NEW YORK, NY.- Christie’s announces the spring sale of Design taking place on June 20, 2018, at Rockefeller Plaza. The auction is comprised of two private American collections with a curated focus on works by some of the most iconic names of French design. The artists featured include Pierre Chareau, Jean Dunand, Jean-Michel Frank, Eileen Gray, François-Xavier Lalanne, Pierre Legrain, Jean Puiforcat, Jean Royère, and Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, who are among the most representative of an era in which France led the world as a hub of creativity of the highest quality and sophistication, a period of little more than a decade through which the country’s output attracted the attention of an appreciative, elite international clientele.

Beth Vilinsky, Senior Specialist, Design, remarks: “The appearance at auction of two collections such as these, comprising works of the highest caliber constitutes an event of real significance. We are delighted and honored to unveil and present these works from two notable collections in a focused sale to allow these masterpieces of French design to be in conversation and present a comprehensive look at this important moment of design history.”

A DISTINGUISHED COLLECTION UNVEILED | PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
Collected over decades with an astute attention to quality and provenance this Important Private American Collection encompasses icons of French Art Deco and Modernism, featuring emblematic pieces by the most notable designers and architects of the early 20th century, reflecting the appreciation of the new, modern world that found its form in the 1920s.

Leading the collection is Eileen Gray’s (1879-1976) ‘Transat’ chair from 1927-30 (estimate: $1,000,000–1,500,000), a design that combines the greatest refinement – elegance, lightness, purity of line in black lacquer and hide – with the avant-garde. It was conceived in the context of the furnishing of the villa E1027, the house at Roquebrune, that Gray designed with and for her associate Jean Badovici. The radical modern villa – built on a rocky slope overlooking the sea – inspired Gray to explore new materials and possibilities in its bespoke furniture and fittings. For this iconic piece, Gray references the classic deck-chair, a design of pure functionalism, as she plays on the marine theme, calling to mind the contemporary engagement with water sports, the outdoors, and the popularity of a new generation of ocean liners.

Additionally, featured are works by Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), led by his extremely rare metal 'Religieuse' Floor Lamp, Model SN31, Circa 1923 (estimate: $800,000-1,200,000); one of the very few documented examples constructed in metal instead of wood. Other highlights include a selection by Pierre Legrain (1888–1929), featuring the unique flatware service and canteen created for Madame Jeanne Tachardfor her villa at La Celle-Saint-Cloud, 1920-25 (estimate: $400,000-600,000); and a superb collection of vases by Jean Dunand (1977-1942); among other exceptional works.

IN FOCUS: PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF BRAD GREY
Brad Grey, the late Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, epitomized the Hollywood dream, rising through his determination to the pinnacle of one of the industry’s most legendary studios. Beyond his remarkable record in film and television, Grey is also remembered as a steadfast philanthropist and community advocate. In 2013, he was appointed to the board of trustees of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and served in additional leadership roles at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, Project A.L.S., New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and other notable institutions.

In his personal life, Grey was a noted tastemaker, reflected at his elegant residence in Holmby Hills, where he exhibited a superb collection of fine art and design. Featured in this sale are exceptional pieces of modern design by Jean-Michel Frank, Jean Royere, Francois-Xavier Lalanne, among others. Featured lots from the collection include Pierre Chareau (1883-1950), A Pair of Armchairs, Model ‘MF732', From The Grand Hotel De Tours, Circa 1924 (estimate: $200,000-300,000); Marc Du Plantier (1901-1975), A Floor Lamp, Circa 1960 (estimate: $70,000-100,000); and Francois-Xavier Lalanne (1927-2008), ‘Singe Avise’, Circa 2005 (estimate: $100,000-150,000). Additional works by Alberto and Diego Giacometti from the collection will be featured in the dedicated sale of Alberto and Diego Giacometti: Masters of Design in November 2018.

NON-SELLING EXHIBITION | A COLLECTOR’S JOURNEY: TIFFANY FROM THE JAY AND MICKI DOROS COLLECTION
Additionally, on view will be a non-selling exhibition The Tiffany Collection of Jay and Micki Doros is one of the world’s finest and most important private collections of its kind. The Doroses began collecting the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1972 and, in the 46 years since, have added innumerable masterworks. Although the strength of the collection is the remarkable blown Favrile glass vases made between 1894 and 1925, there are also exceptional examples of Tiffany’s paintings, enamels, mosaics, jewelry and metalwork. The objects from the collection have rarely been exhibited and most have been out of public view for over 40 years.

HIGHLIGHTS | PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION
• JEAN DUNAND (1877-1942) Vases, offered in separate lots with estimates ranging from $15,000-120,000

• PIERRE CHAREAU (1883-1950) A Desk And Stool, Model 'MB405', Circa 1927, rosewood, iron $350,000–500,000

• PIERRE LEGRAIN (1888–1929) A Unique Flatware Service And Canteen, 1920-25 $400,000–600,000

• EMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN (1879-1933) A 'Granet' Desk, Circa 1930 macassar ebony, oak, beech, bronze, chromium-plated steel $150,000–250,000

HIGHLIGHTS | IN FOCUS: PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF BRAD GREY
• EUGENE PRINTZ (1889-1948) A Folding Table, Circa 1928 palmwood, oxidized brass, patinated bronze, with three sections $80,000–120,000

• PIERRE CHAREAU (1883-1950) A Pair of Armchairs, Model 'MF732', From The Grand Hotel De Tours, Circa 1924 macassar ebony, chromium-plated metal, upholstery $200,000–300,000

• JEAN ROYERE (1902-1981) A Set of Four 'Yo-Yo' Bar Stools, 1950s painted wrought iron, leather upholstery $60,000–80,000

• MARC DU PLANTIER (1901-1975) A Floor Lamp, Circa 1960 patinated iron, crystals of quartz, amethyst $70,000–100,000