Under the Hammer Coming up in March... Fontaine’s offers one-day seminar & appraisal for Tiffany and other lamps PITTSFIELD, MA - Sunday, March 21, 10 a.m. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery is offering a free one-day seminar and appraisal on the lamps of Tiffany and other twentieth-century lighting, to be held Sunday, March 21, in the firm’s gallery facility. Fontaine’s has been the scene of numerous auctions that featured rare and vintage lamps and lighting fixtures. Guest speaker for the event will be Paul Crist of Paul Crist Studios, an expert in Tiffany lamps and the author of the book Mosaic Shades II. An informative seminar by Crist will begin promptly at 10 a.m., with a question and answer session to follow. Crist specializes in Tiffany examples and has more than 30 years’ experience in mosaic shades (copper foiled and leaded). Teaming with Crist will be John Fontaine of Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, himself an expert in the field of lamps and vintage lighting and co-author of the book The Handel Lamps Book. Fontaine invites the public to bring their lamps to the seminar for a free evaluation and authentication. A certificate documenting a vintage lamp’s authenticity may also be purchased. It is suggested that interested individuals call ahead to reserve a time slot. Preceding the March 21 seminar event will be an Antique Discovery Estate Auction, slated for Saturday, March 20, beginning at 10 a.m., also at the Fontaine’s gallery in Pittsfield. Fontaine’s will host a Spring Exceptional Antiques Auction on May 22, at which a session will be devoted entirely to fine lighting from estates and collections from around the country; the company is offering a zero percent sellers’ commission on highend lighting and antiques, a policy introduced in late 2009. Fontaine’s Auction Gallery, 1485 South Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201, 413-448-8922, www.fontainesauction.net. This Tiffany Dragonfly lamp, and others like it, will be the topic of discussion Sunday, March 21. John Fontaine and Paul Crist, who will both speak at the seminar, authored these lamp books. Page 42, Northeast Antiques Online Exclusive, March 2010 www.northeastantiques.com