LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – On Saturday, Sept. 27 and Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 at 12 noon (EST), the Rago Arts and Auction Center will host an auction dedicated to the furnishings and design of the early 1900s. The sale will be of particular interest to collectors of American art pottery, Gustav Stickley, lamps and Continental pottery, porcelain and glass should be particularly attentive.
The 1,000-lot sale reflects Rago customers’ ongoing interest in the decorative arts of Europe, in lighting from Tiffany and other great makers, as well as fine American Arts & Crafts.
American Art pottery is, as ever, a strong suit at Rago’s. Headline lots include a collection of ceramics from the Strong Museum in Rochester, N.Y., a private collection of decorated Marblehead, and third collection comprised of works by George Ohr. The latter includes a large crumpled bowl covered in gun-metal and green mottled glaze (presale estimate $7,000-10,000) and a twisted bulbous vase covered in two distinctive glazes (presale estimate $4,500-6,500).
Buyers will find a large selection of Dedham and Chelsea Keramic Art Works pottery, with many experimental vases by Hugh Robertson, including one covered in red, green, and blue mottled oxblood glaze (presale estimate $2,500-3,500) and much crackleware, including three very rare Crab plates (presale estimate $1,000-1,500). Also exceptional: a tall Grand Feu (California) vase covered in mahogany flambé glaze (presale estimate $6,000-9,000). At 13 inches by 6 inches, it is the largest example Rago’s has seen from this superior pottery (and is joined by other spectacular pieces by the same maker).
Other potteries/potters whose work will be sold: Grueby, Rookwood, Newcomb College, Rhead, California Faience, Fulper, Weller, Merrimac, Teco, Van Briggle, Pisgah Forest, Arequipa, North Dakota School of Mines, Roseville, Volkmar and Clewell.
Arts and Crafts furniture of import includes a circa-1901 Gustav Stickley trapezoidal china cabinet (presale $15,000-25,000), a Gustav Stickley Director’s table (presale $12,000-18,000) and a Gustav Stickley inlaid drop-front desk in its original ebonized finish (presale $20,000-30,000). In all, more than 100 fine examples of Stickley furniture will be offered, as well as more from L. and J.G. Stickley, Limbert, Roycroft, Lifetime and Old Hickory.
This sale showcases Rago’s strongest group of lighting to date. Among the many highlights from Handel are three table lamps with reverse-painted “chipped” glass shades, one painted with a moonlit landscape (presale estimate $6,500-8,500), one with an autumnal landscape (presale estimate $5,000-7,000) and a third with bamboo and cranes (presale estimate $8,000-12,000). The work of Tiffany Studios includes a Curtain Border lamp, some geometrics and, first among others, these four table lamps: Black-Eyed Susan (presale estimate $35,000-45,000), Roman (presale estimate $42,000-47,000), Acorn (in an unusual lavender and green combination) (presale estimate $17,000-22,000)and Pomegranate (presale estimate $19,000-24,0000). Bigelow, Kennard & Co. is well represented by two rare table lamps with leaded-glass shades, one in a floral pattern (presale estimate $13,000-17,000) and the other with red drapery glass roses (presale estimate $11,000-15,000). Lighting from Fulper, Benedict, Duffner & Kimberly, Phoenix, Pairpoint, Suess, Gustav Stickley and Dirk van Erp and Roycroft rounds out the selection.
Rago’s expects particular attention to be paid to a Moorcroft/Shreve bonbonniere in the Claremont pattern, covered by Shreve (San Francisco) silver overlay with trefoils, circa 1905 (presale estimate $3,000-4,000), a variety of Zsolnay vases including a fine Art Nouveau pitcher with four dancing muses under an Eosian glaze (presale estimate $6,000-9,000); a large group of Art Nouveau vessels by Riessner, Stellmacher & Kessel, including an important centerpiece with standing maiden holding poppies, by Edward Stellmacher (presale estimate $2,000-3,000); and glass vessels and decorative items by the workshops of René Lalique, Daum, Loetz, Emile Gallé, Steuben, Quezal and Durand.
Art tiles always figure in this sale. In September, buyers can choose between J. and J.G. Low’s large, plastic sketch by Arthur Osborne titled Peace, My Children (presale estimate $2,000-3,000) and its tile clock, with bees and leaves covered in a deep teal blue glaze (presale estimate $3,000-4,000). Also for sale are tiles from Walrath, Von Schwarz, De Porceleyne Fles, California Clay Products (CALCO), Grueby and Rozenberg.
A grouping of metalwork and silver of the period includes a rare Roycroft presentation stein by Karl Kipp. Also cataloged are pieces by Dirk van Erp, Heintz, Jauchens, Roycroft, Old Mission Kopper Kraft, the Wiener Werkstatte, and others. Additionally, the sale offers a pair of Yellin table lamps, a bowl by Marie Zimmerman, a Tiffany Furnaces desk set in the Venetian pattern, a rare Albert Berry knife and serving fork, Liberty & Co. pewter and silver, and a very fine Kalo hammered sterling faceted coffee set.
Also of note: woodblock prints, paintings and drawings; textiles, stained-glass windows, rugs and the photos of Edward Curtis.
All forms of bidding will be available, including live via the Internet. For additional information, call 609-397-9374 or email info@ragoarts.com, suzanne@ragoarts.com or jerry@craftsman-auctions.com. Visit the company’s Web site at ragoarts.com.
The Rago Arts and Auction Center is located between New York City and Philadelphia in the scenic Delaware River town of Lambertville, N.J. Preview Saturday, Sept. 20 through Friday, Sept. 26 from noon until 5 p.m., and from 9 a.m. on auction days. Private previews by appointment.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
