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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).![](https://blog.chasenantiques.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Winnetka-720x215.jpg)
Martin Brothers creature tobacco jar is eclectic