History

A leading dealer in American art pottery, David Rago first established himself as an auctioneer in 1984, holding his sales in Manhattan’s famous Puck Building. In 1995 he founded our Auction Center in the scenic river town of Lambertville, New Jersey, midway between New York City and Philadelphia.

The Auction Center and its clientele grew quickly. From a base of Arts and Crafts and specialty American pottery sales, David expanded into Modern art and design, developing sales of post-war furniture, ceramics, lighting, and glass with partner John Sollo. He then joined forces with Jerry Cohen and Suzanne Perrault, expanding his existing Arts and Crafts sales into Craftsman Auctions, now the largest Arts & Crafts specialty auction in the country, featuring decorative arts, furnishings, and art tile. In 2001, David established a large specialty auction of Lalique glass in partnership with Nicholas M. Dawes, a leading Lalique dealer. Fine and estate jewelry, art glass and perfume bottle sales followed in 2002. As the expertise available at the Auction Center broadened, so did the opportunities. Rago Estate and Fine Art Auctions premiered in January of 2003, selling general and estate goods, including fine and decorative arts, silver, jewelry, rugs, furniture, and other objects of worth; it is directed by Jeffrey Henkel, joined by Andrew Bertolino, ASA, as expert in charge in the area of fine arts.

As of today, the Rago Arts and Auction Center hosts fifteen sales each year from September through June. View Schedule.