MOST MANUFACTURERS OF COLLECTIBLE DECORATIVE ART ARE LONG GONE. HERE ARE SOME EXCEPTIONS.
It’s rare when pieces of decorative art reach collectible status. It’s even rarer when the brands responsible for those pieces are still around.
From ancient pottery and silver to stained glass and furniture, decorative art has been a fundamental part of the human experience for generations, notes 1000 Masterpieces of Decorative Art by Albert Jacquemart and Emile Bayard. While fine art is confined to museums and galleries, decorative art is the art of the everyday, combining beauty, functionality, quality of design and craftsmanship. These factors, done exquisitely, make a piece of decorative art special, and collectible, decades after it was manufactured.
Remarkably, a handful of brands that existed up to 250 years ago are still in business today – from Tiffany’s and Steuben to Lalique and Baccarat.
“Tiffany’s strongest 19th and 20th century works continue bringing incredible bidding interest,” says Karen Rigdon, director of fine silver and decorative arts at Heritage Auctions. “Great pieces of 20th century silver by recognizable makers are also still affordable. Many collectors are drawn to the sleek, timeless silver designs of manufacturers such as Buccellati and Georg Jensen.”
While quality material continues commanding top dollar, collectors of fine traditional furniture might find a buyer’s market, Rigdon says. “In the past few years, young collectors have veered away from antiques to contemporary and mid-century upholstery and case pieces. So we’re seeing an overwhelming amount of traditional furniture on the market.”
At the same time, collectors seem more interested in smaller pieces, such as KPM plaques, Meissen figures, clocks with elaborate cases and ornate mirrors. “The trend,” Rigdon says, “is towards portable pieces rather than furniture.”
The bottom line? Collecting decorative art means acquiring what you like, Rigdon says, and what makes your home special.
The Intelligent Collector staff
TIFFANY & CO.
Tiffany Studios favrile glass and bronze daffodil table lamp, on stick base, circa 1910.
Height: 21 3/8 in.
Depth: 15¾ in.
Sold for $21,000.
November 2017.
Tiffany’s, founded in 1837, is headquartered in New York City and produces jewelry, timepieces and home accessories.
BUCCELLATI
Pair of Italian silver figural candlesticks, Rome, 20th century.
Height: 13½ in.
Sold for $21,510.
November 2009.
Mario Buccellati opened his first jewelry boutique in Milan, Italy, in 1919. Today, the brand produces jewelry, timepieces, silver and flatware.
GEORG JENSEN
Pair of silver five-light candelabra, designed by Johan Rohde, Copenhagen, 1945-1977.
Height: 17¼ in.
Sold for $23,750.
April 2017.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1904, Georg Jensen today creates Scandinavian designed products including jewelry, sterling silverware and timepieces.
SAINT-LOUIS
Seventy-five piece thistle pattern glass stemware service, France, designed 1913.
Height: 7½ in. (tallest piece)
Sold for $35,000.
December 2017.
Saint-Louis, founded in France in 1767, today produces tableware, barware, furniture and lighting.
DAUM
Etched and enameled glass rain lamp, Nancy, France, circa 1900.
Height: 14¼ in.
Sold for $43,750
November 2014.
Daum glassworks founded in France in 1878. Today, it continues creating art glass and crystal sculptures.
LALIQUE
Serpent vase in deep amber glass, circa 1924.
Height: 10¼ in.
Sold for $56,762.
December 2010.
Lalique was founded in Paris in 1888 by glassmaker and jeweler René Lalique. The brand today produces home accessories, furniture, lighting, jewelry and perfumes.
BACCARAT
Glass, gilt and patinated bronze figural chandelier, 19th century
Height: 65 in.
Width: 33¾ in.
Sold for $35,000.
October 2013.
Baccarat is a French manufacturer of crystal glassware that traces its roots to 1764. The company today produces tableware, barware, lighting, vases and candelabras.
REED & BARTON
Silver ice bucket and tongs, Taunton, Mass., designed 1907.
Height: 10¼ in.
Sold for $22,705.
November 2007.
Reed & Barton was established in Massachusetts in 1824. Now part of the Lenox Company, the brand produces flatware, barware and glassware.
L&JG STICKLEY
Oak glazed bookcase, early 20th century.
Width: 49 in.
Depth: 12 in.
Height: 54¾ in.
Sold for $4,500.
December 2017.
Incorporated in 1904, L&JG Stickley is based in Manlius, N.Y., where it continues creating premium hardwood furniture.
STEUBEN
Clear glass Salmon Run, Salmon Pool, and Sailfish Rising, late 20th century.
Height: 7½ in. (tallest piece).
Sold for $23,750.
May 2018.
Steuben, founded in 1903 by English glass master Frederick Carder, is now part of Corning Incorporated.
ROYAL COPENHAGEN
Flora Danica pattern porcelain tureen and underplate, Copenhagen, circa 1979-1983.
Height: 10½ in.
Sold for $7,500.
March 2018.
Founded in Copenhagen in 1775, Royal Copenhagen continues manufacturing plates, mugs, teapots, bowls and jugs.
This story appears in the Winter 2018-2019 edition of The Intelligent Collector magazine. Click here to subscribe to the print edition