Highlights of Designhistory

German Museums Take the Top Lots

During this December loaded with Design auctions, there were truly rare pieces and one-of-a-kinds of the highest quality that asserted themselves at Quittenbaum Art Auctions. For example, Henry van de Velde's gilded pendant (1899) from the family of painter Curt Hermann received € 35,700 commission and tax included. The highest proceeds achieved a vase by Paolo Venini with filigree stripes in blue and green. After a heated bidding contest among five glass aficionados in the room and on telephones, it proudly reached € 50,400, a record price for this décor.

To our delight, German museums were very active with purchases at the end of the year, thus confirming the museum quality of the offers. Erich Dieckmann's child's armchair from the year 1926 climbed from € 6,000 to € 10,200 all included. The four prototype chairs and prototype table by Otl Aicher, c1955, stayed slightly below their estimate and received € 19,100 all included. Among the unicum pieces knocked down in favour of a museum is also a daybed by Herbert Hirche (€ 4,800 all included).

The cubist dining room ensemble with table and four chairs by Czech architect Josef Goçar, c1914, will travel to the USA (€ 14,300 all included). The swivel light '830' by Heinrich S. Bormann achieved a brilliant increase. The light made of tubular steel was called up at € 4,200 and received € 12,700 all included. The interest for lighting designs by Serge Mouille and Charlotte Perriand is always reliable. Gerrit Rietveld's 'Crate' furniture was likewise popular. A 'Crate' table, designed in 1934, received € 4,400 all included, after a desk and armchair from this series had already been sold for € 7,600. The demand for the snuggly furniture by Philip Arctander remains unabated. The two 'Clam' chairs were sold for € 20,400 all included, and a daybed with sheepskin received € 5,100.