RAGO’S ANNOUCES A 20TH /21ST CENTURY DESIGN AUCTION ON OCTOBER 1-2

Over 900 lots of exceptional property:  from Susan Frackelton’s heir and John Dickinson’s San Francisco home; studio furniture by Nakashima, Phil Powell and Paul Evans; contemporary design by Johnny Swing; contemporary glass from Chihuly, Zinsky, Lewis. Previews begin September 24th.

Lambertville, NJ:   On Saturday, October 1st and Sunday, October 2nd, 2011 at noon, the Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold its third auction of 20th C. Design for the year.  Included among the more than 950 lots are rare vessels and art works descended from Susan Frackelton’s family; a fine and extensive collection of American Art Pottery from the Litchfield Historical Society; a good grouping of orotone photographs, including work by Edward S. Curtis; a fine collection of hand-painted porcelain and earthenware vessels by Rozenburg; sculptural glass by some of the best American contemporary craftspeople, such as Harvey Littleton, Mary Ann “Toots” Zinsky, Dale Chihuly, Michael Pavlik, John Lewis and Jon Kuhn; contemporary Italian glass by Michele Burato and Massimo Micheluzzi; some rare furniture and lamps by San Francisco designer John Dickinson; particularly fine studio furniture from the New Hope area by George and Mira Nakashima, Phil Powell and Paul Evans.

"The October 1st and 2nd auctions have been tightly curated," said David Rago. "Clients will find select property that we are really proud to be offering, with work from 1890 to 2005, including fine decorative ceramics, contemporary glass, and high end studio and designer furniture."

Auction

·          Saturday, October 1, 12 p.m.

o    Early 20th C. / Arts & Crafts

·          Sunday, October 2, 12 p.m.

o    Mid 20th-21st C. / Modern Design

·          Telephone, absentee, online bidding available for those unable to attend

Auction Exhibition/Preview

·          Saturday, September 24 through Thursday, September 29, from 12-5 p.m. or by appointment. Friday, September 30, 12-7 p.m. Doors open on days of sale at 9 a.m.

·          Rago’s is located midway between New York City and Philadelphia. Directions online at ragoarts.com/more/visit 

Catalogue

·          Printed catalogues are available for $25 by calling 609.397.9374 or e-mailing a request to info@ragoarts.com

·          View a complete online catalogue with color images at ragoarts.com as of September 16, 2011

Notes for the Editor

·          High-resolution images available.

·          About Rago Arts and Auction Center: Since 1994, Rago's has served thousands of sellers and buyers with a singular blend of global reach and personal service. Originally specialists in 20th century design, today Rago's expertise covers centuries of fine art, decorative arts, furnishings, jewelry and ethnographic property.  It is a world-class venue through which to buy and sell. It is also a destination for those who seek to learn and share knowledge about art, antiques and collecting, offering free valuations for personal property (from a single piece to collections and estates), appraisals and auction exhibitions in house and online. Rago's, the largest and leading auction house in New Jersey, is located midway between Philadelphia and New York.

·          Next 20th C. Design Auction: Friday/Saturday, February 3-4, 2012. Consignments are now being accepted: 609.397.9374 or info@ragoarts.com. 

Early 20th C. / Arts & Crafts – October 1, noon 

European Ceramics:

The sale includes European ceramics such as Rozenburg, Wedgwood, Martin Brothers, Haviland & Co. and more. There are several lots of Moorcroft and MacIntyre. MacIntyre Pottery was the launching ground for the career of William Moorcroft, as he subsequently became known for his own pottery. Featured in the sale is lot 229, a MacIntyre vase with poppies, ca. 1902, estimated at $2,500-3,500.  Other featured European pieces include lot 243, a Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre vase with maidens and candles, estimated at $2,500-3,500; lot 247, an Ernest Chaplet for Haviland & Co. stoneware pitcher with fruit and blossoms, ca 1885, estimated at $1,500-2,000; lot 240, is a Martin Brothers four-sided stoneware vase incised with snails, 1903, estimated at $2,250-2,750.  There is a large collection of Rozenburg vessels, both egg-shell porcelain and painted earthenware, lots 248-260.

