On December 7, 8 and 9, Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold its annual Great Estates, Jewelry, Silver, Coins and Currency auctions. Friday’s sale features Russian, American and Continental silver, and rare U.S. and foreign coins and currency. The Estates auction on Saturday brings a wide variety of property to market, including furnishings, fine art, porcelain and pottery, rugs, militaria, ephemera, tribal items, Asian and more.  Sunday’s annual Fine Jewelry and Couture auction features historical revival, Asian, and gem jewelry, estate diamond engagement rings, timepieces, fur coats and designer handbags.

“We have been asked to represent some truly exceptional pieces this December,” says Miriam Tucker, a partner at Rago’s. “Our specialists have chosen well, based on aesthetic merit, rarity, quality of construction. All the property is fresh to the market. And we’ve worked hard to make sure that the estimates are attractive, whether for pieces worth hundreds or tens of thousands of dollars.”

Auction Dates

·          Friday, December 7, Noon: Silver, Coins and Currency

·          Saturday, December 8, Noon: Great Estates

·          Sunday, December 9, Noon: Jewelry and Couture

Auction Exhibition/Preview/Bidding

·          Saturday, December 1 through Wednesday, December 5, 12–5 pm and by appointment. Thursday, December 6, 12-7 pm. Doors open at 9 am on sale days.

·          Open House, Tuesday, December 4, 6 pm, featuring a talk on jewelry by Newark Museum curator, Ulysses Grant Dietz. RSVP to 609.397.9374 ext. 119 or raac@ragoarts.com.  

·          Rago’s is located midway between New York City and Philadelphia. Directions online at ragoarts.com. 

·          Telephone, absentee, online bidding available for those unable to attend.

Catalogue

·          Printed catalogues are available for $20 each by calling 609.397.9374 or e-mailing a request to info@ragoarts.com.

·          View a complete online catalogue with color images at ragoarts.com, online November 19, 2012.

Silver, Judaica, Coins and Currency: Friday, December 7, Noon

Friday’s sale begins with over 200 lots of silver, including a selection of Judaica, and concludes with 67 lots of coins and currency.

Great Estates: Saturday, December 8, Noon

The Great Estate auction on Saturday, December 8 consists of 465 lots of furnishings, lighting decorative arts, Asian, fine art, bronze sculpture, glass, porcelain and pottery, tribal, militaria, rugs and textiles, advertising memorabilia, books and ephemera, and more.

Jewelry, Couture: Sunday, December 9, Noon

Sunday’s fine jewelry auction features 460 lots of jewelry and couture, including designer handbags and fur coats.  Famous jewelry designers in the sale include: Tiffany & Co, Sloan, Walton & Co., Louis Comfort Tiffany, Raymond Yard, Cartier, Ippolia, Anthony Nak, David Yurman, John Hardy, Angela Cummings, Schlumberger, Seaman Schepps, Verdura, David Webb, Sorab & Roshi, Constance Abernathy, Elsa Peretti, H. Stern, Oscar Heyman, Lacloche Frères, Iradj Moini, Angela Kramer, Miriam Haskell, Percossi Papi, Lalique, and more.

LOT DETAILS BY CATEGORY

Silver

On behalf of regional estates, Rago’s is proud to offer fine examples of American, Russian, continental and English silver. Featured is lot 126, a pair of sumptuous "Birds on Branches" gilt compotes designed by Eugene Soligny for Tiffany & Co., 1884, which are depicted in "Magnificent Tiffany Silver" by John Loring, page 136. Historically significant, lot 6 is a nine piece silver desk set by Mikhail Ivanov, St. Petersburg, which was originally presented to a chief engineer of Trans-Siberian Railroad in 1896, estimated at $8,000-12,000. There are several silver items by Georg Jensen, such as: lot 141, a “Grape” pitcher; and lot 139, ornamental fish handled servers.  There are coffee and tea services, including: lot 82, an extensive service by Tiffany & Co., ca. 1953; lot 155, a “Jaguar” coffee service by William Spratling; and lot 1, quince-form teapot by Joseph Nordberg, St. Petersburg, 1854. Ornamental and useful flatware includes: lot 187, 144 pieces in the “English Kings” pattern by Tiffany & Co. in a fitted canteen, 1886-1902; lot 151, 111 pieces of “Bernadotte” flatware by Georg Jensen; and lot 15, a cased dessert set by Boucheron, 1880-1905.

