JUDY KENSLIE McKEE

An exceptional bronze cat-form figural bench, editioned 5/10 and signed. This bench hammered down at nearly double the high estimate ($ 25/35,000). It's proportions and impressive detail invoke an Egyptian or African aesthetic. Lot 1150.

PHILLIP LLOYD POWELL (1919 - 2008)

This wonderful pair of chairs by Craft Furniture legend Phillip Lloyd Powell exceeded high estimate to sell for $ 16,250 ($ 8/10,000). The New Hope lounge chairs are named after the Pennsylvania town where Powell emerged alongside Paul Evans and George Nakashima. Lot 1006.

ALPHONSE VOISIN-DELACROIX & PIERRE-ADRIEN DALPAYRAT

An important vase from the James and Rose Ryan Collection fetched the top lot of the sale, coming in at $ 118,750. From the catalog: "Important massive glazed stoneware Symbolist vase depicting maiden and bat, oxblood drip glaze, Bourg-la-Reine, France, ca. 1892". Lot 134.

DIRK ROSSE (1925 - 2014)

This beautiful, sculpted walnut and slate-top cabinet sold for $ 23,750 ($ 9/12,000). The cabinet was consigned by the original owner who had commissioned the artist. The flowing lines and sinuous curves, like a running river, combine to make a powerful piece of art furniture. Lot 1008.

GALLE ‘VERRERIE PARLANTE’ VASE

An exceptional vase hammered down at nearly three times the pre-sale high estimate ($ 9/12,000). The auction house noted "This vase was probably designed by Galle and is likely a dedication vase to artist and botanist Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart (1837-1880). He and Galle both exhibited at the Paris Salon in 1878." Lot 468.

PAIR OF PHILADELPHIA CENTENNIAL EXHIBITION UNIQUE COLUMNS

From the Auctioneer: "Two hand-carved columns from the T. Kingsford & Son, Oswego Starch stand, Agricultural Hall Building, Philadelphia, PA, 1876; Carved and polychromed wood; 98" x 10" ea.; Note: Corner pillars from the large, rectangular cabinet at the center of the Oswego Starch display. These columns were also part of the Oswego Starch display at the 1893 Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition". The columns sold at an impressive $ 84,375, they were incredibly rich in carved detail as well as superb original paint. Lot 438.

PAUL EVANS (1931 - 1987)

A finely welded and polychromed cabinet, executed by Evans in his studio, sold to the highest bidder at
$ 42,500, comfortably above high estimate ($ 20/30,000). Evans' welded metal furniture continues to remain strong in the 20th Century Market as it appeals to both Design & Art collectors. Lot 1020.

LOUIS MAJORELLE; DAUM

A fine and rare "Monnaie du Pape" lamp with Daum glass shades. This fantastic patinated bronze and Daum glass table lamp fetched an impressive $ 36,250, near the top end of the high estimate ($ 20/30,000). The contrast between the glowing gilt and the deep blues in the Daum lend to the French tradition that both parties grew from. Lot 462.

TIFFANY STUDIOS

An exceptional bronze and slag glass hanging light brought $ 100,000 ($ 75/100,000). The piece featured a glowing green dragonfly shade and six socket fixture, manufactured between 1900 and 1910. Lot 1.

GIO PONTI; SINGER & SONS

This Ponti double dresser caught the eye of more than a few collectors, coming in at over double the pre-sale high estimate ($ 10/15,000). It features a wonderful and brick-like construction to the drawers with a warm glow finish. Gio Ponti has long been a blue chip designer, but recent sales results are starting to push him into the realm of studio furniture. He's certainly a designer to keep an eye on. Lot 1066.

TOMMI PARZINGER

Although not the top Parzinger lot in this sale, we couldn't resist including it in the line up. Parzinger clocks are exceptionally rare and are exemplary of his old-meets-new, quirky, yet formal aesthetic. This design is an icon from his oeuvre. It sold for $ 8,750, nearly doubling the high estimate ($ 3/4,000) Lot 1063.

By Gregory Smith

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. – The February weather wasn’t the only thing that was hot this past weekend, as Rago’s three-day sale saw the hammer drop in all the right places. The exciting marathon auction featured over 1,600 lots split between four sessions. The February 26-28 auction produced $5,651,288 in sales with premium, hosting two private collections amid a fine palette of Art Nouveau, early Twentieth Century decorative arts, design, Mid-Century and Modern ceramics and glass.

Amid concerns that the jittery stock market is disrupting buying, David Rago remained unconvinced. “We keep hearing the economy is weak. I’m not seeing it. This sale was consistently solid.”

The three-day event boasted a robust 85% sell-through rate, one measure of across-the-board interest.

“We’ve had six-figure objects in the last couple of auctions. Though we didn’t see any grand slams this time, we had a lot of home runs and triples. The pieces were in good condition and had conservative estimates.”

Rago Arts and Auctions is 333 North Main Street in Lambertville, N.J. For more information, 609-397-9374 or www.ragoarts.com.