Mount Washington Lava, originally known as Sicilian glass, proved to be the most desirable ware at Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates’ January 26 winter glass auction, with stellar prices realized for several different objects made in this manner. A bulbous-base vase done in shiny raspberry with multicolored inclusions and gilt trim, circa 1878‸0, realized the highest price of the day †$5,463.
Other Mount Washington Lava ware that did well was executed in dramatic dark backgrounds, the ideal showcase for the shimmering inclusions. A black bulbous vase with waisted neck and a flared-form vase with waisted neck each sold for $2,760, while an urn-form vase with applied handles sold for $2,300. These, too, were executed circa 1880.
Two items made at the Imperial Glass Company of Ohio also realized high prices. A freehand line iridescent colorless compote with opal hanging hearts and cobalt blue rim and tall stem, previously unlisted in the literature on the factory, sold for a record price of $3,738, the second-highest price of the auction. Executed circa 1925 and standing nearly 10 inches high, the compote went for almost four times the estimated selling price, because it was a terrific example, never before illustrated and in wonderful condition. A freehand 8-inch-tall vase from the same factory and period with unusual low handles, known as shape FH10, sold for $2,300, also way over estimate. The deep marigold and applied blue green vase was unusual and very attractive to many collectors.
A covered sugar bowl produced by the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Co., a Greentown number 450, in the Holly Amber pattern and golden agate color, made circa 1903, 65/8 inches high, for $3,335. The rarity of this bowl and cover in this color and pattern led to frenzied bidding, with the final price nearly ten times the estimate.
Last among the top-selling lots, a figural glass Santa Claus miniature lamp by the Consolidated Lamp & Glass Company dating to the late Nineteenth Century brought $2,100 due to its desirability. Additional strong results were realized for collections of toothpick holders, tumblers, cruets, Finlay Onyx & Floridine, as well as Steuben.
The above lots were all from the collection of the late Richard “Dick” and Mary Ann Krauss of Clyde, Ohio. Also featured in the auction were collections from New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
After the sale, Jeffrey S. Evans said, “I am extremely pleased with the auction results. We received our highest number of absentee bids for a glass sale in the past five years. This auction demonstrates that collectors are recognizing good values in the market and are reentering the arena. The Krauss collection of Imperial art glass was unprecedented at public auction and drew tremendous interest and strong results. It was a great pleasure cataloging the collection †it gave me a crash course on the company’s short-lived and financially unsuccessful foray into the art glass world.”
Overall, the sale realized $265,972, with one lot withdrawn due to a condition issue. The gallery received more than 3,300 absentee bids and more than 2,300 live Internet bids on auction day from potential buyers located in 15 different countries. In addition to those bids, Evans and his staff orchestrated more than 200 phone bids along with stiff competition from a serious group of in-house bidders. In all, Evans sold 1,050 lots in 9½ hours for an average of 110 lots sold per hour.
Prices reported include the buyer’s premium.
The second half of the Krauss glass collection consisting of more than 2,000 salt, pepper and sugar shakers will be conducted at the Evans gallery on July 27. The auction will take place in conjunction with the Antique Glass Salt and Sugar Shakers Club’s (AGSSSC) convention in nearby Harrisonburg, Va. For information, 540-434-3939 or www.jeffreysevans.com .