Judaica

Judaica in Friday’s auction includes a ketubah (marriage contract), a Torah crown, several menorahs, a Sabbath lamp, several Torah Ark Curtains, a chuppah (wedding canopy) and more.  

Coins and Currency

Friday’s sale concludes with a run of 67 coin/currency lots including foreign coins from Mexico, the Philippines, Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica, Belgium, Africa, India, China, Japan, Holland, Great Britain, and France; and a vast selection of U.S. coins and currency, Indian heads, mercury dimes, Morgan dollars, Carson City silver dollars, and much more.

Furnishings

Furnishings in Saturday’s Estate sale include: a Windsor Deacon’s bench, a Federal secretary’s desk, an American Hepplewhite chest of drawers, an American Sheraton chest of drawers, a William and Mary chest on chest, an American country shrank, an American corner cupboard, an English Regency chest, an English George III tile-top table, Windsor chairs, Georgian server. Styles include Early American shaker, Chippendale, English, Federal, Georgian, and Victorian. There are several items by Henkel Harris. Featured furnishings in the sale include: lot 648, a Shaker dining table from the mid-19th century, estimated at $15,000-25,000; lot 586, an 18th century Philadelphia Chippendale dressing table, estimated at $3,000-5,000; lot 587, a Pennsylvania Dutch cupboard, ca. 1835, estimated at $2,500-3,500 and lot 656, a German Black Forest carved mirror, estimated at $1,000-1,500.

Asian

Over 60 lots of Asian items include ivory carvings, porcelains, and cloisonné; furnishings such as alter tables, and a pair of yoke back armchairs; works of art by Chang Dai-Chen, Shiy De-Jinn and Tseng-Ying Pang. Featured is lot 694, an 18th century Chinese rhinoceros horn libation cup, which is finely carved in relief with swirling vines and mythological creatures and Kylin, estimated at $35,000-55,000. Lot 707 is a Chinese ceremonial dagger, which is silver mounted with cabochon coral and turquoise, estimated at $1,500–2,000; lot 687 is seven figures of Japanese bone or ivory, including a lute player, hotei, fishmonger, guardian, scholar and two elders, estimated at $1,500-2,000. Lots 722-737 and 781-793 of Sumida pottery come from a single owner collection. Many of the pieces are featured in the books "Figural Japanese Export Ceramics" and "Shape and Decoration in Japanese Export Ceramics," both by Nancy N. Schiffer. Featured in this collection is lot 722, an urn-shaped vase with applied decorations of Japanese, ca. 1900, estimated at $2,000-3,000.

Fine Art

The sale includes paintings dating from the 18th century to the 20th century by Emile Gruppe, Hermann O. Herzog, Louis B. Sloan, Francois Gall, Henry Clive, Henri Pierre Picou, Charles Hunt II, William Powell Frith, R . A., Frederick A. Butman, Bennett Bradbury, James M. Hart, John J. Zang, Annie Lyle Harmon, Raoule de Longpre, Francisco Garcia Abuja, Bernard Neuville, Howard Chandler Christy, Henry Ward Ranger, Mark William Fisher, Samuel S. Carr, Harry Leith Ross, George Lear, Paul Riba, Jacopo Amigoni, Franck Brissot, Christian Sell, Frank Milby,Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, John J. Dull, Millicent wood, Leon Riche, Don Stanley Bloom and many more. Featured is lot 567, an oil on panel by William Powell Frith, R.A., "The Love Token," from Sir Walter Scott's "The Bridge of Lammermoor", estimated at $8,000-12,000; and lot 628, a watercolor of roses and lilacs by Raoul de Longpré, estimated at $4,000-6,000. There is a large selection of bronze sculpture: by Rachel Hawks, Michel Leonard Bequine, Emmanuel Fremiet, Bohumil Kafka, Victor Rousseau, Victor Salmones, Charles Octave Levy, Benedetto Boschetti, Joseph Jacinto Mora, and more. Notable is lot 530, a bronze of a mounted Cossack with a woman by Vasili Grachev, estimated at $6,000-8,000.

