RAGO’S MARCH 22 GREAT ESTATES AUCTION TOPS HIGH ESTIMATE AT $1.3 MILLION

Lambertville, NJ: Rago Arts and Auction Center's Great Estates auction on March 22 edged past its high estimate with a total of $1,339,063 in sales.  

"This was a classic Estate auction with exceptional property from private homes, estates and collections, priced reasonably, said Tom Martin, who directs the sale. “That’s a formula for success.  It’s also clear to me that more buyers than ever before look to Rago for beautiful traditional furnishings, carpets, silver, American, Continental and Asian fine and decorative art. We have top notch property in house already for the next auction in September and we are looking for more. ”  

GREAT ESTATES HIGHLIGHTS

Almost all categories sold strong in the March 22 auction save for a somewhat disappointing showing by coins. Some of the strongest results in the auction were achieved by Asian lots, the hammer exceeding the high estimate by 37 percent overall. The top lot of the auction was Asian: a Chinese nephrite jade four panel screen for $58,750. Russian pieces brought spirited bidding. As a result,  a Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory military plate sold at $35,000 and a Russian Imperial Glass Factory (Attr.) amethyst glass beaker at $3,625. Fine art did well overall, with several paintings and sculptures significantly exceeding their high estimates. Lot 132, a bronze and ivory sculpture of a young woman attributed to Demetre Chiparus, sold for $18,750. The selling prices of porcelain plaques were stellar. Most hammered at or above high estimate, notably lot 71, a KPM Porcelain Plaque, "Solitude" , which sold for $20,000. Lot 90, a pair of Meissen Pate Sur Pate covered urns, also sold very well at $16,250.  Traditional furnishings finished close to high estimate, with several outstanding pieces, such as lot 196, a Chippendale chest of drawers for $16,250, and lot 243, a Chippendale walnut corner cabinet for $21,250. Rugs and tapestries were also successful, finishing at high estimate. Noteworthy ephemera includes lot 615, a Presidential autograph album at $27,500, and lot 616, a signed H. G. Wells, "The War of the Worlds" first edition for $15,000, sought after by museums, bookstores and private collectors.

- Hammer: $ 1,071,250

- Hammer + b.p. $ 1,339,063

- Low estimate: $863,950

- High estimate: $1,290,050

- Number of lots: 688

- % sold: 87% 

- Bidders in-house: 136

- Absentee bidders: 95

- Phone Bidders:  175

- Bidders online: 1124 (online bidders from: U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Russia, Egypt, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain Portugal, Italy, France, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Sweden, UK, Ireland, India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Australia, Japan.

Highlighted Top Lots:

- 409 Chinese Nephrite Jade Four Panel Screen    $68,750

- 58   Russian Imperial Porcelain Factory Military Plate    $35,000

- 615 Presidential Autograph Album   $27,500

- 243 Chippendale Walnut Corner Cabinet    $21,250

- 71   KPM Porcelain Plaque, "Solitude"   $20,000

- 416 Chinese Altar Table     $20,000

- 132 Demetre Chiparus (Attr.), Bronze and Ivory Sculpture of a Young Woman  $18,750

- 90   Pair of Meissen Pate Sur Pate Covered Urns     $16,250

- 196 Chippendale Chest of Drawers   $16,250

- 120 Jean Jacques Feuchere, Bronze Sculpture, "Satan" 1833   $15,000

- 616 H. G. Wells Signed "The War of the Worlds" First Edition    $15,000

- 119 Mario Joseph Korbel, Bronze Sculpture of a Draped Nude   $13,750

Rago Auctions will hold the next Great Estates Auction on September 14, 2014. Consignments are now being accepted for all auctions: 609.397.9374 or info@ragoarts.com. 

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 sales in 2013. 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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