Skinner Hosts Auction of 20th Century Design in Boston on December 17th Skinner, Inc., New England’s only full service auction house, will host an auction of 20th Century Design on December 17th at 10:00 a.m. in its Boston gallery. The extensive sale spans the 20th centur
News-Antique.com - Dec 08,2011 - Skinner Hosts Auction of 20th Century Design in Boston on December 17th
Boston, Mass – December 8, 2011 – Skinner, Inc., New England’s only full service auction house, will host an auction of 20th Century Design on December 17th at 10:00 a.m. in its Boston gallery. The extensive sale spans the 20th century and offers great material from each decade, ranging from rare furniture, pottery and glasswork, to unique car hood ornaments. Just in time for the holidays or redecorating any time of year, this sale has something for all discerning collectors and design aficionados.
Modern Furniture
A highlight of the sale is lot 100: a rare, early-modern, carved, drop-front desk with a swivel base by Charles Rohlfs, made at the beginning of the Arts & Crafts movement in America. The desk is estimated to sell between $40,000 and $60,000, and is a part of the “Graceful Writing Set,” which became Rohlfs’ best known work. Also offered is lot 523, a walnut Wendell Castle table. Estimated between $15,000 and $20,000, this table is a beautiful example of Castle’s work.
Art Glass and Lighting
Glass collections from French, English, and American studios make a splash, including lot 412, a Rene Lalique acanthes French glass vase, estimated between $18,000 and $22,000; lot 262, an English cameo glass jug by Thomas Webb and Sons, estimated between $3,000 and $5,000; and lot 201, a Tiffany favrile floriform vase, estimated between $800 and $1,200.
Buyers looking for that unique gift will find a number of beautiful lighting examples, including lot 235, a Tiffany Studios dragonfly table lamp, estimated between $35,000 to $45,000; lot 192, a Tiffany Studios acorn hanging lamp, estimated between $12,000 and $15,000; lot 67, a Handel reverse-painted table lamp, estimated between $3,000 - $5,000.
Lot 24 is a Bigelow & Kennard illuminated fire screen featuring a mosaic glass design of roses set in a wrought iron framework. Made circa 1909, this fire screen is a unique and beautiful example of Boston craftsmanship during the Arts & Crafts movement. It is estimated between $6,500 and $7,500.
Decorative Arts and Dedham Pottery
The 20th Century Design sale offers a wide section of unique pieces to update or add to a home, including lot 493, a mid-century modern bronze wall plaque made in New York City by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, estimated between $5,500 and $7,500; and lot 499, a studio pottery vase by the much admired Edwin and Mary Scheier, estimated between $2,000 and $3,000.
Also of note are selections from the Dedham pottery collection of famed actress and director, Penny Marshall. The whimsical blue and white pottery is typically known for borders decorated with the iconic Dedham bunny. In this case, the bunny has been replaced with less commonly seen motifs that include elephants, turtles, chicks, and even a Scottie dog. This Scottie dog plate, lot 30, is estimated between $250 and $350.
Finally, for the collector who has everything, lot 430 is a 1929 Lorraine Dietrich Brau greyhound car hood ornament. Its
