David Rago calls it “our finest selection since the Sidney Sheldon Estate in 2008.”
Highlighting the American art pottery in the sale is, lot 1, a rare Louis Comfort Tiffany cabbage-shape vase, estimated at $19,000-$24,000. Among the best offerings from Rookwood are lot 16, and a 1903 Iris glaze vase with orchids by Carl Schmidt, estimated at $20,000-$30,000; lot 23, a 1901 Kataro Shirayamadani tall carved and painted Black Iris vase, estimated at $10,000-$15,000. Top Grueby includes lot 31, a floor vase estimated at $8,500-$12,500 and lot 249, a rare and large bulbous vase by Marie Seaman, estimated at $6,000-$9,000. First among the Newcomb College is lot 74, a tall vase with tulips, created by Maria DeHoa LeBlanc in 1909 and estimated at $12,000-$16,000. Two works by Frederick H. Rhead stand out: lot 441, a rare Rhead Faience umbrella stand made for Weller, estimated at $4,000-$6,000 and lot 274, a Rhead Pottery enamel-decorated and inlaid vase, estimated at $3,000-$4,000. Also of note: lot 12, a rare vase with modeled snake by Theophilus A. Brouwer for Middlelane, estimated at $5,000-$7,500; a large Persian urn from Jugtown, lot 268, estimated at $7,500-$10,000; an early Van Briggle vase embossed with heart-shaped leaves, lot 92, estimated at $3,000-$5,000; a W.J. Walley squat vessel, lot 353, estimated at $2,500-$3,500; a large ovoid ribbed Teco vase, lot 361, estimated at $3,500-$4,500; and a fine George Ohr coffeepot, lot 6, with sponged glaze, estimated at $5,000-$7,000.
The sale includes a fine selection of European decorative arts, including a private collection of more than 50 pieces of Amphora pottery, as well as Lalique glass, Moorcroft pottery and Art Nouveau furniture. Highlights here include lot 179, a Lalique Poissons vase in deep red glass cased in yellow, circa 1921, estimated at $17,000-$22,000; lot 166, an Art Nouveau carved maple and burlwood china cabinet, estimated at $10,000-$15,000; lot 167, a Louis Majorelle carved mahogany and bird’s-eye maple occasional table, estimated at $9,000-$14,000; lot 180, a Rain vase by Daum, estimated at $3,500-$4,500; and lot 206, “Daphne,” an Ernst Wahliss Amphora ceramic bust, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
Metalware from the best European and American makers is here, from lot 178, a rare Tiffany enameled copper cabinet vase embossed with mushrooms, estimated at $17,500-$22,500, to lot 225, a silver-plated presentation platter by Joseph Hoffman for Wiener Werkstätte, estimated at $3,250-$4,250. Also look for a Gustav Stickley hammered copper charger with pods, estimated at $12,000-$16,000.
The lighting in the sale features a number of lamps by Dirk Van Erp, including lot 288, a hammered copper and mica four-panel table lamp, estimated at $8,000-$12,000; lot 172, a Tiffany Studios Colonial table lamp with blown-out bronze base, estimated at $18,000-$22,000; and lot 171, a Tiffany Studios table lamp with Daffodil shade over Secessionist bronze base, estimated at $35,000-$45,000.
As a whole, the 91 pieces of Arts & Crafts furniture we are offering represents the strongest level of high-quality furnishings we have presented in many sales, said Rago.
Several exceptional Rohlfs items will be offered: lot 147, a large 1903 blanket chest with carvings and ornate copper work, estimated at $14,000-$22,000; lot 145, an extensively carved music cabinet, estimated at $7,000-$10,000; and lot 146, an octagonal table with a repeating pattern of elaborate cutout panels, estimated at $10,000-$15,000.
An important Tiffany chair, lot 169, from the New York Havemeyer residence, designed in conjunction with Samuel Coleman, will be offered for $100,000-$125,000.
Early and rare Gustav Stickley pieces include lot 57, a 1902 office desk with paneled sides and a 10-drawer gallery top in exceptional original finish, estimated at $11,000-$14,000; lot 58, a 1901 miter-mullion tall single-door china cabinet, estimated at $8,000-$12,000; lot 54, a Grueby tile-top plant stand from 1901, estimated at $7,000-$10,000; and lot 235, a custom-made leather-top desk from 1901 estimated at $8,000-$12,000. A beautiful Roycroft Ali Baba bench, lot 156, is estimated at $10,000-$12,000.
The Modern Design sale on Sunday, Jan. 17, will feature almost 500 lots in an array from Art Deco to classic mid-century to contemporary, with standout work by Tommi Parzinger, John Lewis, Clement Rousseau, Wharton Esherick, Paul Evans, Robert Arneson, Josef Hoffman and perhaps the most exceptional lot of the sale, a pair of museum-quality wrought-iron gates with antelopes by W. Hunt Diederich, mounted on contemporary stands, circa 1920.
