On November 22, 2019 Rago Auctions held a small 43-item sale of exceptional items entitled Masterworks of American Craft. Following are a few results.
Peter Voulkos sculpture Snake River, Rago lot #26
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know much about modern crafts, including the top lot of the sale, #26, a 1959, 40½” tall, Peter Voulkos glazed stoneware sculpture entitled Snake River. It soared past its pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – $70,000, realizing $250,000, including buyer’s premium. It could have sold for $250 and I wouldn’t have known the difference. Another example of knowledge is power.
Tiffany Studios enamel on copper crab and lobster box, Rago lot #1
I do know about Tiffany Studios items, so I wasn’t surprised by the strong result for lot #1, a 6″ long crab and lobster box. All Tiffany Studios enamel on copper items are rarities and this box was no exception. It easily swam past its pre-sale estimate of $30,000 – $50,000, realizing $87,500, including buyer’s premium.
Tiffany Studios Acorn table lamp with Grueby base, Rago lot #6
Tiffany Studios occasionally worked with the Grueby Faience Pottery to make lovely Arts & Crafts lamps. The example pictured above, lot #6, combines a Tiffany 16″ diameter Acorn shade with an important Kendrick-designed Grueby base. It sold for its low estimate of $30,000 ($40,000 including buyer’s premium).
For the complete results of the sale, click here.
No shows until October 20, 2022, when we’ll exhibit at the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. Two weeks later we’ll exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Show in Winnetka, IL, starting on November 4, 2022.
No new post this week as we’re on vacation. Look for a new post next Monday.
Following is a contemporaneous account of the show.
Our booth just before the opening of the preview party on Thursday night
Thursday, 9:30 PM. Thank goodness the preview party is over. They’re so awful. The dealers are wallpaper for a crowd that has no interest in buying anything. The attendees are there for the food, drink and a good time. We almost never sell anything at a preview party and this time was no different. On the flip side, the food was quite tasty and the drinks were good, so it wasn’t as torturous as usual.
We sold this rare, gorgeous Daum Wheat vase on Friday
Friday, 4:30 PM. It’s been an interesting day thus far. Attendance has been fairly light, but some of our good clients showed up. We had quite a few serious inquiries but only a couple of sales to this point. It’s a good start. We’re expecting good clients to show before the show closes today.
Friday, 7:00 PM. Opening day is over and we’re pleased. Our good clients showed up toward the end of the day and bought a few items, including a Tiffany Studios double student Linenfold table lamp.
There was a small flurry of activity on Saturday afternoon
Saturday, 12:30 PM. The day is off to a slow start after opening at 10 AM. There was almost no one through the door for the first hour. One of our good clients showed up, but no sales yet. We’re expecting our best clients later in the day.
We sold this Tiffany miniature vase on Saturday
Saturday, 5:00 PM. The show is closed today and we’re still optimistic. We made a couple of small sales, but our best clients decided to stay overnight and see us tomorrow. Got my fingers crossed it will go well.
Sunday, 1:30 PM. Our good clients came back to the show and made major purchases, including a Tiffany Peony Border floor lamp. Needless to say, we’re quite pleased. And we have another couple who has been back to the booth several times interested in Tiffany lamps. Hope something happens there.
Sunday, 4:00 PM. Whew! The show is over and it was a big success. The worst part was the high pressure waiting for clients to make up their minds. Our couple from the early afternoon decided to go home and think about a purchase. That usually, but not always, means no. Our established clients were the white knights, with no new blood this time. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not complaining, just explaining. We had a fabulous show and look forward to next year.
No shows until October 20, 2022, when we’ll exhibit at the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. Two weeks later we’ll exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Show in Winnetka, IL, starting on November 4, 2022.
The Antiques + Modernism Winnetka show, at the Winnetka Community Center, opens this weekend, November 8th at 10 AM and continues until Sunday at 4 PM. We’ve been buying up a storm, so here’s a preview.
We’ll have this amazing 17″ diameter Tiffany Poppy table lamp at the show, with extraordinary glass and a killer base with original patina and gilding
We’re bringing a very strong selection of glass and lamps to the show. The American section includes some important Tiffany Favrile vases, as well as a great selection of Tiffany Studios lamps.
Superb Tiffany Favrile blue Tel el Amarna vase
Rare Tiffany Grapevine thermometer
I’ve had good luck recently buying about 25 great Tiffany Studios desk pieces, mainly Grapevine, Pine Needle and Ninth Century. I’ll have them all at the show. (BTW, Tiffany desk set items make great Christmas presents. If you don’t see what you want, ask me, because I don’t have the time to list all the items I have for sale.)
The French selection of cameo and pâte-de-verre glass is among the best we’ve had in years. We’re bringing everything we bought on our recent European buying trip. We’ll have a vast selection of Daum and Gallé, as well as some pate-de-verre by Walter and Argy-Rousseau. I don’t have the time to photograph and list all the items, so you’ll just have to make it your business to visit us in person at the show. You’ll thank me!
Rare Daum Nancy vase with purple flowers and a bee
The show ends on Sunday, so look for my blog next Monday with the results. Got my fingers crossed it will go well. I’m cautiously optimistic.
No shows until October 20, 2022, when we’ll exhibit at the Baltimore Art, Antique & Jewelry Show. Two weeks later we’ll exhibit at the Antiques + Modernism Show in Winnetka, IL, starting on November 4, 2022.
