Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest struggled to speak after expert revealed the value of Tiffany vase (marketrealist.com)
A “Wow” Moment on Antiques Roadshow: Tiffany Vase Appraised at $50,000
A recent episode of Antiques Roadshow featured a heartwarming surprise for a guest who brought in a unique Louis C. Tiffany Furnaces, Inc. vase, a birthday gift from her grandmother.
The guest, named Tiffany (after a family dog, amusingly named after the jewelry store, not the other way around!), recalled choosing the vase from a selection of three because of its unusual appearance. Expert Arlie Sulka agreed on its rarity, noting she’d seldom encountered another quite like it.
The vase’s distinct style stems from its creation in 1926, a period of experimentation and innovation for the company. Sulka described the piece as a “crowning achievement” from a time of both successes and failures in the glass-blowing department.
Made with a layered “case glass” technique, the vase features a rich, brownish-cherry interior and an agate-like exterior finish. The guest, charmed by its resemblance to pottery, was stunned when Sulka appraised the vase at a retail value of $30,000 to $50,000.
Overwhelmed, she could only respond with, “Oh my God. Wow.
I had no idea.”
Tiffany Treasures Aren’t Always What They Seem: Lamps Shine with $130,000 Valuation
Sulka, a seasoned appraiser on the show, has witnessed countless Tiffany treasures pass through her hands, some with even more astonishing valuations. In another episode, a guest brought in two Tiffany lamps, their glass shades revealing their age.
Sulka explained that the transparent nature of the glass indicated they were crafted around 1905, a time when electric and fuel-based lighting required highly translucent materials. The larger lamp was appraised at an impressive $85,000, nearly bringing the guest to tears.
The second lamp, valued at $45,000, brought the combined total to a staggering $130,000, leaving the guest speechless, managing only a grateful, “Great!”