SOLLO RAGO’S REAL MODERN AUCTION SEPTEMBER 12, 2009, 11 AM A FIND FOR DESIGN- AND BUDGET-CONSCIOUS BUYERS: WHERE THE PRICEY GALLERIES GO FOR “MAD MEN” STYLE AT REASONABLE PRICES
FURNISHINGS BY EAMES, NAKASHIMA, NOGUCHI, BERTOIA, EVANS, VENINI, WEGNER, KJ
News-Antique.com - Sep 01,2009 - Lambertville NJ: “Real Modern,” the auction aimed at design- and budget-conscious buyers looking for “Mad Men” style, is back on September 12 at Rago’s, New Jersey’s leading auction house.
“This is a sale of work by top Modern designers at reasonable prices, says John Sollo, who directs the sale. “We’re selling high style furnishings for home or office that are comfortable and not particularly expensive.”
American studio furniture is always an important focus for Sollo Rago. Lot 243, an Ibram Lassaw cocktail table, is a very rare, large example with a smoked plate glass top over sculptural steel base, estimated between $4,000 and 6,000. Lot 247 is a Robert Dice sculpted, laminated and doweled wood chair, circa 1978, similar to the example illustrated in ''Creating Modern Furniture: Trends, Techniques, Appreciation.'' Lot 248, a 2005 T.J. Volonis pipe chair, is constructed of tubular copper fittings and is estimated $1,500-3,500. Lot 245 is a pair of industrial iron steampipe barrel chairs estimated $1,000-1,500. Lot 237 is a New Hope School walnut bar with a free-form, free-edge top, chip-carved case, open back with shelves and stainless steel sink, estimated at $2,000-4,000.
Production furniture by American designers is both iconic and a great value in the current market. The sale features some great American lounge chairs: lot 1, a Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller "Billy Wilder" chaise in very clean original condition estimated at $2,500-4,500; lot 287, a rare pair by Edward Wormley / Dunbar in striped fabric upholstery, estimated at $2,000-4,000; lots 226 and 227 by designer Adrian Pearsall for Croft Associates in leather on walnut frames, and lot 346, a pair of lounge chairs by designer Paul McCobb for Calvin, estimated at $1,200-1,800. Featured credenzas in this category include: lot 217, a rare and large Paul Evans / Directional in burlwood, with four doors enclosing adjustable shelves, estimated between $1,500-3,500; and lot 470, a ten-drawer rosewood credenza with marble top by Florence Knoll, estimated at $2,000-4,000. Lots 378-379 are by designer Tommi Parzinger from the Charak Modern line. Lot 378 is a double dresser and lot 379 is a gentleman's chest. Each is in bleached mahogany with solid brass hardware and each is estimated at $1,500-3,500. Lot 474, a first generation version of the “model IN-50” Isamu Noguchi / Herman Miller coffee table, has a shaped, pale yellow-green glass top and is estimated at $1,200-1,800. Lot 303 is a T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings / Widdicomb dining suite comprising a table with book-matched walnut top and six chairs (two armchairs and four side), estimated at $4,000-6,000. Lot 472, is a Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi / Knoll side table and child's chairs in white plastic-coated steel frames with vinyl seats, estimated at $2,000-4,000. Lot 6 is a Charles and Ray Eames / Evans set of six DCM walnut plywood chairs, ca. 1946, estimated at $1,500-3,500. Lot 361, attributed to Milo Baughman, is a pair of chromed steel armchairs upholstered in white vinyl and estimated at $800-1,200. Lot 510, an Erwin and Estelle Laverne
