Prices for Arts & Crafts Soar at Rago Auction

When a Roycroft copper candelabrum kicks off an auction at $51,850, you know it's going to be a special day for Arts & Crafts.

Add to that a Roycroft hammered copper box designed by Karl Kipp for $26,840 (est. $2,000-$3,000), a Dard Hunter Roycroft oak table lamp for $39,650, and a 64" tall oak magazine stand for $17,080 and you know the Arts & Crafts market is still strong.

Collectors came to the Rago Early 20th Century Arts & Crafts auction held on October 1 in Lambertville, NJ knowing that they were going to see the finest assemblage of Arts & Crafts antiques of 2010 -- but not sure how much competition they were going to face.

Turns out the competition matched the fantastic assemblage of furniture, metalware and art pottery.

One hundred and thirty-one lots into the sale a 7" Marblehead vase (pictured) designed by Arthur Hennessey was saddled with a tight hairline crack - yet it soared passed its pre-sale estimate of $25,000-$35,000 as two collectors pushed it to an amazing $134,200.

As everyone knows, great pieces sell themselves -- and this auction was no exception. What was gratifying to see, however, was that middle range antiques also sold well. Roycroft furniture in chestnut, mahogany and maple rather than oak was extremely strong. A maple bed sold for $14,640, a dresser for $13,420, a rocker for $2,440 and a library table went for $3,294.

Of course, it did not hurt that many of these pieces had originally been in the Roycroft Inn and were fresh to the market - two criteria that would help any piece.

Even those pieces without great provenance did well on this day. In quick succession three Newcomb vases were hammered down at $14,640, $12,200, and $24,400. A three-handled vessel, also from Newcomb College and featured on the cover of the catalog, went for $42,700. Grueby did great, as did George Ohr, Overbeck, Pewabic and Fulper.

In addition to Roycroft furniture, Gustav Stickley was strong. What was just as impressive was seeing many lesser-known makers finally getting recognition for their finest forms. A Charles Stickley & Brandt armchair and rocker set sold for $4,575, an Old Hickory porch glider went for $2,074, and a Shop of the Crafters inlaid cabinet went out the door for $17,080. (All quoted prices include the buyer's premium.)

All in all, this was a sale with very few weak spots, as collectors demonstrated that Arts & Crafts remains the bright spot in the field of antiques.

For complete auction results, please go to http://www.ragoarts.com.

- Bruce Johnson