American Art Pottery:

American pottery in the sale include Walrath, W.J. Walley, Van Briggle, Union Porcelain Works, Tiffany Studios, Teco, Susan Frackelton, Rookwood, Marblehead, Saturday Evening Girls, Newcomb College, Grueby, Roseville, Pewabic, Merrimac, North Dakota School of Mines, John Bennett, Chelsea Keramic Art Works, George Ohr, Fulper, and more.  

Featured in the sale is lot 150, a Susan Frackelton three-handled earthenware bowl painted with landscapes in the Delft manner, which was descended in the Frackelton family, brought to us by Susan Frackelton’s own great-grandson, estimated at $5,000-7,000.  Also of note: lot 17, a complete Grueby eight-tile frieze of “The Pines,” coming to us directly  from an original Aurora, Illinois residence, estimated at $10,000-15,000; lot 15 is a Grueby massive jardinière with leaves and buds, estimated at $5,000-7,000; lot 102 is a Teco four-footed center bowl, $3,000-5,000; lot 294 is a massive sand jar by Jacques Sicard for Weller, painted with vines and thorns, possibly from the Weller Theater in Zanesville, Ohio, where several such pieces were featured in its day, estimated at $10,000-15,000; lot 14, an exceptional Walrath vase matte-painted with lillies, estimated at $9,000-12,000; lot 83, an early vase carved by Sara Bloom Levy at Newcomb College in 1907 with grape clusters, estimated at $6,500-8,500; lot 84, a Transitional scenic chocolate pot by A.F. Simpson, also at Newcomb College, 1912, estimated at $6,000-9,000; lot 87, a George Ohr ruffled vase in mottled green and red glaze, estimated at $4,500-6,500; Lot 1 is a rare Charles F. Binns stoneware vase in matte crystalline glaze, estimated at $3,000-4,000.

Early 20th C. Furniture:

Makers include: Charles R. Ashbee, Emile Gallé, Portois & Fix, Gustav Stickley, Hoosier Hickory Mfg. Co., L & J.G. Stickley, Limbert, Niagara, Old Hickory, Roycroft, Charles Rohlfs, Stickley Brothers and more.

Featured lots include lot 75, a Gustav Stickley Knock-Down settle, ca. 1903, estimated at $15,000-20,000; lot 194, a Gustav Stickley nine-drawer dresser,  estimated at $7,500-11,000; lot 207, a rare Charles R. Ashbee for the Guild of Handicrafts architect's desk, England, ca. 1890-1902, estimated at $8,000-10,000; lot 204, a Roycroft Bride's chest, estimated at $6,000-9,000; lot 336, is a Limbert double-door bookcase, estimated at $3,500-5,500; lot 356, Emile Gallé set of four inlaid nesting tables, estimated at $3,000-4,000.

Lighting:

Lighting in the sale includes makers such as Karl Kipp, Dirk Van Erp, Duffner & Kimberly, Fred Robertson (Los Angles), Gustav Stickley, Handel, Pairpoint, Roycroft , Steuben, Suess, Tiffany Studios, Williamson and more.

Featured lots include: 181A, an important Karl Kipp table lamp with geometric leaded glass shade, estimated at $20,000-30,000; 160, Fred Robertson (Los Angeles) extremely rare table lamp with glazed earthenware and leaded slag glass, descended through the Robertson family and never before offered for sale, estimated at $20,000-30,000; lot 179 is an extremely rare Dirk Van Erp lamp estimated at $25,000-35,000; lot 181 is a rare copper and iron desk lamp by Gustav Stickley with “hammered” amber glass shade, estimated at $10,000-15,000; lot 188 is a Duffner & Kimberly leaded glass chandelier shade with a poppy pattern, estimated at $25,00-35,000; lot 397 is a fine and rare Tiffany Studios chandelier, direct from a Michigan residence, estimated at $25,000-35,000; lot 192 is a Duffner & Kimberly bronze table lamp with a rose border shade estimated at $8,000-10,000; and lot 403 is one of two Tiffany Studios Counter Balance floor lamps with Damascene shades, this one estimated at $6,000-9,000.

