SKINNER 20TH CENTURY FURNITURE & DECORATIVE
ARTS AUCTION JUNE 24TH IN BOSTON
BOSTON, Mass. - June 6, 2006
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www.skinnerinc.com - Skinner, one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art, will hold an auction of 20th Century Furniture and Decorative Arts on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 10 a.m. in Boston. Offerings include a fine selection furniture and decorative objects from the Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Machine Age, Mid-century Modern and Studio Furniture Movements.
"I'm pleased to report that Skinner's 20th Century auctions are once again attracting the interest of high end dealers, collectors and retail shoppers," notes Jane Prentiss, Skinner's Director of 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts. "I attribute this not only to a shift in the market, but also to the strength and quality of the collections we are offering."
Prentiss adds, "In the past few years, we've witnessed a resurgence of interest in many areas of 20th century design, with new and younger collectors coming into the market and a growing number of retailer buyers discovering our auctions. Modern Movement and Art Deco pieces are especially popular, resulting in consistently strong prices for the best quality pieces and material that is fresh to the market. If you haven't attended a Skinner 20th Century auction in some time, I urge you to do so -- whether you are a seasoned auction aficionado, or just beginning your collection, this sale has much to offer all levels of buyers. Whether you are decorating in a particular style or you prefer to mix it up, this auction offers more than 720 lots for your enjoyment including many decorative works of art."
Highlights of the June sale are as follows:
George Nakashima
George Nakashima (1905-1990), a studio furniture maker, spiritual man, architect and designer produced some of the most beautiful furniture designs of the post war era. His understanding of the nature of wood and joinery inspired him to produce, for his clients, unique furniture that will stand the test of time. Lot 253 is an English Burl Walnut Free Edge Table, estimated $40,000-60,000 from the estate of Reverend Thomas W. Phelan. Reverend Phelan's was a chaplain at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an ensign in WWII, a scholar, writer, and teacher. He had a keen eye for life and beauty. It is fitting that Reverend Phelan admired and had a friendship with George Nakashima, as both were spiritual men with an understanding of all the forms of nature.
Other offerings by Nakashima include lots 250 and 252, two special walnut tables estimated $5,000-7,000 and $8,000-10,000 respectively; lot 249, a Mira chair estimated $600-800; lot 248, a Mira high stool estimated $1,200-1,800; lot 251, a walnut Conoid chair estimated $7,000-9,000; lot 246, two meditation/prayer kneeling stools estimated $7,000-8,000, lot 245 a nest of three walnut tables estimated $2,500-3,500; and six grass seated chairs, circa 1949, estimated $7,000-9,000; and lot 247, a sculpture by Mira Nakashima entitled Keisho, estimated $6,000-8,000.
Arts & Crafts
One very fine offering is lot 120, a rare Arts and Crafts Everett piano with mixed wood and metal inlay in a stylized floral design in the manner of Harvey Ellis, estimated $15,000-20,000. Made in Boston, circa 1905, the piano is descended from a Massachusetts family, and was located in an Arts & Crafts home. From the same home is a Grueby tile (lot 35, estimated $1,200-1,800), two Gustav Stickley lamps (lot 124, estimated $800-1,200, and lot 125 estimated $1,000-1,500), a Gustav Stickley oak settle (lot 76, estimated $2,000-3,000), and a Gustav Stickley oak drop leaf table (lot 59, estimated $800-1,200).
Other Arts & Crafts offerings include lot 56, an early 20th century oak Morris Chair estimated $3,000-5,000, lot 65, an Oak bookcase, estimated $800-1,000, lot 36, a Stickley Brothers oak mirrored chest of drawers, estimated $1,200-$1,800, lot 45, a Gustav Stickley oak china closet, estimated $2,500-3,500, and lot 72, a Mosaic glass and oak door, possibly Belcher Mosaic Glass Co., estimated $2,500-3,500.
