Submitted by aarAdmin on Thu, 07/02/2020 - 14:58
Given the uncertainty surrounding business operations in Australia as the deadly coronavirus pandemic continues to be a thorny global problem that shows little sign of abating in the near future, Melbourne-based Gibson’s Auctions must have been pleased with the results of its 20th century design auction on June 29.
A significant proportion of Melbourne’s population has been forced into local lockdown as COVID-19 numbers and hotspots continue to grow in what has amounted to a second spike since initial restrictive measures were introduced mid-March.
However, this did not prevent spirited, mainly online, bidding for an eclectic range of items on offer.
The top selling item (with a hammer price of $6000 equal to the lower catalogue estimate) was a circa 1960s oak extension dining table (lot 33) by Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner (1914-2007) who is considered one of the most creative, innovative and prolific his country ever produced – with almost 500 designs to his credit, many of them masterpieces, for which he received many awards.
The son of a cobbler, Wegner was part of the generation today referred to as the Golden Age of modern Danish design and his works are exhibited internationally in almost all the major design museums .
New Yorker Julie Lazarus Venice 1997 limited edition art glass form (lot 69) designed for Gallery Daniele Luchetta was another success, selling for $4800.
A wrought iron mounted and glazed mahogany cabin (lot 77) by French decorator and furniture designer Louis Marjorelle (1859-1926) went under the hammer for $2900, while a set of five circa 1960s Murano glass pendant lights by Gino Vistosi for Vistosi (lot 27) sold for $2200 – above the high $1800 estimate.
A significant contributor as a founding member in 1901 of Ecole de Nancy to furniture transformation in the art nouveau style, Marjorelle manufactured his own designs from his firm in Nancy – much of it during the 1880s following Louis XV characteristics.
Within 30 years he had added metalworking to the workshop and opened stores in Paris, Lyon and Lille. His shop in Nancy did not fare well during World War I, being partially destroyed by fire and then in 1917 bombed by the Germans.
A 1950s rattan wickerwork chair (lot 28) by Gio Ponti (1891-1979) for Vittoro Bonacina & Co. also sold for $2200.
An Italian architect who turned his hand to industrial and furniture design, as well as becoming an artist, teacher, writer and publisher.
A major player in renewing Italian design after World War II, Ponti was renowned for his furniture creations and several decorative art and design objects – becoming an active participant in exhibitions such as the Milan Triennial.
An English mid-20th century teak sideboard by Nathan Furniture (lot 30) at $2000 was another good result, while a bronze, chrome and chainmail ‘Anchise’ table lamp by Toni Cordero (lot 10) for Artimede changed hands for $1800.
Cordero (1937-2001) was an Italian designer who established a significant reputation for Turin’s Delle Alpi stadium, a building based on advanced timber technology and was also known for furniture and lighting designs.
A pair of circa 1970s French tan leather upholstered chairs (lot 119) sold for $1800 on a $1500 high catalogue estimate, while a mid-20th century set of six rosewood dining chairs by Pederson & Sons (lot 187) brought $1600 and a cast recycled aluminium ‘G’Day’ chair by Australians Brian Sayer and Christopher Connell (lot 133) changed hands for $1500.
