CHICAGO, IL.- Hindman Auctions saw extraordinary engagement with design greats in its November 16th Modern Design sale and November 17th Early 20th Century Design auctions. The two days of design auctions totaled $1,297,344, with both achieving outstanding sell-through rates. The Modern Design auction reached a 96 percent sell-through rate and the Early 20th Century Design auction reached a 95 percent sell-through rate. Works by distinguished names such as Frank Gehry, Dale Chihuly, Sam Maloof, Silas Kopf and Philip and Kelvin LaVerne saw fantastic bidding activity in the Modern Design auction, while French and American glass, and Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture stood out in Early 20th Century Design.

Modern Design | November 16

The Modern Design auction realized $713,188. The standout of the auction was Frank Gehry’s Fish Lamp (lot 117), which skyrocketed past its estimate of $20,000-40,000 to sell for $81,250. Produced in 1985 by New City Editions, similar Fish Lamps by the designer have been exhibited in renowned galleries. While primarily an architect, the Fish Lamp is another manifestation of the designer’s interest in movement, and the fish motif would appear in Gehry’s future architecture.

Works by Dale Chihuly were also among top performers, such as a yellow-orange hornet chandelier (lot 50), which realized $53,125. A six-piece antique-blue Persian set with cinnabar lip wraps (lot 52) sold for $18,750, well above its presale estimate of $8,000-12,000, and a red five-piece Persian sold for $9,275 (lot 51).

Studio craft furniture achieved strong prices, such as a Sam Maloof rocking chair made of maple and ebony (lot 18), which sold for $40,625 against a presale estimate of $25,000-35,000. Silas Kopf’s marquetry sideboard (lot 22) more than tripled its estimate to realize $18,750. Kopf is renowned for his remarkable marquetry, and was recognized as Master of the Medium by the James Renwick Alliance of the Smithsonian Institution for 2015. Phillip Lloyd Powell’s wall-mounted shelf (lot 27) also proved to be very popular with bidders, realizing $10,625, over triple its presale estimate.

Philip and Kelvin LaVerne’s Eternal Forest coffee table (lot 78) was another standout that realized $23,750 compared to a presale estimate of $7,000-9,000. A Spring Festival console table by the duo (lot 79) sold for $13,750 against a presale estimate of $8,000-10,000. The designers are renowned for their one-of-a-kind pieces, and incorporating ancient motifs and innovative practices into their work.




Contemporary sofas were also among sale highlights. Examples included two 'Non Stop' sectional sofas by DeSede (lot 110 and 107), which sold for $17,500 and $13,750, respectively, more than double their presale estimates. The sofas have become highly sought after and coveted with fashionable buyers due to their comfort and unique design. A modern classic floating seat and back sofa by Vladimir Kagan (lot 84) sold for a strong price of $16,250, more than double its presale estimate. A Kagan rocking chair was another popular item, selling for $12,500 against a presale estimate of $5,000-7,000.

Additional highlights were a coffee table from 1948 by Paul T. Frankl (lot 86), which sold for $15,000 against a presale estimate of $7,000-9,000, and Onassis Chairs (lot 81) by Karl Springer, which sold for $13,750.

Early 20th Century Design | November 17

The Early 20th Century Design Auction saw strong bidding activity across more than 170 lots, ultimately realizing a total of $584,156. Popular items included French and American glass, and Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture. Works by Tiffany Studios were also among top performers.

A vitrine by Émile Gallé (lot 29) garnered intense attention, ultimately selling for $50,000, more than 10 times its presale estimate. The work is a classic example of Art Nouveau, and is also signed by one of the most significant designers and taste makers in turn-of-the last century France. Its size is also the perfect statement for many interiors.

Glass works shone as well. A particular notable lot, also by Émile Gallé, is an enameled and hand-carved vase displaying exquisite craftmanship (lot 35), which realized $46,875, impressively above its presale estimate of $4,000-5,000.

Highlights also included Franz Hagenauer’s Singer on Piano (lot 177), which realized $56,250 against a presale estimate of $10,000-15,000. Originally from the Fred Silberman Gallery in New York, the piece saw outstanding interest. A Carlo Bugatti chair and settee (lot 65), made of mixed woods, parchment, leather, pewter inlay and brass sold for $11,875, more than 10 times its estimate.

Lots by the ever-popular Tiffany Studios also saw great excitement amidst bidders. Tiffany highlights included a Bellflower lamp (lot 94), which more than tripled its presale estimate and sold for $50,000. A Nautilus table lamp sold for $25,000 (lot 91) against a presale estimate of $5,000-7,000 and a Gold Iridescent Hooked Feather on Red Vase (lot 42) climbed well above its presale estimate of $1,000-2,000 to achieve $13,750.