BOSTON, Mass. – www.skinnerinc.com – Skinner, one of the nation’s leading auction houses, a will host an auction of 20th Century Furniture & Decorations in its Boston gallery on June 28th at 10 a.m. The sale is an eclectic mix of Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, mid-century modern and contemporary styles.
Arts & Crafts/Art Nouveau
One highlight of the sale is the Alice Curtis collection of Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts architectural tiles. Alice Curtis was a collector from Massachusetts who used tiles to decorate her Victorian home. Her eye for space planning, color, and texture enabled her to create beautiful displays of these tiles, most notably in her dining room. Tiles are photographed in situ in the catalog. The sale features over 80 lots from the Curtis collection, many lots with multiple tiles (lots 1-84, estimates range from $40 at the low end to $2,500 at the high).
Another highlight is a very rare late 19th century Emile Galle enameled art glass vase in the Islamic style (lot 350, est. $15/25,000). The vase, made of cameo, enameled, and stained glass, is an excellent example of Galle’s talent in glass making and the piece beautifully illustrates the influence of literature on Galle’s work. The vase, decorated in with an Arabic palace, human figures and genies, provides a rare insight to a master designer and would be an ideal work for a museum or collector of important glass.
Art pottery
Skinner’s 20th century auctions typically include a fine selection of art pottery. The June sale features a large collection of Dedham pottery – more than 30 lots consisting of all sizes of plates, bowls, pitchers and mugs; pottery offerings by George Ohr, including two artist palette ink wells (lots 176 and 177, both estimated at $3/5,000) and a snake vase (lot 178, est. $6/8,000); and studio pottery by contemporary designer Otto Natzler, including two ceramic hemispheres (lots 501 and 502, each estimated $2/2,500 and 2,5/3,000, respectively).
Furniture
Danish furniture maker Hans Wegner (1914-2007) is represented by a number of signed examples – an oak, teak and cane chaise lounge (lot 424, est. $20/30,000) and two teak, cane and brass folding chairs (lot 425, est. $3/5,000). Purchased in the 1950s they were consigned by the original owner.
George Nakashima furniture has become a staple at Skinner’s 20th century auctions and this sale features several fine examples. George Nakashima was a Japanese-American furniture designer known for his ability to enhance the natural characteristics of wood in his designs. Nakashima built custom studio furniture in New Hope, PA from the mid 20th century through his passing in 1990 and his daughter Mira continues to design pieces today. Their work truly makes you believe in “The Soul of The Tree.” Desired lots include a beautifully crafted early chest of drawers (lot 481, est. $15/25,000) and an English walnut dining tale created by his daughter Mira (lot 482, est. $60/80,000). Other fine lots include a desk, coffee table, and rocking chair.
Lighting & Tiffany
Lighting offerings are abundant including a unique hanging lamp attributed to Pancoast and Bergmann (lot 259, est. $6/8,000) and two panels – also attributed to Pancoast and Bergmann – (lot 260, est. $5/7,000) with scrollwork and jeweled decoration, which came from a home in New Jersey.
An important Tiffany pomegranate table lamp retrofitted from an oil lamp to electric will be a highlight of the sale (lot 292, est. $8/12,000). Other Tiffany works include an art bronze and glass desk set including a letter holder, a blotter, and a stamp box (lots 263-268, estimates from $300 on the low end to $1,500 on the high), and a set of bronze candlesticks (lot 275, est. $2/3,000).
Miscellaneous
Great news for all levels of collectors…also on the block will be more than 100 lots of affordable artwork, with estimates ranging from $200 to $5,000. This group is highlighted by a sculpture by Yannis Gatis, depicting black and white figures of people in a sardine can (lot 654A, est. $3/5,000).
The sale is rounded out by numerous examples of 20th century pottery, furniture and glass from American and Italian designers.
Previews & catalog information
Previews for the auction will be held from 12 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 26th, 12 to 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27th, and from 8 to 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th. Illustrated catalogue #2416 is available by mail for $35 ($42 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is also available at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sales. For more information on the auctions, auction preview times, and the gallery walk, visit Skinner’s website at www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogs online.
For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner’s web site www.skinnerinc.com
