Phillips’ Design Sale Achieves Six New World Auction Records
New York, 29 July 2020
Sale Total: $3,581,438 / £ 2,763,796 / € 3,052,818
Phillips’ Design auction on 29 July 2020 in New York featured a curated selection of important design from across the 20th and 21st centuries. The auction featured an enhanced virtual experience and livestreamed via custom-built salesrooms in London and New York. Showcasing more than 120 works hailing from important collections including the Estate of Claire Frankel alongside remarkable works of French and Dutch design the sale is highlighted by designers including Alberto Giacometti, Jeroen Verhoeven, Jean Prouvé, Wendell Castle, Jean Dunand, Lucie Rie and Hans Coper, Studio Job, Charlotte Perriand, Ron Arad, Shiro Kuramata, Ingrid Donat, Harry Bertoia, Peter Voulkos, and George Nakashima amongst others.
Cordelia Lembo, Phillips’ Head of Design New York, said, “We are thrilled with the strong results achieved in today’s sale, which are a testament to the enduring appeal of Phillips’ signature mix of superlative 20th century and contemporary design. Yesterday we witnessed active global competition for this diverse range of material and our sale enjoyed robust digital engagement with nearly 200 online registrants for a total of nearly $200,000 online sales.
This season we were thrilled to showcase rare ceramics by British ceramist Lucie Rie from the collection of Claire Frankel, with Footed Bowl smashing its presale estimate of $25,000 - $35,000 selling for $225,000 and achieving a world record. We are also thrilled that the Crochet Chair by Marcel Wanders tripled its presale estimate of $25,000-$35,000 selling for $93,750 and also setting a world record. World auction records were also set for Ron Nagel’s Designated Diver estimated at $8,000 - $12,000 and selling for $36,250 alongside Bruno Gregory’s Unique "Integrated System (Construction 2)" vanity, estimated at $6,000 - $8,000, selling for $16,250. Other highlights demonstrated a strong market for design including Alberto Giacometti’s "Tête de femme" table lamp, which soared past its estimate of $120,000 - $180,000 selling for $325,000, Studio Job’s Cabinet, from the "Robber Baron" series which more than doubled its presale estimate of $40,000 - $60,000 selling for $150,000 and Max Ingrand whose Illuminated mirror, model no. 2044 which tripled its presale estimate of $20,000-$30,000 selling for $93,750.”
The results for the 4 lots by Wendell Castle were disappointing. A beautiful pair of chairs, Lot 103, and a Bookcase, Lot 42, were both bought in, and the other 2 lots, sold within their estimates.
Total lots sold 100 out of 121 offered (83%).
Marcel Wanders - Crochet Chair, 2006
Lucie Rie - Footed Bowl, circa 1960
Gaetano Pesce - Set of seven wall lights, from Il Cestello restaurant, circa 2003
Jeroen Verhoeven - Cinderella Table, 2004-2007
Alberto Giacometti - Tête de femme table lamp, designed 1934, cast later
Alberto Giacometti - Tête de femme table lamp detail, designed 1934, cast later
Wendell Castle - Pair of Chairs, 1967
Stilnovo - Ceiling Light, 1950s
