CHRISTIE’S PRESENTS: HISTORICAL DESIGN REFLECTS – THE EAST 61ST STREET YEARS On December 8 Christie's celebrates New York’s Historical Design Gallery and surveys the entire modern movement with selected iconic designs spanning the late 19th, 20th and 21st centuries
New York - This December 8 Christie's celebrates New York’s Historical Design Gallery and surveys the entire modern movement with selected iconic designs spanning the late 19th, 20th and 21st centuries including French ceramics, New York related objects, Scandinavian Design, photographs, American Mid-Century Design and Bauhaus. The auction contains 197 lots, with the majority offered without reserve, and is expected to realize in excess of $800,000.
Highlights include an array of works by Archibald Knox including a stunning ‘Cymric’ silver enameled case, 1902 (estimate: $30,000-50,000), and a ‘Tudric’ and mother-of-pearl clock from 1902-05 (pictured, left, estimate: $30,000- 50,000), both originally executed for Liberty & Co, London. Other lots include an Adolph Loos leather and ebonized wood ‘Elbow Chair’ from circa 1899 estimate: $4,000-6,000); an elegant hand-repoussé brass and nickled-metal fivepanel 'Oasis' Screen after the design of Edgar Brandt (pictured above, estimate: $40,000-60,000); and a glass, chromed and painted metal Z-Clock by Gilbert Rohde (estimate: $8,000-10,000).
The sale will feature a selection of original 1960’s, beautifully designed posters for musical legends such as the Grateful Dead, and The Doors, and the Yardbirds with estimates ranging from $400-1,200 (pictured left). Other notable highlights are a pair of limed and ebonized oak chest of drawers, circa 1940 by James Mont (estimate: $10,000-15,000); a hand-knotted wool rug from the 1930’s by
Edward McKnight Kauffer (estimate: $15,000- 20,000); and a refined Jean Royere wool upholstered oak sculptured armchair, from 1955, (pictured below, estimate: 20,000- 30,000).
Art lovers will be offered the chance to acquire works on paper by contemporary masters Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and Ellsworth Kelly in addition to black and white photographs by Harry Callahan, Berenice Abbott, and Bill Brandt, among others. Also included in the sale are contemporary pieces by renowned designers Shlomo Harush, Ron Arad, and Shiro Kuramata. The sale provides a comprehensive overview of spectacular decorative pieces spanning the past century and into our present decade. Auctions: 8 December 2009 - Important 20th Century Decorative Art &
Design, Magnificent Tiffany including Works from the Gluck Collection (separate release available), and Historical Design Reflects: The East 61st Street Years (separate release available). Viewing: 4-7 December at Christie's Rockefeller Center Galleries Shlomo Harusch, A wove and riveted aluminum strap armchair, 2000 (est. $6,000-8,000)
About Christie’s
Christie’s, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2008 that totalled £2.8 billion/$5.1 billion. For the first half of 2009, art sales totalled £1.2 billion/$1.8 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christie’s offers over 450 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $80 million. Christie’s has 53 offices in 30 countries and 10 salerooms around the
