Other top lots by Martin Brothers, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Felix Agostini, Grueby and Gustav Stickley

Lambertville, NJ   On Saturday June 8th and Sunday June 9th, the Rago Arts and Auction Center will hold its auctions of Early 20th Century Decorative Arts and Modern Design.

“The June action Saturday session features 30 works by George Ohr from the Ellison collection plus some extraordinary Martin ware from the same source,” says David Rago.  “Additionally there are strong examples of American decorative ceramics by Rhead, Redlands, Newcomb College, and Grueby.  There is also a selection of contemporary ceramics by Voulkos, Mason, Toshiko, Natzler, and Scheier.  The Sunday Modern auction includes a landmark collection of New Hope School contemporary by Paul Evans and George Nakashima including an Evans Sculpture-Front credenza and a second Sculpture Front vertical cabinet, as well as a Nakashima French olive burl scissor leg desk.  ”

Early 20th C. Decorative Arts: Saturday, June 8th, Noon

Art Pottery, Furniture, Art Glass, Metalwork and Prints in 300 lots: Ceramics by Teco, Saturday Evening Girls and Rookwood, as well as some fine examples of grotesques by the Martin Brothers, an extensive collection of vessels and novelties by the Mad Potter of Biloxi, George Ohr, from author Robert Ellison, and a large collection of Fulper wares, including two rare Vasekraft lamps.  Exceptional examples by Grueby, Zsolnay, Newcomb College, Redlands, and Frederick Hurten Rhead. 

Furniture by Gustav Stickley, Rose Valley, L. & J.G. Stickley, Roycroft, Limbert, includes a few rare and early pieces by the firm of Gustav Stickley: a wide double-door bookcase with mitered mullions, a leather-top desk, and a Knock-Down settle.  Art glass by Tiffany Studios, Lalique, Daum, and Galle among others.  Hammered copper by Dirk Van Erp, Roycroft, Heinrichs, and Harry Dixon, silver by Kalo and Lebolt.  Color woodblock prints by Gustave Baumann, Edna Hopkins and William Rice and a fine watercolor painting by Louis C. Tiffany.

Studio Ceramics:  Saturday, June 8th (Immediately Following Early 20th C.)

100 lots:  Works from Otto and Gertrud Natzler, Mary and Edwin Scheier ceramics, tapestries and sand paintings.  Also features a collection of fine post-War Alfred, NY ceramics by Peter Voulkos, Robert Turner, Wayne Higby, Don Reitz,Ted Randall, Val Cushing, and William Parry.

Modern Design:  Sunday, June 9th, Noon

Furniture, Ceramics, Glass, Metalwork from the 20th and 21st C., 600 lots:  Spectacular furniture and sculpture by New Hope craftspeople George and Mira Nakashima, Paul Evans and Phil Powell.  Also fine examples by American makers Vladimir Kagan, Sam Maloof, Wendell Castle, Judy McKie and Silas Kopf.  Designers Kelvin and Phillip LaVerne, Tommi Parzinger, James Mont, Edward Wormley, Paul Frankl, and T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings.  Lighting by Cedric Hartman, Hansen, Von Nessen, Mont, Felix Agostini, Paavo Tynell and Adnet, among many.  Scandinavian wares designed by Ejvind Johansson, Preben Fabricius, Poul Kjaerholm, Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Greta Grossman, Alvar Aalto and Borge Mogensen.  Ceramics by Pablo Picasso at Madoura, sets of plates by Piero Fornasetti, and Gio Ponti.  Studio glass by Jon Kuhn, Dante Marioni, Klaus Moje, Dale Chihuly, Linda MacNeil, Lino Tagliapietra, Tomas Hlavicka and Vladimir Prochazka, Barovier and Venini. 

Auction Exhibition/Preview/Bidding

Saturday, June 1 through Wednesday, June 5, 12–5 p.m. and by appointment; Thursday, June 6, 12-6 p.m., Friday, June 7, 12-7 p.m. Doors open at 9 a.m. on sale days.Open House with Guest Speaker, Dr. Martin Eidelberg: Thursday, June 6. Reception at 5 p.m., lecture at 6 p.m. RSVP 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

Printed catalogues are available for $25 each by calling 609.397.9374 or e-mailing a request to info@ragoarts.com. View a complete catalogue with color images at ragoarts.com, online May 20th.

-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.

-Next 20th C. Design Auctions: October 26/27, 2013