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New Domestic Landforms
Luke Baker explores how T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings redefined the postwar American interior with his iconic Mesa table.
The designer, decorator, and critic Terrence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings arrived in the United States from England around 1930 to sell European antiques to wealthy Americans as the head of Charles of London’s New York flagship store. However, he would soon find himself soured on the fussy historic imports, brought in by the boatload from dusty dynastic estates across the Atlantic and acquired by a clientele eager to adopt the next trendy revival, from Tudor to tous les Louis.
What began as an aversion to antiques would become Robsjohn-Gibbings’ reformist campaign to develop a true American design idiom for the postwar era, a mission he pursued for the next thirty years through his prolific writings and popular furniture collections for mass manufacturers. Nowhere is this impulse to create a timeless American style more apparent (or successful) than in the spectacular Mesa table from 1952, the most significant and rare of Robsjohn-Gibbings’ designs.
Promotional image for The Widdicomb Furniture Company, circa 1952. “America has wasted time, money and effort for the last fifty years wistfully recalling the architecture and furniture of Europe,” Robsjohn-Gibbings tartly opined in Goodbye Mr. Chippendale, a 1944 treatise against the devotion to antiques. But contemporary manifestations of European Modernism offered no appealing alternative to such “brown furniture" either. In Homes of the Brave from 1954, he disdained the “spidery metallic seating,” and austere interiors that seemed to prize a progressivist ideology over the comfort of the human bodies that would dare to inhabit them.
Rather, Robsjohn-Gibbings saw the end of wartime austerity as an auspicious moment to resurrect the country’s design and manufacturing industries by defining a new domestic aesthetic — one shaped not by past styles or prescriptive philosophies, but by how people actually wanted to live. “In the post-war years that lie ahead, America will be called upon to rehouse and provide furniture for millions of its people,” he wrote in 1944. “So let’s think over the depressing saga that made us into antique collectors and […] examine our own good architecture and the possibilities for good contemporary American furniture.”
“The new house and their interiors
are the new way of life of a new generation.”
—T.H. Robsjohn-GibbingsRobsjohn-Gibbings did just that, shuttering his successful high-end furniture and decorating business to become the creative director of Grand Rapids-based manufacturer Widdicomb Furniture Company in the early 1940s. For the next decade, he focused on producing collections of well-designed objects intended for middle-class Americans — furniture that celebrated the American values our GIs had fought to defend: democracy, perpetual self-invention, and the freedom to live however we damn well please.
Even among Robsjohn-Gibbings’ 1952 collection for Widdicomb, the Mesa table marks a departure from the norm with its strikingly sculptural form and scale. Many of his furniture designs drew upon the proportions and ancient forms of Antiquity, but Mesa’s novel organic shape was said by the designer to be inspired by the distinctive landforms of the American Southwest, as seen from above. Combined with the topographic effect of its graduated stacked slabs, Mesa is less a table than a geological formation domesticated for the living room. True to Robsjohn-Gibbings’ trademark subtlety, its surface is smooth and unembellished, deliberately free of reference to style or era, with the figure of its native American walnut veneer as its only decoration. As if to further dismiss any association with its predecessors, the table’s stepped horizontal surface sits on a broad and asymmetrical pedestal foot, foregoing the four slender legs of its platonic archetype.
Portrait of T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings with a selection of his furniture designs, 1947. Photograph by John Rawlings. Shortly after its debut, the Mesa table was featured on the front of House Beautiful magazine, the exemplification of the cover story on “The luxury of informality.” In the ensuing spreads, readers were introduced to numerous Southwest-inflected interior settings Robsjohn-Gibbings designed for the Widdicomb showroom and appointed with a range of pieces from his most recent collection for the company. Each embodied his conception for a new mode of domesticity that eschewed the stuffiness of tradition and embraced casual comfort, ease, and flexibility. As the centerpiece of the living room, the Mesa table was styled to display the stuff of life — albeit an aspirational one — from pre-Columbian vessels (a nod to indigenous North American aesthetics), to perfume bottles and abstract objets d’art. “We are discovering the simple but forgotten fact that people are most themselves and most interesting when they are comfortable,” the article’s author observed. The Mesa table’s convenience and versatility were key to the American approach to leisure and entertaining. It was a piece designed for serving highballs, poured promptly at five; for displaying full-color magazines, from LIFE to Art and Architecture; for conversationalists to gather around, smoking in low-slung chairs; for after-dinner knitting projects or trays of finger sandwiches.