Lamps & Lighting
The auction also features a beautiful selection of lighting spanning the 20th century including table lamps made by Tiffany Studios, New York, Bigelow & Kennard of Boston, Massachusetts, and Handel of Meriden, Connecticut. Notable lots include lot 126, a Tiffany Studios Colonial bronze and glass table lamp of heavily modeled green glass, signed Tiffany Studios New York and numbered 1594, estimated $10,000-12,000; lots 127 & 128, two mosaic glass table lamps attributed to Bigelow & Kennard, each estimated $4,000-$6,000; lot 129, a Tiffany Studios Dore bronze and mosaic glass acorn table lamp, estimated $10,000-12,000; lot 156, a Tiffany Studios four-light table lamp marked Tiffany Studios New York, and numbered 25861, estimated $10,000-12,000; and lot 166, a Bigelow & Kennard floor lamp, c. 1912, signed Bigelow Kennard & Co. Boston and Bigelow Studios on two metal tags, estimated $6,000-8,000. Also to be offered is several lots of early 20th century art glass shades.
Photography
The sale also includes a wonderful collection of signed photographs of courthouses from around the United States (lots 591-610), including many by well known photographers. Other notable lots include lot 343, a photograph of the Zeppelin by Margaret Bourke White, July 1931 mounted in a duralumin frame made from the girder of the U.S. airship AKRON.
Modern Movement
Material from the modern movement has become increasingly popular in Skinner's auctions and this sale has much to choose from. Good designs are prevalent including a selection of mid-century Scandinavian furniture and art glass by makers such as Kosta, and Orrefors; furniture designs by Hans Wegner, Finn Juhl, and (lot 560)Jens Risom. Of note is lot 560, a two-seat teak and ash settee designed by Finn Juhl for Bovirke Cabinetmakers, Denmark, 1953, estimated $1,000-1,500. Works by American designers include lots 270-273, by Paul Evans (lots 270-273)George Nelson (lot 513), Gilbert Rhode (lot 511), Edward Wormley lot 526, and Paul Frankl lot 433.
Decorative Accessories
Also featured are several lots of decorative accessories by designer Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988). Of particular interest is lot 260, a Piero Fornasetti decorated screen, Milan, Italy, late 20th century, featuring hinged bi-fold panels of decorated laminate finish with books and accessories on one side and faux wood paneling with hung objects of art on the other. In Piero Fornasetti's atelier each piece is executed by hand. As a designer and visionary, he was interested in the transition of one medium to another, such as newspaper print used to decorate plates. His work appears to be bits of history, memories, new ideas all used to decorate a variety of medium. This characterized his design style and makes his work easy to identify. Fornasetti's decorative arts were offered through fine department stores and shops throughout the world. This screen is estimated $7,000-8,000.
Mexican Jewelry
From the collection of Carole Berke, noted dealer, collector, writer and co-author of the Mexican Jewelry Book, comes a great selection of Mexican jewelry and accessories, many set with gemstones (lots 201-219). The offerings include necklaces, bracelets, pins, brooches, belt buckles, cuff links, buttons and hair combs. From the same consignor comes a selection of glass, furniture, metalwork and pottery, including a nice selection of Clarice Cliff pottery.
Website, Catalogue, and Preview Information
Previews for the auction will be 12 to 5 p.m. Thursday, June 22nd, 12 to 7 p.m., Friday, June 23rd, and 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday, June 24th. Illustrated catalogue #2325 is available by mail for $32 ($39 for foreign requests) from the subscription department at 978-779-6241 x240. It is sold at the gallery for $29. Prices realized will be available at www.skinnerinc.com during and after the sale. For more information, visit www.skinnerinc.com. Skinner's site also allows users to view all lots in the auctions, leave bids, and order catalogues online.
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About Skinner
Skinner, Inc. is one of the nation's leading auction houses for antiques and fine art and the only major auction house headquartered in New England. With expertise in over 20 specialty collecting areas, Skinner draws the interest of buyers from all over the world and its auctions regularly achieve world record prices. Skinner provides a broad range of auction and appraisal services, and it is widely regarded as one of the most trusted names in the auction business. Skinner's appraisal experts regularly appear on the PBS-TV series, Antiques Roadshow, and its specialty departments include American Furniture & Decorative Arts, Paintings & Prints, English & Continental Furniture & Decorations, Fine Ceramics, Jewelry, Couture, 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts, Fine Musical Instruments, Asian Art, Fine Judaica, Toys, Dolls & Collectibles, Science & Technology, Oriental Rugs & Carpets, American Indian & Ethnographic Art, and Discovery. Skinner galleries are located in Boston and Bolton, Mass. For more information on upcoming auctions and events, visit Skinner's web site
www.skinnerinc.com.
