NEW YORK, NY.- For over forty years, David Rago and John Toomey have stood at the forefront of the American Arts & Crafts market. From Friday, May 10th, through Thursday, May 23rd, they are pleased to present an exhibition of significant artworks available for private sale at the
Rago/Wright gallery in New York City. The showcase includes 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 our extensive network. Simultaneously, the material in this unprecedented exhibition is available for direct purchase through an online catalog.
Masterworks of American Arts & Crafts presents visitors with 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 Dry bar and Sconce from the historic Robert R. Blacker House in Pasadena, California; a 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 is being held at the Rago/Wright gallery space within High Line Nine, which is accessible via 508 W. 28th Street in New York City. Open from Friday, May 10th, through Thursday, May 23rd, visitors may view this unprecedented selection from 11 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, or by appointment. All works included in the exhibition are also featured in an online catalog through which they may be purchased directly.