“The five Modern auctions that preceded ours the week of our sale were mostly strong, but there were some soft spots in European furniture and Tiffany,” said David Rago.  “Our sale had soft spots, too, but did pretty much as we had hoped, in spite of $20 million having been taken out of the market before our first hammer fell.  And it was Father's Day."

Rago Arts and Auction Center’s 20th /21st C. Design sale: $4.74 million, June 16 and 17, 2012.

·          Bidders in-house:  90

·          Bidders on phone:  265

·          Absentee Bidders: 142

·          Bidders online:  451 (Early 20th C.); 461 (Modern)

·          Number of lots:  1096

·          Percent sold:  82%

Early 20th C. Design/Arts & Crafts:  Saturday, June 16, 2012

·          Hammer:  $ 1,399,550

·          Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium = $ 1,749,438

·          Low Estimate:  $ 1,132,050

·          High Estimate:  $ 1,633,050

·          Percent sold:  91%

·          15% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

Highlighted Lots:

·          17     Frederick Hurten, Rhead Vessel    $ 150,000

·          373   Tiffany Studios Floor Lamp with Tulip Shade    $ 137,500

·          1       Frances Rocchi, Saturday Evening Girls Center Bowl    $ 96,875

·          214   Duffner & Kimberly Table Lamp in Louis XV Pattern    $ 40,625

·          50     Samuel Yellin Pair of Large Doors    $ 37,500

·          80     L. & J.G. Stickley Paneled Prairie Settle    $ 20,000

·          86     Charles Rohlfs Pair of Rare Tall-Back Chairs    $ 20,000

·          188   Zsolnay Large Charger with Maiden    $ 18,750

·          269   Lalique Pair of "Longchamps" Mascots    $ 18,750

June 16/17, 2012: 20th/21st C. Design

·          Hammer:  $ 2,389,250

·          Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium:  $ 2,986,563

·          Low estimate:  $ 2,505,600

·          High estimate:  $ 3,529,050

·          Percent sold:  76% 

·          14% of online bidders outside the U.S.: UK, Canada, South America, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East.

Saturday’s Contemporary Pottery Highlighted Lots:

·          400  Viktor Schreckengost, Cowan "Jazz" Bowl    $ 100,000

·          418  Pablo Picosso Tile with Portrait, "Tête De Garçon"    $ 59,375 

·          465  Betty Woodman Ceramic Winged Sculpture    $ 25,000 

·          446  Otto and Gertrud Natzler Earthenware Bowl    $ 12,500 

·          477  Adrian Saxe Ampersand Teapot with Cactus Lid    $ 11,875 

Sunday’s Modern Highlighted Lots:

·          500   Paul Evans Important Sculpture   $ 53,125

·          879   Albert Paley Exceptional Custom Dining Table   $ 53,125

·          938   George Nakashima, Nakashima Studios Fine Turned-Leg Dining Table   $ 53,125

·          516   George Nakashima, Nakashima Studios Special Coffee Table   $ 46,875

·          729   Harry Bertoia Untitled (Bush) Bronze and Copper Sculpture   $ 38,750

·          823   Jean Royere Pair of Club Chairs   $ 37,500

·          507   Paul Evans, Directional Set of Seven Sculptured Metal Dining Chairs    $ 33,750

·          736   Harry Bertoia Large Untitled Sculpture   $ 26,250

·          791   Russel Wright Rare Bullet-Shaped Cocktail Shaker and Six Cups on Tray $ 26,250

·          902   Christopher Hiltey Large Exterior Interactive Mobile Sculpture $ 25,000

Consignments are now being accepted for the next 20th C. Design auctions, October 27/28, 2012: 609.397.9374 or info@ragoarts.com.  

TO THE EDITOR

High resolution images/more information available on request.

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.

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