Rago Arts and Auction Center’s 20th /21st C. Design sale brought $4.46 million on June 8 and 9, 2013.

“The sale as a whole did very well, hammering at 98% of its aggregate low estimate,” said David Rago.  “Arts and Crafts was strong nearly across the board.  Modern ceramics performed exceedingly well, setting more than a few new records for artist like the Scheiers and Turner. Sunday’s session saw strong pricing for the firm’s specialties including Nakashima, Evans, Powell, and organic craft design, though there were a few soft spots for middle-range designers."

- Bidders in-house:  97

- Bidders on phone:  241

- Absentee Bidders: 125

- Bidders online:  353 (Early 20th C. and Studio Ceramics); 438 (Modern)

- Number of lots:  992

- Percent sold:  82%

Early 20th C. Design/Arts & Crafts:  Saturday, June 8, 2013

- Hammer:  $977,925

- Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium = $ 1,222,406

- Low Estimate:  $ 897,400

- High Estimate:  $ 1,268,250

- Percent sold:  88%

- 10% of online bidders outside the U.S. (Early 20th c. and Studio Pottery): Canada, Brazil, Venezuela, U.K., France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Finland, Japan and Australia.

Highlighted Lots:

- 105 Frederick H. Rhead/Agnes Rhead/University City Squat Bowl  $55,000

- 22   George Ohr Large Vessel  $47,500

- 156 Robert W. Martin/Martin Brothers Bird Tobacco Jar  $43,750

- 158 Robert W. Martin/Martin Brothers Rare Armadillo Vessel  $43,750

- 9     Grueby Early Kendrick Vase  $31,250

- 123 George Ohr Tall Pitcher with Ribbon Handle  $27,500

- 296 Tiffany Studios Rare Lantern  $27,500

- 33   Newcomb College Early Vessel with Fish  $25,000

- 168 Gustav Stickley Early Two-Door Bookcase  $25,000 

- 282 Otto Prutscher (Attr) Loetz vase $12,500

- 61   Gustave Baumann Print, “Pelican Rookery”  $10,000

Studio Pottery:  Saturday, June 8, 2013

- Hammer:  $ 1,144,575

- Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium:  $ 1,430,718

- Low estimate:  $ 1046600

- High estimate:  $ 1,482,250

- Percent sold:  87% 

Highlighted Lots:

- 318 Edwin and Mary Scheier Monumental Footed Vase  $21,250

- 327 Robert Turner Massive Glazed Stoneware Vessel  $16,250 

- 325 Peter Voulkos Large Gas Fired Stoneware Charger  $8,750

- 326 Robert Turner Massive Glazed Stoneware Vessel  $8,125

- 330 Robert Turner Glazed Stoneware Vessel  $8,125

- 336 Don Reitz Large Hand-Built Stoneware Vessel  $8,125

20th/21st C./Modern Design: Sunday, June 9, 2013

- Hammer:  $ 2,419,450

- Hammer + 25% buyer’s premium:  $ 3,024,312

- Low estimate:  $ 2,570,150

- High estimate:  $ 3,634,650

- Percent sold:  78% 

- 12% of online bidders outside the U.S.: Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Venezuela, South Africa, Ireland, U.K. France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, Russia, China, Australia and New Zealand.

Highlighted Lots:

- 402 Paul Evans Important Sculpture Front Cabinet  $187,500

- 400 Paul Evans Important Sculpture Front Vertical Cabinet  $162,500

- 448 George Nakashima Conoid Cross-Legged Desk  $68,750

- 408 Paul Evans/Directional Large Argente Cabinet  $59,375

- 440 George Nakashima Conoid Bench  $35,000

- 650 Picasso/Madoura “Femmes Fleurs” pitcher  $22,500

- 810 Arthur E. Carpenter chess table  $22,500

- 432 Wharton Esherick Hammer-Handle chair  $21,250

- 885 Vladimir Kagan Wide Angle Sofa  $21,250

- 656 Fabricius/Kastholm Pair of Scimitar chairs  $17,500

Consignments are now being accepted for the next 20th C. Design auctions, October 26/27, 2013 and all Rago auctions: 609.397.9374 or info@ragoarts.com.  

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.