New York, NY: In an exclusive partnership with Bidsquare, 1837 Auctions presents Marcos Raya: Paintings, Collage, Objects, Installations, unveiling a profound body of work spanning over four decades by famed Chicago surrealist Marcos Raya. The sale leads with Betsy the Cyber Cow, a one of a kind art object from the Cows on Parade public art exhibition in Chicago. This unique opportunity to own one of Chicago’s iconic Cows on Parade comes to auction for the first time in over 10 years. Lot 1, Marcos Raya, Betsy the Cyber Cow, Painted fiberglass, 1999; Estimate $100,000 - $200,000 Cows on Parade overtook Chicago in the summer of 1999. The original concept originated from Zürich, Switzerland in 1998 by artistic director Walter Knapp. Local Chicago businessman Peter Hanig, along with Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg organized the ...Read More

Suspended at seven and a half feet tall with nearly 200 individual shoots of glass protruding away from its' core, the Massive Pacific Haven Chandelier by Dale Chihuly, was impossible to fully grasp through images in our online catalog. However, when Ragos auctioneer transitioned from ceramics to glass items in their Modern Ceramics + Glass (01/21) sale, by way of this colossal chandelier, our perception of large scale, online purchases became wonderfully reimagined.   On January 19th-21st, Rago hosted six sales ranging from contemporary sculptures to early 20th century ceramics and impressive American studio furniture. Here are just some of the extraordinary results from Bidsquares weekend wins at Rago: Lot 1579, Dale Chihuly, Massive Pacific Haven Chandelier, Seattle, WA, 2001; Sold for $76,800 Striking beautifully in the middle of its $6...Read More

A tightly drawn arrow bends confidently between the limbs of the archers bow. Once released, its sharp face will surge through the southern sky, twisting stars into dust across the Milky Way galaxy. The mighty Sagittarius constellation, represented by a centaur holding a bow and arrow, is just one of twelve mythological symbols found in the celestial sphere of the zodiac. Aligning both mythological and scientific knowledge, the ancient zodiac - or celestial wheel - has been known to capture the imaginations of skillful artisans, deep thinkers and astronomers for millennia. In the 20th century, this ethereal subject matter orbited into the hands of one of the greatest Art Deco sculptors in America - Paul Howard Manship. Lot 1025, Paul Howard Manship, Sagittarius From a Model of the Celestial Sphere, Bronze; Estimate $500,000 - $700,000 Known...Read More

When this satellite shaped radio launched its first electronic transmission through the air, America had just entered The Great Depression. It carried melodic waves by song birds such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong across the country to soothe, entertain and inspire listeners.  Lot 452, Walter Dorwin Teague; Sparton Co., Peachbird Radio, Jackson, MI, 1930s; Estimate $1,500 - $2,000 As one of three vintage radios in Ragos upcoming sale, Property from the Collection of Seymour Stein, Founder, Sire Records (01/20) this throwback comes directly from the man who helped put new wave and punk bands like the Ramones, Talking Heads and mavericks like Madonna on the map. Once given a little spit shine, this charming Peachbird might feel a bit shocked by the current songs it chirps out! In this edition of ‘Bidsquare Picks,’ wer...Read More

A sudden burst of sunlight moved through the massive showroom windows on the corner of Lafayette and White street as an ancient celestial prediction, covering modern ruins with angular shadows, develops all things caught in its natural path. Lot 4, George Nakashima, Unique Suite of Black Walnut Furniture including Sofa and Pair of Low Chairs, USA, 1952, Estimate $150,000-175,000 Striking against mustard yellow cushions and forming a comb like separation of light, the sun revealed the extreme tranquility and wisdom contained within the furnishings of George Nakashima. In Todd Merrills Tribeca gallery, Todd Merrill Studio, there are rarities and stories silently waiting to be discussed. The unique suite of black walnut, including a sofa and pair of low chairs from 1952 by George Nakashima, of which the chairs may be the first of their kind, e...Read More

Modernity is the mood of the month. Especially, with Wright, a premier auction house in modern and contemporary design hosting their first Bidsquare sale, Art + Design on January 18th. As the undisputed leader in the spectrum of 20th and 21st-century design, Wright brings an exciting arrangement to the platform representing heavy-hitting artists such as; Kehinde Wiley, Sol LeWitt, Damien Hirst, Louise Bourgeois as well as design titans Pierre Jeanneret, Ettore Sottsass, and Vladimir Kagan amongst many others.  Lot 275, Milo Baughman, lounge chairs, pair, USA, c. 1965; Estimate $2,000 - $3,000 Amongst those "others" is none other than the distinctive, American furniture designer, Milo Baughman. A principal part of Baughmans design philosophy was that furniture should be made to last and these burnt orange lounge chairs (lot 275) certainly fu...Read More

If the tone of modern design could be expressed through music, it might be played on something like the hybrid pictured below. Who better than Wendell Castle, the father of the American studio furniture movement, to help shape the sound of modernity? Castle’s wooden masterpieces have been hallowing out the plight of humdrum design and echoing back with perfect pitch for nearly four decades.  In this weeks Bidsquare Picks were sliding across the scales of Rago’s upcoming catalogs to feature the key players of modern design.  Lot 1161, Wendell Castle, Steinway Piano, Exceptional Ivory Spirit piano and chair, Scottsville, NY, 1989; Estimate $50,000 - $70,000 This unique collaboration between Steinway & Sons and Wendell Castle, featured in Ragos Modern Design sale on (01/21), offers a harmonious example of the range and innovation that exists w...Read More

In the realm of online auctions, discovery, authenticity and personal style are harmoniously flowing down the same river - the river of accessibility. Now, more than ever, online auctions are rapidly growing to become the preferred method of participation. With online access, one can freely dive into a live sale happening from 2,000 miles away. Items ranging from first edition novels and modern designs to vintage barbie dolls and mid-evil catapults are there for the taking! However, we do realize that there are some who have not yet charted a raft of their own to happily float down this river of accessibility - perhaps nobody showed them how. We don’t want you getting hit by unexpected waves. So, before you start fishing for items you love, here are some Bidsquare tips and tools to pack and stow away as we guide you through the unique water...Read More

There was a time when storms were first felt and then seen, when dramatic shifts in the weather were likened to terrestrial revenge by the ancient gods and the detection of destructive winds were, in large part, left up to chance. Without the convenience of a modern forecast by way of radar technology or a jolly man pointing out cartoon pressure systems and advising all to grab an umbrella, one relied on the speed and aim of a spinning copper mold. Lot 310, Full Bodied Copper Polo Player Weathervane, 19th c; Estimate $18,000 - $25,000 As is the case with much of the decorative arts that grace Americana themed auctions, retired objects can be admired for their form and past functions - this is especially true of weathervanes.  Coming up in Pook & Pooks The Private Collection of Roland & Marilyn Kemble - Day 1 & Day 2 sale on January 12th and...Read More

The face staring back at you has been keeping track for centuries. It strikes a pose of regal importance that rings confident and true. The objects that reside in ones entranceway, like an antique clock, fill significant roles as beacons of arrival and totems of departure. Once you consider the entryway of your home a symbolic means of passage, choosing those objects can become a deeply personal and worthwhile process. Entranceway designed by Miles Redd; Photography by Trevor Tondro; Architectural Desigest 2018 Were cutting a corner off the bolt of this newly featured design by Miles Redd from Architectural Digest’s ‘AD 100’ (2018) to help guide us through an arrangement that blends welcoming antiques with everyday things. Here are some Bidsquare finds that echo the ways and walls of this sparkling entranceway: Lot 778, French Gilt Bronze C...Read More