George Nakashima Oak & Walnut Table Sells For $204,000
Skinner's June 24th auction of 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts featured an outstanding example of great American 20th century studio furniture - a George Nakashima English Burl Oak and Walnut Free Edge Table, made in 1973. The table brought a flurry of phone bids and finally sold to a private collector for $204,000.
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 stands the test of time. The table came 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, and the table came from his office at RPI. 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.
Skinner's 20th century auctions feature all manner of 20th century furniture, decorative arts and fine art, including material from the Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern, and Studio movements. Skinner's next auction of 20th Century Furniture & Decorative Arts will be held Saturday December 9th at 11:00 in Skinner's Boston gallery.