Metalwork:

Early 20th century metalwork in the sale includes items in copper, bronze, silver and silver plate by makers such as Albert Berry, Archibald Knox for Liberty, Dirk Van Erp, Gustav Stickley, John Pearson, Joseph Heinrichs, Roycroft, Stickley Brothers, Tiffany Studios, WMF and more.

Featured in the sale is lot 164, a rare Joseph Heinrichs for Shreve & Co. mixed metal covered bowl with horn and stone arrowheads, estimated at $10,000-15,000; lot 264, a John Pearson hammered copper coal scuttle, 1905, estimated at $3,000-4,000; lot 177 is a pair of Dirk Van Erp silver-plated hammered copper and wood serving dishes, estimated at $2,000-3,000; lot 170 is a hammered copper charger attributed to Gustav Stickley and estimated at $2,000-3,000; lot 172 is a Kalo three-piece sterling and bone coffee set, estimated at $2,500-3,500.

Glass:

Glass in the sale includes makers such as Durand, Gallé, Lalique, Loetz, Quezal, Steuben, Tiffany Studios, and more.

Featured lots include: lot 358, a Loetz Titania vase estimated at $2,000-3,000; lot 372, a Lalique luminaire with birds, '”Fauvettes”, ca. 1930, estimated at $2,000-3,000; another fine Lalique item is lot 369, a Roscoff opalescent bowl offered at $1,200-1,800; and lot 388, a Tiffany Studios Favrile glass gourd-shaped bud vase, estimated at $1,500-2,000.

Prints, Photographs, Works on Paper:

Artists in the sale include: Arthur Wesley Dow, Edward S. Curtis, Gustave Baumann, Otto Eckmann, Frances H. Gearhart and more.

Susan Frackelton’s family has also provided the us with several of her works on paper, which has been grouped as one lot (153) of six works: four pencil botanical drawings, one pen and ink landscape, and one illuminated page, estimated at $1,500-2,000.

Also of note in the sale are two fine Gustave Baumann color woodblock prints, lots 42 and 43, “Processional” and “A Lilac Year,” estimated at $6,000-9,000 and $6,000-8,000 respectively; lot 47, a rare Frances H. Gearhart color linoleum block print, ''In the Pajaro,'' is estimated at $3,000-5,000.

Mid 20th-21st C. / Modern: Sunday, October 2, noon

Sunday’s Modern Design auction features over 500 lots of furniture, lighting and decorative arts. Prominent Modern pieces by George Nakashima, Paul Evans, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, John Dickinson, Tommi Parzinger, James Mont, Dale Chihuly, Jon Kuhn, Massimo Micheluzzi, Mary Ann “Toots” Zynzky and many more.

Modern Furniture:

Modern furniture makers in the sale include:  Vladimir Kagan, Wharton Esherick, David Ebner, Fernando and Humberto Campana, Johnny Swing, Gio Ponti, Tommi Parzinger, John Dickinson, Jacques Quinet, Judy McKie, Charles and Ray Eames, Edward Wormley for Dunbar, Erwin and Estelle Laverne, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Finn Juhl, George and Mira Nakashima, George Nelson and Gilbert Rohde at Herman Miller, Hans Wegner, Harvey Probber, Horace Hartshaw, James Mont, Janet Meyer, Jay Stanger, Jean Prouvé and Jules Leleu, Jean Royère, John Lewis, Karl Springer, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe for Knoll, Marc Newson, Max Kuehne, Milo Baughman at Thayer-Coggin, Niels Vodder, Osvaldo Borsani, Phil Powell, Paul Frankl, Pedro Friedeberg, Pierre Paulin, Robert Whitley, Silas Seandel, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Vincent Cafiero, and Dakota Jackson.

Featured pieces in the sale include: lot 794, Johnny Swing Nickel Couch, USA, 2003, consisting of approx. 7,000 nickels, the fifth of a proposed edition of 25.  Purchased by the consignor from the artist, it is estimated at $45,000-65,000. 

As always, there is a fine representation of Nakashima Studios pieces in the sale, such as a two-part cabinet sold as two lots,  839, estimated at $3,000-4,000 and 840, at $7,000-9,000. Both come with a copy of the original invoice and drawing. Other notable Nakashima pieces include two exceptional coffee tables, lots 523 and 852, each estimated at $20,000-30,000.

