AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- JUNE 17TH: 20TH CENTURY DESIGN PART III

by Kelly Keating on 06/21/13

This week is the third installment of auction finds all designed in the 20th century.  All lots are being auctioned at Skinner in Boston on June 22nd and feature Arts & Crafts, Art Deco and Mid-century Modern objects.  Hopefully, one of these lots will inspire the decoration of your own living space whether in terms of shape, sentiment or color.

The first discovery this week, lot 438, is a piece of mid-century electronics, an early Philco Predicta Television with a pre-sale estimate of $400-600.  The TV is made of metal, glass and fabric, has a swivel screen and dates to the 1940's.  TV was commercially available since the 1920's, but it achieved true dominance in the 1950's.  This early TV at Skinner would make an interesting objet d'art on a sideboard or in a large bookshelf as an artifact of the medium or a piece from a future alien archaelogical dig.

 

This week's next treasure is an Arts & Crafts screen, lot 189, with a pre-sale estimate of $500-700.  The screen is composed of four hinged sections, each decorated with a brocade peacock feather patterned fabric in gold, blue, and brown above a panel carved with scrolling leaf and foliate designs.  It dates to the early 20th century and is made of oak.  Using a screen in a room is a wonderful way to frame a corner, hide a door or as a backdrop to a sofa.  The peacock fabric of this piece is particularly fab and could be the starting point for an entire room design.

The third treasure this week is the first of two Art Deco lots.  Lot 462 is a Russel Wright (1904-1976) spun aluminum spherical lidded bowl, ladle, removable "ring" tray and twelve cups with wooden ball accents with a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-1,500.  All bowl and cups all impressed on the base: Russel Wright.  The piece is dated to circa 1935.This piece makes me think of Flash Gordon and the serials of the 1930's and later 1950's science fiction films.  Its Art Deco identity is hallmarked by its streamlined design, futuristic space references and the use of its materials.  What a wonderful display piece on your modern sideboard and how fun would it be to use this punch bowl at a party.

Russel Wright was an American Industrial designer during the 20th century. Beginning in the late 1920s through the 1960s, he created a succession of artistically distinctive and commercially successful items that helped bring modern design to the general public.  Russel Wright’s method of design came from the belief that the table was the center of the home. Designing in layers from there outwards, he designed tableware to larger furniture, architecture to landscaping, all according to his concept of easy, informal living. It was through his immensely popular and widely distributed housewares and furnishings that he revolutionized the way Americans lived and organized their homes in the mid 20th century.

The second Art Deco lot this week is a pair of French upholstered lounge chairs circa 1925, lot 400, with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500.  The chairs have a straight seat back over flat wood arms angled at front and continuing down to the base which is raised on four stepped feet.  Stylish and comfortable this pair of chairs could fit into almost any setting and would be heightened by a rich and luxurious fabric from modern to traditional.

The final two discoveries this week are both chairs and both Mid-century Modern pieces, one Danish and one American.  Lot 474 is a Hans Wegner (1914-2007) Danish "Mama Bear" Chair on four tapered cylindrical legs.  It is made of teak, walnut and upholstery and dated circa 1950's with a pre-sale estimate of $4,000-6,000.  This piece is Wegner's take on the traditional wingchair.  Everything is simplified and paired down, but the chair still exudes a cozy feel.

Wegner was a world renowned Danish furniture designer. His high quality and thoughtful work, along with a concerted effort from several of his manufacturers, contributed to the international popularity of mid-century Danish design. His style is often described as Organic Functionality, a modernist school with emphasis on functionality. This school of thought arose primarily in Scandinavian countries with contributions by Poul Henningsen, Alvar Aalto, and Arne Jacobsen.  In his lifetime he designed over 500 different chairs, over 100 of which were put into mass production and many of which have become recognizable design icons.

The second Mid-century Modern chair is lot 705, a Cherner Plycraft armchair from Lawrence, MA and dated circa 1958 with a pre-sale estimate of $250-350.  The piece is constructed of laminated plywood with a shaped back to seat with curvilinear arms.  This armchair has a wonderfully dynamic and organic feel.  It could be a functional piece of sculpture in a very smart interior or how about a set of 4, 6, or 8 for a dining room.

This week was the third installment of auction finds that express the best in 20th century modern design.  I hope one of these pieces gave you a new thought or idea for the design and decoration of your own interior space whether it is Arts & Crafts, Art Deco or Danish or American modernism.

If you are looking for a particular object and would like my help, please contact me at [email protected].

Till next week,

Kelly T Keating
www.theantiqueflaneur.com