Mira Nakashima - 20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design Day Sale Hong Kong Tuesday, June 21, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Commissioned directly from the designer by the present owner, 2011

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present group of three lots are a bespoke commission designed by Mira Nakashima and executed by George Nakashima Woodworkers in New Hope, Pennsylvania. The workshop was started by George Nakashima in the 1940s as a reactionary movement against 20th century ‘modern’ architecture, design and art. In his practice, he called for a reclamation of the philosophy of earlier historical periods and reverence for the aesthetically striking woods used in his works.

    Since George’s death in 1990, the workshop has been led by his daughter Mira who applies the same instinctive approach to design as her father did. Having been part of the business since the 1970s, she keeps his legacy alive through old and new designs as well as specific commissions. Talking about her practice in 2013, she explained that "When we get stuck, we ask ourselves, 'What would George have done?". With the choice of wood at the heart of all her commissions, Mira’s personal approach to design conveys her profound love for nature and aims to instil a sense of natural beauty and harmony to the pieces she creates. American Black Walnut is a favourite timber however special pieces, such as the works offered here, incorporate other woods with exceptional figure, burl or grain, such as redwood root burl. All the works in the present commission were made from the most exquisite and sought-after solid and single wood boards, and the table and cabinet were created specifically to incorporate rare examples of the exceptional Redwood root burls which had been carefully selected and stored at the workshop by George Nakashima himself.

Property from a Private Hong Kong Collection

Σ201

Free-form dining table with 'Holtz' base

2011-2012
Redwood root burl, American black walnut, East Indian rosewood.
76 x 180.3 x 110 cm (29 7/8 x 70 7/8 x 43 1/4 in.)
Executed by George Nakashima Woodworkers, New Hope, United States. Underside inscribed Mira Nakashima/February 20.2012. Together with a copy of the original drawing.

Estimate
HK$250,000 - 350,000 
€30,500-42,700
$32,100-44,900

Contact Specialist

Danielle So
Specialist, Head of Day Sale
+852 2318 2027
danielleso@phillips.com

20th Century & Contemporary Art & Design Day Sale

Hong Kong Auction 21 June 2022