Rago/Wright’s Greatest Hits of Pre-War American Ceramics

David Rago, founder of Rago Auctions, Partner at Rago/Wright, Lambertville, New Jersey

Throughout more than five decades dealing in American ceramics, David Rago has brought to market, in both public auctions and through private sales, some of the most important and record-breaking works of Pre-War American art pottery. In what promises to be a highly engaging and visually stimulating lecture, Rago will share highlights of works that have passed through his hands, telling stories about the objects and the people who made them. Rather than a superficial survey of the topic, David will share his own favorite pieces he has handled and personal anecdotes from a lifetime spent immersed in this material.

David Rago began dealing in American decorative ceramics at a flea market in his home state of New Jersey at the age of seventeen. He founded Rago Auctions in 1984 and now is a partner at Rago/Wright, which owns six of the strongest independent auction brands in the industry: Rago, Wright, LA Modern Auctions (LAMA), Toomey & Co., Poster Auctions International (PAI), and the newly launched Landry Pop Auctions (LPA). With more than five decades of experience handling 20th and 21st century works, David Rago and Suzanne Perrault, his partner and wife, have established Rago as the preeminent venue for American and European art pottery, American craft furniture, and contemporary glass works. David has authored several titles on fields of collecting, including American Art Pottery, The Arts and Crafts Collector’s Guide, The Fulper Book, and Collecting Modern. Further, he takes his passion on the road, lecturing nationally and appearing regularly on the PBS series The Antiques Roadshow since its inception in 1996.

Via Zoom
Free
Registration required

Pictured: Lamp with Louisiana Irises, Mary Sheerer (1865–1964) for Newcomb College Pottery (1886–1940). Glazed earthenware, patinated metal, beaded shade, 1904. Height 21 in. Private collection, New Orleans, Louisiana.