PHILADELPHIA, PA.- Freeman’s will hold its Important Design sale on June 10, a carefully curated sale featuring 44 lots of important furniture and design, with an emphasis on Pennsylvania artists such as George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) and Paul Evans (American, 1931-1987).

A noteworthy collection to be offered is the Fry Family Collection (Lots 1-13), which features several exemplary works by Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell (American, 1919-2008). George Fry Jr. (American, 1941-2018) was a studio assistant to both Paul Evans and Phillip Powell during pivotal production years. Fry, an innovative designer and craftsman, is largely credited with developing the “Sculpted Bronze” series, and most of the Fry collection was gifted directly by the artists to Mr. Fry. The pieces have since remained in the family’s collection, and Freeman’s now offers them at auction.

Another collection of note is that of The Abraham T. Malmed Residence from the Philadelphia neighborhood of Germantown. This exceptional grouping is comprised of works by Samuel Yellin (American, 1885-1940), who, like Alberto (Swiss, 1901-1966) and Diego Giacometti (Swiss, 1902-1955) and Edgar Brandt (French, 1880-1960), was one the most celebrated metalworkers of the 20th century. In 1926, the Philadlephia-based architectural firm Mellor, Meigs, and Howe was commissioned by Abraham T. Malmed (then the president of the Hy-Test Cement Company) to build a house in Germantown. The architects and Malmed, a good friend of Yellin’s, were intimately familiar with Yellin’s art and commissioned him to produce lanterns, door latches, switch plates, sconces, lamps and other works in iron for the home. Yellin’s close relationship with Malmed resulted in unusual and particularly noteworthy pieces, including two fire screens unlike any Yellin made before or since. Several of the free-standing ironwork was retained by members of Malmed’s family when the Germantown residence was sold. They have since descended in the family and are coming to auction for the first time (Lots 40-43).

The sale will also feature 17 lots by renowned woodworker and furniture maker George Nakashima (Lots 16-21 & Lots 23-33). In particular, a fine Minguren II Table made of American black walnut and rosewood from 1982 (Lot 24), as well as a fine Conoid Bench made from American black walnut, hickory, and rosewood from 1974 (Lot 28) will be offered.

Finally, a unique oak and walnut sideboard made by Charles Rennie Mackintosh (Scottish, 1868-1928) for F.M. Jones will be offered for sale (Lot 44). Executed at Knockaloe Camp in the Isle of Man, between 1918 and 1919, the sideboard is a special example of Mackintosh’s deft craftsmanship. The present lot is one of two important sideboards of this design by Mackintosh dating to 1918-19. The first, also in oak but inlaid with the casein plastic Radolith, was part of a suite of furniture and decoration by Mackintosh for E.J. Bassett-Lowke at Candida Cottage, Roade, near Northampton, England. Many of the furniture designs for Candida Cottage, including the sideboard, were replicated for Bassett-Lowke's brother-in-law F. Jones. The present lot toured the US as part of the 1996-97 Charles Rennie Mackintosh exhibition, which included a stop at the Metropolitan Museum.