$1.5m Tiffany lamp lights-up Decorative Art sale

The New York 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale at Christie's netted at total of $15.5m on Tuesday (December 8), with 85% of items sold across a trio of incredible auctions.

The three sales were: Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, Magnificent Tiffany Featuring The Gluck Collection and Historical Design Reflects: The East 61st Street Years.

One of two 'Oiseaux de Marbre' chairs, which realised $302.5k
One of two 'Oiseaux de Marbre' chairs,
which realised $302.5k

Star lots included a rare and exquisite Elaborate Peony lamp from Tiffany Studios.

The auction also featured the largest single-owner collection of works by François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne ever to hit the market.

It was led by an important ebonized wood and glass table by Carlo Mollino, which brought $602,500.

Works by François-Xavier and Claude Lalanne themselves dominated the auction, with top lots including a 'Gingko' aluminum table and a Crocodile bench by Claude Lalanne, which sold respectively for $482,500 each.

The duo's 'Oiseaux de Marbre' chairs realised $302,500. And 'Grand Wapiti', a unique Patinated Bronze Elk from 1996, sold for $266,500.

'Grand Wapiti', a Patinated Bronze Elk,1996 ($266.5k)
'Grand Wapiti', a Patinated Bronze Elk
from 1996 ($266.5k)

The 52 Lalanne works presented in the sale eventually achieved $5.2m against a pre-sale estimate of $1.9-$2.9m.

Overall the Important 20th Century Decorative Art & Design sale was also a success, bringing $7.83m and selling 94% of its items by value and 78% by lot.

Meanwhile, the top sale at Magnificent Tiffany Featuring The Gluck Collection was an extraordinary 'Elaborate Peony' lamp from the Gluck Collection, which achieved $1.54m.

The model was produced for a very limited time by the famous Tiffany Studios (about 1913-1920), and its rarity and beauty make it a coveted piece today by collectors and decorative art lovers alike.

An ebonized wood and glass table by Carlo Mollino ($602.5k)
An ebonized wood and glass table by Carlo Mollino ($602.5k)

Among the other highlights was a glorious 'Dragonfly lamp', circa 1900 on a mosaic base, which realised $602,500, and a 'Trumpet Creeper' table lamp from circa 1905, which sold for $794,500.

An 'Elaborate Peony' lamp from the Gluck Collection ($1.5m)
An 'Elaborate Peony' lamp from the
Gluck Collection ($1.5m)

The four fragments of the original mosaic sign that adorned the exterior of the prominent Tiffany showrooms also appeared in the sale, comprehensively bringing $135,000.

In total, the Magnificent Tiffany auction netted $6.9m, selling 92% by value and 84% by lot.

Finally, the third Christie's sale, Historical Design Reflects: The East 61st Street Years totalled $759,563, with 78% sold by value and 89% sold by lot.

The top sellers were a repoussé brass and nickled-metal five-panel Oasis screen after a design by Edgar Brandt, which realised $68,500; and a spectacular 'Cymric' silver and enamel vase by Archibald Knox, from 1902, sold for $37,500.

"It has been an extraordinary year for Christie's 20th Century Decorative Art & Design Department," Philippe Garner, International Head of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design.

"Beginning with the landmark Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé Decorative Arts auction in Paris, which set the tone for the successful sales that followed.

"We are pleased to conclude 2009 with a total of $15.5m for today's three auctions in New York."

 

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