Ceramic Picks for Rago’s Early 20th Century Design Auction
by Kate Nixon
This article has been revised to indicate the correct measurements of lots 100 and 166.
The catalog for Rago Arts’s Early 20th Century Design Auction is now available online – and already we’ve seen some impressive contributions to the September 21st auction.
First pick: a gorgeous Calla Lily vase, which according to Rago’s condition report is “…perhaps the prettiest piece of Newcomb College we have seen.” The vase – created circa 1904 – comes from a private collection from New York state and is signed, dated and numbered. Estimates for the beautiful Calla Lily vase range from $15,000 – $20,000.
Lot number 116, a George Ohr stamped vase, which was made during what some experts would say his best period, is offered with an estimate range of $10,000 – $15,000 and estimated to have been created in between the years of 1897 to 1900. In an interview with blog The Hot Bid, David Rago says “This is arguably his best period. He was still glazing pots at this time. He later switched to bisque fire only – but was also at his creative peak in manipulation and overall concept of what his pieces could be. That is definitely his power alley period.” During George Ohr’s career, the majority of his work was unsellable and quite thin, most of his work has minor damage. This vase is listed in “Excellent Condition” on Rago’s Condition Report. What made this vase “Exceptional” is the fact that this vase is much larger than most of his hand-sized pots and features two complicated handles. “These tall, handled pots are a subset of his work that have remained among the more highly regarded this last half-century,” Rago told The Hot Bid.
Lastly, another lot that caught our eye is Lot number 166, a tall bud vase by Adelaide Robineau – created in Syracuse, NY, circa 1921. Also listed in “Excellent Condition,” the estimates for this glazed porcelain vase run from $8,000 to $12,000. The vase also features a medallion signature, date, and number. Many of Robineau’s works are vases and other containers, including her most well-known work — the Scarab Vase.
Lot 100 – Harriet Joor (1875 – 1965); Newcomb College Calla Lily vase
Exceptional large early vase with calla lilies, New Orleans, LA, 1904
Signed, dated, and numbered ‘NC/HJ/VV37’
Measures 11″ x 5 1/4″
Provenance: Rago Auctions, a Private collection from New York State
Estimate: $15,000 – $20,000
Rago’s Condition Report: Perhaps the prettiest piece of Newcomb College we have seen. Tight opposing 1 1/2″ hairlines from rim.
Lot 116 – George Ohr (1857 – 1918); Stamped Vase with Ear Handles
Exceptional large vase with ear handles and serrated rim, ochre and gunmetal speckled glaze, Biloxi, MS, 1897-1900
Stamped G. E. OHR, Biloxi, Miss.
Measures 9″ x 5 1/4″ x 4″
Provenance: Rago Auctions, Early 20th, June 2011, lot 122, Private collection, New York
Estimate: $10,000 – $15,000
Rago’s Condition Report: Excellent condition.
Lot 166 – Adelaide Robineau (1865 – 1929); Tall bud vase
Tall bud vase, Syracuse, NY, 1921
Glazed porcelain
Medallion signature and date, numbered “6”
Measures 7″ x 3 1/4″
Estimate: $8,000 – $12,000
Rago’s Condition Report: Excellent condition.
To see the online catalog for Rago Arts’s upcoming Early 20th Century Design Auction, please visit Rago’s website https://www.ragoarts.com