The Best of Sotheby’s 20th-Century Design Sale (Friday)
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
Carlo Mollino coffee table (c. 1950). Estimate: $40,000 to $60,000. A much bigger Mollino table sold for $3.8 million at Christie’s last June, setting a record for 20th-century design. “What this piece does will be an accurate reflection of how hot Mollino is,” the head of 20th-century design at Sotheby’s, James Zemaitis, said. “He has this aura about him,” augmented by the rarity of his superlative works.
Paul Dupre-Lafon table basse (c. 1950s). Estimate: $200,000 to $300,000. A similar table from the collection of producer Scott Rudin sold for more than twice its low estimate at Christie’s on Wednesday.
Claude Lalanne set of four chairs from the Lila Acheson Wallace Garden at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (1984). Estimate: $24,000 to $32,000. Several sets of Lalanne chairs and tables were generating presale excitement, Mr. Zemaitis said, in part because “there’s no good garden furniture.” An exhibition of Mr. Lalanne’s design work is scheduled at the Paul Kasmin Gallery next fall.
Forrest Myers set of six “fold” chairs (c. 1971-80). Estimate: $20,000 to $30,000. The perfect complement to a Richard Prince joke painting – and much cheaper: The artwork goes for around half a million at auction.