Also featured are several fine pieces by Paul Evans, such as lot 816, an exceptional Argente vitrine, purchased by the consignor from Paul Evans in 1973, estimated at $45,000-65,000; lot 513, a rare room divider authenticated by Dorsey Reading, Paul Evans’ studio manager, is offered at $8,000-10,000; lot 501, an exceptional custom-designed dining table, estimated at $30,000-40,000; lot 502, a set of six Patchwork dining chairs, is estimated at $8,000-10,000.

There are several John Dickinson lots in the sale, including five small tables:  lot 538 is estimated at $9,000-12,000; lot 539 is a pair of African tables, estimated at $14,000-18,000; lot 540, an African table, estimated at $7,000-9,000; lot 995, a rope table (no. 111-J), estimated at $5,000-7,000.

Other notable pieces include: lot 515, a fine Phil Powell carved laminated walnut center table, which comes to us from the Annaly Jamison residence in Pennsylvania, is priced at $15,000-25,000; lot 873, a Wendell Castle bird's eye maple  table which illuminates with a neon tube, is estimated at $3,500-5,500; lot 694, a fanciful and over-the-top Fernando and Humberto Campana Banquete chair, entirely covered in plush animals, is offered at a compelling $9,000-12,000; a couple of fine pieces by Tommi Parzinger for Parzinger Originals such as lot 551, an elegant inlaid mahogany dining table with leaves from the 1940’s, is estimated at $5,000-7,000 and lot 543, an undulating six-drawer mahogany dresser, is at $10,000-15,000.; and two pieces by Mexican artist Pedro Friedeberg, lot 699, a quirky Mermaid Compass sculpture is offered at $2,500-3,500, and lot 700, the iconic hand chair, is estimated at $5,000-7,000.

Modern Lighting:

Modern lighting designers and makers include: Vistosi, Arredoluce, Boris Lacroix, Camer, Carol Stupell, Cedric Hartman, Gary Knox Bennett, George Nakashima, James Mont, John Dickinson, Karl Springer, Maison Charles, Paavo Tynell, Paul Evans, Pierre Guariche, Pirro Cuniberti, Poul Hennigsen, Serge Mouille, Stilnovo, Tommi Parzinger, Willy Daro and more.

Modern lighting highlights include several French lamps of note such as: lot 701, a large Serge Mouille adjustable wall-mounting lamp, estimated at $9,000-12,000; lot 702, a very rare adjustable desk lamp by Jacques le Chevallier and René Koechlin of ebonite and aluminum, ca 1928, is priced at $12,000-18,000; and lot 705, a rare gilded wrought-iron Persane floor lamp attributed to Jean Royère, from the collection of graphic designer and art director Erik Nitsche, is offered at $9,000-12,000. 

There are two pairs of John Dickenson lamps in the sale, lots 541 and 542, of enameled fiberglass and brass, ca. 1976, estimated at $25,000-35,000 a pair; lot 519 is a George Nakashima floor lamp, estimated at $9,000-12,000.

Metalwork:

Noted metalwork artists include, Tommi Parzinger, Tapio Wirkkala, Paul Evans, Oswaldo Guayasamin, Miles Van Rensselaer, Klaus Ihlenfeld, Harry Bertoia, Gio Ponti, Franz Hagenauer, Feliciano Bejar, C. Jere, Albert Paley, Christopher Hiltey and more.

Lot 664 is a particularly extensive and complete set of Gio Ponti sterling silver flatware for twelve in the Diamond pattern for Reed & Barton, estimated at $6,500-8,500.  As usual, there are several Klaus Ihlenfeld patinated bronze sculptures in the sale, such as lot 760, “Sunflower,” at $1,200-1,600. Other metalwork in the sale includes lot 750, a Harry Bertoia bronze Sonambient sculpture, estimated at $25,000-35,000; lot 738, an important figural sculpture by Franz Hagenauer for Werkstatten Hagenauer, priced at $20,000-30,000.

Modern Fine Art:

Artists’ works sold in this sale: Paintings by Donald Deskey; prints by Harry Bertoia; sculpture by Edwin and Mary Scheier, Pedro Friedeberg, Steven Montgomery, Val Bertoia; woodblock prints by Wharton Esherick, and more.

