Modern Sale at Rago
Lita Solis-Cohen | October 28th, 2012
|
Designed by Paul Evans for Directional in 1972, this metal cabinet is bronze composite, painted wood, and metal, and has a slate top. The 32" x 97½" x 22" cabinet is signed “PE 72.” It sold for $25,000 (est. $9000/12,000).
This 1965 hanging wall case by George Nakashima is made from walnut and pandanus cloth. Marked with the client’s name, the 30½" x 96" x 18" case sold with a copy of the original drawing for $28,750 (est. $18,000/24,000).
A 16" x 60" x 28" Skyline coffee table by Paul Evans of New Hope, Pennsylvania, 1969, of welded and painted steel, bronze, and composite glass. The table has a welded signature and date. It sold for $21,250 (est. $9000/14,000).
This set of six Conoid dining chairs by George Nakashima, each 35½" x 20" x 19½", was made in 1971-72 of walnut and hickory. They are signed with a client’s name and came with the original order card and a letter of authentication from Mira Nakashima. The set sold for $36,250 (est. $20,000/30,000).
Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, 28½" x 46" diameter Etruscan dining table, New York, 1960’s. The etched and patinated bronze and pewter table has an etched signature and is on casters. It sold for $20,000 (est. $6000/8000). |
Rago Arts and Auction Center, Lambertville, New Jersey
Photos courtesy Rago Arts
The furniture for the modern sales at Rago Arts and Auction Center is gathered by Jad Attal and Timothy Andreadis, cataloged by Kimberly Sorensen and Sarah Dziamba, and brought together by Suzanne Perrault, who also is the glass, ceramics, and decorations specialist. Of the 720-plus lots pictured in the telephone book-size catalog for the sale on October 28, 2012, auctioneers David Rago and his wife, Suzanne Perrault, sold 78% for a grand total of $2,566,025, a tad below the $2,703,250 to $3,768,950 estimated, but the 25% buyer’s premium on any lot up to $50,000 pushed the total to $3,207,531––not figuring the 3% discount on bills paid in cash, by check, or by wire transfer. None of the pieces topped $50,000.
Most of the buying was done on phones or on line, and 9% of the on-line bids came from outside the United States, including Canada, Russia, Asia, Australia, Central America, South America, and the Middle East. About 100 people came to the salesroom. The Internet has changed the auction business.
Rago’s modern sales are watched by collectors of glass, ceramics, and studio furniture, but the majority of the buyers of furniture and decorations are designers or private buyers who want a new dining table, cabinet, or some chairs and realize they can usually get them used in good condition for a lot less than new. A few dealers with shops and who exhibit at shows come to the sale to be sure they do not miss a bargain, but the vast majority of the buyers are in the decorator trade and know how to shop on line.
The market for George Nakashima furniture was solid for good but not exceptional tables and chairs. A Minguren II coffee table with a French olive ash burl top sold for $53,125, (est. $30,000/50,000), and a set of six of his Conoid dining chairs sold for $36,250 (est. $20,000/30,000).
Almost every piece by Paul Evans or Phillip Lloyd Powell sold within or over estimates. For instance, a sculpture/cabinet by Paul Evans brought $25,000 (est. $9000/12,000), and a pair of walnut lounge chairs sculpted by Phil Powell sold for $17,500 (est. $12,000/18,000).
A custom pedestal desk created by Wharton Esherick sold for $62,500 (est. $60,000/80,000). A Wishbone chair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter fetched $15,000 (est. $7500/9500). These last two are collector’s pieces, and so was Judy Kensley McKie’s Arizona table of painted wood, granite, and a patinated copper cactus, which sold for $23,750 (est. $6000/8000).
The market for Scandinavian furniture was strong. A Chieftain chair by Finn Juhl sold for $32,500 (est. $18,000/24,000). A brand new one from Design Within Reach is $13,900! There is something about authenticity that makes an old one worth it.
Harry Bertoia’s sculpture is still in demand. There were two bronze bushes in this sale; one sold for $53,125 (est. $37,500/ 47,500), and the other one for $33,750 (est. $19,000/24,000). A “Sonambient” sculpture with nine rods by Bertoia sold for $50,000 (est. $35,000/45,000).
The secondary market for American studio glass and ceramics is growing, as more collectors find what they want at auction. The pictures and captions show some of the highlights.
For more information, log on to Rago’s Web site (www.ragoarts.com) or call Rago at (609) 397-9374.
|
Arthur Espenet Carpenter made this Wishbone chair in Bolinas, California, in 1976 of African hyedua and saddle leather. Branded “Espenet” and incised “7624,” the 31¾" x 22" x 23" chair sold for $15,000 (est. $7500/9500). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
K.E.M. Weber designed this pair of 31" x 28½" x 42" lounge chairs, made by Lloyd Manu+facturing Co., circa 1934, of chromed steel, leatherette, and painted maple. Unmarked, they sold for $15,000 (est. $4000/6000).
Judy Kensley McKie titled this 29" x 13½" x 16" side table Arizona. Made of painted wood, granite, and patinated copper, it is incised “JKM 1986” and sold on the phone for $23,750 (est. $6000/8000).
Vladimir Kagan, No. 176SC sofa, manufactured by Kagan-Dreyfuss. The unmarked 30¼" x 85" sofa from the 1950’s is made of sculpted cherrywood and has royal blue chenille upholstery. It sold for $21,240 (est. $7000/9000).
Michael Graves for Memphis Milano SRL, Plaza vanity and bench, Italy, 1980’s. The vanity was created of briar, lacquered wood, glass, silvered glass, brass, and fabric upholstery, and has a metal tag. The dressing table measures 95½" x 55½" x 20½", and the stool is 19½" high x 15½" in diameter. The pair sold for $20,000 (est. $9000/12,000).
After artwork by Alexander Calder (1898-1976), this jute fiber tapestry was manufactured in 1975 by Bon Art in Nicaragua. It is a prototype “Star,” embroidered “AC 75,” and has a cloth tag. The 84" x 56" tapestry sold for $15,000 (est. $4000/5000).
A 6½" x 10" earthenware bowl by Otto and Gertrud Natzler with a white and brown volcanic glaze, spurious illegible pencil marking, and a paper label with “H958,” sold for $16,250 (est. $7500/10,000) to a bidder on the Internet.
Harry Bertoia made what he called “Sonambient” sculptures. This one from the 1970’s is beryllium, copper, and brass. The unmarked 60½" x 14" x 7" sculpture sold for $50,000 (est. $35,000/45,000).Originally published in the February 2013 issue of Maine Antique Digest. © 2013 Maine Antique Digest
