Significant Collections of Martinware, Dan Dailey and Post-War Ceramics, Plus Exceptional Contemporary Craft, Highlight Rago’s September Design Auctions

Lambertville, NJ - On Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22, Rago holds auctions of early, mid-century, and modern design across five sessions, commencing with a single-owner collection of Martin Brothers pottery followed by segments of early 20th century design, studio ceramics, modern design, and contemporary glass.

Lot 4, Martin Brothers, Small triple bird tobacco jar, England, 1914; Estimate $50,000-$75,000

Martin Brothers: The Andrew Furer and Elle Douglas Collection
Saturday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m., 28 lots

A finely curated collection of Martin Brothers pottery, this 28-lot session includes over 20 single, double, and triple bird-form humidors and vessels and represents one of the largest single-owner collections of Martin Brothers ever offered at auction. 

David Rago, Partner + Co-Director, Design Dept: “We are fortunate to be entrusted with this single-owner collection of Martinware, mostly birds, curated by British dealer Alison Davey and collected by Andrew Furer. It represents one of the best groupings of Martin Brothers to cross our auction block in recent memory."

Lot 100, H. Joor, Newcomb College, Exceptional large early vase with calla lilies, New Orleans, LA, 1904; Estimate $15,000-$20,000

Early 20th C. Design
Saturday, September 21 at 11:30 a.m., 233 lots

Highlights include: a large and early vase decorated with calla lilies by Harriet Joor for Newcomb College; an exceptional, large iris glaze vase by Carl Schmidt for Rookwood depicting a winter landscape; a Martin Brothers grotesque creature tobacco jar; and an exceptional large vase with ear handles and a serrated rim by George Ohr. 

Sarah Cutler, Specialist: “This session is full of gems, including a gorgeous Eggshell Porcelain vase by Samuel Schellink for Rozenburg, a Loïe Fuller lamp by François-Raoul Larche, superb American and European ceramics from the Robert A. Ellison collection, several rare Stickley forms, a large Gallé scenic vase, and a Phänomen vase by Franz Hofstötter for Loetz."

Lot 505, Betty Woodman, Morning Vase and Shadow, New York, ca. 1985; Estimate $15,000-$20,000

Studio Ceramics
Saturday, September 21 at 2:30 p.m., 156 lots

This session is principally drawn from three substantial private collections, two from New York City and one from North Carolina, each assembled over the course of nearly half a century.
Highlights include significant works from masters of the post-war era including: Robert Arneson; Rudy Autio; Richard DeVore; Waylande Gregory; Shoji Hamada; Bernard and David Leach; Cliff Lee; Glen Lukens; Gertrud and Otto Natzler; Lucie Rie; Harrison McIntosh; Edwin and Mary Scheier; Toshiko Takaezu; Robert Turner; Peter Voulkos; Beatrice Wood; and Betty Woodman, among others.

David Rago, Partner + Co-Director, Design Dept: "This auction represents the confluence of three exceptional private collections of post-war ceramics and includes many of the most important artists of the era. With over 150 lots, we are thrilled to have it as part of our biggest Modern weekend of the year."

Lot 1003, Phil Powell, Exceptional and large cabinet, New Hope, PA, 1960s; Estimate $40,000-$60,000

Modern Design
Sunday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m., 261 lots

Highlights include: an exceptional hand-carved cabinet by Phil Powell; a fine Conoid dining table by George Nakashima; a custom Sculptured Metal cabinet by Paul Evans, a dictionary stand by Wendell Castle; furniture designed by Pierre Jeanneret for Chandigarh; a fine eggshell vase by Jean Dunand; verre églomisé panels designed by Jean Dupas for the ill-fated luxury liner SS Normandie; and a Unicorn chair by Vladimir Kagan.

Jad Attal, Modern Design Specialist: “One of the very best pieces of American Craft, and one of my all-time favorite Paul Evans expressions, is our early Loop cabinet in copper, bronze, and steel – lot 1006. This gem-like piece captures so much of the hand-wrought details and techniques that were part of Evan’s design canon. Scale and form, relief and surface treatment; it all comes together in a humble yet brilliant piece that can be considered equal parts art, sculpture, and furniture."