RAGO’S HOLDS A 900 LOT 20TH C. DESIGN AUCTION ON APRIL 24/25 Fresh property from U.S. and abroad includes work from Kagan, Nakashima, Adnet, McKie, Powell, Bertoia, Wormley, Esherick, Wegner, Gustav Stickley, Majorelle.
Among the makers and designers of lighting in the sale are Serge Mouille, Arredoluce, George Nakashima, Erik Hoglund, Felix Agostini, Harry Balmer, Jacques Adnet, James Mont, Poul Henningsen, Salviati, Stilnovo, Venini and Vistosi. A few pieces particularly worthy of note include a Serge Mouille enameled aluminum and brass wall-mounting lamp, c. 1954, estimated at $15,000-20,000; a Serge Mouille enameled aluminum and brass Trepied lamp, c. 1954, estimated at $9,500-12,500; a George Nakashima Kent Hall floor lamp, estimated at $9,000-12,000; a massive Jean Royere enameled iron ''Tour Eiffel'' floor lamp, estimated at $7,000-9,000; and a Philip Johnson/Richard Kelly brass floor lamp with an ivory-enameled aluminum shade, estimated at $6,000-8,000.
Some of the most tempting lots in the sales are not by the architect/designers of the Modern movement, but by its artists. Rago’s has secured a fine selection of Bertoia sculptures for this sale, including a Willow, three Sonambients, a large Spray and a Bush, estimated in the $15,000-25,000 range. There is a gilded wood panel, ca. 1925, by the great Swiss artist Jean Dunand, estimated at $10,000-15,000; a Ruth Duckworth ceramic wall plaque, estimated at $10,000-15,000; a wall-sized Philippa Threlfall ceramic mural, estimated at $5,000-7,000; and a Robert Arneson ceramic trophy bust self-portrait, estimated at $10,000-15,000. Also here is the work of Pedro Friedeberg, including an acrylic, pen and ink and carved wood wall relief sculpture with ink signature, estimated at $17,500-22,500; a Mexican mahogany gilt angel clock; and a Hand and Foot sculpture. There are two key works by glass artist Steve Tobin: an eight foot high blown glass and steel Cocoon sculpture, estimated at $9,000-12,000, and ''Homage to Blue Child'', a cast glass torso with infused diamond fragments and applied bronze, estimated at $8,000-12,000, in addition to his work in other media. Jack Earl is represented by several of his figural ceramic sculptures, estimated from $3,000-10,000 and Dominic Labino by three works in glass. There are Wharton Esherick woodblock prints; fantasy sculptures from Ed Zucca; Harry Bertoia monoprints; Klaus Ihlenfeld’s biomorphic bronzes; three canvases by Robert Loughlin and more.
The sale includes a good selection of fireplace accessories, featuring an important fireplace hood of forged and fabricated steel by Albert Paley, estimated at $7,000-10,000. Also here is is a set of forge and fabricated fireplace tools by Albert Paley, estimated at $5,000-7,000 and by Jean Royere, estimated at $7,000-9,000.
Prospective buyers will also find jewelry, notably, a William Harper gold, pearl and opal cloisonne brooch, ''The Lotus,'' 1998, estimated at $9,000-12,000; textiles, including three Calder maguey fiber tapestries; turned wood vessels; architectural panels; clocks; pietra dura by Richard Blow; and flatware by Gio Ponti and Irving Harper.
