Specialists

The specialists at the Rago Arts and Auction Center know how to wear their suits - but they prefer to roll up their sleeves. Unlike the specialists at some other auction houses, they want to know each seller, our buyers and the property we represent. They can help you better understand everything from the value of a piece to the auction process itself.

David Rago oversees all our auction companies, two magazines on 20th century decorative arts and furnishings, and serves as principal auctioneer at the Rago Arts and Auction Center. His specialty is American art pottery and his expertise extends to Modern ceramics and glass, art glass (including Tiffany), Arts and Crafts lighting, decorative and fine arts, and furnishings. He lectures nationally, is an expert appraiser for The Antiques Roadshow, and the author of many articles and books in his field. David’s assistant is Karen Davies. His cataloguer is Denise Rago Wallace.

Sarah Churgin is our expert in fine and antique jewelry, silver and couture. A longtime dealer with wide-ranging knowledge in her field, she has been with Rago’s since 2001 and is responsible for our thriving December auction. Sarah is assisted in her work by cataloguer Kristina Wilson.

Jerry Cohen has been active in the Art & Crafts field since 1977. In 1988, he established The Antiques Marketplace in Putnam, CT, and in 1996 entered the business of auctions, joining with David Rago in 2000. Over the years, Jerry estimates that he has sold at least twenty-thousand pieces of Stickley furniture and has examined another two to three times that amount.

Meredith Hilferty joined Rago’s in 2006, bringing a decade of experience in the evaluation of American and European art from the 18th, 19th, and 20th century, appraisal, client service and sales, exhibition management and marketing. She is responsible for all fine art sales at Rago’s, which include dedicated auctions of modern and contemporary art, single owner collections, and a yearly sale of more traditional works featuring the art of Bucks County and environs. Meredith is a graduate of Tyler School of the Arts. She is assisted in her work by Amy Hunt, Amanda Smith and Carol Cruickshanks.

Tom Martin is in charge of our annual Great Estates auction.

Suzanne Perraultis one of the auctioneers at Rago’s and heads its Cataloguing Department. Her specialty is art tile, about which she writes and lectures extensively. She is the curator of the art tiles in Rago’s twice yearly Craftsman Auction of property from the Arts and Crafts movement. She is an expert appraiser on The Antiques Roadshow and manages Perrault-Rago Gallery for private sales by appointment. She is assisted by Denise Rago Wallace.

John Sollo is a premier authority in 20th Century Modern decorative art and furnishings. His twice yearly Modern auction, held with David Rago and Meredith Hilferty, is one of the country’s ’big three,’ with Sotheby’s in New York and Wright’s in Chicago. He is also an author of several books on Modern design and a principal auctioneer at the Rago Arts and Auction Center. He is assisted in his work by Bernadette Rubbo and Elizabeth Essner.