Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

Clarke midcentury furniture and design auction April 14

Some of the most sought after and respected names in midcentury furniture and design will be featured at Clarke Auction on April 14th 2013.

The extensive arrangement of midcentury furniture and design includes important selections from designers and craftsmen Mies van der Rhoe ,T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, George Nakashima, Paul McCobb, Tommi Parzinger, Ray and Charles Eames, Eero Saarinen, George Nelson, Robert Shultz, Fritz Hansen, Milo Baughman, Harvey Probber, Pierre Cardin and more.

A set of important Mies van der Rohe Barcelona chairs with ottomans headline the midcentury selection on April 14th at Clarke Auction. The set will be sold in two lots which include two Barcelona chairs and one ottoman each. The chair frames are equipped with lap joints.

Another late edition to the catalog that is highly important is the Robert Venturi “Queen Anne” chair. The chair is labeled Knoll and has the desirable “Grandmother” laminate.

T.H Robsjohns-Gibbings selections include an “X-base” dining table, and an early ebonized glass-front secretary manufactured by Widdicomb.

Widdicomb also manufactured a unique table for midcentury design legend, George Nakashima to be featured at Clarke Auction. The banded “Sundra” dining table by Nakashima is of high quality construction and design, although it strays visually from the more recognizable Nakashima pieces in its clearly delineated lines.

Another master of line to be featured in Clarke Auction’s April 14th sale is Paul McCobb. The McCobb selection includes a two piece shelving unit of brass and blond-wood construction, an upholstered living chair, and a set of four dining chairs, all which evidence McCobb’s artist beginnings in their lines and subtle angles.

Arguably the most recognizable angle in the midcentury selection is the angle employed in the design of the lounge chair and ottoman by Ray and Charles Eames. A magnificent rosewood lounge chair and ottoman will be featured by Eames for Herman Miller.

George Nelson’s designs, also for Herman Miller, will be available on April 14th. Clarke will offer an early George Nelson slated bench, a blond and black lacquered set of chests including a sideboard and cabinet, and a George Nelson ball clock on vertical shelving unit.

The appeal of verticality in midcentury design is also paralleled in a set of Fritz Hansen high back Oxford chairs on aluminum star bases. The lot includes both side and armchairs with undulating vertical back construction, making for a unique and appealing set.

If vertical construction is one end of the midcentury design spectrum, floating horizontal construction is the other. On April 14th, Clarke will feature a magnificent Milo Baughman Perspective floating desk. The dual wood construction and original leather top make this a spectacular original piece that defies both gravity and expectation.

In the midcentury selection, bidders can also expect to find Eero Saarinen design. A Saarinen dining set including table, five armchairs, and one side chair, all with dark blue leather seats on white frames will be featured at Clarke Auction.

For Tommi Parzinger, a black laquered dining table with crossing stretchers, a pair of upholstered loveseats, and two matching desks are featured. All are in original condition and maintain their design integrity nicely.

Harvey Probber selections include a pair of upholstered cube chairs on legs and a pair of attributed Lucite swivel cube chairs.

In a unique feature, a Robert Shultz petal form patio table is offered. The table is constructed from the inspiration of a flower in bloom, and features a segmented top on a singular root form base. The beauty of the table is the clear reminiscence of a flower whether viewed from above or below.

The spring would remind us of flowers, but the last chill in the Northeast reminds us of the bones of a clinging winter season. While the frame of a winter season dissolves, the design exaltation of Le Corbusier chair frames offered at Clarke on April 14th remain. Clarke will show a set of six Corbusier low chair frames and a pair of sling chair frames by Corbusier at auction.

Also featured in midcentury furniture and design on April 14th is a unique black –green lacquered stereo cabinet on rocket form legs with blown glass panel top shelving unit. From the same estate is a great midcentury sideboard and glass hutch to be offered separately, and a dining set with exquisite Danish modern chairs.

A pair of low, cowhide chairs is another unique lot to be offered, as is a signed bronze wall sculpture on stainless steel paneling. More midcentury design includes a pair of Pierre Cardin floor lamps, Lucite lighting lots, a chrome and glass coffee table, a Camer fixture, a Howard Miller / Meridian ceramic clock lot, offerings from Adriana Pearsall, and much more.

Previews of the sale will be held in- house on Friday and Saturday, April 12th and 13th from 12pm to 6pm EST , and on Sunday April 14th (day of sale) from 10am to 12pm EST (start of sale).

The full catalog is currently available for preview 24 hours a day at www.CLARKENY.com.