Results from Rago’s Unreserved Auction

by Kate Nixon

 

Rago Arts and Auction Center recently held their two-day Unreserved auction in Early 20^th Century Fine Art and Estate Goods, Saturday August 24^th  – this 1,121 lot sale featured period and contemporary works of Arts and Crafts style design; American and European mid-century furnishings; prints and multiple works of paper; and antique and contemporary art glass and pottery for bid.

The moderately priced items up for bid during this unreserved auction present a unique opportunity for both experienced and new collectors to place a bid – an unreserved auction simply means there are no minimum bids or reserve prices set on the items. Every item is sold to the highest bidder, regardless of price. The Arts and Crafts selections ran the range in ceramics, furniture, paintings, glassworks, fiber arts and silver will be up for bid. Works by Heintz Art Metal, Marblehead pottery, Fulper Pottery, Rookwood Pottery, Gustav Stickley and L. and J.G. Stickley, Gorham silver and other icons of the Arts and Crafts movements were featured in the auction, most with very moderate prices.

Did you miss the auction? Rago Arts has filmed both days and placed the videos on their facebook page: click HERE to visit Rago Arts’ Facebook page to see a playback of both days.

 

Highlights we noticed:

Lot 9 – Tiffany Studios: Steuben – Two gold Favrile ruffled compotes with large Steuben gold Aurene footed low bowl with turned-in rim. Estimated at $700 – $900. Final Sale price of $1,875.

Lot 41 – Union Porcelain Works – Vase designed in the Moorish style, with applied lizard decoration. Estimated at $800 – $1,200. Final Sale price of $2,500.

Lots 92/93 – while the works of Grueby and Newcomb College vase all sold over their high estimates, the Hampshire Pottery offerings sold well over their own, including both lots of Hampshire Pottery green and blue vases  Estimated at $600 – $800; final sale price for each was $1,500.

Lot 122 – a mahogany and walnut single-door vitrine from french furniture designer Eugene Vallin, featuring eight pivoting storage drawers, four display shelves, and arched gallery top. Estimated at $1,200 – $1,600; final sale price of $6,875!

Lot 130 – a large writing table in the style of Greene & Greene made of walnut, unmarked. Listed in very good condition with minor scuffs and scratches to the top. Estimated at $600 – $800; final sale price of $1,750.

Lot 403 – Three 19th century Chinese landscapes watercolor and gouache painting on paper in vintage condition. Estimated at $500 – $700; final sale price at $1,875.

Lot 465 – Three Argenta ovoid vases from Wilhelm Kage; Glazed stoneware, electroplated silver – listed in good overall condition. Estimated at $400 – $600; final sale price of $2,750.

Lot 1125 – A custom conference table with blackened steel and sawn walnut, listed in very good condition with inset electrical outlets. Estimated at $1,500 – $2,000; final sale price of $11,875!

 

How did our picks fare? Find out below:

 

Lot 11 – Five Pastel Favrile pieces

Manufacturer: Tiffany Studios

Description: Five Pastel Favrile pieces: pink bowl with flared rim and lattice design (3″ x 8 3/8″ dia.) and low bowl with flared rim (1 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ dia.), green plate (1/4″ x 8 1/4″ dia.), and two parfait glasses (6 1/2″ x 3 3/8″ dia., 5 1/8″ x 2 7/8″ dia.), New York, 1920s; Blown glass; All signed, bowl with lattice design dated 1926.

Sale Price with Buyer’s Premium:  $1,625

 

 

Lot 56: Three Sterling-on-Bronze Verdigris vases

Manufacturer: Heintz Art Metal

Description: Three Sterling-on-Bronze verdigris vases with foliate decoration: baluster with Prairie-style motif, corseted with freesia, and squat with wild rose, Buffalo, NY, early 20th c.; Two marked; Baluster: 11 5/8″ x 4 3/4″ dia., corseted: 11″ x 4″ dia., squat: 5″ x 5″ dia.

Estimate: $600 – $800

Sale Price with Buyer’s Premium: $688

 

 

 

Sale Price with Buyer’s Premium: $625