Posted 11 years ago
Dragonhear…
(5 items)
I’m still trying to train my eye to recognize the real thing. Here are two Moser vases (so the sellers claim). I can see that the style is the same, but to my eye the work on the 7" lefthand vase is not nearly as sophisticated as that on the 10" vase to the right (the one with the lava top). I’d be interested in what those with more expertise think. Could they both be Moser but made by artists with differing talent? Any comments on what a fair value for each might be? Thanks!
But I personally don't think I've ever actually seen a signed moser piece with salamanders. Moser gets credit for a great many things that I do not think they actually sold. I know baldwins book shows some.. but that book isn't really very accurate.
what are you buying glass for? resale to keep? Value is determined by what someone at any given point in time is willing to pay for it. there is no guarantees in glass or any other antique for that matter. Supply and demand, condition condition condition. one of these pieces without any damage at all is worth A LOT more than one with any tiny nick. Damaged pieces are easier to quantify. they tend to sell for 50-300 depending on how desirable they are and how bad the damage is. if it has even a tiny nick though it's not likely to sell for anything above that range. These tend to have have high prices. sometimes they sell and sometimes they don't. In the end they are only worth what someone is actually willing to pay for them. It doesn't matter what the asking price is. Will they still be desirable in 10 years? maybe depends on if there are people who collect this stuff still. It doesn't do much good to ask for value because it doesn't really work that way. The real question is what are you willing to pay for them.
I appreciate everyone’s helpful comments. To clarify my own position, I tend to have expensive taste, but unfortunately I don’t have tons of money. Basically I purchase for my own enjoyment. I’m an artist and a very visual person, and having beautiful objects around adds pleasure to my day. Over 30 years, I’ve picked up pieces of art glass here and there, usually contemporary (Lundberg, Held, Eickholm, Orient & Flume, etc.), but recently I’ve become interested in older pieces, as well, and the Art Nouveau period and iridescent glass have long held a strong appeal for me. I usually go for elegant lines, but every now and then something different—whimsical or colorful or unusual—strikes my eye. I also understand the law of supply and demand. However, since beauty has its price and since there is usually more than one option in what to acquire, I feel better if I know I’m not paying a price that’s way out of line as far as general market value goes. Tastes change, so sometimes I do want to sell older pieces in order to make a new purchase. The long-necked salamander vase is selling for $1,500, but it does have a nick. So thanks for the advice on how damage lowers price. If I want to make an offer, I now have some guidelines. To all of you who’ve expressed your love of beautiful things, thanks for sharing!
you also have to go on what you like. if it's a fleabite I think it's probably personal tolerance how high you're willing to go. Generally for me, If I am going to spend a ton of cash on something it's best to hold out for perfect. Rarity can change the amount of damage someone is willing to take. I know some Loetz and galle pieces still sell very strongly even with some damage. Salamanders like this are rare.. but they do show up undamaged now and again and you can get them in this price range perfect.
IMHO both are probably Harrach . But the first one could also be August Jean ..
I think the seller is dreaming to get that it would have to be a signed piece of August Jean. Prices in the real world are nowhere like that these days.just take a look at ebay there are a couple of nice pieces going for a song.
the cheap ones on ebay recently have been seriously damaged.
these really do sell for a good amount of money in sharp condition.
that is one of the prettiest pieces of moser i have seen -- outstanding