The Results Are In: Wright's Important Design Auction
3rd June '09
Yesterday’s Important Design sale at Wright was not the most remarkable session in history, with only 51% of the works on offer managing to sell. However, Wright did pull through with a few remarkable sales and a respectable, albeit uninspiring, $2,366,361 final tally – a far cry from last year’s equivalent sale which totaled $5,867,151.
While Lots by contemporary design giants like Ron Arad, Maarten Baas and Atelier van Lieshout went unsold, mid to late century pieces by lesser-known designers had a very strong showing – making up the majority of the sale’s small group of overachievers.
The top Lot of the sale went to Harry Bertoia’s gilt stainless steel untitled (Dandelion) - 1964, which sold for $278,500 (est. $100,000 - 150,000), while other highlights included Eliel Saarinen’s brass shallow candy bowl - 1934, which went for $82,900 (over twice it’s high estimate of $40,000) and Paul Evans’ Cityscape cabinet - 1970, selling for $18,750 (est. $5,000 - 7,000).
Although it is clear that the market for quality design pieces has quieted down slightly, the story remains that it is still a fairly steady market, with the main bulk of the works sold reaching within their pre-auction estimates.
We will have to wait and see if the trend continues with Phillips Design Auction NewYork taking place tonight.
To view detailed results of DeTnk's pic of the auctions visit our Collecting Design Marketplace