BOSTON, Mass – Skinner, Inc. will host an auction of 20th Century Design in its Boston gallery on Saturday, June 23, 2012. The upcoming sale features works by Tiffany, Georg Jensen, George Nakashima, and Paul Evans along with excellent collections of French and English cameo glass.
Modern Furniture – George Nakashima and Paul Evans
The June auction features designs by master furniture maker George Nakashima, including a tall walnut chest of drawers (lot 346, estimated between $8,000 and $12,000); a walnut dresser (lot 347, $12,000 to $15,000); a low free-edge slab table (lot 353, $6,000 to $8,000); and a walnut conoid dining table (lot 357, $12,000 to $15,000). George Nakashima’s inspired designs make extensive use of the natural form of the wood and beautiful, exposed joinery.
A collection of metal furniture by Paul Evans will also be offered. Highlights include a chrome and brass Cityscape credenza (lot 369, $4,000 to $6,000); a Cityscape dining table (lot 370, $4,000 to $6,000); a chrome and brass Cityscape sample chest with lift-top fitted compartments, each holding samples of the various finishes that Evans used (lot 373, $4,000 to $6,000); a Cityscape étagère (lot 374, $1,000 to $1,200); and a glass and welded steel coffee table (lot 379, $2,500 to $3,500).
Cameo Glass – Webb & Le Verre Francais
The sale presents two distinct collections of cameo glass. The first collection, from the Art Nouveau period, is by the English maker Webb. Known for its inspirational floral designs, Webb glass from this period was cut from multiple layers and the floral motifs were often accented by an insect. A vase made for the Paris Exhibition of 1889 (lot 110, $7,000 to $9,000) has three-color decoration of poppies, leaves, and buds layered in white, cameo-cut to red on a yellow body. This excellent piece is representative of the dozen lots of Webb glass offered in the sale.
The second collection consists of more than twenty lots of French cameo glass from the Art Deco period. The openwork design of the Art Deco period features a looser interpretation of natural motifs than in the Art Nouveau, but with equally brilliant coloring. Highlights include a Le Verre Francais Lavande vase decorated with stylized lavender flowers and geometric devices (lot 270, $800 to $1,200); a Le Verre Francais Pavots vase with a flared rim and adorned with etched red flowers and buds (lot 271, $3,500 to $4,500); and a bulbous form Le Verre Francais collier vase with etched necklace design (lot 273, $1,500 to $2,000).
Studio Glass
Studio glass offerings include a Dale Chihuly art glass macchia bowl set and custom light table (lot 384, $4,000 to $6,000). Additional studio glass offerings include pieces by makers such as Loetz, Tiffany, Steuben, Lalique, and Wilhelm Wagenfeld.
Lighting – Tiffany Studios and Bigelow, Kennard & Co.
With more than eighty lots on offer, lighting will again be a major component in this June’s 20th Century Design auction. The sale will feature ambient lighting choices made from natural materials and motifs including an Austrian sculptural table lamp (lot 145, $4,000 to $5,000); a turtleback table lamp by Tiffany Studios (lot 169, $8,000 to $10,000); and a mosaic glass table lamp by Bigelow, Kennard & Co. (lot 152, $1,500 to $2,500). For those looking for lighting fixtures for the home or office a vast selection of wall sconces, hanging lamps, table lamps, and decorative lighting are available with estimates starting at $500.
Handmade Metalwork – Gorham, Adler, and Georg Jensen
Handmade metalwork lots are highlighted by a silver and mixed metal Japanese style punch bowl with applied leaves and fruit by Gorham (lot 221, $3,000 to $5,000), an extensive hand hammered flatware service by Alan Adler (lot 244, $8,000 to $12,000), and a Georg Jensen pyramid coffee /tea service (lot 229, $3,000 to $5,000).
Pottery
A varied assortment of pottery is highlighted by a Grueby pottery lamp base with mosaic art glass shade (lot 67, $6,000 to $8,000). This piece is an excellent example of handmade work from the Arts and Crafts movement. More fine examples of Boston-manufactured Arts and Crafts pottery can be seen in a large Grueby vase with molded leaves (lot 38, $6,000 to $8,000); a Grueby vase decorated with tooled broad leaves and yellow buds (lot 87, $5,000 to $7,000); and 13 pieces of Saturday Evening Girls Pottery (lot 74, $2,000 to $3,000).
Studio pottery includes a stoneware vessel by Claude Conover (lot 342, $3,000 to $5,000). Also offered are works by Brother Thomas Bezanson, including a cylindrical vase with a small flared rim (lot 336, $1,200 to $1,800), a tall cylindrical vase in oxblood glaze (lot 337, $4,500 to $5,500), and tapered cylindrical vase in celadon glaze (lot 338, $1,000 to $2,000).
Paintings
Works by William Horace Littlefield include Satyr and Three Nymphs (lot 303, $800 to $1,200), Sea God (lot 308, $800 to $1,200) and Zephyrus or Favorious the Westwind with Flora (Chloris) (lot 404, $800 to $1,200).
Previews, Catalogue, and Bidding
Previews for the auction will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, 12 p.m.-5 p.m. and Friday, June 22, 2012, 12 p.m.-8 p.m.
Illustrated catalogue #2603B is available by mail from the subscription department at #508-970-3240. It is also available at the gallery. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. Skinner’s site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, order catalogues, and bid live in real-time through SkinnerLive!
