Modern Design Auction @ Rago
The Design Market is alive despite the current crisis and auctions have been doing rather well lately. Here is my first review for 2021 with the Modern Design Auction by Rago (USA).
On January 22nd, the American design auction house Rago will present 383 lots for its Modern Design Auction.
This important line up is featuring American and European design, studio ceramics, and contemporary glass. Masterful examples of American craft by Wharton Esherick, Harry Bertoia, Arthur Espenet Carpenter, Paul Evans, and George Nakashima will be offered alongside exceptional designs by glass and ceramic luminaries, including Dale Chihuly, Lino Tagliapietra, Yoichi Ohira, Steffen Dam, William Morris, Betty Woodman, Peter Voulkos, Toshiko Takaezu, and many more.
Here is my personal selection made without any commercial ties with the auction house. I have tried to select great objects at various bidding prices. The selection is presented according to the lot number, not my personal preference.
Lot 402 – Table Lamp by George Nakashima
Nakashima Studio
USA, 1979
English walnut, rosewood, holly, parchment
67 × 33 cm
Estimate: USD 6,500 – 8,500
Lot 409 - Hanging Wall cabinet by George Nakashima
Nakashima Studio. USA, 1965. American black walnut, pandanus cloth. 46 x 257 x 46 cm
Estimate: USD 30,000 – 40,000
Lot 431 - Untitled by Betty Woodman
A tray, three cups and saucers, USA, c. 1985. Glazed earthenware. 14 × 75 × 25 cm
Estimate: USD 5,000 – 7,000
Lot 435 - Rare Special tea cart by George Nakashima
Nakashima Studio. USA, 1962. American black walnut, pandanus cloth, casters. 82 × 107 × 46 cm
Estimate: USD 15,000 – 20,000
Lot 438 - Roll-Top desk and Wishbone chair by Arthur Espenet Carpenter
USA, 1979/1985
American black walnut, brass, felt, rosewood, vellum, oak, African hyedua
Desk: 100 × 137 × 79 cm
Chair: 78 h x 54.6 w x 58.42 d
Estimate: USD 20,000–25,000
Lot 441 - Important Desk for David Solinger's Law Office by Wharton Esherick
USA, 1954
Walnut, cherry
71 × 260 × 274 cm
Estimate: USD 35,000 – 55,000
Lot 456 - Rare sculpted fireplace by Phillip Lloyd Powell
USA, c. 1965
Carved and sculpted walnut
272 × 140 cm
Estimate: USD 20,000 – 30,000
Lot 485 - Monumental Screen by James Martin
USA
Cherry
185 × 127 × 36 cm
Estimate: USD 2,000 – 3,000
Lot 537 – Teapot by Michael and Maureen Banner
USA, 1996
sterling silver, rosewood
38 × 13 × 8 cm
Estimate: USD 5,000 – 7,000
Lot 538 - Ellipse II desk by Jere Osgood
Ellipse II desk. USA, c. 1985. Bubinga, wenge, birds eye maple, leather. 119 × 135 × 102 cm
Estimate: USD 10,000 – 15,000
Lot 543 - Piazza four-piece tea and coffee service with tray by Michael Graves
Alessi
USA / Italy, 1980 / 1989
sterling silver, glass, plastic, aluminum
9 × 42 × 41 cm
Estimate: USD 12,000 – 18,000
Lot 548 - He and She pitchers by Mario Botta
Cleto Munari
Italy, 1988
Sterling silver
30 × 9 × 14 cm
Estimate: USD 3,000 – 5,000
Lot 594 – Candelabrum by Albert Paley
USA, 1999. Forged and fabricated steel with a blackened finish, bronze. 24 × 51 × 13 cm
Estimate: USD 3,500 – 4,500
Lot 666 - Seed vessel by Lino Tagliapietra
Italy, 2000
Hand-blown glass, battuto surface
65 × 28 × 18 cm
Estimate: USD 15,000 – 20,000
Lot 668 - Uranium Undulation by Michael Glancy
USA, 2009. Blown glass, industrial plate glass, copper, acrylic. 23 × 47 × 47 cm
Estimate: USD 15,000 – 20,000
