GLEN COVE, NY.- The personal collection of world-renowned French Architect/Designer Thierry Despont was presented in a rare auction opportunity at
Roland Auctions NY on April 6th, 2024. The auction include offered over 200 lots of rare and highly-curated pieces from Despont’s own personal collection including artwork, furniture, rare books and sculptures.
Despont’s own 10,000 square-foot Tribeca townhouse at 182 Franklin Street in Manhattan just recently sold for $25 million dollars, with the contents and furnishings from the townhouse, along with his own personal collection, now being offered for the first time since he passed away at age 75 last August. The home featured clubby Edwardian-style paneled rooms, iconic modern furniture, Constructivist art and architectural renderings and many old prints, along with 19th-century-and-20th-century drawings alongside Despont’s own artwork.
Despont, of course, rose to fame when he worked on the 1986 renovation of the Statue of Liberty’s torch, crown, and stairways, converted the Battery Maritime Building, did the interior design of 220 Central Park South and restored the historical Woolworth Building. Other projects of his included a renovated $75 million mansion on London’s Kensington Palace Gardens, an East Hampton mansion previously owned by Calvin Klein and building houses for Bill Gates, Conrad Black, Ralph Lauren and Michael Douglas. Throughout his career, Despont’s became a Knight of the French Legion of Honor, a Knight of the Arts and Letters and is a member of the Interior Design Hall of Fame. In 1996, he was entrusted with the interior renovation of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, as well as some of London’s top hotels, such as Claridge’s and the Dorchester, and Paris’s Crillon, Peninsula and Ritz Hotels.
At the much-anticipated April 6th auction, most items were selling far beyond their estimates, with Modern Art and Mid-Century furniture taking the lead. All items shared the Provenance: From the Collection of renowned architect and designer Thierry Despont
The top seller at the auction was the "Boxer After the Fight" - Oil Painting, Mark Beard (American, b. 1950) also known as Bruce Sargeant, large oil on canvas painting titled "Boxer after the Fight"; signature not found. The artist created artworks for Abercrombie & Fitch stores. [Frame: 84 1/2" H x 54" W]. Estimate$500-$800, which Sold for $17,500, while "L.A. Freeway" – Drawing, Joseph Stashkevetch (American, b. 1958) large modern contemporary charcoal, crayon and watercolor on paper drawing of a scene of cars on an L.A. freeway, circa 1997, titled "Los Angeles Freeway". [Art: 45" H x 69" W; Frame: 50 3/4" H x 74" W], sold for $13,750.
A Tom Lovell (American, 1909-1997): Bar Fight - Oil on canvas scene of a barroom brawl, signed lower right, WPA style artist.. [Art: 26" H x 32" W; Frame: 31 1/2" H x 38" W], went for $8,000 and an A.M. Wright: Trains - Oil Painting, Framed WPA-style industrial scene with trains, signed lower right.. [Art: 19" H x 27" W; Frame: 22" H x 30" W], sold for $5,937.
A selection of Thierry Despont designed furniture also brought in top bidding, with a stunning pair of Loro Piana Upholstered Club Chairs, Art Deco-style club chairs, designed by Thierry Despont (French, 1948-2023). [33" H x 32" W x 40" D; 16" H to seat, including cushions]. Estimate$400-$600, selling for $16,250, a pair of Thierry Despont Art Deco-Style Torchiere Lamps (2), Pair of modern floor lamps, having flared metal shades raised on ebonized wood columns with tripod bases. [70 1/4" H x 21 1/2" Diam.] sold for $6,250 and a Loro Piana Mohair Upholstered Red Sofa, designed by Thierry Despont (French, 19487-2023), four legs, and white material under the cushions, with three seat backs and loose seat cushions. [35" H x 91" W x 41" D; 18" - 19" H to seat, including cushions] which sold for $5,000. Also, a Thierry Despont Modern Triangular-Form Side Table, mahogany side table, rounded triangle outline with pull-out bronze cup holder. [24" x 24" x 20"], sold for $4,062.
Mid-Century Modern always brings in top bidding, with a Modern Bauhaus-style chrome lounge chair, late 20th century, after a model by Louis Sognot (French, 1892-1970) with chenille upholstered cushions. [34" H x 26 1/2" W x 40|" D], going for $5,937, a Modern Art Deco-Style Vanity Suite (4-Pc.), Modern Art Deco-style sycamore wood four-piece vanity ensemble, comprising a pair of night stands, a vanity console table and a vanity stool. [Table: 28" H x 51" W x 17 1/2" D; Stands: 28 1/2" H x 13 1/2" W x 18 1/4" D; Stool: 17 1/4" H x 16 3/4" W x 20" D], which sold for $4,375, an Attributed. to Gio Ponti Lift Top Console Table, Long mid-century console of polished walnut with angular tapered legs, with glass cap ends.. [30" H x 19" W x 64 1/2" D (closed); 29" H x 38" W x 64 1/2" D (open)], selling for $5,000, an Attributed to Gio Ponti Lift Top Console Table, Long mid-century console of polished walnut with angular tapered legs, with glass cap ends.. [30" H x 19" W x 64 1/2" D (closed); 29" H x 38" W x 64 1/2" D (open)], which sold for $5,000.
In addition there was an Art Deco-Style Brushed Metal Pendant Fixture, selling for $4,375 and a Mid-century modern club armchair of classic design with green textured vinyl upholstery. Provenance:. [31" H x 27" W x 32" D], also selling for $4,375.
In other areas, a Yamaha Ebony Piano and Bench C2 #5435574, Yamaha ebony piano and bench, model C2, serial #5435574 sold for $8,000 and a pair of Bowers & Wilkins "Nautilus" Speaker Towers Model 802, with cherrywood veneer cases and Kevlar cones. Serial # 0017036 and # 0017035 [48" H x 16 1/2" W x 24" D] sold for $8,000.
