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Highlights of design-history VI 'Table culture': Auction 87 - 1.12.2009

Auction No. 087, 1 December 2009
Highlights of design-history VI 'Table culture'

Post auction sale until 18.12.2009 and 04.01. - 15.01.2010.
Online catalogue
Download bid form (PDF)
Download list of results (PDF)
List of unsold objects (PDF)

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Post auction report

On account of the success of the previous years and the high proceeds despite the year of crisis 2009 the house was able to obtain consignments of some quality for their table culture auction on 1 December.

Exquisit rarities from the Biedermeier era until today attained - according to expectations - a good sales rate of almost 50%. Aficionados of Art Nouveau and Design arrived and fought over their coveted items. Most of the time, the hammer fell in favour of German bidders.
 

Right at the beginning of the auction, a Loetz vase, designed by Franz Hofstotter and presented at the Paris World Fair in 1900, went from € 8,000 up to € 15,000 and is going to be part of an American collection, despite the weak Dollar. A few lots after that, Hans Christiansen’s tapestry was being bought by a German collector for € 14,000 (reserve: € 3,000).

Three German enthusiasts contended about a desk chair by Henry van de Velde that was called up at € 6,000, and overbid each other up to € 12,000. The same happened to a pair of candlesticks by Richard Riemerschmid that a German collector secured for himself for € 12,000. When a lidded goblet by Georg Jensen was called up, once more a bidding battle ensued that a Danish dealer won at € 14,000 (reserve: € 3,000). Lalique’s red ‚Poissons’ vase found a new home in the USA for € 15,000 (more than its estimate).

A German collector got the Bauhaus chess set for a little below its estimate for € 9,250 (12,000) and an Ulm stool by Max Bill was fervently battled over and went at the end for € 5,200 into a Munich-based collection. Alvar Aalto’s designs were coveted, too- a serving trolley went for € 6,000 and his table carousel for € 3,000 to a German design enthusiast.
Several German collectors were involved in battles about Italian lighting design, e. g. Angelo Lelli’s ‚Filosfera’ floor light that was sold for € 6,000, and his ceiling light for € 5,800. Nanda Vigo’s ‚Golden Gate’ floor light went for € 5,500. Also designs by Alessandro Mendini were sought after: the price for his ‚Proust’ easy chair increased from € 3,000 to € 11,000; a bar cabinet went for € 6,700 to a French dealer that got the upper hand over several German competitors.

 
The post-auction sale can be worthwhile, though – one can still acquire a ‚IN 40’ table by Isamu Noguchi that has spent decades in the home of its current owner (estimate € 2,500). Likewise, the rare coffee set by Donald Colflesh (estimate € 10,000) and also a table by Piero Fornasetti (estimate € 4,000).
All in all Quittenbaum is happy to have attained a gross auction proceeds of € 3,5 million this year – same as last year – therewith Quittenbaum strengthens its market leadership in the domain of Art Nouveau, Art Déco, Murano glass and Design in the German-speaking countries.

On 9 February 2010 Auctions featuring Design and Murano glass are going to be held – following on 20 April are Art Nouveau and Art Déco – consignments are welcome anytime!