nicholas M. Dawes,
director of Lalique, and Ken Leach, director of Perfume
Presentations, auction prices soared. The bidding was strong with
more than 200 eBay, 50 absentee and 50 phone bidders.
The Perfume Presentations set the pace with one outstanding
piece, a 1917 Baccarat perfume bottle for Ramses, "Le Secret du
Sphinx," selling for $35,250 surpassing the estimate of
$8/12,000. A rare Lalique Perfume Presentation by Tokalon,
"Petalia," brought a rousing $35,250.
Zodiac clock by Rene Lalique, circa 1936, with wheel-cut
decoration and blue patina on an ebonized base, $49,938.
Other impressive pieces included a 1926 Devilbiss Imperial
perfume bottle made in Toledo, Ohio, that sold for $16,450 - more
than twice its estimate - and a rare and exquisite Austrian black
crystal perfume bottle, circa 1920s, with a smiling satyr stopper,
that brought $8,812 with an estimate of $2,5/3,000.
Devilbiss Imperial perfume bottle, circa 1920s, $16,450.
The spectacular works by Rene Lalique captured the audience
and realized impressive results. Highlighting the auction was a
unique Lalique Firebird illuminating plaque, "Oiseau de Feu," circa
1922, in clear and frosted glass on a bronze illuminating stand
with a red light filter that brought $64,625.
Other impressive works included a Lalique Zodiac clock, circa
1936, with wheel-cut decoration in clear and frosted glass with
blue patina on an ebonized base that sold for $49,938.
A Lalique seal, "Armes d'Angleterre," circa 1919, with the
original Lalique box stamped with Place Vendome mark, estimated
at $5/7,000, brought $24,675, and a circa 1905 Lalique white gold
figurine pendant with engraved glass, blue enamel and diamonds
and the original hanging chain realized $31,725.
Another desirable piece, Lalique's, "Sirenes Avec Bouchon
Figurine," circa 1920, in clear and frosted glass with sepia
patina, brought $19,975 and a rare Lalique carafe and stopper,
"Six Tetes," circa 1914, in clear and frosted glass with gray
patina sold for $12,925.
