Cover Story
Christie’s December design sales
Starting December 3rd, a public display in Christie's galleries at Rockefeller Center will be open in advance of the auctions
ByIANSlife
December 04, 2021 (IANSlife) Christie's New York announced a series of Design sales in December, featuring an unparalleled selection of masterworks by major names in twentieth- and twenty-first-century art, architecture, and design.
A group of five remarkable sculptures by Harry Bertoia from Florence Knoll Bassett's Private Collection highlight the live sale of Design, providing a rare view into the interaction between artist and patron, designer and supporter. 'Lampe Coupe aux deux figures' and 'Grande Feuille' floor lamp by Alberto Giacometti, from the Collection of a Member of the Matisse Family,' are both on view at Christie's.
'MOUTONS DE LAINE', SHEEP AND TWO OTTOMANS, 1969-1971
wool, patinated aluminum, painted wood
sheep: 35 x 20 x 38 in.
each ottoman: 22½ x 19 x 31 in.
$800,000-1,200,000
RARE 'ÉTOILE' DESK, CIRCA 1948
straw marquetry, oak
28 1⁄2 x 71 x 29 in.
$150,000-200,000
Important early glass by Emile Gallé and Daum from Dr. Thomas Chua's collection exemplifies the first half of the twentieth century. Property from the Estate of Ruth S. Stanton, another important collection in the sale, provides a rare opportunity to see famous designs by French master cabinetmaker Jean Royère, including stunning straw marquetry and models from the highly sought-after 'Ondulation' and 'Croisillon' series. A stunning 'Ours Polaire' salon suite is among the artist's other masterpieces.
'OURS POLAIRE' SOFA AND ARMCHAIR, CIRCA 1950
painted beech, velvet upholstery sofa: 31½ x 89 x 50 in. armchair: 29 x 38½ x 37 in.
$800,000-1,200,000
'CANOPIC JAR, SABLE ANTELOPE', 1994 blown, hot sculpted glass, unique 43⅜ x 14 x 16 in.
$250,000-350,000
The auction also has works by Eugène Printz, Alexandre Noll, Jean Prouvé, and Charlotte Perriand, as well as a highly important suite of furniture by André Groult, metalworks by Albert Cheuret, and rare pieces by Eugène Printz, Alexandre Noll, Jean Prouvé, and Charlotte Perriand.
IMPORTANT DESK AND TWO CHAIRS, CIRCA 1925
desk: shagreen, mahogany, amazonite, polished bronze
chairs: shagreen, mahogany, silk upholstery
desk: 29 3⁄4 x 45 1⁄2 x 27 in.
each chair: 31 3⁄4 x 19 x 19 3⁄4 in.
$500,000-700,000
‘LAMPE COUPE AUX DEUX FIGURES’, CIRCA 1950
patinated bronze 132 x 14⅝ x 7¼ in.
$800,000-1,200,000
Les Lalanne's notable works from the second half of the twentieth century include a 'Moutons de Laine' sheep and two ottomans, a 'Carpe d'Or' by François-Xavier Lalanne, and a stunning 'Crocoseat' chair by Claude Lalanne. Property from the Estate of Debbie and Bud Menin ushers in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries with contemporary glass pieces by American greats William Morris and Dan Dailey, among others.
TIFFANY | 10 DECEMBER
Tiffany, a devoted auction to Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios, and the firm that inspired the artistry of glass making, will take place on December 10th at Christie's Design in New York. The auction will feature a spectacular 'Apple Blossom' table lamp, A Masterpiece from the Silverman Collection; an early and rare 'Elaborate Peony' table lamp from Dr. Robert B. Koehl's Collection; an extraordinary 'Clematis' floor lamp; and a majestic Seven-Light table lamp on a rare 'Arch and Leaf' silvered-bronze base. Several unusual desk sets from a significant private collection are also included in the sale.
RARE AND IMPORTANT 'APPLE BLOSSOM' TABLE LAMP, CIRCA 1904
leaded glass, patinated bronze
26½ in. high, 18 in. diameter of shade $400,000-600,000
IMPORTANT AND RARE 'ARCH AND LEAF' TABLE LAMP, CIRCA 1905
Favrile glass, silvered bronze 32 in. high, 27 in. diameter
$150,000-200,000
The Collection of Dr. Thomas Chua is highlighted by an impressive 'Laburnum' floor lamp, a spectacular 'Witness to the Divine' landscape window designed by Tiffany Studios for the Church of the Unity in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a complementary window 'Whence Cometh My Help' by The Church Glass and Decorating Company of New York, among other items.
EARLY 'CLEMATIS' FLOOR LAMP, CIRCA 1899-1900
leaded glass, patinated bronze 65½ in. high (as seen), 29 in. diameter of shade
$70,000-90,000
RARE ‘TURTLE-BACK’ CHANDELIER, CIRCA 1910
leaded and plated glass, patinated bronze 15 in. high, 26¾ in. diameter of shade, 41 in. drop
$150,000-250,000
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