$35,000 Tiffany Studios lamp could put the rest in the shade in Florida

The Roman-patterned piece will be the leading light in a sale of European and American art glass

On Saturday, March 26, Auctions Neapolitan in Naples, Fla., will present a 350-lot auction of fine-quality European and American art glass led by a large, double-stamped Tiffany Studios lamp in the Roman pattern. The 30-inch-tall lamp is expected to make $30,000-$35,000.

The main consignor among several represented in the sale is a private collector from the Naples area who spent many years acquiring pieces of superior quality and artistry, often from auctions of prestigious, old estates.

"The consignor lives in an incredible southwestern-Florida home filled with beautiful art of many types," said Auctions Neapolitan's owner, Kathleen Pica. "This collection is only one expression of his impeccable taste."

In addition to Tiffany, the featured collection includes quite an extensive variety of Continental and American art glass. A large Daum Morning Glories centre bowl with enamelled floral design on the interior is executed in tones of peacock blue, green and amethyst. It is estimated at $1,500-$2,000.

 From Belgium, a Val St. Lambert vase featuring a multi-hued organic motif against an amethyst ground was designed by Samuel Herman (Mexican, b. 1939-), co-founder of the studio glass movement in Great Britain.

The vase bears signatures from both the artist and Val St. Lambert, and is estimated at $800-$1,200.

Designed by Adolf Beckert and produced by K.u.K. Fachschule Steinschonau (Czech Republic) around 1916, a frosted, enamelled and gilded glass bowl is identical to a piece pictured on page 83 of Glass of the Avant-Garde by Brohan and Eidelberg.

Lean and elegant, a 10-inch Loetz Secessionist art glass vase with stylish silver-on-copper mount is entered in the sale with an $800-$1,200 estimate.

A rare find in the American glass section is the matching pair of 18-inch-tall Mt. Washington Burmese vases with gilt enamelling and trim. The eye-pleasing palette of colours includes pale rose pink, pastel blue, seashell pink and green against an ivory background. The pair is estimated at $1,800-$2,800.

Two reverse-painted Pairpoint Puffy lamps will be offered. A Rose Bouquet table lamp marked "Pairpoint" on both its base and attractively moulded, multicoloured shade is estimated at $6,500-$8,500.

The second table lamp features a scallop-shape, quilted glass shade depicting large butterflies with widely spread wings and is estimated at $5,000-$7,000.

Art you can read by... a Tiffany Studios lamp

Another key item in the sale is a 19th-century KPM painted porcelain plaque of an interior scene with four figures: a mother, father, child and servant. The plaque is signed with an "H.L." monogram at lower right and is impressed with the KPM sceptre mark and "4C340-290" on verso.

The 13- by 12-inch plaque, which comes from a private collector in Coral Gables, Fla., could realize $5,000-$7,000 on auction day.

Other top lots include a double-signed Tiffany Studios Swirling Leaf leaded-glass lamp, estimate $12,000-$15,000; a 14-inch Daum Nancy cameo glass landscape vase with spider web and leaf design at its neck, estimate $2,500-$3,500; and a Royal Worcester double-gourd vase with applied full-body dragon with green glass eyes, estimate $1,200-$1,600.

"We're so pleased to be auctioning this very special selection of art glass," said Kathleen Pica. "There's glass in this sale that you just never see. I think collectors are going to be delighted."