Year in Review
2022

A record year for Rago/Wright!

This year we presented more that 19,000 lots in 82 auctions for a sales total of $92 million. With private sales we exceeded $100 million in sales for the first time ever — $100,250,000 to be exact!

Top Results

François-Xavier Lalanne

Mouton de Laine

estimate: $500,000–700,000

result: $961,000

Diego Giacometti

Table-feuilles, modèle bas aux grenouilles

estimate: $200,000–300,000

result: $721,000

Isamu Noguchi

Little Walking Box (Arukidasu kobako)

estimate: $100,000–200,000

result: $337,500

Friedel Dzubas

Porta

estimate: $60,000–80,000

result: $325,000

Etel Adnan

Untitled

estimate: $70,000–90,000

result: $293,750

Frank Lloyd Wright

Important weed holders, pair

estimate: $200,000–300,000

result: $250,000

Annie Aldrich and Sarah Tutt for Marblehead Pottery

Important Ipswich vase

estimate: $150,000–200,000

result: $250,000

Fairfield Porter

Interior by Electric Light

estimate: $70,000–90,000

result: $212,500

Andy Warhol

Grace Kelly

estimate: $80,000–120,000

result: $212,500

Paavo Tynell

Chandelier, model 9041

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $212,500

Olga de Amaral

Lienzo Ceremonial III

estimate: $70,000–90,000

result: $206,250

Dale Chihuly

Persian Ceiling Installation

estimate: $90,000–120,000

result: $200,000

Helen Frankenthaler

Untitled

estimate: $80,000–120,000

result: $187,500

Barbara Hepworth

Reclining Figure (Trenona)

estimate: $90,000–120,000

result: $175,000

Harry Bertoia

Untitled (Gong)

estimate: $60,000–80,000

result: $162,500

Alexander Calder

Yin, Yang and Pinwheel

estimate: $60,000–80,000

result: $150,000

Wallace Berman

Untitled

estimate: $70,000–90,000

result: $143,750

Keith Haring

Radiant Baby (Wall Drawing) with childhood ephemera

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $143,750

Frank Stella

Double Gray Scramble

estimate: $70,000–100,000

result: $143,750

Émile Gallé

Rare Chauve Souris lamp

estimate: $20,000–35,000

result: $137,500

Sam Gilliam

Untitled #8

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $131,250

Yoshitomo Nara

Mumps

estimate: $40,000–60,000

result: $131,250

David Wojnarowicz

Untitled (from The Metamorphosis series)

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $125,000

Thomas Stearns

Cappello del Doge vase, model 8626

estimate: $80,000–100,000

result: $118,750

Wendell Castle

Custom Chandelier for a Private Residence

estimate: $55,000–75,000

result: $112,500

Paul Evans

Wavy Front cabinet

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $112,500

Martin Wong

Brick on Brick

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $106,250

Ed Ruscha

Made in California

estimate: $60,000–80,000

result: $106,250

Gino Levi-Montalcini

Rare lounge chair from Villa Levi-Montalcini, Asti

estimate: $10,000–15,000

result: $100,000

Lê Phổ

L'Enfant au cog

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $100,000

Charles Schreyvogel

The Last Drop

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $93,750

After Roy Lichtenstein

Temple of Apollo, multi-part poster (four sheets)

estimate: $10,000–15,000

result: $88,400

Gyula Batthyany

Circus

estimate: $25,000–35,000

result: $87,500

Claire Falkenstein

Untitled

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $87,500

George Nakashima

Triple Hanging Wall case with base

estimate: $35,000–45,000

result: $87,500

Niki de Saint Phalle

Les Baigneurs

estimate: $25,000–35,000

result: $87,500

Jean Prouvé

Low table, model CB11

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $87,500

Frederick Hurten Rhead for Rhead Pottery (Santa Barbara)

Exceptional vase with Della Robbia-style design

estimate: $35,000–45,000

result: $87,500

Tiffany & Co.

Natural pearl, diamond, and platinum necklace

estimate: $10,000–12,000

result: $87,500

Sheila Hicks

Untitled

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $84,500

Vija Celmins

Untitled (Ocean)

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $83,750

Fulvio Bianconi

Con Macchie vase, model 4323

estimate: $30,000–40,000

result: $80,000

Betty Woodman

Autumn Pillow Pitcher

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $68,750

Lino Tagliapietra

Dinosaur

estimate: $15,000–20,000

result: $56,250

Gene Moore for Tiffany & Co.

