Duffner & Kimberly leaded glass Wisteria lamp, 28½ by 21½ inches ($33,000)
DOUGLASS, KAN. — At least six lots skyrocketed above the auctioneer’s estimate, leaving Woody Auction’s crew excited and scratching their heads at the same time! Hailed as an event that would “Illuminate your space with timeless elegance and charm” and “bring a bright light to the antique world,” that’s exactly what happened with the quality lamps featured throughout the September 21 event. In fact, the lamps shed a spotlight on a few other genres of antiques that soared above the estimates, also.
According to Jason Woody, the auctioneer and operating manager of Woody Auction, “It’s fun to see an item climb above our expectations. It is gratifying to see the seller realize more than they believed possible!” The sale was a consignment event with 24 sellers representing 14 US states and one European country. More than 1,100 bidders participated online and about 50 people bid directly with Woody Auction via attending or phone/absentee bidding.
Outshining all the lots in the auction was the Duffner & Kimberly leaded glass wisteria lamp, 28½ by 21½ inches, featuring a beautiful Duffner wisteria shade on a heavy brass four light claw foot electrified base. It weighed nearly 30 pounds and came from a private collection in New Mexico. Originally estimated at $1,5/2,000, it crossed the block at $33,000.
Contemporary leaded glass Koi Fish lamp, 21½ inches tall ($8,300).
Another lamp was a bright light in the event: a contemporary leaded glass koi fish lamp shade with beautiful colored koi fish amongst textured colors of water, mounted on a bronze three light base. It stood 21½ inches tall and came with a handwritten note stating that the lamp was made by a student at Tiffany Studios. The auction house’s estimate was $400/600 and it climbed to $8,300 before the hammer came down.
Other items in the auction also blew past Woody Auction’s estimates. An oval vase signed Daum Nancy, French Cameo Art Glass, standing 4¾ inches tall, featured a beautiful farmstead scene. The vase boasted exceptional enamel highlights of blue, white and green mottled ground with cameo carving and the artist’s initials and was originally estimated to sell between $2/3,000. It changed hands for $8,400. The bidder had been looking for this particular vase for many years.
An art glass lamp shade made by Loetz and measuring 7 by 13½ inches, with cased opal with trailed Vulcan threading and silver-yellow oil spots (designed by Kokomon Moser), gaveled at $5,750. Its pre-auction estimate was $750-$1,500.
Amethyst cut to Vaseline cut glass decanter, Eiffel Tower shape, 16½ inches tall ($4,750).
A brilliant period cut glass decanter, amethyst cut to Vaseline, standing 16½ inches tall and in an Eiffel Tower shape, was originally estimated at $1,5/2,000. It was cut in the Sabine pattern by Val St Lambert, circa 1908, with a pattern cut and numbered stopper. Being highly reactive under black light, it brought $5,700 from an online bidder.
Selling at more than double the estimate of $1,5/2,500 was an English art glass laydown falcon perfume bottle, which measured 7½ by 2 inches. This was an extremely rare form made by Webb in peachblow satin with gold enamel highlights and a silver twist cap with a spring-loaded cork stopper. The motivated bidder from the Midwest was thrilled to get it for $5,225.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium. For information, www.woodyauction.com or 316-747-2694.
