On December 6, 7 and 8, Rago Arts and Auction Center holds its annual three-day Great Estates auction. This year's sale centers on a single-owner collection of superlative silver, decorative arts, folk art, furnishings, bronzes, Asian and militaria from the Estate of dealer Tony Tenaglia, enriched by a day of jewelry, watches and gems, as well as a selection of silver and coins from multiple sellers.

"Tony Tenaglia was known for an uncanny ability to source singular, valuable property," said Miriam Tucker, Managing Partner at Rago. "His family laughs that, while he loved them first and foremost, his passion for fine antiques came a close second. We know it was difficult to part from property that meant so much to him. We thank his wife, Loretta, for choosing Rago to sell Tony Tenaglia's favorite and best pieces. Our annual fine jewelry, silver and coins sale is the perfect complement to what I think will be a record-breaking weekend."

Auction Dates

Friday, December 6, Noon: Silver from the Estate of Tony TenagliaFriday, December 6, immediately following: Silver, Coins and CurrencySaturday, December 7, 11 a.m.: Furnishings, Fine and Decorative Art from the Estate of Tony TenagliaSunday, December 8, Noon: Jewelry, Watches, Object de Vertu and Gemstones

Auction Exhibition/Preview/Bidding

Saturday, November 30 through Wednesday, December 4, 12-5 p.m. and by appointment. Thursday, December 5, 12-7 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. on sale days.Open House with panel presentation, "Japonisme", Tuesday, December 3. Reception at 5 p.m., presentation at 6 p.m. Please R.S.V.P. to raac@ragoarts.com or 609-397-9374 ext. 119.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

Catalogue online at ragoarts.com as of November 18, 2013.Printed catalogues: $20/3 for $40

Lot 13 is a superb enameled silver box depicting the "Peaceable Kingdom", estimated at$1,200-1,800, the theme drawn from the Biblical eleventh chapter of Isaiah.  $1,200-1,800.

Lot 22, Viennese silver "Triumph of Flora" centerpiece, depicts the Goddess of Spring upon a gilded and jeweled chariot, drawn by angels and a team of four horses, led by Mercury accompanied by putti, is thought to be from about 1877 to 1890. This extremely large and highly complicated Viennese silver figural group bears an English sponsor mark. $80,000-120,000.

Lot 238 is a Tiffany & Co. Japanesque Mixed Metal Centerpiece, designed by Edward C. Moore in 1880. This masterfully spot-hammered undulating silver bowl on four puddled bracket feet is designed as a rippling stream of water afloat with dappled maple leaves and seed pods, and contrasting inlaid insects and a salamander. Inspired by the collection of curios acquired in Japan in 1877 by Christopher Dresser for Tiffany and Co., the sensuous naturalism of this bowl is testimony to Edward C. Moore's understanding of the Japanese aesthetic.  Viewed in the context of prevailing Victorian ornamental and traditional silver of its day, it is revolutionary, and anticipates both Gorham's Martele and Tiffany & Co.'s later work under the direction of Lewis Comfort Tiffany. $80,000-120,000.

Silver, Coins and Currency: Friday, December 6, Immediately Following Tenaglia Estate Silver - Auction Highlights

Lot 500 is an immense 32 inch Gorham "Puritan" silver coffee pot built to scale, which was displayed in the office of Gorham's Chairman of the Board, deacesioned from the sample archives of Lenox-Gorham, ca. 1925. The piece sold at Christie's in New York, "Important American Furniture, Folk Art, Silver, Prints, Decoys", January 2007. $18,000-20,000.

Other notable silver lots include: 504, Pair of Gorham Martele Silver Compotes, $6,500-8,500; 512, Scenic Engraved Silver Box, Buccellati, $3,000-5,000; 535, Philadelphia Coin Silver Coffee/Tea Service, $5,000-7,000; 548, Pair Of Georg Jensen Sterling Compotes #263B, $3,500-5,500; 556, Georg Jensen Silver "Acorn" Flatware Service, $7,500-10,000.

For the coin collector: 603, 1859 $3 U.S. Gold Coin, $600-800; 612, Abraham Lincoln Silver Re-Election Token, $500-700;614, Ten Silver Art Medals, $300-500; 629, 1883-CC $1, $700-900; 635, Morgan Silver Dollar Set, $13,000-15,000.

Furnishings, Fine and Decorative Art from the Estate of Tony Tenaglia - Saturday, December 7, 11 AM - Auction Highlights

600 lots of furnishings, decorative arts, Asian, bronzes, porcelain and pottery, coins, firearms and more. 

Lot 1114 is an important and rare folk art figural walking stick, estimated at $18,000-24,000. It is a masterwork of American folk carving, with original surface and traces of original paint on multiple animals carved in high relief, presumed to be late 19th/early 20th c. Pennsylvania.

Lot 1510 is a Peter Moll Pennsylvania Long Rifle, estimated at $2,000-3,000. From 1764 through 1889, the Moll family made guns in the Lehigh Valley. Among the guns they manufactured was the Pennsylvania Rifle, or Kentucky Rifle. (The name Kentucky Rifle was adopted by the layman because of the popularization it had received in the hands of Daniel Boone, a native Pennsylvanian.)  This rifle was made by Peter Moll, 4th generation, based in Hellertown Pa.  It has a great, full length curly maple stock and a nice patch box. 

Lot 1097 is a bronze sculpture, "Teucer", by Sir William Hamo Thornycroft, R.A. (English, 1850-1925), estimated at $15,000-20,000. William Hamo Thornycroft was the leading figure in the movement known as the New Sculpture in the early 1880s and a central member of the sculptural establishment and the Royal Academy into the 20th century. Thornycroft was elected to the Royal Academy in 1882, one of the youngest artists accorded this honor. That same year the bronze cast of Teucer was purchased for the British nation under the auspices of the Chantrey Bequest.

Lot 1238, a Myochin School Iron Articulated Snake, is estimated at $8,000-12,000. The celebrated Myochin family produced many of Japan's finest metalworkers and its highest quality armors from the 11th century forward. The word "Myochin", which describes rare and exceptional craftsmanship, was granted as a family name by the Emperor Konoe (1141-54). Myochin artisans, of whom Muneyoshi is one, have long received the patronage of the titled and wealthy. Myochin school articulated snakes similar to the one shown here sold most recently at Christie's New York in 2007 and 2011.

Lot 1258 is a pair of 36" Rose Medallion Palace vases, from the Republic Period, estimated at $10,000-$15,000. The "Rose" patterns were first made in China made between 1840 and 1880 exclusively for export. Alternating panels around a central gold circle ("medallion") are figured with birds, flora, butterflies and other elements. (Also in the sale - Satsuma palace vases from Japan.)

Lot 1091 is a bronze sculpture of Two Cossacks on horseback by Evgeny Alexandrovich Lanceray (Russian, 1848-1886), estimated at $4,000-$6,000. The leading Russian sculptor of the 1870's and 1880's, Evgeny Lanceray's favored subject was the horse and its work with man. Much of his work was cast by the St. Petersburg foundry of Felix Chopin (Shopen). The Susse Freres Foundry in Paris offered a complete collection of his 123 works at the 1889 Universal Exhibition in Paris, and featured them in their catalogues from 1902 to 1912.

Jewelry, Watches, Object De Vertu and Gemstones Highlights, Sunday, December 8, Noon

Over 450 unique, beautiful and rare lots of jewelry, watches, object de vertu and gemstones.

Lot 2019 flies the Suffragist movement colors of purple, white and green in a Tiffany & Co. Renaissance Revival quatrefoil brooch with amethyst, diamonds and green enamel tendrils. Designed by Paulding Farnham, ca. 1900, it is estimated at $6,000-8,000.

Lot 2078, a suite of ancient hardstone intaglio jewelry, dating to 1850, consists of a necklace, bracelet, ring and earrings set with intaglios, mostly antique Roman or Ptolemaic, some possibly second century B.C. It is estimated at $4,000-6,000. 

Lot 2431 is a stunning Tiffany & Co. necklace with a flexible, graduated platinum diamond fringe that suspends seven well-matched pear-shaped faceted emeralds, all set in 18k yellow gold.  This piece contains approximately 13.04 cts. total weight of emeralds, and 303 pear-shaped, marquise and round brilliant cut diamonds, approximately 50.86 cts. total weight.  $125,000-150,000.

A significant studio jewelry lot is 2176, a gold opal sculptural suite by Ross Coppelman (Cape Cod, MA, ca. 1980), consisting of a brooch/pendant, ring and pair of pendant earrings in fused and textured 22k and 14k yg., with boulder opal specimens, diamonds, pearls and tourmaline accents, estimated at $3,500-4,500. 

Gentlemen's accessories in the sale include cufflinks, tie tacks and timepieces by Rolex, Cartier, Patek Philippe and other makers.  A notable pocket watch is lot 2064, a L'Epine enamel decorated 18k gold pocket watch, ca. 1800, estimated at $2,000-3,000. 

Those on the hunt for one-of-a-kind evening bags might have interest in lot 2374, three such in "jewel" metallic brocade, including a Cartier cream and silver clutch with the flap fitted to support a fur clip, all three estimated at $1,500-2,000.

Lot 2417 is a significant pair of platinum fruiting vine dress clips, with approximately 19.8 cts. of diamonds, estimated at $20,000-30,000. The clips were purchased in the 1930's by Leonard J. Buck (known for developing one of the premier rock gardens in the eastern United States) for his wife, Helen. Similar naturalism can be seen in "Leaf and Flower" diamond and platinum bracelet by Verdura.

Those interested in diamond rings, whether for engagement, anniversary or "just because", have many from which to choose. Lot 2426 is an impressive 4.16 cts. marquise cut diamond engagement ring in platinum with baguette cut diamond shoulders. Its GIA report states color I, clarity VS2, good polish, good symmetry, non-fluorescent. It is estimated at $25,000-35,000.

NOTES FOR THE EDITOR

High-resolution images available.

Consignments Invited

Great Estates Auction:March 22 and 23, 2014Unreserved Jewelry and Silver: Sunday, April 27, 2014

About Rago Arts and Auction Center: Rago is a leading U.S. auction house with $28 million in sales in 2012. We serve thousands of sellers and buyers internationally with a singular blend of global reach and personal service. Rago holds auctions of 20th/21st c. design, fine art, decorative arts, furnishings, jewelry, militaria, coins and currency, Asian, historic ephemera, and ethnographic property.  A world-class venue through which to buy and sell, it offers valuations for personal property (from a single piece to collections and estates), appraisals, estate services, exhibitions and lectures in house and online. Rago is based in New Jersey, midway between Philadelphia and New York City.

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