PARIS.- On the evening of Tuesday 29th November under the gavel of Hervé Poulain, Artcurial organised its second Design sale of the semester presenting the collection of an American, passionate about French design (Collecting on the wild side.) The day before Artcurial paid tribute to Scandinavian Design. The two sections totalled a grand 5 535 620 € / 5 867 757 $ with 85 % of the lots sold.

Collecting on the wild side almost doubled its estimation with 91% lots sold and gathered 4 489 990 € / 4 759 389 $. The biggest names of French design, particularly from the 1950s can be seen across the 82 pieces of furniture. Highlights amongst the French Masters include Jean Royère who dominated the sale with his velvet red mohair, polar bear sofa and pair of armchairs. (lot 17), totaling 1 171 600 € / 1 241 896 $ including premium. The duo Le Corbusier & Pierre Jeanneret with their rare Writing table desk (lot 10) sold for 158 000 € / 167 480 $ including premium and arroused interest amongst international collectors. Similar success for Charlotte Perriand whose Maison du Mexique (lot 65) bookshelves sold for 176 600 € / 187 196 $ (estimation : 80 000 – 120 000 €).

At the top of this French design elite, Jean Prouvé’s creations stood out. The pieces of furniture fascinated the American collector for over 30 years and symbolise the Modernist changes within society. A unique set of furniture from the Villa Saint-Clair was a success amongst bidders. Built in 1948 by Jean Prouvé, the holiday home was constructed in Lavandou for the Dollander family. The furniture set included a double bed, model 457 (form of bed called Cité LC223 (lot 49) and an important shelving unit on a rack with an integrated desk (lot 50) and a wardrobe mod. AG 11 (lot 51) which together reached 477 800 € / 506 468 $.

The day before, the Scandinavian Design auction totalled 1 045 630 € / 1 108 368 $, and went well over its initial estimation. A Light by the Finish designer, Paavo Tynell headed the auction with its floral motif made from brass and perforated metal. The rare cieling light, Snowflake (lot 8) also doubled its estimation and sold for 77 400 € / 82 044 $ including premium. A Judas teck table by Finn Juhl reached the highest bid 78 600 € / 83 316 $ including premium (estimation : 20 000 – 30 000 €).

“One of the worlds biggest collectors trusted us with the sale of his collection containing icons from the 1950s French furniture design scene. This passionate soul selected Artcurial for its savoir-faire, expertise and international reputation.
This shared passion for is symbolized with the numerous world records reached. Artcurial confirms, yet again, its leading place on the international design market.” --Fabien Naudan, Vice-President, Artcurial