Julia's Celebrates With Open House, $1.7 Million Lamp And Glass Sale

FAIRFIELD, MAINE

:On November 30 and December 1, following an elegant reception, James D. Julia further celebrated the completion of its expansion project with a lamp and glass auction that grossed $1.7 million. Giving many auctiongoers their first look at the firm's new facilities, Julia's presented an array of upmarket art glass, pottery, lighting, jewelry and other accessories that met with active bidding from those in attendance and a particularly strong phone and Internet presence.

Julia's showcased a grand selection of Tiffany, highlighted by a leaded peacock feather lamp. Consisting of 20 individual intensely multicolored tail feathers and resting atop a bulbous bronze base with sprawling peacock feathers forming the feet, this magnificent piece sold for $120,750.

Other Tiffany lighting included an ornate gilt chandelier that featured 12 suspended gold iridescent lily shades, complemented by a large central stalactite shade and spiral rope decoration. It sold for $51,750. A Tiffany 12-light lily table lamp with gold dore finish and lily pad base brought $27,600. A Tiffany lemon leaf table lamp with dichroic mottled glass, which showed green when unlit and a vibrant orange when lit, sold for $29,900. A geometric pattern leaded lamp in deep apple green brought $23,000, while an acorn table lamp with red acorns around a mottled green background sold for $18,400.

A pair of four-branch candlesticks, each with blown glass beads, pulled feather shades and bronze snuffers sold for $24,150.

Other fine lighting included examples by Handel, including a reverse painted hydrangea lamp originally from the collection of Dr Irving Paul of Bangor, Maine. This rare and important table lamp brought $14,950. A vibrant, hand painted reverse lamp with parrots, butterflies and floral clusters on a black background sold for $10,637. A rare and colorful three-color Pairpoint puffy poppy table lamp sold for $20,700.

Offering a smooth segue between lighting and fine French cameo glass, Julia's offered a tall Daum cameo lamp with great crossover appeal to both collectors. It featured acid-etched red flowers with green and white leaves on a frosted background, all atop an intricate leaf and ormolu base; it sold for $8,625.

A suite of Daum French cameo items depicting a detailed rain scene included a lamp, which sold for $29,900. A matching Daum cameo glass basket sold for $16,675, while a rain scene Daum pillow vase brought $10,350.

The quality and condition of a Daum cameo vase with applied dragonflies on a naturalistic setting caught the eye of several fervent bidders and it flew to $40,250. An extremely rare and unusual Daum perfume burner, also with dragonfly decoration, sold for $16,100. A museum-quality Daum piece, internally decorated with black trees overlaid with white thistle decoration, in a seemingly unending bidding battle between a phone bidder and a man in attendance, went to the latter for $47,150, more than 13 times its preauction estimate.

A barren tree populated by a murder of crows was the subject of a Daum vase that finished up at $20,125.

Cameo vases by Galle included a blown out soufflé vase with brown, green and lavender water lilies against a blue shaded background that brought $18,400. A dichroic fire polished scenic vase showing a deeply cut, richly hued blue and black scene of waterside trees landed $12,650.

A museum-quality Tiffany white cameo pitcher with wheel-carved peonies encircling the entire body, surmounted by a wide iridescent green rim was a showstopper. Formerly of the collection of A. Douglas Nash, this piece saw eager activity, reaching $14,375. A Burgun & Schverer French cameo vase, internally decorated with violet flowers and deep burgundy and pale green swirls, was highlighted by delicate gilding on the flowers and leaves and brought $10,925.

A select offering of pate de verre pieces fared well. A libations vase by G. Argy Rousseau featured two different images in deep relief of an ancient Egyptian woman with a water jug on her shoulder. Accented by a wide band of sliced pie design, this mottled maize and coral vase sold for $14,950.

The sale also included an offering of rare pottery with some highly desirable pieces. A private collection of Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre from a prominent southern collection enchanted the audience. Included was a rare Malfrey pot decorated with a whole underworld of mystical creatures. In the Ghostly Woods pattern, this piece sold for $57,500. Other examples from the offering included a monumental vase with daylight luster background with a parade of crimson and violet impish sprites crossing a woodland bridge that sold for $43,125.

A vibrant vase in the Tree Serpent pattern with black, gold and turquoise trees and green fairies brought $17,250. Helping to complete the Fairyland Lustre motif was a very rare, unframed plaque with a woodland scene with elves. It finished at $19,550.

Art glass made a strong showing. Renowned and recognizable Steuben included a rare Tyrian vase with gold hearts and vines over a serene greenish-blue background, which reached $17,250.

Other decorative items included a select offering of KPM plaques. An oval plaque depicting a Victorian woman housed in an ornate gilt frame resulted in a virtual fray, finishing up at $11,155.

In jewelry, the auction contained a variety of rings, brooches and other finery. Highlights included a platinum ring with a huge yellow sapphire weighing more than 9.5 carats. The solitaire stone surrounded by baguette diamonds sold for $6,037.

Prices reported include buyer's premium. For information, 207-453-7125 or www.juliaauctions.com.