Full Text:

RAGO MODERN AUCTION

(with 5 cuts)

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. -- David Rago's Twentieth Century auction, was held on

November 15 and, with the new partnership of Colorado collector/dealer John

Sollo, the 400-lot sale was the firm's most comprehensive and qualitative to

date, exceeding its high presale estimate by over 30 percent, reaching

$650,000.

Modern furniture included examples by George Nakashima, Charles Eames, George

Nelson, Frank Lloyd Wright, Warren McArthur, and Sam Maloof. Decorative

ceramics were highlighted by works by the Natzlers, Beatrice Wood, and Toshiko

Takiezu. While the non-ceramic accessories performed well, the surprise of the

sale was a rare French Art Deco mantel clock by Albert Cheuret which sold for

$39,600, 25 times its high estimate.

The silver plated pyramidal clock, found in an estate box lot in western

Pennsylvania by a general-line dealer was initially evaluated at $400/600. The

estimate was eventually raised by the house to $1,4/1,600. Seven bidders

competed by phone, in competition with several serious in-room buyers. The

clock eventually knocked-down to Anthony DeLorenzo, a Madison Avenue Modern

dealer.

The high furniture lot of the sale, which was also a record level by a lot for

the gallery, was an unusual Isamu Noguchi blonde wood and glass coffee table.

From an Illinois home in which its sat for the last 40 years, and accompanied

by a period architectural photo showing it in situ, it shot past its high

estimate of $3,000 before settling at $23,100.

An unusual and early tea set by Gertrude and Otto Natzler proved to be the

high ceramic lot. One of only a handful known, and covered in a metallic

orange flambe, the 13-piece set exceeded its high estimate of $10,000 to make

$15,400.

In all, the Natzler selection consisted of over a dozen paper-thin lots with a

variety of glazes. All but one failed to meet their reserves, and most brought

above their high estimates.

According to the gallery, several pieces by George Nakashima reached new

heights, a fitting tribute considering his studio is across the river from the

auction house, in New Hope, Pa. The selection represented the firm's best

offering of the master's work to date, and the crown response was up for the

occasion.

The top Nakashima lot, an unusual double bed of burled maple, was consigned by

the original owner, who furnished the receipt of sale. Estimated $9/14,000, it

nearly doubled its high estimate, reaching $22,000, knocked down to a New

Jersey dealer.

According to the gallery, a large, walnut "conoid" dining table, from the

estate of its original owner, accompanied by Nakashima's original sketch, set

a record at $19,800, and a Nakashima lounge chair with a free-edge arm

established a new high at $13,200 (A previous record for the form, $8,800, was

set at another Rago auction a year ago).

The work of Charles and Raye Eames ranged from commercially-oriented office

pieces to lower-production collector pieces. The high Eames lot, a rare and

early ten-panel molded plywood screen, nearly doubled its $10,000 high

estimate at $19,250. Another smaller screen, of even earlier vintage, also

sold well at $12,100.

Other Eames pieces included a pair of unusual two-color dining chairs, which

sold for $3,860; a child's molded plywood stool, which brought $3,850; and two

red molded plywood dining chairs which rang up $1,650 and $1,760 respectively.

A set of four DCWs for Evans brought $2,310.

Individual offerings by various designers included a Sam Maloof daybed, one of

the first pieces of furniture he ever made, which realized $6,600. A Warren

McArthur medium-sized library table brought $4,675, and Arabesque lounge chair

with replaced fabric sold for $5,500, and a Massimo Iosa-Ghini leather and

chrome armchair brought a strong $2,860.

On a higher level, a Ken Weber airline chair in excellent original condition

appears to have set a record at $13,200, an orange naugahyde George Nelson

Marshmallow sofa in excellent condition brought $16,500, and another Nelson

piece, a walnut miniature jewelry chest, brought a solid $5,225.

Finally, an interesting selection of Frank Lloyd Wright pieces attracted

international attention. The top lot, a Price Tower side chair, with original

fabric and parts, reached a respectable $7,150. More memorable was an original

carpet from the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz. Estimated at $600/800, fierce

competition drove the textile to $3,575. And a series of four original

blueprints for Price Tower furniture were brought by various bidders, the top

lot reaching $2,750.

Prices quoted include a ten percent buyers premium. Catalogues to this

auction, picturing all pieces in full color and providing accurate and

thorough descriptions of each piece, post-paid and including sales results, is

available at Rago Auctions by calling or writing David Rago Auctions, 333 N.

Main Street, Lambertville, N.J. 08530; 609/397-9374; www.ragoarts.com.

Rago and Sollo have announced plans for a new series of Modern auctions for

1999. While they are currently planning to hold May and November events, as in

years past, there is the possibility of adding a third such auction. Those

interested in consigning are encouraged to call or write either Rago, at the

number above, or John Sollos at 800/720-2685.