CHICAGO, IL.- Hindman Auctions’ Modern Design sale saw outstanding results on May 20, and ultimately realized over $865,000. Competitive bidding across multiple platforms led to estimates being surpassed, and works by acclaimed designers such as Mira Nakashima, Martin Szekely, Christopher Ries, and Philip and Kelvin LaVerne achieved top prices. Works by renowned designers Warren Platner, Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová, Vladimir Kagan, David Easton, and Florence Knoll also saw strong engagement.
Furniture by American designers saw tremendous interest throughout the auction. Mira Nakashima’s coffee table (lot 108) sold for $28,125, over five times its presale estimate. Nakashima’s console table (lot 96) also realized a strong price of $13,750 against a presale estimate of $6,000-8,000. Christopher Ries’ Solstice (lot 200) topped its estimate of $4,000-6,000 to realize $25,000. Another highlight was Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s Spring Festival console table (lot 114), which sold for $18,750 against a presale estimate of $8,000-10,000. The table is made of etched, patinated, and polychromed bronze, and pewter. The duo’s Chan center/dining table (lot 110) also exceeded its presale estimate, selling for $10,625. The LaVernes were known for creating limited-edition pieces by combining one-of-a-kind methods with ancient motifs.
Additional exceptional sales included works by French designers such as Martin Szekely’s 103 Silver Console from 2006 (lot 185), which sold for $28,125 against a presale estimate of $15,000-25,000. The piece is made of up of five identical and inseparable cylinders. Known for his adaptability and precision, Szekely has worked on a range of projects from residential furniture to public commissions to product design. Claude Lalanne’s Collier Ronce (lot 182) was another top lot and sold for $18,750, over five times its presale estimate. Other examples of French standouts were Pierre Chapo’s Bibliothèque shelves (lot 155), which achieved $16,250 against a presale estimate of $6,000-8,000 and Mathieu Matégot’s pair of rare daybeds (lot 157), which realized $13,750, more than double the presale estimate.
Other strong performers included a tapestry designed after one by Alexander Calder (lot 95), which sold for $18,750 against a presale estimate of $3,000-5,000. Scandinavian Design also saw fantastic interest. Standout lots from the group included a pair of armchairs attributed to Mogens Lassen (lot 2), which sold for well above their presale estimate of $2,000-4,000 to achieve $16,250.
Bidding for the May 20 sale was available via absentee bid, by phone, or live online through the Digital Bid Room, Hindman’s recently launched online and mobile bidding platform.
