Rare Stickley Lantern Shatters Expectations: Rago & Toomey Auction Results

by Kate Nixon

We’re covering two auctions results today – from both Rago Arts and Auctions and Toomey & Co Auctioneers, but first off…wow, what news over a rare lantern! A rare and early Gustav Stickley lantern has sold for tens of thousands of dollars past its high estimate! Featuring an impressive Reese Collection of Lalique Glass, the works of George Ohr, Rookwood Pottery, Tiffany Studios,  Stickley furniture and more, Rago Arts and Auctions held its Early 20th Century Design Auction Saturday, September 22nd. As David Rago, Partner and Co-Director 20^th-21^st C. Design Dept predicted, out of the range of the 425 lots up for bid that included glass to pottery to lighting to prints, the rare Stickley leaded glass lantern proved to live up and exceed expectations.

“The session continues with what may prove to be the most exciting lot: a rare and early Gustav Stickley leaded glass lantern with a stylized rose pattern, recently found in a home in New Jersey,” said Rago. This exceptional and rare Gustav Stickley lantern came to Rago’s from a private collection in Parsippany, New Jersey. Featuring stylized flowers and made from hammered copper and leaded slag glass, this single socket unmarked lantern measures 12 1/4″ by 10 1/2″ sq. The estimated value of this lantern is $25,000 – $35,000. The final selling price was $68,750.00

According to the condition report on Rago’s website, this Stickley lantern was in overall good original condition, glass, and patina. Nearly invisible professional restoration includes three minor stabilized cracks to glass, a few re-soldered joints (to secure glass panels in proper position), reassembling original chain and re-fabricated loop for original square hardware, and rewiring using a period socket and pull-chain.

Among the other items that did well in last month’s auction were the items from the impressive Reese Collection of Lalique Glass. “Our Saturday session opens with a single-owner collection of Lalique from Texas featuring many desirable forms, including an amber Serpent, electric blue Perruches, and a rare Oiseau de Feu surtout,” said Rago. The “amber Serpent” and the rare “Oiseau de Feu” surtout sold well above their high estimates.

To view the entire Rago catalog and learn more about Rago, visit Rago Arts website at http://www.ragoarts.com/

 

 

Meanwhile, Toomey & Co Auctioneers held their  Art & Design show on September 16th, 2018 – and especially in the categories of furniture and pottery, the auction did quite well. In an auction that included several Arts & Crafts items in lighting, furniture, prints, and featuring works from Grueby Faience, Handel Lamp Co., Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Teco Pottery and more, it was no surprise that the Arts & Crafts category had plenty of items of interest. “We have always had a strong representation of fine furniture and decorative arts from the Arts & Crafts movement and will continue to do so,” said John Walcher, Toomey & Co Vice President and Senior Specialist for Early 20th Century Design. “Our intent is to show the changes of design over time, while shifting some earlier periods outside of their chronological order, potentially cross-pollinating ideas of aesthetics. It’s an opportunity to introduce and educate new buyers to all periods of design without any breaks or gaps.”

Highlights from last month’s auction include a Frank Lloyd Wright Mahogany Cabinet did very well in exceeding past the high estimate as did a Charles Limbert bookcase. Notably, a cups and saucer set from Henrietta Bailey (1874-1950) for Newcomb College did very well in garnering well past its high estimate – $4,000 past the high estimate.

To see the rest of the auction results, visit Toomey and Co’s website at Toomeyco.com