Furniture tops Rago’s $5.3M design auction

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Commenting on the strengths of Rago’s $5.3 million sale of 20th and 21st century design held June 11-13, owner David Rago remarked: “Early 20th century was solid through and through. Ninety percent sold, and it hammered well into the estimate range.”

“Modern also hammered in the estimate range, despite being 75 percent sold. We definitely overestimated the depth of the market for good but not great pieces under $5,000,” Rago continued. “There was real strength in the market for the studio craftsmen – Esherick, Nakashima, Evans – as well as modern ceramics and glass.”

Following are the day-by-day statistics for Rago’s sale, which featured Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.com:

Saturday, June 11: Early 20th Century Design/Arts & Crafts

• Hammer: $1,317,420

• Hammer + 24 percent buyer’s premium = $1,633,601

• Low Estimate: $1,117,600

• High Estimate: $1,676,050

• Percent of lots sold: 90 percent

• 12 percent of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, Central America, Russia, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

 

Highlighted Lots:

1. 374 Gustav Stickley Hammered Copper Candlesticks $ 65,100

2. 162 Elizabeth Burton “Hylas” Hammered Copper Table Lamp $ 52,700

3. 270 Charles Rohlfs Early Drop Front Desk $ 40,300

4. 104 Martin Brothers Glazed Stoneware Bird Tobacco Jar $ 28,520

5. 240 Isaac Broome Ott & Brewer Porcelain Pastoral Vase $ 26,040

6. 163 Charles & Henry Greene Hanging Fixture $ 21,080

7. 178 Gustav Stickley Director’s Table $ 21,080

8. 160 Gustave Baumann Woodblock Print “Procession” $ 19,840

9. 166 Dirk Van Erp Table Lamp $ 19,840

10. 255 Teco Rare Four-Footed Vessel $ 19,080

 

Sunday, June 12: 20th/21st Century Design

• Hammer: $2,975,375

• Hammer + 24% buyer’s premium: $3,689,465

• Low estimate: $2,873,750

• High estimate: $4,085,000

• Percent of lots sold: 75 percent

• 16 percent of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, South America, Russia, Scandinavia, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

 

Highlighted Lots:

 

1. 1027 Wharton Esherick Tack Room Wagon-Wheel Table $ 198,400

2. 1026 Wharton Esherick Important Sideboard $ 173,600

3. 1401 Judy Kensley McKie Hippo Bench $ 62,000

4. 1000 Philip and Kelvin LaVerne Unique Console Table $ 57,040

5. 1043 Wharton Esherick Coffee Table $ 57,040

6. 1225 Harry Bertoia Mobile Tonal Sculpture $ 55,800

7. 1034 Wharton Esherick Library Steps $ 53,320

8. 1065 George Nakashima Wall-Hanging Cabinet $ 44,640

9. 1407 Wendell Castle Sculpted Walnut Music Stand $ 33,480

10. 1021 Paul Evans Directional Wall-Hanging Cabinet $ 29,760

 

Saturday, June 11, Century of Glass / Modern Ceramics

 

1. 541 Tiffany Studios Bronze and Favrile Glass Chandelier $ 26,040

2. 524 Tiffany Studios Paperweight Glass Vase $ 23,560

3. 719 Scheier Ceramic Vase with Medallions $ 11,780

4. 578 Dante Marioni Two-Piece Blown Glass Sculpture $ 11,160

5. 577 Jenny Pohlman and Sabrina Knowles “Sankofa in Red” $ 10,540

6. 556 Ercole Barovier Barovier Toso Intarso Glass Vase $ 10,540

7. 613 Richard Marquis Glass “Teapot Goblet” $ 9,300

8. 605 José Chardiet Four-Piece Glass and Copper Wire Sculpture $ 6,200

9. 500 Loetz Titania Vase in Blown Glass with Silver Overlay $ 4,960

10. 504 Lalique Luminaire, “Fauvettes,” Clear and Frosted Glass $ 4,650

 

Consignments are now being accepted for Rago’s next 20th Century Design auctions in October. For additional information call 609-397-9374 or email info@ragoarts.com.

View the fully illustrated catalog for Rago’s June 11-13 sale, complete with prices realized, at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

Click here to view the fully illustrated catalog for this sale, complete with prices realized.

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ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

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