PITTSFIELD, MASS.- Despite the severely cold weather that has gripped much of the Northeast of late, the action at Fontaine’s Auction Gallery was hot at its Fine and Decorative Arts Auction on February 7. The auction surpassed its high estimate to total $4.6 million with about two-thirds of the sale results coming from Tiffany Studios wares, primarily lighting.

It takes a lot to surprise John Fontaine, auctioneer and owner of Fontaine’s, but even he admitted to being surprised to see that the Tiffany items as a group accounted for $3 million of the total sales. “This auction was amazing and we were very pleased with the results,” he said. “You expect that the very good items will bring very good prices but even the mid-range items did very well, outperforming their estimates in many cases.” Bidders came out in droves with more than 9,500 registered bidders from 67 countries represented.

What came as little surprise however was that a historically important and monumental Tiffany Glass & Decorating Company “Moorish” chandelier from the First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, N.Y., circa 1892, became the sale’s top lot when bidders drove the price to $500,000. The chandelier was not only a masterpiece to behold but it was one of the earliest surviving examples of Tiffany’s use of leaded glass panels to enclose a light source. Not suitable for every home, this monumental chandelier had a 72-inch drop but a private collector in Virginia evidently has just the place for it as they were the winning bidder.


A Tiffany Studios “Russian” table lamp, circa 1910, having a 20-inch diameter shade, attained $125,000 to lead the grouping of table lamps.

As a grouping, Tiffany Studios table lamps held six of the auction’s “top 10” spots, led not by a floral pattern example but a fine “Russian” table lamp, circa 1910, having a 20-inch diameter shade, that attained $125,000. This was a fine example in great condition that had been out of the public eye for decades as the consignor had acquired it before the 1980s.


A large Tiffany Studios “Lotus” table lamp with a 26 ½-inch diameter shade achieved $118,750.

The parade of floral and nature-themed Tiffany lamps did cross the block though to much acclaim. Highlights included a large “Lotus” table lamp with a 26 ½-inch diameter shade that achieved $118,750, a “Drophead Dragonfly” example at $107,550, a “Jonquil-Daffodil” at $81,250 and a “Peony” at $75,000.

Tiffany Studios lighting came in a variety of forms, ranging from a large “Chain Mail” chandelier in favrile glass in earthy green and brown hues and patinated bronze that sold for $71,875 to a set of four wall sconces that outperformed its $12/16,000 estimate to realize $62,500.


An Émile Gallé (1846-1904), “Épis De Blé” Art Nouveau marquetry sideboard, outperformed its $10/15,000 estimate to realize $75,000.

A non-Tiffany standout that was among the auction’s top performers was an Émile Gallé (1846-1904), "Épis De Blé" Art Nouveau marquetry sideboard, which bested its $10/15,000 estimate to realize $75,000. The circa 1903 piece was signed and a related model can be found in the permanent collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.

Four fine bronze sculptures by Evgeny Lanceray were on offer, led by “Crossing of the Balkans” made $37,500, selling mid-estimate.

Rounding out the auction was a stainless steel sculpture by Harry Bertoia, “Small Wheat” that did over its $10/15,000 estimate to earn $27,500. It is included in the Harry Bertoia catalogue raisonné.

All prices reported include the buyer’s premium.

Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is the oldest operating auction gallery in Western Massachusetts. It has earned the trust of collectors, investors and gallery owners worldwide. All cataloged lots receive nationwide exposure to the firm’s database of more than 30,000 select buyers. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery has been voted “Best Antique Auction Gallery” eight times by the public.

Fontaine’s is actively seeking quality items for all upcoming auctions, to include furniture, lighting, art glass, clocks and watches, paintings, porcelains, bronze and marble statuary, Asian items, art glass and cameo glass, Russian objects, silver, musical, coin-op, advertising, toys, banks, gaming and carousel items.

The firm will buy outright or accept on consignment. Call 413- 448-8922 and ask to speak with John Fontaine, or you can send Mr. Fontaine an email to info@fontainesauction.com. For more information about the company and the upcoming auction schedule, visit www.fontainesauction.com. Updates are posted frequently. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is located at 1485 West Housatonic Street (Route 20), Pittsfield.