THE RESULTS ARE IN: Phillips de Pury Design Auction

05 October '10

Phillips de Pury & Company
London

Phillips de Pury & Company's latest Design sale took place the 28th of September in London and ended with shakey results.  Design sales give collectors an opportunity to focus their purchases on some of the best design pieces on the market.  

Over all 73 lots were sold out of the 115 available, bring in a total of £1,124,250 including the buyer’s premium.  This 63% of lots sold shows the design market feeling a slight lull since its last sales.

Few lots went far over their estimates and it seems buyers are preparing for a second dip in the market.  Many of the notable Chandigarh pieces went unsold as well as other less established names.

Some highlights included new work by Thomas Heatherwick, ‘Billet 1 – Extrusion 5’ bench, 2009 which sold for £37,250 with an estimate of £32,000 - £38,000 and a Jean Prouve, Row of three lecture hall chairs with adjustable seats, from the University of Besançon, France, c. 1953 which sold for £11,875 with an estimate of £5,000 - £7,000.

Though this sale is only the first of several design auctions this fall, it shows buyers this market still needs development.  From the lots sold, it is clear that collectors are still looking for quality and stability rather than taking a risk on emerging designers.

For more information, please visit www.phillipsdepury.com

Jean Prouve- Row of three lecture hall chairs with adjustable seats, from the University of Besançon, France, 1953