: An exceptional Gustav Stickley hanging lantern, estimated at
$20/30,000, yielded an astonishing price at David Rago's $2.2
million Craftsman Arts and Crafts Auction Weekend, this past
Saturday, September 18.
The four-sided, 13- by 10-inch square lantern had an overhanging
copper top with panels of hammered amber leaded glass decorated
with stylized red and green flowers. It came complete with more
than two feet of hanging chain and a matching square ceiling cap
marked with the circular Stickley stamp.
Rago, who considered it the finest example of its kind, commented
that the lamp had been brought into the gallery by a local
homeowner who had taken it down from his ceiling while
renovating. Bidding was brisk with five telephones in competition
with several in the crowd. After the piece hit $100,000 it
narrowed to two, a telephone bidder and Rudy Cicciarello, who was
seated in the gallery. Cicciarello eventually claimed the lot at
$364,250 including premium.
Other items that brought handsome prices included an early Gustav
Stickley bookcase with four mitered mullion doors over four
cabinet doors with copper strap hinges. In near pristine
condition, the piece sold for $152,750.
A complete review will appear in a future issue.
