Rago Auctions, Lambertville, NJ, held an Early 20th C. Design auction on September 21, 2019. The eclectic mix included American and European art pottery, glass and lamps.
The top lot of the sale, #280, was a Martin Brothers creature tobacco jar from 1888. It realized $27,500, including buyer’s premium — below the pre-sale estimate of $25,000 – $30,000.
Newcomb College high glaze vases are early and rarer than standard matte glaze vases. A large, stylized, floral example of calla lilies from 1904, lot #100, sold below its pre-sale estimate of $15,000 – $20,000, realizing $21,500, including buyer’s premium. It was the third highest price of the sale.
The highest price of any Tiffany Studios object in the sale was achieved by lot #333, a leaded Nautilus lamp. It sold within its pre-sale estimate of $6,000 – $9,000, realizing $10,000, including buyer’s premium.
I really wanted to buy lot #310, a wonderful, monumental (16¾” tall) Gallé Alpine scenic vase, but I never bid on it because of a condition problem. Notice that one side of the canoe-shaped mouth is visibly lower than the other. That’s because it was damaged and cut down at some point in its history. Even though the quality was superior, I let it go. It sold for only $5,625, including buyer’s premium, against a pre-sale estimate of $4,000 – $6,000. In my opinion it was worth $15,000+ in perfect condition.
For the complete results of the sale, click here. You will have to log in for the prices (free).
Martin Brothers creature tobacco jar is eclectic