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 rdf_Descriptions 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.