Wright Auction Sells Iconic and Rare 20th Century Furniture

A recent auction by Wright in Chicago showcased influential and rare 20th-century furniture designs, highlighting pieces that have significantly shaped the world of modern interiors. The sale featured approximately 320 items, ranging from benches and bureaus to desks and daybeds, attracting considerable attention from collectors and design enthusiasts. The total proceeds from the auction exceeded $1.4 million, underscoring the enduring value and appeal of these iconic designs. Among the standout pieces was the renowned Marshmallow Sofa, designed by Irving Harper in 1956. This piece, a symbol of post-war optimism, features rows of discs seemingly exploding off its metal frame, influenced by the atomic age and serving as a precursor to the pop art movement of the 1960s. One of only 186 original sofas produced by Herman Miller between 1956 and 1961, this particular sofa, wrapped in vintage Alexander Girard upholstery, fetched $10,000 at the auction. Production of the Marshmallow Sofa was discontinued in 1961 but resumed in the 1980s, solidifying its status as an absolute classic and icon of American midcentury design, as noted by Wright CEO Richard Wright. Another item of significant interest was a 1956 office chair designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. This chair, characterized by its industrial and space-age aesthetic, was originally created for the Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Frank Lloyd Wright conceived both the building and its interior furnishings to achieve a harmonious design. Richard Wright, emphasizing the chair's significance, described it as one of Wright’s best designs from his later period, originating from his only realized skyscraper. The chair, with its sloping leather-clad arms, broad base, and variegated green-striped upholstery reflecting the architect’s affinity for nature, sold for $11,250 despite Wright's own admissions about the often-uncomfortable nature of his furniture designs. The auction also featured a pair of 1955 teak, cane, and upholstered benches by Swiss architect Pierre Jeanneret. These benches, originating from the M.L.A. Flats building in Chandigarh, India, which Jeanneret helped design in the 1950s, embody his minimalistic aesthetic with simple forms and V-shaped legs designed for durability. They sold for $31,200, more than double their initial auction estimate, reflecting the high demand for Jeanneret's work. Concluding the notable sales was a 1974 Conoid headboard and platform bed designed by George Nakashima. Crafted from Persian walnut, this Zen-looking bed showcased an overhang with a natural edge and sliding doors for concealed storage. Nakashima’s design philosophy emphasized the inherent qualities of wood, often highlighting imperfections like knots and cracks, which he stabilized with butterfly joints. This piece sold for $27,500, significantly exceeding its estimate, demonstrating the continued appreciation for Nakashima's unique approach to woodworking and furniture design. #WrightAuction #20thCenturyFurniture #MidcenturyDesign #IrvingHarper #MarshmallowSofa #FrankLloydWright #PierreJeanneret #GeorgeNakashima #DesignAuction #WrightAuction #20thCenturyFurniture #MidcenturyDesign #IrvingHarper #MarshmallowSofa #FrankLloydWright #PierreJeanneret #GeorgeNakashima #DesignAuction

68 months ago

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