AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- NOVEMBER 11TH: MODERN DESIGN AT DOYLE NEW YORK

by Kelly Keating on 11/14/13

After 3 weeks of gorgeous, sparkling silver, Auction Finds returns to modern design and furniture with lots from the Doyle + Design auction to be held at Doyle New York on November 18, 2013.  This auction has some wonderful pieces of 20th century and 21st century design by very prominent artists, designers and makers of this period notably George Nakashima.  Many of the items are at affordable prices.  If you are interested in modern design and want to start creating a room with objects from this period the Doyle + Design auction is a great place to start.

This week's first find is lot 204, a low table made of American black walnut by the renown George Nakashima with a pre-sale estimate of $10,000-15,000.  The table was made circa 1955-1964 and it is an impressive 7' 10" in length, 31" in width and 12" in height.  The design of the table follows Nakashima's desire to preserve the original character of the piece wood of wood he uses as seen in the undulating edge of the tabletop and even the hole in the center of the object.  The whole stands on 3 peg legs and has a wonderful patina.  A piece such as this would be the centerpiece of any room, used perhaps as a coffee table.  The rest of the room would have to be built around this gorgeous and visually arresting table.

The second discovery of the week is a decidedly different table than the Nakashima.  Lot 316 is an oak Art Deco center table from the second quarter of the 20th century with a pre-sale estimate of $800-1,200.  What a great piece for an entry way!  The whole stands on 3 block feet which support a tripartite base.  From the triangular base 3 slightly curved but blocky legs/supports rise up to support the 32" in diameter circular tabletop in which a dynamic patterning is created with the grain of the oak.  The center table as a form emerged in the early 19th century Classical period and the form here is much as it was then.

This week's next treasure like the Art Deco center table is a new take on an old form.  Lot 341 is a French secretaire by Andre Sornay (1902-2000) circa 1940 made of birch and mahogany with copper inlay with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500.  Here a traditional form is updated with a graphic use of wood graining and copper as well as the large cup-like handles for the 2 drawers and the fold down desk.  This desk would be the centerpiece of any room and like the Nakashima the room would need to be designed around it.

The fourth discovery this week is a 1920's French Art Deco mantel clock which would look wonderful on your new Sornay secretaire.  The clock, lot 339 with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,000 is by Paul Follot (1877-1941).  It is made of carved and gilt-wood featuring 2 stylized birds whose heads come together over the clock dial.  Beneath the birds there is some foliage.  The whole stands on bun feet.  Chic and stylish, this clock is the way to tell time.

The next find for this week is a Mid-century modern sideboard by Jens Risom (b.1916), lot 192, with a pre-sale estimate of $600-900.  The sideboard made of walnut with a lovely patina was made in circa 1960.  It features a large accordian door on the left which perhaps was for barware or a stereo and 4 drawers on the right all of which stands on 4 feet with what appears to be a cross-stretcher.  This foot design gives a lightness to the piece as if its main rectangular form is simply floating.  If you are looking to start buying Mid-century modern furniture, this piece is a good start and it is by a good maker.

This week's sixth treasure is a Danish modern design armchair that would work well with the Risom sideboard.  Lot 190 is an upholstered arm chair with tripod teak legs from the mid 20th century with a pre-sale estimate of $1,000-2,000.  The current fabric on the chair is quite stark.  I would keep the offwhite color, just warm it up a bit and find a fabric with some texture to contrast with the smooth teak legs. 

This week's last find is Lot 195, an American lounge chair from the 1930's/1940's of bentwood and upholstery by Martin Craig with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,000.  The chair is a series of wonderful curves and it looks supremely comfortable.  Like the Danish modern chair above, I would warm up the fabric with a slightly deeper tone of offwhite and add a fabric with some texture like a chenille to make this chair super cozy.

This week's discoveries could all work together in the same house.  My favorite piece this week is the Andre Sornay secretaire.  As an update of an earlier form, it is both modern and traditional and supremely French in its elegance and style.
I hope this week's finds provided inspiration for the design of your own interiors.

If you are looking for a modern design piece from a small decorative object to a large item of furniture, I can assist you.  Email me at [email protected] with details.  And check out my website www.theantiqueflaneur.com to see how I work.

For auction results of the Finds, past and present, go to my Facebook Page.

Until next week,

Kelly T Keating