DALLAS, TX.- Glazed stoneware Martin Brothers bird jars accounted for three of the top five lots and five of the top 10 at Heritage Auctions' 20th Century Design including Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass Auction Nov. 18 in Dallas, Texas. The $1.3 million auction saw intense bidder interest for remarkable Lalique art glass, artworks from Tiffany Studios and modern furniture designs by Sam Maloof.

"While we may have pushed the 20th century title a little into the 19th century," said Nick Dawes, Vice President of Special Collections at Heritage, "This was one of the largest collections of fine Martinware to come to market in some time and collectors responded enthusiastically."

A Large Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Grotesque and Long-Beaked Bird Jar and Cover, circa 1884, took the top spot at $81,250 versus its $25,000 to $35,000 presale estimate. A circa 1898 Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Bird Jar and Cover, standing an impressive 13-1/4-inches tall sold for $42,500. The run on Martinware continued with the sale of a circa 1906 Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Triple Wally Bird Jar and Cover, which went for a very respectable $40,000.

Two additional Martinware gems, a Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Leering Hatter Bird Jar and Cover, circa 1888, sold for $30,000, while a Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Grotesque Bird Jar and Cover, circa 1893, gleaned $27,500.

"Art Glass also sold strongly, "Dawes said. A wheel-carved, circa 1920 Cire Perdue Frise Sapin et Branches Vase by Rene Lalique, circa 1920, also exceeded pre-auction expectations when it went for $45,000. Collectors' pursuit of a Handel Reverse Painted Glass Aquarium Table Lamp drove its price up to $42,500, as did a circa 1910 Tiffany Studios Leaded Glass and Bronze Nasturtium Table Lamp, which sold for $40,000.

A Pairpoint Reverse Painted Glass and Bronzed Metal Butterfly Puffy Table Lamp, circa 1910, sold for $33,750, while a Clear Glass and Chromed Metal Cactus Center Table by Marc Lalique, circa 1951, brought in $32,500.

Post-war artworks by noted designers include Red Ikebana with Blue Flower Stem, 1993, by Dale Chihuly, which sold for $15,000; Die Zauberflote Sarastro Dining Service for Eight (The Magic Flute), circa 1980, by Danish artist Bjørn Wiinblad, which ended at $11,875; and Medici Table, circa 1965, by Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, which sold for $7,500.