The Results For A Modern Auction

Rago's Auction House in New Jersey is having a very nice auction of moderne pieces on the weekend of October 24/25. This collection of 20th century pieces are not usually the finds I seek out, but then unfortunately I can remember when this was the height of chic and then for many, lost favor.

A very astute friend reminded me recently that for much of the population today, this is all new to their eyes. For those of us born just a bit before 1980...,we can now look back and see that good design did exist in those days, when a few smokey clouds might have blurred our vision. Its a huge catalogue which you can view here.

Some of my picks are kitschy and fun and bring back memories of "what were you thinking," but others really are fine and yes finally classic. Lets take a look.


GILBERT ROHDE / HERMAN MILLER Paldao four-door cabinet with large etched brass pulls, single shelf and interior shallow drawers. Stenciled 4104 on back. 33" x 66" x 16"
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,500
Sale Price: $1,830. A very nice buy.



LOUIS W. RICE / BERNARD RICE"S SONS Silver-plated Skyscraper candlestick with copper handle, ca. 1928. Stamped Skyscraper Des. Pat. Pending Apollo EPNS Made by Bernard Rice"s Sons Inc. 5270. 8 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 2 3/4"
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,500
Sale Price: $6,100. I liked it but that is one expensive candlestick.



ANDY WARHOL The Souper Dress, screenprint in colors on cotton, ca. 1965. (Literature: Mark Francis, "The Warhol Look: Glamour, Style, Fashion," New York, 1997, for illustration of another example.) Titled on original label at collar, with care instructions. 38" long"
Estimate: $1,500 - $2,500
Sale Price: $3,172. Iconic.



STARK CARPET COMPANY (New York) Room-size rug with green fretwork pattern on cream ground. Fabric label. 12" 2" x 14" 6
Estimate: $1,500 - $3,500
Sale Price: $1,098. A great buy. We all loved it at the store.



GEORGE NAKASHIMA Walnut Turned-Leg dining table with two free edges, three butterfly keys to top, and two leaves. (Provenance available.) Table: 29" x 60 1/2" x 37 3/4", leaves: 17" x 36 1/2"
Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000
Sale Price: $9,760. A fair price.



GEORGE NAKASHIMA Early pair of walnut slat-back lounge chairs. (Provenance available.) 30" x 23 1/2" x 31"
Estimate: $2,500 - $4,500
Sale Price: $4,880. If only I had the place for them.



UDY KENSLEY McKIE Exceptional mahogany dining table, the base carved with birds and fish, 1979. Signed JKM 1979. 30" x 65" x 34 1/2"
Estimate: $60,000 - $90,000
DID NOT SELL.



PEDRO FRIEDEBERG Hand chair with three-footed base and gilded finish. Branded Pedro Friedeberg. 35" x 20" x 21"
Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
Sale Price: $19,520. WOW!



RON KENT Large flaring turned wood bowl. (Provenance: Collection of Kenzo Takada.) Faint script signature. 7 1/2" x 16 1/4
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sale Price: $2,196. Such a pretty piece. I think someone got a good deal.


MILO BAUGHMAN / THAYER COGGIN Burlwood four-door credenza with white laminate interior on polished chrome base. 34 1/2" x 72" x 18"
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sale Price: $2,806. Very Rat Pack.



EDWARD WORMLEY / DUNBAR Single-door burlwood bar cabinet with faceted body. Dunbar factory tag. 20 1/2" x 16 1/4"
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sale Price: $1,952. A Bachelor's buy.



GROSFELD HOUSE Pair of enameled wood bookcases in dark green with silver trim, each with three shelves over single cabinet door. 71" x 30" x 11"
Auction Date: Sat, October 24, 11AM
Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000
DID NOT SELL


DONALD DESKEY Side table with black glass top on banded and chromed steel base. 20 1/4" x 22 1/4" x 15 3/4"
Auction Date: Sat, October 24, 11AM
Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000
Sale Price: $4,575. Loved that table



WENDELL CASTLE Cherry bench with two chip-carved and polychromed supports, 1997. Signed Castle 97. 31" x 77" x 18"
Auction Date: Sat, October 24, 11AM
Estimate: $15,000 - $25,000
DID NOT SELL. Not surprised.