There are certain moments in history where the cliché desire to "be a fly on the wall" has turned out to be an undeniably true statement. For instance, when John Wayne, the legendary actor best known for his portrayals of unconquerable American Western heroes, swaggered into Norman Rockwell’s art studio to have his portrait painted, I’ll bet there wasn’t a single insect brave enough to let out a bothersome buzz. Equally matched in the iconic roles they played in reverberating and depicting idealistic American values to the masses, the famed illustrator Norman Rockwell and John Wayne solidified their joint significance by underscoring one mans behind the scenes mastery with the others on-screen stoicism. In 1973, at Norman Rockwell's studio in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, a $1,500,000 painting started to unfold. Lot 243A, Norman Rockwell, Joh...Read More

It goes with everything. After several decades and multiple comebacks, midcentury modern furniture has proven to be endlessly irresistible. With major retailers such as CB2, West Elm and IKEA continuing to churn out replicas of 1950s designs, the coined phrase from the 1980s, "midcentury modern" is now a popular buzzword being fired off by buyers in their twenties.  The vintage "modern" style seems to become even more modern as time goes on, both in appearance and theory. Original midcentury modern pieces and copies alike are appreciated for many of the same reasons designers such as Herman Miller, Florence Knoll, Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen made them in the first place. Their lightweight, geometric simplicity lends itself to small urban spaces, the materials are durable and affordable, and above all, the straightforward utility...Read More

As millennials take their first cautious steps into the realm of homeownership, they face their next big challenge – creating an outdoor living space where they can relax and entertain. Many millennials don’t necessarily want the same plastic Adirondack chair and table set their parents bought in the early 90’s. They want something with a bit more character, something with a bit less ‘mass market’ feel, something a bit, well… ‘hipper’. Enter Rago’s August Unreserved Auctions on August 24-26, a three-day auction series of antique, vintage and modern design and art, including a bumper crop of garden furniture, planters, benches, and architectural elements from a local estate that run the gamut from French Deco to Egyptian Revival to Modern – and not a single plastic Adirondack chair in sight! Lot 1711, Limestone Obelisk, Estimate $500 - $700 ...Read More

August is typically a quiet month for Asian Art amongst the regional auction houses, but not at Alex Cooper Auctioneers in Townson MD! On August 25, they will be featuring their sale of Fine Rugs, Fine and Decorative Art, Furniture. Included in their 533 item sale is a choice selection of Asian artworks from China, Japan, India and the Himalayan region covering the categories of export and domestic porcelain, ceramics, religious objects, paintings, woodblock prints and metalwork. Lot 1219, Bronze Oni Planter, Japan; Estimate $2,000-$3,000 In the Japanese section is Lot 1219, a large bronze oni planter. At 17 inches high, this sculpture is both impressive in its size and realism. The base features a well-detailed Japanese oni (demon) with a ferocious expression while it is supporting a large vase. This piece is a stunning example of late Mei...Read More

One of the most significant assemblages of Hopewell Culture prehistoric art ever collected more than doubled its high estimate selling for $162,000 on Bidsquare during Cowan's Auctions' Part I of the Collection of Art Gerber: Ancient Art of the Eastern Woodlands auction. The cache was one of 382 lots offered in the July 28, 2018 auction from the estate of famed collector Art Gerber. Gerber was a giant in the prehistoric artifact world and collectors gathered to get a glimpse at a portion of the legendary collection and vie for the chance to take home a piece of history. “Art would have loved today,” said Danica Farnand, Cowan’s Director of American Indian & Prehistoric Art. “Yes, he would have been pleased with the hammer prices, but I think what he would have really loved was seeing all these collectors marveling at his life’s work and sha...Read More

On September 21, the auction event The Genius of Gianni Versace: A Collection of His Iconic 90s Designs will be conducted by Leslie Hindman Auctioneers and include over 350 vintage Versace items from some of the designers’ most recognized work. This single-owner collection was carefully curated in the 1990s by a gentleman who recognized the artistry, fearlessness and talent of Gianni Versace. The trend setting designs, paying homage to Versace’s classical European roots, struck a chord with the collector who would go on to explore the many facets of the fashion house. Assembling a thoughtful representation of Versace became his passion, as is evident by this superb and rare collection of both couture and accessories, which he stored meticulously for the past twenty years. Items from Versace’s Baroque, Teatro, Bondage, Animal Print, Miss S&M...Read More

Director of Rago's Unreserved Department, Michael Ingham explores works by the Memphis Group! The Memphis Group from Rago Arts and Auction Center on Vimeo. Transcript: "Let’s take a quick look today at two lots featured in our upcoming August Rago Unreserved Auctions. "Memphis, founded by Ettore Sottsass, reacted against the international style and gave post-modernism in the 1980’s its most recognizable expression. "Lot 600 is Martine Bedin’s Super Lamp. Bedin, a French architect, is the youngest of the three founding members of Memphis. She was a talented lighting designer, and this lamp is classic example of her work. "Lot 601 is a perfect 1/6th scale replica of Masinori Umeda’s Ginza robot bookcase. Umeda valued Memphis’ references to the past, its humor, color, style, and ornamentation. The Ginza robot referances Umeda’s Japanese herita...Read More

If our memories could be wound back by the simple twist of a plastic dial, everyone would have the chance to revisit moments they spent with their favorite toys. On the reel of childhood highlights, there lies a special toy that accompanied us at school, on family trips, and one that had to be kept in our direct line of sight before bedtime. However, long after we've outgrown this gleeful stage of amusement, the magic within these nostalgic objects remains the same. In the auction world, the vintage and antique toy market are overflowing with charming stories that all originate from this place of play. Did the distant melody of an antique music box ever make you smile? Maybe the wheels of a cast-iron carriage parked themselves on a curious corner of your heart. Perhaps, you're tinkering with the idea of collecting vintage or antique toys! I...Read More

Skinner’s tradition of notable Americana sales continues with auctions on August 12 & 13 and an online auction August 6-14. The two-day and online sales comprise nearly 1500 lots of fine American folk art, furniture, ceramics, and maritime antiques. Day 1 kicks off the auction with two outstanding collections, the Collection of Gail and Don Piatt and the Arthur & Sybil Kern Collection of American Folk Art, Part I. The Piatt collection features a delightful array of fine country antiques with an emphasis on early New Hampshire painted furniture, samplers, lighting, decorative arts, and painted miniature smalls. Highlights include: • Rare cupboard/watch hutch (Lot 28, Estimate $4,000-$6,000) • Needlework Sampler “Ruhamah Dearborn,” Portsmouth, New Hamphsire (Lot 68, Estimate $2,000-$3,000) Lot 28, Rare Early Red-painted Pine Hanging Cupboard ...Read More

Before the invention of neon signs, digital marquees and blinking tubular alphabets, business owners across 18th-19th century America had to make due with straightforward materials such as tin, cast-iron, wood and paint to drive their marketing initiatives. To strike the interest of potential customers, local shops relied on imaginative branding through handmade signs and whimsical window displays.  These antique signs may appear humble, compared to our technological tinsel, but in terms of ornamental charm and attention to detail, these advertisements have what it takes to exude nostalgic staying power.  Lot 14, American Cast-Iron and Tin Occulist's Sign, 19th Century; Estimate $2,000 - $4,000 On August 4th, Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY will be showcasing an eclectic Americana auction featuring items that represent the collecting traditio...Read More