Rare Rohlfs' Desk Anchors Skinner's December Auction

[Note: The results of last Saturday's auction will appear here as soon as they are officially confirmed and released.]

Charles Rohlfs was not your typical Arts & Crafts furniture maker.

And his desks were not your typical Arts & Crafts desks.

But in his small Buffalo workshop, this former Shakespearean actor designed, carved and created some of the most highly-sought Arts & Crafts furniture, a rare example of which will be featured in Skinner's 20th Century Design auction in Boston on Saturday, December 17th.

This fifty-inch tall Gothic-inspired dropfront desk sits on a raised platform, allowing it to revolve and permitting easy access to its four drawers on one side and a cabinet door on the other. This desk, which is signed and dated 1900, is considered among Rohlfs' best early work, described by a contemporary of his as a "very marvel of complexity… a miniature Swiss cottage." Rohlfs made only a small number of these desks, each one unique in its display of elaborate carving and fretwork cutouts. While this example has been refinished, it is still estimated to sell in the $40,000-$60,000 range.

Saturday's auction will also feature a large Grueby pottery lamp base fitted with a period art glass shade, possibly provided originally by the firm of Bigelow and Kennard. The classic green glaze and overlapping leaves on the eleven-inch base combined with the leaf motif of the shade is expected to push this rare form into the $12,000-$18,000 price range.

Pottery collectors will also have a large selection of Dedham dinnerware from the collection of famed actress and director Penny Marshall. The whimsical blue and white pottery is typically known for borders decorated with the iconic Dedham bunny. In this case, the bunny has been replaced with less commonly seen motifs that include elephants, turtles, chicks, and even a Scottie dog. This Scottie dog plate, lot 33, is estimated between $250 and $350.

In addition, a few fine examples of Marblehead, Saturday Evening Girls, Merrimac and Rookwood pottery are expected to inspire some active bidding, along with several examples of Van Briggle pottery.

While Wheatley Pottery had once been considered "poor man's Grueby," this sale may disprove that belief. Collectors will answer the question: which is worth more -- a six-inch hand thrown Grueby vase (lot #47, est. $1,000-$1,500) or a nine-inch molded Wheatley vase (lot #45, est. $2,500-$3,500) that had originally been intended to duplicate the look of Grueby, but without the added cost of handwork? Could Grueby pottery become "poor man's Wheatley?"

In addition to the Charles Rohlfs' desk, the sale will feature a fine Stickley Brothers sideboard (est. $2,500-$3,500), server (est. $1,000-$1,500) and china cabinet (est. $1,500-$2,000). Each are signed, appear to retain their original finish and hardware, and are fine examples of Stickley Brothers furniture at its best.

Admirers of Robert Jarvie's work should note that two of his candlesticks, both signed and estimated in the $500-$1,000 range, will also be included in this sale.

To view the entire online catalog, including several details of the Charles Rohlfs' desk , please go to http://www.skinnerinc.com.