Monumental in scale, assertively horizontal, and exuding a rich and natural warmth, the Mesa table is borne of Robsjohn-Gibbings’ humanist ideal for the post-war American home. This wasn’t an object designed for the taught and formal boxes of the Victorian, or the equally constraining and severe “machines for living” espoused by the early 20th century Modernists. “Contemporary houses are the natural development of architecture to meet the changing forms in our social habits and customs,” he noted in Goodbye Mr. Chippendale. As such, Mesa was conceived for a home that invited relaxation and leisure with sweeping, open living spaces. Our houses should be “projections of human personalities and universal human needs, rather than essays in architectural style or theory,” Robsjohn-Gibbings asserted in Homes of the Brave. He went on to praise the “familiarity and architectural unpretentiousness” of the new ranch house typology, that uniquely American vernacular that dominated new home construction after the war, but which traces its lineage to the organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, a designer whom Robsjohn-Gibbings found deeply influential.
The Mesa table is Robsjohn-Gibbings’ crowning achievement in his ambition to develop a design vocabulary authentic to the culture, landscapes, and distinctly individual spirit of his adopted homeland. “The new house and their interiors are the new way of life of a new generation,” he pronounced in 1944. By shaking free the yokes of stylistic pedigree, Mesa was molded instead by the enduring values of comfort, nature, and craftsmanship, boldly signaling a new era with an appropriately timeless form.
Provenance
Wright, Chicago, "Important Design," June 8, 2010, lot 739
Acquired from the above by the present ownerLiterature
House Beautiful, May 1952, cover, pp. 145, 147
"L'Art Décoratif Américain et les Appels du Mexique, Robsjohn Gibbings," Art et Industrie, June 1953, p. 25
Widdicomb, manufacturer's catalog, Grand Rapids, 1954, n.p.
Brooke Kamin Rapaport and Kevin Stayton, Vital Forms: American Art and Design in the Atomic Age, 1940-1960, New York, 2001, p. 31
John Stuart Gordon, A Modern World: American Design from the Yale University Art Gallery, 1920-1950, New Haven, 2011, p. 375
Property from a Distinguished Collection, Chicago
55
"Mesa" coffee table, model no. 1760-6
designed 1952, produced 1953
Walnut-veneered wood.
16 x 73 1/2 x 50 in. (40.6 x 186.7 x 127 cm)
Produced by Widdicomb Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Underside with manufacturer's paper label printed WIDDICOMB/designed by/T.H. ROBSJOHN-GIBBINGS and ink stamped 2 / 53/1760-6.
Estimate
$200,000 - 300,000
Sold for $302,400
Benjamin Green
Associate Specialist
Associate Head of Sale
bgreen@phillips.com
+1 917 207 9090
Design
New York Auction 7 December 2022
1
Max Ingrand
Ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $25,200
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2
Gino Sarfatti
Floor lamp, model no. 1034
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $20,160
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3
André Bloc
"Boomerang" desk, designed for the Villa Bellevue, Meudon, France
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $32,760
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4
Fritz Hansen
Pair of armchairs, model no. 1669
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $42,840
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5
Ico Parisi
Table
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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6
Venini
Mirror, model no. 74
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $7,560
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7
Napoleone Martinuzzi
Three wall lights
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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8
Jean Royère
"Ondulation" table lamp
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $47,880
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9
Jean Royère
"Flaque" coffee table
Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
Sold for $252,000
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10
After Joan Miró
"Mangouste" carpet
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $11,970
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11
Jean Royère
"Ondulation" ceiling light
Estimate $100,000 - 150,000
Sold for $201,600
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12
Attributed to Carlo Enrico Rava
Pair of benches
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $6,930
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13
This lot is no longer available.
