LAMBERTVILLE, NJ.- On Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19, Rago Auctions hosts sales of Early 20th Century Design, Modern Design and Modern Ceramics and Glass.

Early 20th C. Design
May 18 at 10:00 a.m., 333 lots
Highlights include: an exceptional and rare Cobra console table by Albert Cheuret and the Collection of Stephen Engel, comprising fifty-five lots of works by René Buthaud including pottery, works on paper, paintings, and verre églomisé panels, as well as Fulper, Grueby, Van Briggle, Dedham, Zsolnay, and more from a single-owner collection out of New York.

Sarah Cutler, Specialist: “Among the many highlights in this sale, I am most excited about lot 1131 - a remarkable Albert Cheuret Cobra console with mirror. Its sinuous and exotic design reflects the renewed interest in ancient Egyptian art sparked by the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb. His work does not appear often on the secondary market and we expect there to be a flurry of competition when it crosses the auction block.”

Modern Design
May 19 at 11:00 a.m., 240 lots
Highlights include: nearly forty lots of George and Mira Nakashima furniture, a unique Wendell Castle "Tell the Trees" chair, ten lots from Harry and Val Bertoia, a massive Hugo França sideboard, and many works by Paul Evans, including an early Loop cabinet, a Sculpted Bronze cabinet, and a rare Patchwork sculpture.

Jad Attal, Modern Design Specialist: “One of my favorite pieces in this auction is the Wendell Castle ‘Tell the Trees’ chair. It represents what I love most about Wendell’s work: his combination of craft and sculpture. This complex carved wood chair was made with state of the art technology, including 3D scanning, 3D modeling and computer-controlled milling. The result is awesome and harkens back to the stack-laminated technique from his earliest work, minus the tremendous physical labor.”

Modern Ceramics + Glass
May 19 at 2:30 p.m., 136 lots
Highlights include: over thirty lots of ceramics from a private California collection, including exceptional works by Harrison McIntosh, Marguerite Wildenhain for Pond Farm, Laura Andreson, Rupert Deese and Antonio Prieto. Also included in this segment will be nine exceptional works by Lino Tagliapietra, as well as art glass by Dale Chihuly, Jon Kuhn and more.

Suzanne Perrault, Partner + Co-Director 20th-21st C. Design Dept: “We've been favored with a superior selection of unique works by maestro Lino Tagliapietra in this auction – nine in all! Most combine his mastery of incalmo, murrine and cold work carving. Seeing so many fine examples together, from an Angel Tear to a Mandara to a plaque, provides a rare didactic experience for glass enthusiasts and a rare buying opportunity for glass collectors.”