Fine Antique Paperweights of Historical Significance to be offered in L. H. Selman Ltd. Fall 2012 Auction

Paperweight collectors worldwide helped make this another successful auction with the majority of the 380 lots meeting or surpassing expectations, reinforcing the appeal and value of the paperweight art form in both antique and modern examples. Collectors participated in robust bidding via internet and telephone. Many of the lots set record prices.
The highlight of the auction was clearly the contemporary glass sculpture "Cycle of Life" assemblage by Paul Stankard, Lot 114. His most ambitious and important work to date tells the story of the never-ending cycle of life. Taking nearly a year to create, it represents Stankard's most sophisticated and challenging work created at the height of his artistic career. As seen in this example from 2005, Paul Stankard opened a whole new world in the field of glass art by combining his highly developed artistic sensibilities with his undisputed lampwork skills, taking the once low-profile craft to a higher plane of recognition. Vigorous bidding drove the museum-quality sculpture close to the high estimate, with the piece selling for $73,200.
The magnificent magnum pink rose, Lot 2, produced by the New England Glass Company in the 19th century, was the leader among the antique paperweights in the recent L. H. Selman Ltd. Fall Auction. This rare and important weight has been praised by eminent writers such as Paul Hollister, who wrote that this example is " ... perhaps the largest single piece of paperweight lampwork from an American factory." Its illustrious provenance includes the famous collection of Mrs. Jennie H. Sinclair, followed by that of the New-York Historical Society. The weight sold for $27,600 after spirited bidding.
Lot 4, a sumptuous Clichy concentric mushroom with a large central pink and green rose along with a rare ring of yellow Clichy roses, was also highly sought after and sold for well above the high estimate for $20,400.
Among the important paperweight related objects in the sale was Lot 20, a rare antique Russian faceted bouquet crystal letter seal, the top encasing a beautifully rendered bouquet of six dahlias, which fetched $12,000 or three times the high estimate.
The highly celebrated and rare Clichy moss-ground with a central pink and green rose, Lot 1, was among the antiques that garnered special attention. The rarity of moss grounds helped to drive the price to $18,000.
In addition, a beautifully crafted antique Baccarat "thousand petal" red rose paperweight, Lot 8, was won for $5,700.
Another weight that sold for over double the high estimate was Lot 77, a rare antique Silesian/Bohemian latticinio crown paperweight. This weight, pictured in "Classic Paperweights from Silesia/Bohemia" by Peter von Brackel, sold for $6,000.
Several antique American weights saw vigorous bidding. Lot 87, the antique Sandwich Glass Company plum paperweight, fetched $1,680 which was far more than its estimate.
Lot 88, an antique New England Glass Company millefiori nosegay, went for four times the high estimate for $3,300. This weight has a delightful garland of colorful complex millefiori canes, no two alike, including one cane with a red outline heart at its center. This could be a record price for a small American nosegay.
L. H. Selman Ltd., the premiere antique paperweight dealer, has been a byword for fine paperweights for over 40 years. This latest auction is indicative of a healthy paperweight market and L. H. Selman's status as the leading paperweight auction house. L. H. Selman's paperweight auctions consistently attain the best prices for sellers and offer the greatest selection for buyers.
All sales prices include buyer's premium.