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Art You Can Sit On: 20th-Century Furniture Design at Auction

Published: June 9, 2005
NEW YORK—The New York Sun reports on the escalating prices of modern and postmodern furniture designers, like Scott Burton, whose steel chairs (1989-90) sold for $198,000 at a May 24 auction at Phillips, de Pury & Company.

Yesterday, at a Sotheby's sale that brought in $8.4 million, its high estimate, "major works by mid-century designers Charlotte Perriand, Jean Prouve, and Jean-Michel Frank all did well," says the Sun.

James Zemaitis, director of Sotheby's 20th-century design department, called the sale "a survey of 20th-century Modernism as we see it."

"The 1970s is definitely finding its niche," said Zemaitis.

"Clients are looking for the best items of any era," Evan Snyderman, a TriBeCa mid-century design dealership and gallery R 20th-Century, told the Sun. "They want rare and important pieces."

Today, Christie's is holding an auction of 20th-century design, much of it from the collection of Dakis Joannou.

"The strength of the sale is in mid-century French, particularly the section from Joannou," said Philippe Garner, the international head of Christie's 20th-century design. "It's about a certain look that still feels modern today but predated mass consumption."

Despite the rising popularity of contemporary pieces, prices come nowhere near the explosive estimates on paintings and sculptures.

"People are buying great examples of design to complement their art," said Snyderman. "The best design by one of the best designers is still affordable."

FOR FULL STORY CLICK:

New York Sun: "Accessories for Art"
Image courtesy of Christie's New York; property from the Collection of Dakis Joannou.

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