NEW YORK, NY.- The new year is looking shiny and bright on the square. Rare design, decorative and modern art glistens in steel, print and solid gold. Highlights include a Wendell Castle Steinway piano; a selection of Albert Paley’s archived metalwork sculptures; an iconic solid gold freedom box and more.

Wright's Art and Design sale is perfectly curated with a bow on top. Jeff Koons' Pink Bow will bring a pop to any room. Wright's sale on January 18 brings together compelling designs and original works of art, prints and photography.

Rago has a full lineup of auctions this January including Mid-Mod, Early 20th C. Design, Modern Ceramics + Glass, the Collection of Seymour Stein, Founder, Sire Records and more.

Rago brings a Wendell Castle and Steinway & Sons piano to auction in its Modern Design sale. Beautiful music was made when these two great makers got together, creating this exceptional Ivory Spirit piano and chair.

The same day, January 21, Rago is offering a selection of Albert Paley’s archived metalwork sculptures, furnishings, jewelry and more by the metalsmith.

In the early 1990s, Paley produced approximately eight decorative art pieces utilizing a combination of carved and finished wood and forged iron. These included tables, small stands, and a single desk – this desk. The intent, beyond pure functionality, was to create a sympathetic refined environment for the user. The clarity of line, the high finish, and the harmony of the interrelated elements were of prime concern to the artist.

“We have been handling Albert Paley’s work at auction for nearly two decades and have always been enamored of his designs. Selling his archives has been on the table for the past year and we are thrilled to hold the first auction of his archival material. It is an encyclopedic session touching on all aspects of his art, from drawings and maquettes to jewelry and full-size sculpture. All pieces come directly from Paley Studios and are appearing on the auction market for the first time in a single session with a dedicated catalog,” said David Rago about the upcoming sale.

In an exclusive partnership with Bidsquare, Todd Merrill Studio presents Aquetong Road: New Hope, PA 1950s - 1970s, a curated collection of historic American design. The sale focuses attention on three seminal, mid-20th Century American craftsmen - George Nakashima, Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell.

This exquisite rare Faceted Cabinet was designed and made by Paul Evans in his New Hope, PA studio in 1973. Made of bright chromed steel and a gel-coated fiberglass top, the console features two bi-folding hinged doors with ample storage space.

The piece is an excellent example of how Evans' Cityscape series evolved into an even more three-dimensional style known as Faceted. Each piece from this series was made by hand, with each section placed and polished one at a time. A unique design, the piece reflects and emits light in a glistening structure evocative of the era in which it was made.

Last, but certainly not least, James D. Julia presents one of the most important and historic American Civil War U.S. Navy artifacts to be presented for public sale this February. The unmarked Tiffany presentation snuff box presented by the citizens of Buffalo to Lt. John Worden, hero of the Victory of the Monitor Over the Merrimac is solid gold (approximately 18 Karat).

The account on the box tells us that it originally cost $300 and that the amount was raised through subscription of 60 individuals all contributing $5 each. A contemporary description of the presentation box and the circumstances: The citizens of Buffalo upon hearing of the Monitor's victory over the Merrimac were so delighted at the act that they raised three hundred dollars, and sent it to Tiffany & Co. of this city. In return for the ..., Tiffany worked up eight ounces of eighteen carat gold into a box nearly four inches long, some two inches and a quarter broad, and about one inch deep. Over the engraving is the inscription "To Lieut. John L. Worden, U.S.N." and under it "You beat the Merrimac and saved the Minnesota."

This is an iconic and truly spectacular presentation gold box emulating "freedom boxes" given by other American cities to military heroes of earlier wars.