Glass

Collectable glass pieces in the sale include items by Durand, Galle, Lalique, Tiffany, Steuben, Murano, Zsolnay, Waterford, etc.  A notable lot of glass and porcelain is lot 525, an Italian micromosaic plaque, "Lotta Impari," by Silvio Secchi, from the mosaic studio of the Vatican, estimated at $15,000-25,000.

Porcelain and Pottery

Porcelain and pottery includes a selection of Ampora, porcelain by Boehm, Capodimonte, Sevres, Royal Vienna, Minton, Royal Dux, Meissen, Limoges, Lenox, KPM, Herend, Art Nouveau tiles by Carl Luber/Johann Von Schwarz, and more. There is a selection of Majolica, featuring lot 517, a Majolica Delphin Massier grasshopper figural planter, estimated at $1,300-1,800.  Also of note is lot 531, an Alexander III Imperial Russian porcelain plate of a military scene, with a mark of Imperial Porcelain Manufactory, St. Petersburg, dated 1886, estimated at $6,000-8,000; and lot 778, a glazed ceramic figure of a goat by Paul Manship, estimated at $3,500-5,500.

Tribal

American, Pre-Columbian, African and Oceanographic tribal items can be found in Saturday’s sale, consisting of Anasazi Pottery, a Bambara carved wood figure, ethnic jewelry, an Huari Pile hat, Inuit Eskimo carved whalebone sculptures, several Pre-Columbian pottery vessels and more. Notable is lot 682, a Narwhal whale tusk in typical spiral form with good off-white color, mounted on a display stand from the early 20th century, estimated at $12,000-15,000; and lot 592, a Zia pottery Olla of a stylized bird, estimated at $3,500-4,500.

Clocks

A selection of clocks includes French mantle clocks, a black forest cuckoo clock, a brass carriage clock, an art deco mantle clock, and grandfather clocks.  Notable is lot 661, a French bronze and marble mantle clock, estimated at $3,500-5,500; lot 667, an English grandfather clock, estimated at $1,500-2,500; and lot 668, a grandfather clock by J.E. Caldwell, estimated at $1,500-2,500.

Ephemera

Ephemera in the sale includes lot 937, an American artists sketchbook with a Picasso signature, consisting of ink and watercolor sketches in bound book depicting European tour vistas with Picasso signature and narrative by the artist, Enid Ashdown, 1963, estimated at $2,000–3,000; lot 938, John Steinbeck “Of Mice and Men” signed copy, first edition, first printing autographed by Steinbeck, estimated at $800–1,200; and lot 939, a first edition Civil War atlas, estimated at $1,500–2,000.

Other

Other items in the sale include militaria, metalware, musical instruments, Oriental rugs, lighting, ephemera, books and decorative items.  There is a Knabe grand piano, estimated at $6,000-8,000; a Lyon & Healy console music box, estimated at $4,000-6,000; an Epiphone guitar, estimated at $3,000-4,000; and a Missing Miss Cigar advertising sign, estimated at $3,500-5,500.

Jewelry

The catalogue opens with a session of historical revival jewelry including: lot 1001, an Egyptian revival enameled gold fringe necklace attributed to Marcus & Co., 1925-1930; and lot 1022, a mask stick pin with diamond lasques.  Featured among a collection of animal, insect and other critter-themed jewelry is lot 1026, a Victorian jeweled gold beetle brooch; lot 1029, an Edwardian diamond butterfly, and lot 1049, a Tiffany & Co. multihued gold Japanesque brooch depicting a turtle on leafy ground.