Silver gilt and enamel Ferris wheel

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $52,500

Tutti-Frutti carved gem and diamond necklace

estimate: $12,000–18,000

result: $45,000

Audemars Piguet

'Royal Oak Offshore' wristwatch, Ref. 26170ST

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $40,000

Linzeler-Marchak

French Art Deco enamel, mother-of-pearl, diamond, and amethyst cigarette case

estimate: $10,000–15,000

result: $27,500

Swedish Style

Flatweave carpet

estimate: $6,000–8,000

result: $25,000

Art Smith

'Modern' brass and copper cuff bracelet

estimate: $6,000–8,000

result: $22,500

We established new world records in multiple areas of collecting...

Judy Kensley McKie  Jaguar bench  $387,500

For Art...

George Tooker

Sleep

estimate: $60,000–80,000

result: $537,500

Ivan Albright

Lobster Salad

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $137,500

Guy de Cointet

Lost at Sea (...from a lagoon to another)

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $105,000

Channa Horwitz

Noisy

estimate: $3,000–5,000

result: $87,500

April Gornik

Rain and Dust

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $75,000

Betty Parsons

Three Reds

estimate: $10,000–15,000

result: $48,750

Wendy Fisher

Dog I

estimate: $1,000–1,500

result: $32,500

Lee Godie

Tidle _ _ _ Thinking [sic] (Self-Portrait)

estimate: $2,000–3,000

result: $30,000

Ron Miyashiro

Concord No. 8

estimate: $1,500–2,000

result: $21,250

Elizabeth Osborne  Manchester Sunset  $33,750

...and Design

Ray Eames

Unique and Important Splint Sculpture

estimate: $50,000–70,000

result: $275,000

Mary Sheerer for Newcomb College Pottery

Important lamp with Louisiana Irises

estimate: $100,000–125,000

result: $262,500

Frederick Hurten Rhead for Arequipa Pottery

Important vase

estimate: $35,000–45,000

result: $200,000

Rudolph M. Schindler

Unit chair and ottoman for the Van Patten House, Los Angeles

estimate: $15,000–25,000

result: $56,250

Leza McVey

Vessel with stopper

estimate: $15,000–20,000

result: $53,750

Stan Bitters

Mushroom table and stools, set of five

estimate: $3,000–5,000

result: $37,500

Jens Jensen for Rookwood Pottery

Jewel Porcelain vase with nudes and magnolia

estimate: $7,000–10,000

result: $17,500

William N. Frederick

Menorah

estimate: $4,000–6,000

result: $15,000

Ray Eames Unique and Important Splint Sculpture  $275,000

We celebrated the visions of collectors and artists, presenting 2,500 lots across 13 dedicated auctions, as well as featuring several special collections within our curated sales.

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Design & Library from the Collection of Mark McDonald
Wright 13 January 2022

Several new auction categories made their debut...

Prints & Multiples  |  LAMA
April & September 2022
$3,353,612
84% sell-through

Modern & Contemporary Art  |  LAMA
October 2022
$1,474,015
91% sell-through

Design  |  LAMA
November 2022
$1,602,643
94% sell-through

Contemporary & Emerging Art  |  LAMA
September 2022
$216,515
93% sell-through

Essential Design  |  WRIGHT
July 2022
$686,268
88% sell-through

Jewelry Unlimited  |  RAGO / TOOMEY & CO.
December 2022
$147,522
88% sell-through

We kept you engaged online...

Most Liked Instagram Posts

@ragoauctions | @wrightauction | @lamodernauctions

...and were socially engaged, IRL.

In 2022, we worked with many organizations dedicated to the arts, culture and humanity. In addition to sold lots, we also provided sponsorship and donated our space, and our talented auctioneers offered their time and skill for important causes and valued organizations across the globe.

Plus, we made several improvements to our websites, including a global search feature!

Last but not least, Toomey & Co. joined the team!

Rago

333 North Main St.
243 North Main St.
Lambertville, NJ 08530
t 609 397 9374  |  f 609 397 9377
info@ragoarts.com

Wright

1440 West Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60642
t 312 563 0020  |  f 312 563 0040
info@wright20.com

LAMA

6666 Lexington Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
t 323 904 1950  |  f 323 904 1954
info@lamodern.com

Toomey & Co.

1440 West Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60642
t 312 563 0020  |  f 312 563 0040
info@toomeyco.com

In addition to our auction house locations, we have regional offices with specialists available in New York City, Maine, and Cincinnati.  Email us at consign@wright20.com with details about your collection today! 

We can't wait for next year!