PAIR OF SIDE CHAIRS BY JOSEF HOFFMANN ACHIEVE A RECORD $116,500 AT DOYLE NEW YORK'S APRIL 17, 2012 DOYLE+DESIGN SALE

Pair of Chairs Designed by William Haines for Joan Crawford Sell for a Record $31,250

Untitled Abstract by Puerto Rican Artist Olga Albizu Fetches a Near Record $34,375

We Invite You to Contact Us for a Complimentary Auction Evaluation of Your Collection

On April 17, 2012, Doyle New York hosted the popular Doyle+Design auction showcasing Modern and Contemporary furniture, decorations and fine art by some of the most prominent designers, makers and artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

With competitive bidding from buyers in the salesroom, on the telephones, and on the Internet, the auction totaled a strong $731,844 against an estimate of $574,100-900,000, with 77% sold by lot and 87% sold by value.

FURNITURE
Highlighting the sale was a pair of circa 1905 Model 322 beechwood and leather side chairs by Josef Hoffmann (Austrian, 1870-1956) from the Estate of Joanne Melniker Stern. The pair far surpassed their pre-sale estimate of $50,000-80,000 and sold to a telephone bidder for $116,500, a world auction record for furniture by Josef Hoffmann.

Also noteworthy was a pair of circa 1950 armchairs designed by William Haines (American, 1900-1976) for his close friend, film star Joan Crawford. Estimated at $5,000-10,000, the lacquered wood, copper and vinyl upholstered chairs fetched $31,250, a world auction record for furniture by William Haines. Haines and Crawford met at MGM Studios and starred in a number of films together, including Spring Fever (1927), West Point (1928), and The Duke Steps Out (1929).

By Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann (French, 1879-1933) was a circa 1927 stained oak settee with leather upholstery that fetched $25,000, against an estimate of $20,000-30,000. An armchair of this model was used aboard the French ocean liner, S.S. Ile de France.

A pair of 1950s leather-wrapped metal and leather upholstered open armchairs designed by Jacques Adnet (French, 1900-1984) achieved $5,938, surpassing their estimate of $3,000-5,000.

Hans Wegner (Danish, 1914-2007) was represented by a teak, leather upholstery and chromed metal swivel chair, designed circa 1960 for Johannes Hansen, that sold for $10,000 against an estimate of $7,000-12,000, and a teak valet chair designed in 1953, also for Johannes Hansen, that fetched $8,125, well over its estimate of $4,000-6,000.

A circa 1970 burl-maple, brass and enameled fiberglass credenza by Paul Evans (American, 1931-1987) for Directional sold for $31,250 against an estimate of $25,000-35,000.

Designed circa 1975 by Ado Chale (Belgian, b. 1928) was a resin, hematite and wood coffee table estimated at $2,000-4,000 that achieved $6,250. A green stained and lacquered vellum and brass games table by Karl Springer (American, 1931-1991) estimated at $800-1,200 sold for a surprisingly strong $5,938.

DESIGN
20th Century Design featured a pair of circa 1950 brass female and male masks by Franz Hagenauer (Austrian, 1906-1986) that sold for $13,750, surpassing their estimate of $7,000-10,000.

An unusual two-piece tiletitled Beetle and Butterflies by Rut Bryk (Finnish, 1916-1999) measuring 47 3/4 inches in height sold for $8,125, many times its estimate of $1,500-2,500.

A circa 1930 Art Deco enameled metal vase by Camille Faure (French, 1840-1898) measuring 6 3/4 inches in height acheved $8,125, more than doubling its estimate of $3,000-4,000. By Albert Cheuret (French, 1884-1966) was a circa 1925 double-sided fan-shaped table mirror estimated at $5,000-7,000 that fetched $6,250. A lot of two glass vases by Alvar Aalto, a 1936 model no. 3031 and another example, achieved $5,625.

ART
The section of the sale devoted to Modern and Contemporary art featured Untitled, No. 137, an abstract by Puerto Rican artist Olga Albizu (1924-2005) that fetched a near record $34,375, far surpassing its estimate of $3,000-4,000. Music lovers will also be familiar with Albizu’s work, as she provided album cover art for the legendary Brazilian Bossa Nova duo of Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto.  

An untitled work by Earl Cavis Kerkam (American, 1891-1965) also sold surprisingly well at $8,125, far exceeding its estimate of $800-1,200. By Peter Max (American, b. 1937) was a 1973 work, Figure with Flowers, that sold for $7,680 against an estimate of $7,000-9,000. Louise Nevelson (American, 1899-1988) was represented by a 1981 sculpture of polyester resin in a wood box titled Sun-Set estimated at $3,500-4,500 that achieved $7,500. Other highlights included works by Jules Kirschenbaum, Nicholas Krushenick and Mary Bauermeister.

All prices include the Buyer's Premium.

NEXT DOYLE+DESIGN AUCTION: FALL 2012
Consignments are currently being accepted for Doyle New York’s next Doyle+Design sale scheduled for Fall 2012. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection. For information, please contact:

David Gallager, Furniture & Design, 212-427-4141, ext 271, DoyleDesign@DoyleNewYork.com
Harold Porcher, Art, 212-427-4141, ext 249, Paintings@DoyleNewYork.com

Images and interviews are available upon request.

MEDIA CONTACT