Manhattan 20th Century Design Auctions

The 1950s and 60s were decades that conjure to mind liquid lunches, a martini after a hard day in the office, and low slung furniture with clean lines. Fans of the show Mad Men, which ended a few weeks ago will be familiar with this design aesthetic from the show’s sets which epitomized mid-century modern design.

Later this week, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillip’s auction houses will be having their design auctions in New York City. Sotheby’s starts off the design auctions on June 9 at 10AM, followed by Phillip’s at 2PM that afternoon. The Christie’s auction will begin at 10AM on June 10.

While the auctions cover a cross-section of 20th century design they have a sizable number of mid-century modern furniture lots by designers and architects such as Pierre Jeanneret, Le Corbusier, George Nakashima, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne, Charlotte Perriand, Paul Evans, Jean Royère, and Vladimir Kagan.

Nakashima, an American-born furniture designer, known for his use of wood has work in permanent collections of numerous museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art. All three auctions contain lots of his furniture. Sotheby’s lot 120, a set of three “Conoid” dining chairs, has an estimate of $15,000 — $20,000. Christie’s has a Nakashima “Frenchman’s Cove’ dining table, lot 180, estimated at $25,000 – $35,000. Lot 67 at Phillip’s is a “Slab” coffee table made of American black walnut, with an estimate of $25,000 – $35,000.

Renowned architect, Le Corbusier, and designer, Jeanneret, collaborated to design Sotheby’s lot 67, a pair of “Advocate” chairs for the High Court of Chandigarh, India. The chairs, circa 1955-1956, are made of teak with hide upholstery have an estimate of $30,000 — $50,000.

Lot 183, a “Chan Li” cabinet, at Christie’s was designed by father and son team, Philip and Kelvin LaVerne has an estimate of $30,000 – $50,000.

Sotheby’s has three lots designed by Evans. Lot 124 is a pair of “Sculpted Bronze” chairs estimated at $15,000 — $20,000. The “Sculpted Bronze” coffee table, lot 125, is estimated at $3,000 — $5,000. While lot 126, a “Sculpted Bronze” wall cabinet, has an estimate of $40,000 — $60,000.

A Royère “Creneaux” dining table, lot 110 at Christie’s has an estimate of $120,000 – $180,000. With an estimate of $220,000 – $280,000, lot 2 at Phillip’s is a pair of Royère “Ambassador” armchairs.

For more information visit our Mid-Century Modern Furniture page. At Syl-Lee Antiques we are always looking to purchase quality mid-century items. If you would like to get in touch with us please see our contact page. We offer free in-home evaluations in the New York City and Long Island areas.