Rago's $1.2M Remix Auction Proves The Allure of Classic + Contemporary Design

Lambertville, NJ: Rago Arts and Auction Center’s Remix Auction brought $1,271,575 in sales on April 7, 2018. The one day sale of nearly 700 lots presented pieces of mid-century modern and 21st century design alongside period furnishings, heirloom silver, Asian and compelling art.

Saturday’s Remix auction achieved high prices for a wide range of property. The break-out star was lot 2194, a pair of Yongzheng Style porcelain loving bowls, each decorated with copper red bats, which exceeded all expectations and sold for $102,400 on the online auction platform Bidsquare, demonstrating how robust the Asian art market can be for fresh property.

Lot 2252, Gorham Martele Silver Tea & Coffee Service; Sold for $23,040

Works of fine silver sold admirably and surpassed expectations including lot 2252, a Gorham Martele silver tea & coffee service, which realized a final price of $22,500; lot 2171, a Tiffany & Co. sterling silver assembled flatware set which sold for $13,750 against a high estimate of $8,000; lot 2262, a Whiting sterling silver & enamel punch bowl with ladle, which sold for $12,500, more than twice the high estimate; and lot 2012, a pyramid pattern silver tea & coffee service designed by Danish silversmith Georg Jensen which exceeded the high estimate and sold for $10,625.

Classic works from the late 19th and early 20th century commanded impressive prices, especially lot 2036, a pair of E.F. Caldwell (Attr.) gilt bronze and marble triton lamps depicting Neptune and his wife, which shattered the high estimate of $5,000 to sell for $28,750; lot 2620, a Louis XVI style three graces annular clock, which sold for more than twice the high estimate to realize a price of $10,625; lot 2479a, a Pietro Bazzanti Italian marble figure which sold for $11,875, more than twice the high estimate; and lot 2112, a Louis XVI style marble top console desserte which blew past the high estimate of $2,500 to sell for $6,875.

Lot 2529, Louis Tavelli, Untitled, Oil on canvas; Sold for $7,500

Contemporary works also enjoyed sale prices that largely fell within or above their respective estimate ranges, particularly lot 2279, a mid-century modern Finnish Chandelier in the style of Paavo Tynell, which sold for $38,750 against an estimate of $1,200 - 1,600. Other contemporary highlights include lot 2114, two Arnt Arntzen rocket tables which exceeded their high estimate of $1,600 to achieve a sale price of $8,750; lot 2209, a pair of Poul Hundevad rosewood vitrines which sold for $6,875, more than twice their high estimate; lot 2058, a set of eight executive chairs designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, which sold for $6,875; and lots 2529 and 2184, paintings by American artist Louis Tavelli, which sold for $7,500 each, setting a new auction record for the artist.

Lot 2150, Laotian Bronze Rain Drum; Sold for $4,688

Also of note: lot 2474, an English Arts & Crafts Judaica Etrog box in sterling and copper, which sold for more than 5 times the high estimate to realize $6,875; lot 2536, a gilded plaster butcher’s trade sign in the form of a neck-mounted bull which also sold for $6,875, nearly ten times the estimate; lot 2150, a Laotian bronze rain drum which sold for $4,688; and lot 2216, two gelatin silver prints by Patrick Demarchelier which sold for $4,063 against a high estimate of $2,500.

"What an exciting sale! Bidding was fast and furious from the room, the phones and online throughout the day. I think it is indicative of an upturn in the market and we are looking forward to repeating this success in the fall."

- Gina Tomasello, Director, Great Estates