UK Nordic Design Highlights September 2014

PHILLIPS ANNOUNCES HIGHLIGHTS FROM FALL NORDIC DESIGN AUCTION

FOURTH NORDIC DESIGN SALE TO OFFER EXCEPTIONAL WORKS FROM DENMARK, SWEDEN & FINLAND RARE, MUSEUM-QUALITY PIECES BY CABINET MAKERS, GLASS AND LIGHTING DESIGNERS
AUCTION: 24 SEPTEMBER 2014
VIEWING: 17-24 SEPTEMBER 2014
AUCTION LOCATION: Howick Place, London, SW1P 1BB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LONDON – 2 September 2014 – Phillips is pleased to announce the highlights from the forthcoming Nordic Design Auction; an academic exploration into 20th and 21st century Nordic design offering iconic and exceptional works from Denmark, Sweden and Finland to the market. The 162 lots within the catalogue carry a pre-sale low estimate of £2.9m / $4.9m / €3.7m and a pre-sale high estimate of £4.3m / $7.2m / €5.5m.

“Continuing in the tradition of offering exceptional masterpieces of 20th and 21st century Design, we are thrilled to offer to market our fourth Nordic Design Auction. The works in this sale celebrate the unique soul of Nordic Design and its appreciation of nature, light and texture. We are proud to showcase these rare, museum-quality works to the market.” Alexander Payne, Senior Director, Worldwide Head of Design, Phillips.

DENMARK
The Danish section of the sale includes masterpieces by the most important Danish Master cabinetmakers, including Vilhelm Lauritzen and fresh examples of works that have never been to market.

One of the highlights from the Danish section of the sale is an important sofa designed by Vilhelm Lauritzen. Created for the Radiohuset Royal Suite, the present sofa is an example of his exquisite taste for elegance and commemorates his love and passion for entomology, especially butterflies.

Only two examples of this sofa were realised, together with three examples of the chair (lot 31) and a stool (lot 32).

Vilhelm Lauritzen
Important and rare sofa, from the Royal Suite, Radiohuset

Estimate £150,000-250,000

Lauritzen’s project for the National Broadcasting Building Radiohuset (1936-41) is one of the most prestigious and avant-garde commissions in Danish architecture of the period. Lauritzen’s work on the Radiohuset was not limited to the structure of the Radio Headquarters; with a substantial support from architect Finn Juhl, at the time employed at the Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekten studio, he meticulously elaborated various elements of the Broadcasting Building interiors in accordance to the use of the different spaces. His interiors are distinguished by a refined use of materials and exceptional craftsmanship, in this case beautifully executed by the master cabinetmaker Andreas Jeppe Iversen. Parallel to the functional rigour, Lauritzen’s spontaneous and genuine inspiration is evident in the natural curves and elegance that characterise his sophisticated interiors.

Mogens Koch
Important worktable, circa 1938
Estimate £100,000-150,000

Kaare Klint
Important and rare desk chair, model no. 5121, designed for the Crown Prince Frederick IX of Denmark and Princess Ingrid of Sweden, Copenhagen, 1935
Estimate £40,000-60,000

This important worktable by Mogens Koch was the original work desk used by Knud W. Jensen, founder of the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark. Very few examples of further worktables are known to exist and the design was exhibited at the ‘Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild’, Charlottenborg, Copenhagen, 15 September-2 October 1938, Entrance Hall.

An important and rare desk chair, by Kaare Klimt, designed as a wedding gift for the Crown Prince Frederick IX of Denmark and Princess Ingrid of Sweden. Both the Prince and Princess expressed their desire to have a desk with many drawers. This prestigious task was given to Rud Rasmussen together with the company’s designer Kaare Klint. When presented at the Dorninggaard Salon in Moltke Mansion that same year, the desk was accompanied by the present model chair.

Poul Henningsen
Rare ‘PH’ Grand Piano, 1931
Estimate £80,000-120,000

Flemming Lassen
‘Den trætte mand’ (The Tired Man) armchair, circa 1935
Estimate £50,000-70,000

Known for his great contribution in lighting, Poul Henningsen designed the ‘PH’ Grand Piano in 1931, now considered one of the most iconic Danish designs of the twentieth century. Presented at the ‘Your Home’ exhibition in Forum, Copenhagen, the project was commissioned by the Danish company Andreas Christensen. The company was interested in offering a different product to the market, a new version of the piano that could be both functional and modern. Influenced by jazz Henningsen’s intention was to elaborate on the traditional model of the piano to reflect the music of the new age.

The reduced dimensions of the case and the modeled legs were designed to occupy a small amount of space upon the bandstand, while the transparent panels exposed the internal mechanism to the audience. The polished metal legs, the cellulose panels and the leather banding were innovative design details that contributed in giving the Grand Piano its futuristic appeal. Despite the strong design and the excellent quality of sound only a few examples of the Grand Piano have been executed and are in private and important museum collections, including the Alvar Aalto Villa Mairea in Noormarkku, Finland, and the Danish Museum of Art and Design, Copenhagen. Flemming Lassen wanted his Den trætte mand or Tired Man armchair to envelop its sitter “as warmly and securely as a polar bear cub in the arms of its mother in the middle of the ice cap”.

The present model has been included in several exhibitions including the ‘Copenhagen Cabinetmakers’ Guild’, Industriforeningen, Copenhagen, 13-29 September 1935.

Axel Einar Hjorth
Important and unique cabinet, 1937
Estimate £100,000-150,000

Axel Einar Hjorth
Important and unique pair of armchairs, 1928

SWEDEN
The Swedish section of the sale contains four works that represented Sweden on an international platform at the World Exhibitions in the early 20th century.

Amongst these works is a unique cabinet designed by Axel Einar Hjorth and executed for the 1937 Paris World Exhibition. The design was created for a clientele d’elite with a modern taste. Being Hjorth’s final exhibition with Nordiska Kompaniet the cabinet represents one of his last unique examples of a high standard from the architect.

Axel Einar Hjorth was one of the most important Swedish architects and designers of his period. Hjorth for over a decade was the chief designer for Nordiska Kompaniet and positioned the company to a very selected elite clientele and continued the expansion of the company brand in the international market. Founded in 1902, the company was the lead retailer of luxury products in the country.

Carl Hörvik
Important and rare Secrétaire, 1926
Estimate £20,000-30,000

Alvar Aalto
Rare set of four stackable bowls, model nos. 9769 A-B-C-D, designed
1939, produced 1956

This Important and rare Secrétaire by Carl Hörvik has been in several international exhibitions on Contemporary Swedish Design and has been included in shows at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and New York, the Art Institute of Chicago.

FINLAND
Highlights from Finland include significant Design pieces capturing the unique character of Finnish Design; exploring nature and texture. Included is a wonderful collection of glass pieces by master Finnish designers including Tapio Wirkkala and Alvar Aalto. These glass pieces illustrate the geometry and nature inherent in Finnish Design and also perfectly portray the interaction of light and nature in many of the Design Highlights.

Tapio Wirkkala
‘Pyörre’ (Whirl) dish, model no. 3840, 1952-1959
Estimate £10,000-15,000

PHILLIPS:
As the only international auction house to concentrate exclusively on contemporary culture, Phillips has established a commanding position in the sale of Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions and Jewelry. Through the passionate dedication of its team of global specialists, the company has garnered an unparalleled wealth of knowledge of emerging market trends. Founded in London in 1796, Phillips conducts auctions in New York and London and has representative offices throughout Europe and in the United States. For more information, please visit: phillips.com.

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