20th Century Design Auction at Sotheby's
22 November '11
Paris
On the 22nd of November 2011 Sotheby's Paris will host a 20th Century Design auction that includes some of the most iconic design work by the collectible design market's most sought after designers. Reading through the list of lots one finds that most all of the designers are in the top 20 of the DeTnk Collectible Design Market Report - with seminal, rare to come to market, design objects from Eileen Gray, Claude & François-Xavier Lalanne, and Jean Dundand.
This auction will give a very good idea of the current status of the design market. Sotheby's seems to be very confident in their collectors with high estimates in the millions of euros.
While there are many objects to watch, we picked out a few that we feel will be important market indicators.
Lot 113
Jean Dunand
Suite de Trois Tables Gigognes
vers 1925
Estimated at €120,000 - €180,000
Lot 153
Eugène Printz
Table de Salle à Manger
vers 1933
Estimated at €250,000 - €500,000
Lot 209
Claude Lalanne
Table Gingko Biloba
2007
Estimated at €150,000 - €200,000
Lot 204
François-Xavier Lalanne
Mouton De Laine
1988
Estimated at €90,000 - €120,000
Lot 135
Eileen Gray
Fauteuil Transat
1930
Estimated at €800,000 - €1,000,000
From Sotheby's
This 20th Century Design auction contains a series of pre-war masterpieces that have not appeared on the market — in recent times, or ever — showing the strength of this collecting area at Sotheby's. An inventory of the sale reads like a celebration of the greatest names in this period: a unique bar by Eckart Muthesius, together with a rare black lacquer and brown leather Eileen Gray armchair, both created for the Maharaja of Indore, a copper and tubular metal occasional table given by Eileen Gray to the mother of the current owner, a Marcel Coard cabinet bought 30 years ago, a unique Eugène Printz dining table, and a whole room lacquered boiserie by Jean Dunand.
The post-war section is similarly important with many European movements represented, including pieces by Josef Hoffmann, Grete Jalk, Franco Albini, and Franz von Stuck. There is particular emphasis on the French decorative arts, with works by Jacques-Emile Ruhlmann, Guy de Rougemont, Jean Dunand, Maria Pergay, Line Vautrin, and Francois Xavier Lalanne.
