Rare Bookcase, Tiffany Studios Lamp, and Grueby Vase Sells for Tens of Thousands at Toomey & Co’s Art & Design Auction
by Kate Nixon
During Toomey & Co’s Art & Design on Sunday, March 8th, furniture from the Grove Park Inn, a rare set of silverware from the Kalo Shop, and the largest vase in the Rozane catalog by Roseville Pottery were all featured, but despite the large offering of Saturday Evening Girls Pottery and Rookwood Pottery, the furniture and lighting offerings sold for the highest bids: a rare Roycrofters bookcase and a Tiffany Studios table lamp each sold in the tens of thousands in the Arts and Crafts offerings.
Featuring properties from the estates and collections of the Collection of Rich and Patty Thumann of Tacoma, WA, The Paul and Terry Somerson Collection of 20th and 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry, The Scott Stahr Collection of Barrington, IL and others from important California and Illinois collections, the quarterly auction from Toomey & Co. Auctioneers featured works from the well-known names of the Arts and Crafts Movement and its modern revival. Known for American Arts & Crafts, Toomey & Co. regularly offers important original designs – and this auction was no exception. The March 8 sale included a rare bookcase from The Roycrofters (Sold for $18,750) and an early two-door unit from Gustav Stickley (Sold for $4,875). Ceramic art pottery featured vases from Teco and Grueby. Collectors of antique lighting were drawn to a Tiffany Studios table lamp with Geometric shade (Sold for $16,900) and a Dirk van Erp hammered copper example (Sold for $6,875). Chicago metalwork up for bid included Robert Riddle Jarvie’s bronze chamberstick (Sold for $2,750) and The Kalo Shop’s round copper tray (Sold for $3,375). Two Modernist necklaces by Art Smith (higher Sold for $4,225) and a Gio Ponti Diamond flatware service (Sold for $2,600) were also offered.
Here are a few of the additional highlights from this past Sunday’s auction:
- Lot 104: An umbrella stand from the Stickley Brothers sold for $4,375.00, surpassing the high estimate of $1,200.
- Lot 109: A five-handled Grueby vase by Wilhelmina Post (b. 1867) sold for $10,625.00, surpassing the high estimate of $6,000
- Lot 122: A Gustav Stickley floor lamp sold for $5,000, $2,000 more than the high estimate.
- Lot 154: An impressive and rare Rozane Crystalis floor vase from Roseville Pottery Co. sold for $5,200.00, sailing past the original high estimate of $2,000.00
- Lot 157: a documented office set comprised of peacock-decorated copper bookends, desk calendar and rolling blotter from the Paul & Terry Somerson Collection of 20th and 21st Century Metalwork and Jewelry and sold from Rosalie Berberian’s ARK Antiques auction and featured in her book Creating Beauty: Jewelry and Enamels of the American Arts & Crafts Movement. This set was sold for $3,120.00, past the high estimate of $1,200.00.
- Lot 171: a branded Gustav Stickley dresser with mirror sold for $5,000.00, double the high estimate of $2,500.00
- Lot 193: a copper Water Lily three-light wall sconce from Elizabeth Eaton Burton (1869–1937) sold for $2,000.00, past the high estimate of $700.00.
- Lot 196: a collaboration between famed Bay Area craftsman Dirk Van Erp and California Faience, a hammered brass bowl with green ceramic base sold for $1,375 with the original estimate of $200 to $300.
- Lot 259: An Edward Sheriff Curtis print, Chief of the Desert, a signed original orotone sold for $5,625.00, past the high estimate of $3,500.00.
With the large selection of Arts & Crafts style lots in store, Toomey & Co. continues to include icons of the early movement to the delight of American collectors. “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.”
How did our picks fare in last weekend’s auction? Most items either surpassed or stayed within their estimates, particularly the aforementioned Rozane Crystalis floor vase, a Edward Sheriff Curtis signed print, and a gorgeous Louis Comfort Tiffany tall vase. For additional information on the lots you see here and the many other lots offered, please visit Toomey & Co Auctioneers’ website at toomeyco.com.
All final selling prices include the buyer’s premium.
Lot #105
The Roycrofters at the Grove Park Inn: Pair of bed frames
from East Aurora, NY, made of oak, carved orb and cross
44.5”w and 78”d and 50”h
Estimate: $600-$800
Price Realized: $1,187.00
Lot #110
Teco, M.P. White-designed Vase/lamp base #262
from Chicago, IL, Matte green glazed ceramic
Impressed twice
7”sq by 18”h
Estimate: $4,000-$6,000
Price Realized: $5,937.00
Lot #137
Saturday Evening Girls Milk Pitcher
Boston, MA, 1913
Blue and White glazed ceramic marked
4.5”w by 3”d by 3 3/8”h
Estimate: $250-$350
Price Realized: $562.00
Lot #154
Roseville Pottery Co. Rozane Crystalis floor vase #27
Zanesville, OH
Yellow crystalline glazed ceramic
Inscribed number
12” dia x 29.5”h
Estimate: $1,000-$2,000
Price Realized: $5,200.00
Lots #166 and #167
Gustav Stickley (1858-1942) Dining table #634 and set of six chairs
Eastwood, NY
Oak
Marked with red decals and paper labels (table with six 11” quartersawn leaves
Chairs – $800-$1,200
Chairs’ Price Realized: $1,625.00
Table – $2,000-$3,000
Table’s Price Realized: $4,687.00
Provenance: The Collection of Rich and Patty Thuman, in Tacoma, WA
Lot #180
Heintz Art Metal Shop Cylinder vase
Buffalo, NY
Bronze, silver silver with stamped marks
3 7/8” dia by 12 1/8”h
Estimate: $200-$300
Price Realized: $250.00
Lot #259
Edward Sheriff Curtis Chief of the Desert, 1904 orotone in original frame
signed lower right
13 ¾” by 10 ½”
Estimate: $2,500-$3,500
Price Realized: $5,625.00
Lot #323
Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) Tel El Amarna tall vase #3893P
New York, NY
Favrile Glass and etched signature
4 ½” dia by 11 ¾”h
Estimate: $2,000-$3,000
Price Realized: $4,875.00
Lot #342
The Kalo Shop Individual place setting with chess-piece finials: knife, fork and spoon
Chicago, IL
Sterling silver, stainless steel with stamped marks
This rare pattern is the only example of this set we have seen outside of the round cocktail spoons with the same finial knife: 9 5/8” l
Estimate: $400-$600
Price Realized: $500.00
For additional information on the lots you see here and the many other lots offered and to view the condition reports of all lots in the auction, please visit Toomey & Co Auctioneers’ website at toomeyco.com
All photos shown courtesy of Toomey & Co Auctioneers.