My goal is to publish new posts twice a week — Mondays and Thursdays. However, if you don’t see a new post on Thursday, it’s because I was too busy, so please look for a new one the following Monday.
David Rago held a very successful 20th/21st Century Design Auction on March 2, 2013. The sale grossed $5.25 million, exceeding the high estimate, with a sell-through rate of 85%. 308 phone bidders competed with the live audience and 1500 Internet bidders. Absentee bids totaled over $3 million.
David had the following to say about his sale. “The sale was interesting not because of the total dollar amount or the sell through rate (we’ve had higher numbers in both cases), but for the strength of the middle market. We had only 4 lots over $50k hammer for the entire weekend. What was most pleasing was how well the $2,500 – $5,000 lots performed. Lots always sold at that level, of course, but not with such consistency and so much competition. At first I thought it was for maybe just Arts and Crafts or some of the Modern but, as the sale progressed, it was clear that it was going to happen through the day. This means that the normal collector base was joined by designers, decorators, and dealers looking for material.”
Monumental Teco vase, Rago lot #21
The 20th Century section of the sale was led by a rare, monumental (22½”), Teco vase with iris flowers. Estimated to sell for $35,000 – $45,000, it blew past the estimate to sell for an astounding $212,500.
Fine Martin Brothers bird, Rago lot #150
The results for the sale of seven Martin Brothers birds confirmed the strength of the market, which has been hot for decades. The group was led by lot #150, a large bird with a bald head, at one time in the famous Harriman & Judd collection. It more than doubled its low estimate of $35,000, to sell for $93,750, including buyer’s premium. The average selling price for the seven birds was an impressive $44,643.
For the complete results of the sale, click here.
Remember the fantastic NYC Pier Antiques Show opens to the public this coming Saturday, March 16th, at 10 AM. Make sure you attend this exciting show.
Fine Galle Plum blownout vase, just in
Click here to view French cameo glass for sale. We always strive to offer the finest objects for sale on our website and at every show.
This superb Galle fuchsia blownout vase has great color and just arrived
Look around my website. There are many items for sale, sold items with prices and free lessons about glass and lamps. I regularly add Tiffany vases, lamps and desk accessories, as well as French cameo glass by Galle and Daum Nancy and etchings by Louis Icart. Here’s the link. Philip Chasen Antiques.
We’ll next head to Chicago in a couple of weeks for the Garden, Antique & Design Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL, (a north suburb of Chicago), April 17-19, 2015. We’re down to only two shows in the greater Chicago area, so don’t wait for the Merchandise Mart or the Navy Pier. They don’t exist anymore. Come and visit us in Glencoe or you’ll be out of luck until we return to Winnetka in the fall.
