David Rago
Biography
David Rago has been a specialist in American and European 20th-century decorative arts and furnishings for 35 years. A leading dealer in the field of American arts and crafts, he is the founder of the Rago Arts and Auction Center, one of the country's principal specialty auction houses. He is the author of over 500 magazine and newspaper articles and author of five books on the subject, including his most recent two works, The Arts and Crafts Collector's Guide, for Peregrine-Smith; and the Official Price Guide to American Arts and Crafts, for Random House. He is the publisher of two nationally distributed magazines, one focusing on the Arts and Crafts Period (Style: 1900) and the other on Modernist design (Modernism). Rago lectures in his specialty at major conferences across the United States and holds 20 auctions at the Rago Arts and Auction Center throughout the season.
Articles by this Author
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The Story of Dirk Van Erp and D'Arcy Gaw
David Rago tells the story of Van Erp's brief partnership with D'Arcy Gaw, a designer who helped soften some of Arts and Crafts' harder edges.
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Newcomb Pottery: Cream of the Crop
The college encouraged young women of the late-19th and early-20th century to emerge from their parlors and embrace many of the practical changes unfolding in society.
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Explainer: Who Was Charles Rennie Mackintosh?
Christian Siriano has a pair of sculptural reproduction Mackintosh chairs — but who was "Mackintosh"? Roadshow expert David Rago tells us more about this enigmatic genius of early modern design.
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Get to Know Robineau
A longtime ROADSHOW Pottery & Porcelain expert helps us get to know Adelaide Robineau, one of the most important figures in 20th-century American decorative arts.
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I Really Hated Ohr
In this excerpt from his 2013 personal essay "George Ohr: The Greatest Art Potter on Earth," art pottery expert and longtime ROADSHOW appraiser David Rago reveals his true feelings about renowned master potter George Ohr.
Recent Appraisals
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Charles Clewell Vases, ca. 1925
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Toshiko Takaezu Pottery Collection, ca. 1970
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Roseville Pottery Vases, ca. 1925
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