Furniture comprises the largest portion of the sale and includes work from most of the leading designers working from the ’40s through the ’60s in the United States and abroad. Among the Scandinavian/Northern European offers are lot 737, a Poul Kjaerholm PK-80 daybed estimated at $8,000-$12,000; lot 747, a Hans Wegner credenza, estimated at $7,000-$9,000; lot 733, a Hans Wegner Papa Bear chair and matching ottoman, estimated at $5,000-$7,000; and lot 750, a set of six Finn Juhl/Niels Vodder dining chairs estimated at $5,000-$7,000.
The sale includes a choice selection of Tommi Parzinger design, including lot 500, a rare mahogany inlaid dining table; lot 508, a massive elm and mahogany credenza; and lot 504, a lacquered oak credenza on mahogany legs with milk-glass panels, each estimated at $8,000-$12,000.
Karl Springer, known for simple shapes in exotic materials, is well-represented here by lot 974, a freeform polished stainless steel coffee table on adjustable feet, estimated at $8,000-12,000.
James Mont’s over-the-top showmanship is on display in more than 30 lots of furniture and more of lighting. Among the furniture highlights: lot 527, a pair of oversize cabinets/tables of antiqued mirror, estimated at $2,500-$3,500; lot 931, a polychrome bar cabinet, estimated at $2,000-$3,000; lot 526, a rare grandfather clock in polychrome finish, estimated at $3,500-$5,500; and lot 926, a large, lighted cabinet with an Asian motif in polychrome and gilt, estimated at $3,500-$5,000. Those whose taste in Modern design is a bit more restrained will find much to admire as well. There are elegant furnishings by Edward Wormley for Dunbar and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings for Widdicomb.Iconic mid-century works include CSS units and Thin-Edge chests by George Nelson for Herman Miller; dining table and chairs by Warren McArthur; folding screens and a rosewood and leather lounge chair with ottoman from Charles and Ray Eames; Vladimir Kagan’s Cloud sofa and an Isamu Noguchi side table.
Rago’s is known for selling great studio furniture. This auction includes the work of Wharton Esherick, Paul Evans, Phil Powell and George Nakashima, highlighted by lot 601, a three-piece corner office from Wharton Esherick with storage unit, desk and shelves, estimated at $10,000-$15,000; lot 542, a rare Paul Evans Deep Relief patinated steel credenza, estimated at $20,000-$30,000; 547, lot 613, a George Nakashima Frenchman’s Cove II walnut dining table with two leaves, estimated at $15,000-$25,000; lot 618, a George Nakashima Minguren coffee table with occlusions and rosewood butterfly, estimated at $18,000-24,000; lot 605, a set of six Nakashima walnut Conoid dining chairs with hickory spindles, estimated at $24,000-$34,000; and lot 554, a Phil Powell dining table with walnut top on iron base, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
John Lewis is a remarkable contemporary designer of furniture and sculpture in glass. The sale includes five of his tables, highlighted by lot 685, a clear square console table with a black glass base, 1997, estimated at $10,000-$15,000, and lot 688, a copper center table with a clear, sandblasted cast glass base, estimated at $12,000-$18,000.
The lighting in the sale is notable for lot 719, a rare Clément Rousseau table lamp from 1948, made of exotic wood, ivory and shagreen, estimated at $12,000-$15,000; lot 505, an enameled iron seven-light wall sconce with original clip-on silk shades by Tommi Parzinger, estimated $4,000-6,000; lot 545, three chrome and brass uplight floor lamps by Paul Evans, estimated at $3,000-$5,000; and lot 699, a Jacques Adnet floor lamp with tripod base and leather column, estimated at $3,000-$4,000.
Robert Arneson’s porcelain trophy bust (lot 665) of the artist from 1981, estimated at $11,000-$14,000, is one of the stars of the Modern ceramics.
Rago’s also has its usual fine selection of Claude Conover, including lot 644, a glazed ceramic garden stool estimated at $5,000-$7,000.
There is great variety in the Modern glass portion of the sale, with contemporary work by John Lewis, here with lot 684, a sculpture estimated at $4,500-$6,500; an internally decorated cased glass vase by Joel Phillip Myers, estimated at $2,750-$3,750; lot 835, and a Fratelli Toso Cattedrale glass vase with square murrines, estimated at $4,000-$6,000.
Jewelry includes lot 588, a gold necklace by George Rickey, estimated at $12,000-$16,000; and lot 593, a copper and glass bead necklace from Albert Paley, estimated at $6,000-$8,000.
Previews will be Saturday, Jan. 9 through Jan. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. Doors open at 9 a.m. on the mornings of the sales.
For details contact Rago 609-397-9374.
To view the fully illustrated catalog and sign up to bid absentee or live via the Internet during the sale at www.LiveAuctioneers.com.
Click here to view Rago Arts and Auction Center’s complete catalog.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
