DENVER, PA.- Morphy’s December 17-19 Fine & Decorative Arts Auction made the holiday season merry and bright for discerning gift-buyers and collectors with its opulent selection of luxury goods that totaled $2.6 million, inclusive of buyer’s premium. The 2024 edition of the Pennsylvania company’s popular pre-Christmas sale featured a stunning array of jewels and watches, silver, European art pottery and antiques; and more than 40 outstanding Tiffany Studios lamps.

One of the most desirable of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s creations, a rare and extraordinarily beautiful Venetian table lamp claimed top-lot honors at the upscale gallery event. Although diminutive by comparison to other Tiffany lighting, the 19-inch-tall lamp was one of the New York firm’s most expensive productions in the early 20th century. This was due to the time and painstaking effort it took to create the breathtaking Venetian pattern from a profusion of small, delicate pieces of glass. Both the shade, which retained its attractive original “gold” heat cap, and its correct filigreed and jeweled “gold” base were signed. In excellent condition and with provenance that included a 2003 purchase from the prestigious Macklowe Gallery, it sold for $114,000 against an estimate of $60,000-$80,000.


Fine example of a Tiffany Studios Turtleback desk lamp, bronze base encircled with Favrile glass balls, single-socket shade with two iridescent green Turtleback tiles. Underside signed ‘Tiffany Studios New York 9949’ and the number ‘408.’ Sold for $19,680 against an estimate of $9,000-$12,000


A fine example of a Tiffany Studios Turtleback desk lamp consisted of a bronze base encircled with gleaming Favrile glass balls and a single-socket shade with two stunning iridescent-green Turtleback tiles. Signed beneath the base with Tiffany Studios New York 9949 and the number 408, this excellent example showing no cracks or dents was bid to $19,680 against an estimate of $9,000-$12,000. Another lovely Tiffany Studios desk lamp that swept past its estimate was a harp-style model in the Pine Needle pattern. Eye-catching with its streaked green leaded glass panels and patinated bronze overlay of bronze “pine needles,” the lamp was signed Tiffany Studios New York 4019 on its underside and graded “excellent” by Morphy’s experts. Against an estimate of $2,000-$4,000, it lit up the gallery at $15,000.


Rare and exquisite circa-1898 Louis Comfort Tiffany Favrile-glass plaque with ruffled edge and incised serpentine accent at the center well. Diameter: 13¾in. Signed ‘L.C. Tiffany’ and incised ‘o-10125.’ Mint condition. Sold for $23,370 against an estimate of $4,000-$8,000


In addition to lamps, Tiffany produced some of the most exquisite glass objets d’art and decorative pieces of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawing many admirers at the preview, a rare circa-1898 Favrile-glass plaque displayed an intricate design melding blues and greens, with an incised serpentine accent at the center well. Measuring 13¾ inches, signed L.C. Tiffany and further incised
o-10125, this mint-condition piece sold for $23,370 against an estimate of $4,000-$8,000.

A gilt-bronze centerpiece created by Francois-Raoul Larche (French, 1860-1912) exemplified the highest standard of Art Nouveau artistry and Continental manufacture. A grand design that would have been worthy of a royal table in its day, it depicted mermaids holding oysters and frolicking in the sea, with a nude on a shell as its pinnacle. Bearing the artist’s signature, it was also stamped for the Paris foundry Siot-Deccauville and impressed P45. A mint-condition piece from a bygone era of extravagance and lavish hospitality, the centerpiece appears in multiple reference books. Against an estimate of $25,000-$35,000, it was pursued to $69,000.


Pair of massive bronze exterior lanterns from a mansion in Highland Park, Michigan. Unique design, beautifully sculpted. Height of each lantern: 72in. Excellent condition. Sold for $52,800 against an estimate of $10,000-$30,000


Historically important, a unique pair of massive bronze exterior lanterns had come from a mansion in Highland Park, Michigan, a village-like suburb of Detroit that became popular with executives of the automotive industry. Many of Highland Park’s stately mansions were adorned with attractive exterior appointments, like the pair of lanterns offered by Morphy’s. Measuring 6ft high (each) and having an unusual fantasy motif, these fixtures would have made quite an architectural statement a century ago. The striking duo reached $52,800 against an estimate of $10,000-$30,000.


18K gold Rolex Daytona Ref #116528 wristwatch, white MOP dial with diamonds. Circa 2011-2013. Accompanied by box and papers. Sold for $33,600 against an estimate of $18,000-$28,000


Several noteworthy Rolex men’s watches were among the top-selling timepieces. An 18K gold Rolex Daytona Ref #116528, circa 2111-2013 with a white MOP dial with diamonds, was accompanied by its box and papers. It ticked to $33,600 against an estimate of $18,000-$28,000. A circa-1968 18K gold Rolex GMT Master 40mm men’s wristwatch, Ref. #16758, was set with rubies and diamonds on its original serti dial. With its original Rolex box and papers, it sold above high estimate for $24,000.


