NEW YORK.- Phillips, de Pury & Company is pleased to present a sale of 20-21st Century Design Art on December 14, 2004, at their Chelsea galleries in New York. The sale, to be conducted in two sessions, offers a comprehensive look at the various movements of the 20th Century and an exciting view into the 21st Century and blends classic modern design with contemporary works.

The first session, beginning at 2:00 pm, comprises modern design of the early 20th century, with works of note by Mies van Der Rohe, La Maison Desny, and Anni Albers. One highlight of the sale, the Reidemeister interior by Marcel Breuer from 1931, includes a unique pair of sofas ($30,000-50,000), and offers a rare opportunity to view designs from Breuer's time in Berlin. Complimenting this interior are important Bauhaus era pieces designed by Mies van Der Rohe and Camille Graeser for the 1927 Die Wohnung Exhibition in Stuttgart. A striking section of 1930s French design showcases a rare bed by Eugene Printz, made for the bedroom of the Princess de la Tour d’Auvergne ($30,000-50,000) and the sophisticated Modernist designs of the French company La Maison Desny, including a magnificent illuminated planter ($130,000-150,000). Concluding the first session are Anni Alber's 1946 weaving "With Verticals" ($50,000-70,000), to be exhibited for the first time since 1960, and a sublime "canoe" platter by the master Finnish craftsman Tapio Wirkkala ($10,000-15,000).

The second session, commencing at 7:00 pm, represents mid-century modern to contemporary design. Among highlights from the French mid-century designers is a superb group of works by Alexandre Noll, in particular his chair from 1946 ($30,000-50,000). Works by Jean Prouvé make up an important segment of the sale and include a rare 1950s "Afrique" room divider ($18,000-24,000). Charlotte Perriand is represented in the sale with a rare folding chair ($25,000-35,000). Expected to generate significant interest is Le Corbusier’s "Modulor Man" ($120,000-180,000) from his Unité de Habitation in Berlin in 1956. The only extant Modulor of this kind known to exist, this piece was used to create the impressed reliefs on the walls of the Unité.

Pop and radical design of 60s and 70s is represented by two standout pieces by Verner Panton, the largest of the five "UFO" hanging light prototypes known to exist ($45,000-55,000) and a rare "Sitzrad" sitting wheel ($20,000-25,000). Works by Joe Colombo make up an exciting section, which is rounded off by a collection of rare Italian lighting. The sale concludes with contemporary works by Ron Arad, Tom Dixon, Shiro Kuramata, Philip Michael Wolfson, Matali Crasset and Robert Wilson and two up to the minute designs from the 21st century, the unique 2001 desk unit ($30,000-50,000) created by Vito Acconci for Kenny Schachter's conTEMPorary gallery in New York and Mathias Bengtsson's 2002 prototype "Spun Carbon Chaise Longue" ($18,000-22,000).