Lalique ‘Serpent’ vase brings $56,673 world record price
Daum, Gallé, Webb and American Art Glass join Lalique in strong showing in $1.28 million auction
 | A René Lalique 'Serpent' vase in deep amber glass, circa 1924, with a molded signature, set a world record price Dec. 4 for Lalique when it realized $56,673 during a Lalique, art glass and perfume bottles auction. |
NEW YORK – A René Lalique ‘Serpent’ vase in deep amber glass, circa 1924, with a molded signature, set a world record price Dec. 4 for Lalique when it realized $56,673 during a Lalique, art glass and perfume bottles auction. The record sale was one of many stunning results, which even drew the attention one Oscar-winning actress who cracked jokes when she was outbid throughout the auction.
When all was said and done, the two sessions of Heritage Auctions’ Dec. 4 Lalique, art glass and perfume bottles auction attracted more than 415 bidders – including Oscar-winning actress and talk show host Whoopi Goldberg, who regularly cracked jokes when she was outbid throughout the auction, though she did take home a few Art Glass treasures of her own.
The sale resulted in a 94 percent sell-through rate by lot value and totalled $1.28 million in sales. The evening session, which was entirely devoted to the works of René Lalique, provided the auction’s principal highlight in the form of a ‘Serpent’ vase in deep amber glass, circa 1924, with a molded signature, that set a world record price for Lalique when it realized $56,673.
The opening lot, an early Gallé perfume bottle with silver mount and cover, circa 1895, in pristine condition, realized $7,170 amidst intense bidding. The biggest fireworks of the night, after the Lalique ‘Serpent’ vase, came in the form of one of the rarest Lalique perfume bottles: a ‘Raquel Meller’ fragrance by Roditi & Sons. Enameled on each face in orange and black and dated to circa 1925, the bottle was recently found in a New Jersey estate. It brought $20,315 against a pre-auction estimate of $6,000. A grouping of 20 Lalique hood ornaments was led by the classic Victoire hood ornament at $19,718 and a superb version of Lalique’s famous Cinq Cheveaux, which finished the evening at $16,730.
A small group of Daum ‘Rain’ vases, discovered in an old Southern California collection, had collectors buzzing when a particularly fine example of Daum’s ‘Rain’ landscape vase, full of the melancholy unique to this rare form of French art glass, soared to more than five times its pre-auction estimate of $2,500 to bring a final price of $14,340.
Bringing the same price of $14,340 was Emile Gallé’s ‘Jeanne D’Arc’ cameo glass vase, which drew attention from museums, dealers and collectors before selling for double the pre-auction estimate of $7,000.
A Lalique Flore vase, boldly made in clear and frosted glass, sold for $13,145 against a pre-auction estimate of $3,000.
A fine Lalique ‘Gui’ vase in electric blue, circa 1920 brought $5,975.
Thomas Webb and Sons ‘Duck bill’ cameo glass perfume vial with silver gilt screw cap, circa 1890, realized $4,481.
More from Antique Trader
- Lalique’s hood ornaments define Art Deco style
- The Lalique mystique still captivates collectors
- Scents and sensibility: Collecting perfume bottles
- Perfume bottles reach new high at auction
Antique Trader Perfume Bottles Price Guide
by Kyle Husfloen
This beautiful and bountiful perfume bottle guide provides a complete survey of perfume and scent containers, from ancient times to modern days. Whether you collect bottles from specific designers or manufactures, a specific “parfumeur” or even from a specific country, you’ll find the identifying details and pricing you need in Antique Trader Perfume Bottles Price Guide.
Highlights include:
* In-depth data about the history of perfume bottles and perfume making
* 1,200 detailed descriptions accompanied by nearly 1,000 color photos
* Special appendices with detailed listings of perfume scent names and perfume makers
This guide will prove to be an invaluable reference and visual treat for anyone with a passion for perfume.
MORE RESOURCES FOR ANTIQUE COLLECTORS and DEALERS
• Warman’s Antiques & Collectibles 2011 Price Guide
• 
Get special discounts and breaking news alerts on Antique Trader’s Twitter feed!
• Sign up for your FREE AntiqueTrader.com email newsletters
More Images:
