JOIN RAGO AUCTIONS ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, FOR A LECTURE BY CURATOR JAMES ZEMAITIS, “THE NECESSITY OF CONNOISSEURSHIP IN 20TH CENTURY DESIGN”

Lambertville, NJ:  The Rago Arts and Auction Center hosts an open house on Wednesday, October 14, featuring James Zemaitis, Visiting Curator of Decorative Arts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art and former Director of Sotheby's 20th Century Design Department. Mr. Zemaitis will speak on “The Necessity of Connoisseurship in 20th Century Design” at 6 pm.

“The Necessity of Connoisseurship in 20th Century Design” asserts that too often the classic principle of connoisseurship—the critical ability to pass judgment on a work of art—is neglected when it comes to the voluminous 20th Century Design market. While there are pockets of serious expertise in such fields as American art pottery and Tiffany lamps, the overwhelming majority of the property in specialized 20th Century design auctions and online dealer portals is being sold without the necessary checks and balances. Entire geographic regions of design, including Italy, France, Scandinavia, and even Brazil and India, are now hampered with issues of authenticity, attribution, and dating. How can we strengthen and cleanse the overall market for 20th Century Design, which remains by far the most popular decorative arts category amongst today's collectors and interior designers? James Zemaitis presents a roadmap of reform.

James Zemaitis is currently the Visiting Curator of Decorative Arts at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, a post he has held since August 2013. He began his auction career in 1996 at Christie's, where he worked for three years in the 20th Century Design department. Mr. Zemaitis served as the Director of 20th Century Design at Phillips from 2000 – 2003 and Senior Vice President, 20th Century Design at Sotheby’s from 2003 - 2013.  He holds a B.A. in Art History from Oberlin College and an M.A. in Decorative Arts, Design History and Material Culture from Bard Graduate Center.

A wine and cheese reception begins at 5 p.m. Mr. Zemaitis’ talk begins at 6 p.m. RSVP to 609.397.9374, ext. 119 or raac@ragoarts.com. If you are unable to rsvp in advance, please join us if you can. All are welcome.

TO THE EDITOR

High-resolution images available on request.

About Rago Arts and Auction Center

Rago is a leading U.S. auction house with $30 million in annual sales. It serves thousands of sellers and buyers yearly with a singular blend of global reach, personal service and competitive commissions for single pieces, collections and estates. Rago holds auctions of 20th/21st c. design, fine art, decorative arts, furnishings, jewelry, Asian, militaria, coins and currency, silver, historic ephemera, and ethnographic property. Rago also provides a range of appraisal services conducted by USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) compliant appraisers, performed to the highest standards set by the IRS, insurers and the Appraisers Association of America. Rago is located in New Jersey, midway between New York City and Philadelphia.

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