NEW YORK, NY.- Sotheby’s Important 20th Century Design sale on 12 June 2013 will offer a selection of American and European masterworks of the last 100 years, led by an early and rare chair #45 by Donald Judd circa 1989 (est. $40/60,000). The importance of this design hinges not only on its base functionality as a chair, but also as a literal participant in the delineation and effect of a minimalist space. Judd’s philosophy, especially his views on architecture and interior design, focused on a unity of art and life. The materials used in his art are also reflected here in the construction of this chair, and thus embody the holistic mentality Judd espoused in the major designs for his homes in Marfa, Texas and New York City.
The sale encompasses an outstanding collection of Tiffany Studios leaded glass lamps, favrile glass and bronze works including an Important and Rare “Dragonfly and Waterflowers” Table Lamp (est. $150/200,000) coming from the Geyer Family Collection. The shade (circa 1898-1899), featuring Dragonflies flying amidst marsh flowers, is paired with a rare favrile mosaic glass “Arrowhead” base (circa 1905). This lamp is one of only five examples presently known of this rare and defining design, and the present example is believed to be an early and experimental precursor to the model. The sale also includes some extraordinary Tiffany lamps from the Estate of Elmer William Shigo, including an outstanding “Poppy” Table Lamp circa 1905 which displays a highly artistic glass selection and color palette (est. $80/120,000).
Surrealist designer René Crevel was a devout follower of André Breton and the Surrealist ideals and left behind only a small number of magnificent works in the disciplines of ceramics, tapestry designs and the literary arts after his untimely and tragic death at the age of 34. Of those includes an important and rare pair of vases circa 1926 (est. $75/100,000), manufactured by Sèvres Manufactory, Paris. A vase with matching decorative scheme is in the permanent collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
The sale also includes several defining works of American Modern Design, including an important and rare coffee service designed by Paul Lobel circa 1934 (est. $75/100,000). A prototype of this tea set was included in the Contemporary American Industrial Art exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York earlier that year. This service was presented as a wedding gift in 1938 to Frances Alice Davidson and William Charles Sonnhalter of Cleveland, Ohio, and has remarkably remained in the same family to the present date.
Among the top highlights of American Studio Design is a magnificent “Minguren I” Coffee Table by George Nakashima (est. $80/120,000) which is distinguished by an extraordinary burled walnut top. The table was acquired directly from the artist in 1979 by Star Sacks and her husband, Seymour Sacks, for their private collection.
