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William E. Winner (American, 1815-1883), oil on canvas portrait of John Davis Jones and family of Philadelphia (framed), signed, 62 x 80 inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Rago’s annual Great Estates Auction set for Dec. 3

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

William E. Winner (American, 1815-1883), oil on canvas portrait of John Davis Jones and family of Philadelphia (framed), signed, 62 x 80 inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

William E. Winner (American, 1815-1883), oil on canvas portrait of John Davis Jones and family of Philadelphia (framed), signed, 62 x 80 inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold its annual Great Estates Auction, consisting of folk art, American and Continental furniture, clocks, old master and 19th-century paintings and prints, Oriental rugs, militaria, and much more on Saturday, Dec. 3, at noon Eastern.

LiveAuctioneers will provide Internet live bidding.

There are paintings by artists Leroy Nieman, Xanthus Smith, Marcel Dyf, Pieter Hardime and Herman Herzog. Also highlighted is a singing bird music box, a Steinway piano, a William Winner portrait and art glass by Tiffany, Daum and Galle. Asian items include Chinese funerary figures, Chinese and Japanese porcelain and pottery and Asian ivories.

The sale features a single-owner collection of folk art and Americana from a home in Carversville, Pa. Bidders will find over 160 lots of American painted furniture, whirligigs, carnival shooting targets and prize figurines, signage, hard-to-find paintings by Amos Shontz, outsider art, garden and architectural ornaments, whimsies, folk carvings and tramp art. Also in the mix are many other unexpected pieces of decorative arts that complement and diversify the collection, from a large and ornate wood chandelier in paint to a curious bench reputed to have been created for use in a bordello. There will also be Bakelite items, framed tattoo art, and deco furniture and accessories.

“We have been asked to represent some truly exceptional objects this December, as well as fascinating, fresh collections,” said Tom Martin, Rago’s estates specialist, “We’ve worked hard to make sure that the estimates are attractive, whether for pieces worth hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars.”

Previews will be scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 26, through Wednesday, Nov. 30, noon-5 p.m. and by appointment. Rago’s will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1. Doors open at 9 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, and the day of the sale. An open house on Tuesday, Nov. 29, will feature a talk on American silver by Newark Museum Curator Ulysses Grant Dietz.

Rago’s is located midway between New York City and Philadelphia. Directions can be found online at ragoarts.com.

Telephone, absentee and online bidding available for those unable to attend.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

William E. Winner (American, 1815-1883), oil on canvas portrait of John Davis Jones and family of Philadelphia (framed), signed, 62 x 80 inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.
 

William E. Winner (American, 1815-1883), oil on canvas portrait of John Davis Jones and family of Philadelphia (framed), signed, 62 x 80 inches. Estimate: $20,000-$30,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Clown shooting targets, sheet metal with bell ringer mechanism, early 20th century,14 3/4 x 10 inches. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.
 

Clown shooting targets, sheet metal with bell ringer mechanism, early 20th century,14 3/4 x 10 inches. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Paint-decorated settee, Susquehanna Valley, Pa., paplar with morning glory decoration, circa 1830, 37 x 78 x 22 inches, Estimate: $5,000-$7,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Paint-decorated settee, Susquehanna Valley, Pa., paplar with morning glory decoration, circa 1830, 37 x 78 x 22 inches, Estimate: $5,000-$7,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Pair of Philadelphia dueling pistols, heavily engraved percussion cap derringer-size pistols with full set of accoutrements in custom case, 19th century, marked Tryon Philadelphia in gold inlay, pistols: 7 1/2 inches long. Estimate $4,000-$6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Pair of Philadelphia dueling pistols, heavily engraved percussion cap derringer-size pistols with full set of accoutrements in custom case, 19th century, marked Tryon Philadelphia in gold inlay, pistols: 7 1/2 inches long. Estimate $4,000-$6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Chinese figure of a dancer, painted pottery, Tang Dynasty, late 7th/early 8th century, 14 inches. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Chinese figure of a dancer, painted pottery, Tang Dynasty, late 7th/early 8th century, 14 inches. Estimate: $4,000-$6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, 1910, serial no. 150050; 23 1/2 x 39 1/2 x 22 inches. Estimate: $4,000-6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.

Louis Vuitton steamer trunk, 1910, serial no. 150050; 23 1/2 x 39 1/2 x 22 inches. Estimate: $4,000-6,000. Image courtesy of Rago Arts and Auction Center.