News

Design: Auction 090 - 15.06.2010

Post auction report

Italian and Scandinavian Design still coveted.

Munich, 16 June. If one thing can be learned from the auction that took place on 15 June, offering exquisite pieces of furniture and lights from the 1900s up to today, it is that an increasing number of private collectors at the moment enjoy investing in international design. Whereas public institutions and the international design trade focus on rarities and specials.

Above all, Scandinavian classics like Hans Wegner’s ‚Papa Bear’ easy chair (hammer price: € 3,300), the sculptured ‚Harp Chair’ by Jörgen Hövelskov (hammer: € 3,300), Poul Henningsen’s ‚PH 4/3’ table light (hammer: € 3,600) and Eero Saarinen’s ‚Womb Chair’ (hammer: € 2,200) as well as three classic bar stools by Erik Buck (hammer: € 2,000) went into private households. Henning Koppel’s cookware of copper was ardently fought over by pro and private chefs and in the end attained almost its double reserve. An American client got the upper hand in this special ‚Cooking Duel’. The very rare ceiling light designed by Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa for Fontana Arte (hammer: € 4,000) will beautify a German flat. An English collector won two spectacular writing desks: Fabio Lenci’s desk of perspex with matching chair attained a hammer price of € 7,500 and David Delthony’s magnificent ‚Clam’ desk went to him for € 6,000. Ico Parisi’s ‚Terni’ dining table was highly contested. A private collector secured it for himself for € 6,000. The ‚Hesse’ armchair by Egon Eiermann, never been offered before in an international auction, found a new home in a German private collection for € 5,000.

Commerce concentrated on rarities, from, among others, Finland and Italy. Thus a rare ‚Domus Academica’ writing desk and a ‚Domus Lux’ rocking chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara, formerly part of the Th. Bröhan collection (hammered down at € 3,600 and € 2,200) and a ‚Cognac’ chair by Eero Aarnio as well as three ‚Karelia’ chairs by Liisi Beckmann (hammered down at € 1,500 resp. € 1,300) were purchased by European dealers. The elegant sideboard by Ico Parisi went to the American trade for € 12,500, as well as the carpet design by Fernand Léger (hammer: € 3,300). Gabetti & Isola’s ‚Tapipardo’ stayed in Germany for € 10,000. Frank Gehry’s ‚Little Beaver’ chair with ottoman in a rare red version went to Spain for € 3,000. The famous ‚La Chaise’ by Charles and Ray Eames from now on will be part of a German museum collection for € 3,000. A museum in Switzerland secured itself the monumental seat by performance artist Wolfgang Flatz for € 4,400.