Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: LIZAM

Quick Words:

Rago-Sollo-auction-Easton

Full Text:

Nakashima Aces Rago/Sollo Auction

(with cuts)

By Rita Easton

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. -- David Rago and John Sollo hosted a Twentieth Century

Modern Auction in two sessions on May 1 and May 2. The 700-lot event reached a

gross of $1,253,000, nearly 40 percent above its collective high estimate,

fueled by more than 300 enthusiastic bidders in the hall, some 110 on the

phones, and 140 absentees.

Billed as one of the most comprehensive offerings of Modern furniture and

objects ever to come to the market, the event featured pieces by Frank Lloyd

Wright, Eames, Prouve, Nelson, Wegner, Rohde, Gehr P. Evans, Testa, Parzinger,

Widdicomb, Knoll, Herman Miller, fine Scandinavian, and an exceptional

collection of Nakashima, who was in the room during the sale.

The first 16 lots of Nakashima were consigned by Maestro Roland Fiori, pieces

from his home in New Hope, Pa., ringing up blockbuster prices. The starring

lot of the auction was from this group: an exceptional walnut music stand made

in 1976, with free-edge burlwood back and adjustable dowel attachment on a

footed base, reached $27,500.

The 50« by 25 inch piece was one of three known to exist. Nakashima built one

for his daughter Mira, one for the Krosnick collection, and the one sold.

Pre-auction estimate was $6/9,000.

A unique George Nakashima Macassar ebony console table made in 1979, in a

pagoda design with a trestle base reached $25,000. The signed piece was

estimated at $10/15,000 and had dimensions of 35 by 15« by 18 inches. A pair

of Nakashima "Greenrock" walnut stools with X-shaped bases, leather strapping,

and original cushions of vintage Japanese printed silk, estimated at

$2,5/3,500, sold at $21,000. Four more from the original set of six remain in

the Nakashima collection.

By the same designer, a Ken Hall floor lamp with large burlwood base, vertical

walnut supports, and tall cylindrical parchment shade was purchased at

$16,000. The piece had restoration to a small tear in the shade and was

estimated at $7,5/10,000.

A Nakashima end table with a free-form Buckeye burlwood top on a footed plank

rosewood base (est $5/7,500) garnered $16,000; a pair of walnut Kornblut night

stands by the designer, on X-bases, with superior dovetail joinery and finish

tone (est $5/7,000) fetched $12,000; and a Nakashima walnut cross-legged desk

with a free-edge top, having butterfly joints over three drawers, and a

spindle-back Conoid chair (est $6/9,000), sold at $10,000.

A signature piece by Paul Evans, one of only 200 made, achieved $16,000, well

over the $7/9,000 estimate. A sculpture-front buffet, the lot featured four

welded steel doors of high-relief abstract forms with applied gold leaf and

acid-patinated subtle metallic tones, under a slate top. Made in 1976, it bore

the welded signature of Evans. A Jean Prouve wall-hanging unit with three oak

shelves, bright polychrome enameled uprights, and two sliding doors with blue

and yellow mesh panels, in excellent original condition (est $5/6,000),

reached $15,000.

Eight Nakashima walnut dining chairs with arched, spindled woven grass seats,

commissioned in the 1950's, from the collection of the original owner (est

$4,5/6,500), went out at $17,000; a Nakashima walnut buffet, 50's, with

dovetail construction and two sliding grasscloth panelled doors, and matching

two door china cabinet raised on plank legs, in excellent condition, (est

$5/7,500), achieved $14,000; a Nakashima walnut Frenchmen's Cove table with

square top with two free edges, on a four post pedestal base with shoe feet,

some wear to the top (est $5/7,500), realized $11,000; and a Nakashima walnut

buffet, 1950's, with dovetail construction and two sliding doors, with

grasscloth panels, in fine condition (est $4/6,000), reached $13,000.

Accessories led with a 9‹-inch-high Natzler tear-shaped vessel covered in a

semi-volcanic brown, gold and orange glaze, bringing $11,000; and an

exceptional Dagobert Peche at Wiener Werkstatte hammered sterling silver frame

with applied leaves and berries, with a beaded edge, 5« inches square, (est

$4/5,000), reaching $13,000.

Prices quoted above do not reflect a required ten percent buyers premium.