Sotheby’s announced the 16 December 2014 sale of The Jon Stryker Collection: Masterworks of European Modernism, featuring extraordinary pieces of European and Scandinavian 20th Century Design and Photography. The collection assembled by architect and philanthropist Jon Stryker include masterworks by Alberto and Diego Giacometti, Pierre Chareau, Paul Dupré-Lafon, Georges Jouve, Alexandre Noll and Tapio Wirkkala - estimates ranging from a few thousand to $250,000. The cover lot of the sale is Alexandre Noll’s ebony Unique “Infini” Sculpture circa 1949 with an estimate of $50/70,000. The exhibition is open to the public at Sotheby’s New York headquarters.

In 2002, Stryker collaborated with Peter Shelton and Lee Mindel of the architecture firm Shelton, Mindel & Associates to renovate his former New York apartment at the “Prasada,” a famed Upper Westside apartment building overlooking Central Park. The renovation served to create a stylish and modern interior within the historic setting of the pre-war apartment while showcasing Stryker’s collection of photography and zeal for the European and Scandinavian design he and Lee thoughtfully assembled. Stryker’s passion for architecture was captured through finding works that brought about stories and memories of the architects he admired and studied while the tranquility of Central Park was illustrated through subtle colors and nature inspired works, like the patinated bronze “L’Arbre de Vie” (est. $150/ 200,000) sculpture by Diego Giacometti from 1960.

Highlights include: Alexandre Noll’s An Important and Rare Cabinet (est. $150/250,000) dated 1943; Alberto Giacometti’s painted plaster “Egyptian” Vase (est. $80/120,000) from 1933, inspired by an alabaster oil lamp in the form of three lotus flowers discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter in 1922; another piece by Giacometti entitled "Feuille" Floor Lamp (est. $12/180,000), designed circa 1936 and cast circa 1955-1960; An Important Sculpture (est. $100/150,000) by Tapio Wirkkala from 1950 made of aeroplane veneer birch with modern lacquered metal display; and Paul Dupré-Lafon’s circa 1950 Low Table (est. $80/120,000) constructed from parchment, oak, leather, lacquered bronze and patinated brass.

ADDITIONAL SALE HIGHLIGHTS

• Tapio Wirkkala, An Important Sculpture. Estimate $100/150,000.
Aeroplane veneer birch with modern lacquered metal display 1950

• Alexandre Noll, An Important and Rare Cabinet. Estimate $150/250,000.
Mahogany 1943

• Alberto Giacometti, “Feuille" Floor Lamp. Estimate $12/180,000.
Gilt bronze and paper shade 1936