Wilhelmina Post for Grueby Faience Company, Vase with daffodils.
One of the most anticipated events in the design season in New York is certainly an upcoming exhibiton of American Arts and Crafts, presnted by Rago/ Wright and John Toomey at Highline Nine. On Friday, May 10th, they will unveil a new exhibition of significant artworks available for private sale at the Rago/Wright gallery in New York City. The showcase will include rare and notable pieces by esteemed artisans such as Greene & Greene, Grueby Faience Company, Dirk van Erp, Charles Rohlfs, Teco Pottery, Gustav Stickley, Frank Lloyd Wright, Elizabeth Eaton Burton, Frederick H.W. Lueders and Glenford N. Dalrymple, among others. This meticulously curated presentation offers an unparalleled opportunity for collectors, designers, and institutions to acquire exceptional works through their extensive network.
Masterworks of American Arts & Crafts presents a virtual journey into the heart of one of the most influential artistic and cultural movements in American history. Originating in Great Britain as a reaction against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century and continuing through the early 20th century, the Arts & Crafts Movement was led by influential theorists and designers, including John Ruskin and William Morris in England as well as Gustav Stickley and Elbert Hubbard in America.
The overarching philosophy of the Arts & Crafts Movement centered upon revitalizing the connection between artisans and their craft while promoting the notion that the creation of beautiful, functional objects enriches both the maker and the bearer of those objects. Consequently, the Arts & Crafts ethos places a salient emphasis on using high-quality materials, handmade production, and the harmony of a “total work of art,” whether applied to furniture, lighting, metalwork, pottery, decorative arts, printmaking, or any other medium. Moreover, the Arts & Crafts Movement had a sociopolitical dimension, whereby makers were empowered to establish communities, participate in craft guilds, and advocate for fair labor practices.
Rago and Toomey & Co. are honored to celebrate the rich heritage of American design and explore the enduring legacy of the Arts & Crafts Movement with respect to shaping the world we inhabit today. The works presented in Masterworks of American Arts & Crafts are testaments to elegant conception, intricate craftsmanship, and timeless beauty. While styles and tastes evolved throughout the 20th century, the core tenets and practices of the Arts & Crafts Movement continued to influence much of modern and contemporary design.
Masterworks of American Arts & Crafts features various highlights by important figures, notably: from Greene & Greene, a Sconce and Dry bar for the Robert R. Blacker House in Pasadena, California; a Rare Peacock table lamp by Frederick H.W. Lueders and Glenford N. Dalrymple; from Charles Rohlfs, a Stand and a Rare and Important library table; a Vase with daffodils by Wilhelmina Post for Grueby Faience Company; from Gustav Stickley, a Wall plaque and an Early reclining chair, along with many other fine examples.
The special exhibition of Masterworks of American Arts & Crafts: A Selection of Private Offerings will be held at High Line Nine, starting on Friday, May 10th, and running through Thursday, May 23rd, the exhibition will be open from 11 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. There will be an evening preview on Friday, May 10th, from 5 to 8 pm and a Saturday preview on May 11th from 10 am to 5pm, with access available to the gallery via 508 W. 28th Street.