For those interested in owning a piece of history, lot 1033 is a gold sewing kit, ca. 1830, estimated at a modest $1,000-1,500. The kit is listed in the achieves of the museum collections Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Another historically significant lot is 1149, a Samuel Arndt gold cigarette case, estimated at $4,500-6,500. The case was presented by Madame Montebello, Mrs. Gustave Lannes, to Rene Baudouy, banker to French Ottoman Embassy, builder of Istanbul-Salonica railroad, 1896.

For the gentlemen, there are watches, cufflinks, and even a Super Bowl ring. Lot 1127 is a Super Bowl XVIII ring presented to Kenny King, Los Angeles Raiders running back, estimated at $3,000-5,000. A notable wristwatch in the sale is lot 1128, a beautiful Patek Philippe nautilus wristwatch, estimated at $8,000-10,000. There are other fine timepieces in the sale, pocket watches, gentlemen’s and ladies wristwatches, by famous makers such as Patek Philippe, Cartier, Ernst Benz; Vacheron and Constantin; A. Lange & Sohne; Tiffany & Co.; Optima; Waltham; Corum; Audemars-Piguet; Breitling; Chronoswiss and Jacob & Co. 

The sale includes lots of Asian interest including lot 1183, a jeweled nephrite brooch, and lot 1327, a jade and diamond ring. Lot 1200 are contemporary gold bangles by Ippolita. Classic gold jewelry includes 1222, a necklace; 1271, a bracelet; and lot 1230, jewelry coral ladybug brooches. Offering from the Belle Epoque and Art Deco periods: lot 1325, a cat’s eye chrysobeyrl ring; lot 1329, platinum diamond charms; lot 1331, natural pearls; lot 1335, a Cartier crystal brooch; lot 1336, a Cartier rock crystal pendulette; and lot 1341, diamond ruby and emerald garland necklace.

Diamond engagement rings and unmounted diamonds include: lot 1364, a 2.20 cts. diamond platinum ring; lot 1370, 1.25 cts. E, VS2, emerald cut diamond; and lot 1429, 9.33 cts. Pear cut diamond ring.

Colored gem jewelry in the sale includes: lot 1369, an unmounted 8.74 cts. sapphire, estimated at $6,000-8,000; 1406, 12.44 cts. yellow sapphire and diamond ring in platinum, estimated at $7,500-8,500; lot 1414, an exceptional approx. 50 cts. aquamarine and diamond clip, estimated at $6,000-8,000; lot 1420, approx. 68 cts. star sapphire diamond brooch, estimated at $8,000-12,000; and lot 1422, 7.5 cts. sapphire diamond ring, estimated at $12,000-18,000.

Other exceptional lots include: lot 1057, a moonstone and diamond bracelet designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany; lot 1056, Walton & Co. black opal ring; lot 1424, an enameled gold necessary in the Chinese style by LaCloche Frere; lot 1425, an Oscar Heyman sapphire and diamond pansy brooch; lot 1426, emerald and diamond ring by Vedura; and lot 1430, large diamond platinum brooch by Van Clief, NY.

The sale concludes with a session of furs, designer handbags and bijoux including: lot 1431, a full length mink cape; lot 1432, three massive jeweled brooches by Iradj Moini; lot 1439, Line Vautrin gilt bronze compact, followed by some gold jewelry and unmounted gems. Famous handbag makers include: Judith Leiber, Chanel, Gucci, Prada, Jimmy Choo, notably lot 1447, Judith Leiber Art Deco style minaudiere.

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR

·          High-resolution images available.

·          About Rago Arts and Auction Center: Since 1994, Rago's has served thousands of sellers and buyers with a singular blend of global reach and personal service. Originally specialists in 20th century design, today Rago's expertise covers centuries of fine art, decorative arts, furnishings, jewelry and ethnographic property.  It is a world-class venue through which to buy and sell. It is also a destination for those who seek to learn and share knowledge about art, antiques and collecting, offering free valuations for personal property (from a single piece to collections and estates), appraisals and auction exhibitions in house and online. Rago's, the largest and leading auction house in New Jersey, is located midway between Philadelphia and New York.

·          Next Great Estates Auction: Saturday, April 20, 2013. 

END OF PRESS RELEASE