The sale includes an important wall-hanging figural sculpture by Edwin and Mary Scheier, lot 626, estimated at $4,000-6,000. Made of guanacastle wood and fur, this piece is possibly the Scheiers’ first wood sculpture to come to auction, and one of only about 100 made between 1970-1978 during their stay in Oaxaca, Mexico. Many of these wood sculptures were exhibited in 1974 at Alianza Francesa de Oaxaca.  This information can be found in Michael K. Komanecky’s The American Potter: Mary and Edwin Scheier, published by the Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH.

The auction contains several oil-on-canvas paintings by designer Donald Deskey from the estate of his son Michael Deskey, including: lot 598, “Paysage D'Automne,” estimated at $3,000-4,000; lot 599, “#71,”  $2,000-3,000; and lot 600, three abstract compositions, priced at $2,500-3,500.

Steven Montgomery is well represented in this sale with some important ceramic sculptures: lots 630 and 633, entitled “Disjunction #3” and “Yellow Hazard,” are estimated between $7,000-10,000.

Other notable works of art include: lot 738, an important figural sculpture by Franz Hagenauer for Werkstatten Hagenauer, estimated at $20,000-30,000; lot 699, a Pedro Friedeberg Mermaid compass sculpture, in carved and lacquered Mexican mahogany, silver leaf and glass housing an actual compass, estimated at $2,500-3,500; lot 610, a delicate cut paper silhouette of a matador and bull by William Hunt Diederich, at $3,000-4,000.

Art Glass:

Glass artists/makers include: Alessandro Pianon, Alvar Aalto, Carlo Scarpa, Dale Chihuly, Dick Huss, Fritz Dreisbach, Fulvio Bianconi, Giorgio Ferro, Harvey Littleton, James Coignard, Joel Philip Myers, John Lewis, Jon Kuhn, Lino Tagliapietra, Mary Ann “Toots” Zynsky, Massimo Micheluzzi, Michael Joplin, Michael Pavlik, Michele Burato, Richard Marquis, Robert Levin, Robert Palusky, Steven Weinberg, Tessa Clegg, Vicke Linstrand, Vittorio Zecchin and more.

Featured in the sale is lot 571, a fine “Albore” vessel by Mary Ann “Toots” Zynsky, made of fused and thermo-formed color glass threads, estimated at $8,000-12,000.  Also of note is lot 566, a large and spectacular Jon Kuhn cube glass sculpture on steel base, attractively presented at $12,000-18,000. Other notable glass pieces include: lot 585, a good Saturno sculpture by Lino Tagliapietra for Ogetti, $4,000-6,000; two Joel Philip Myers blown glass sculptural vessels, lot 764, estimated at $6,000-9,000 and lot 767, from the Contiguous Fragment series, at $4,500-6,500.

Modern Ceramics: 

Modern ceramicists include: Axel Salto for Royal Copenhagen, Beatrice Wood, David Gilhooly, Edwin and Mary Scheier, Gio Ponti for Richard Ginori, Gudrun Baudisch and Kitty Rix at the Wiener Werkstatte, Harvey Littleton, Henry Varnum Poor, Otto Natzler, Peter Voulkos, Picasso at Madoura, Richard Blow for Montici, Roy Lichtenstein for Jackson China, Toshiko Takaezu and more.

There are several Picasso/Madoura hand-painted ceramic pieces in the sale, including: lot 904, a white plate with flute player and cavaliers, estimated at $2,000-3,000; lot 905, a plate with flowers and apple, at $1,000-1,500; lot 906, a figural vessel with lady portrait, at $3,000-4,000; and lot 907, an owl pitcher, estimated at $2,500-3,500.

Also of note is lot 629, an important three-piece earthenware totem by Edwin and Mary Scheier, estimated at $10,000-15,000, from the Dr. Albert Grokoest collection, exhibited at The Currier Gallery of Art, Manchester, NH, 1966.  There are several Toshiko Takaezu Moonpots in the sale, estimated around $2,500-3,500 apiece.

Other:

Wooden bowls, tapestries, rugs, jewelry, fireplace accessories, decorative items.

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