Ladies’ platinum and diamond line necklace consisting of 66 natural, near-colorless emerald cut diamonds with total weight of 21.50cts, graded H color, VS clarity. Length: 16in. Gross weight: 56.0 grams. Marked ‘MIR-PLT’ under clasp on safety lock. New, in unworn condition. Sold within estimate for $28,800


The ultimate stocking stuffer for ladies was a platinum and diamond line necklace consisting of 66 natural, near-colorless emerald-cut diamonds with a total weight of 21.50 carats. The gems were graded H color, VS clarity; and the gross weight of the 16-inch necklace was 56.0 grams. New and in unworn condition, it gracefully settled within its estimate range for $28,800.


Monumental circa-1925 Hans Winterhalder (Neustadt, Germany) Black Forest two-panel tall-case clock carved with three bears and grapevines. Interior fitted with mirrors. Movement striking on eight rods. Height: 78½in. Excellent condition. Sold at the midpoint of its estimate for $23,040


Although bears typically hibernate for the winter, there was no shortage of handsome Bavarian bruins at Morphy’s opening session. A monumental circa-1925 Hans Winterhalder (Neustadt, Germany) Black Forest two-panel tall-case clock, 78½ inches tall, was masterfully carved with three bears and grapevine embellishments. The interior was fitted with mirrors and a movement striking on eight rods. In excellent condition, this impressive timekeeper sold at the midpoint of its estimate for $23,040.


Black Forest glass-eyed bear wearing leather collar with suspended bell. Beautifully-detailed turn-of-the-century carving. Dimensions: 52in x 16in x 32in. Sold for $19,680 against an estimate of $2,000-$4,000


Bidders were charmed by a Black Forest bear depicted on all fours, with glass eyes and mouth agape, and sporting a leather collar with a suspended brass bell. A sizable 52 inches long, the intricately-detailed bear was a quintessential example of German turn-of-the-century carving. It commanded nearly five times the high estimate, retiring at $19,680.


Carved linden wood bench with fastidiously-detailed scene of bas-relief bears playing musical instruments. Three-dimensional carved-wood bears with mouths agape serve as supports at both ends. Width: 54in. Height at highest point: 34in. Sold within estimate for $11,400


Bears came to entertain, as well, in the form of a carved linden wood bench. Across the back of the bench, the carver created an incredibly well-detailed scene of bas-relief bears playing various musical instruments. At both ends of the bench, three-dimensional carved-wood bears with open mouths revealing red tongues and sharp white teeth served as sturdy supports. The appealing 54-inch-wide furnishing sold within estimate for $11,400.


Magnificently detailed fox-head humidor with mouth agape and large red Russian garnet eyes. Bronze with silver plating on interior. Dimensions: 10in x 10in x 10in. Excellent condition. Sold for $10,240 against an estimate of $3,000-$8,000


Holding its own amongst the bevy of bears was a magnificently-detailed fox-head humidor designed with a hinge behind the head for opening the vessel to access tobacco. A gorgeous production, the quality of this piece was also reflected by the materials used to create it: bronze with silver plating on the interior, and large Russian cabochon garnets for its eyes. In excellent condition, it realized $10,240 against an estimate of $3,000-$8,000.


Amphora Berry Bat glazed and gilded porcelain vase with applied bats and water lilies. ‘RSTK’ mark, impressed ‘669’ and ’41.’ Similar to examples illustrated in ‘Monsters and Maidens: Collector's Edition,’ Vreeland, pg 361; and ‘The House of Amphora,’ Scott, pg 127. Sold for $17,640 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000


Amphora collectors worldwide always look forward to Morphy’s December Fine & Decorative Arts sale because it never fails to include a first-rate selection of the coveted European wares. The top Amphora lot in this year’s offering was a Berry Bat glazed and gilded porcelain vase with applied bats and water lilies. Its markings included RSTK and the impressed numbers 669 and 41. Similar to examples illustrated in Monsters and Maidens: Collector's Edition (Vreeland, pg 361) and The House of Amphora (Scott, pg 127), the sought-after fantasy vessel soared to an above-estimate price of $17,640.


Circa-1901 Amphora Owl vase, grey with blue and green glazes and applied gilt, Amphora oval mark and impressed ‘4108’ and ’52.’ Compare to those illustrated in ‘Monsters and Maidens: Collector's Edition,’ Vreeland, pg 318; and ‘The House of Amphora,’ Scott, pg 117. Height: 12½in. Mint condition. Sold for $12,300 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500


Another popular entry was a circa-1901 Amphora Owl vase, grey with blue and green glazes and applied gilt, and bearing an Amphora oval mark and the impressed numbers 4108 and 52. Comparable to examples seen in the aforementioned Vreeland and Scot reference books, the 12½-inch vase in mint condition sold for an astonishing $12,300 against an estimate of $1,000-$1,500.

To discuss consigning a collection or single item to a future Fine & Decorative Arts auction at Morphy’s, please call 877-968-8880 or email info@morphyauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential, and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Morphy’s online at www.morphyauctions.com.