14
François-Xavier Lalanne and Kazuhide Takahama
“Rhinoceros” five-panelled screen, from the “Ultramobile” series
Estimate $30,000 - 40,000
Sold for $40,320
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15
Marc Lalique
“Cactus” table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $20,160
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16
Tiffany Studios
Flower-form vase
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $115,920
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17
Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann
"Élégant" guéridon
Estimate $24,000 - 26,000
Sold for $32,760
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18
Jeff Zimmerman
Unique "Vine" ceiling light
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $68,040
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19
Attributed to Jacques Adnet
Cabinet
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $6,300
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20
Edmund de Waal
Two tall lidded jars
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $27,720
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21
Edmund de Waal
Lidded jar
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $8,820
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22
Hans J. Wegner
Set of six "China" armchairs, model no. 4283
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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23
Alberto Giacometti
"Étoile" floor lamp
Estimate $150,000 - 250,000
Sold for $289,800
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24
Jean Dunand
Large tray
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,340
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25
Lucie Rie
Footed bowl
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $56,700
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26
Ingrid Donat
"Bureau aux Caryatides et Scarifications"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $47,880
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27
Hervé van der Straeten
"Branches" mirror, model no. 210
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $27,720
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28
Flemming Lassen
Pair of armchairs
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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29
Flemming Lassen
Sofa
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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30
Axel Johann Salto
“The Core of Power” (“Kraftens Kerne”) sculpture
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $63,000
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31
Arne Vodder
Chaise longue with integrated swivel tray
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $23,940
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32
Fernando Campana and Humberto Campana
Unique "Esmeralda" ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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33
Zanini de Zanine Caldas
Pair of "Vazada" chairs
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $17,640
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34
Ron Nagle
"Blue Grady," from the "Thin Fin" series
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $22,680
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35
Ron Nagle
"Blue Fun One"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $13,860
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36
Ron Nagle
"Muy Shibui," from the "Thin Fin" series
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,380
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37
Zaha Hadid
"Serif 4" wall-mounted shelf, from the "Seamless" collection
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $10,710
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38
Ken Price
"Siren"
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
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39
Ettore Sottsass, Jr.
"Murmansk" fruit bowl
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $11,340
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40
Viola Frey
"Untitled"
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $25,200
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41
Vladimir Kagan
"Unicorn" side table
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $15,120
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42
Vladimir Kagan
"Contour" armchair
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $15,120
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43
Scott Burton
“Five-Part Storage Cubes”
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $17,640
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44
Wendell Castle
Pair of chairs
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $69,300
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45
Ron Arad
"Oh Void 2"
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
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46
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
"Beugelstoel"
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $30,240
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47
Gerrit Thomas Rietveld
"Berlin" armchair
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $22,680
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48
Frank Lloyd Wright
Pair of windows, from the second Francis W. Little House, "Northome," Wayzata, Minnesota
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,160
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49
Frank Lloyd Wright
Pair of chairs, from the C. Leigh Stevens House, “Auldbrass” Plantation, Yemassee, South Carolina
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $27,720
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50
Michael Anastassiades
"Mobile Chandelier 1"
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $6,300
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51
Harry Bertoia
Untitled (multi-plane construction)
Estimate $70,000 - 100,000
Sold for $63,000
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52
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $32,760
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53
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $15,120
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54
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,080
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55
T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
"Mesa" coffee table, model no. 1760-6
Estimate $200,000 - 300,000
Sold for $302,400
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56
Peter Voulkos
Plate
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $14,490
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57
Peter Voulkos
Vase
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,160
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58
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form" with rattle
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $9,450
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59
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $2,500 - 3,500
Sold for $8,820
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60
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $12,600
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61
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,710
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62
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $25,200
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63
Toshiko Takaezu
"Closed Form" with rattle
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $20,160
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64
George Nakashima
Set of three "Amoeba" nesting tables
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $17,640
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65
George Nakashima
Custom sliding door cabinet
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $88,200
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66
George Nakashima
"Slab" coffee table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $16,380
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67
Gio Ponti
Wall light, designed for the Hotel Parco dei Principi, Rome
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
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68
George Nakashima
"Cushion" chair and ottoman
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $16,380
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69
Fontana Arte
Pair of mirrors, model no. 2359
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $10,080
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70
Gio Ponti
Coffee table
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,080
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71
Angelo Lelii
Floor lamp, model no. 12829
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $6,300
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72
Finn Juhl
“Chieftain” chair, model no. FJ 49 A
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $88,200
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73
Max Ingrand
Pair of wall lights, model no. 1568
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $12,600
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74
Gio Ponti
Side table
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $12,600
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75
Angelo Lelii
Ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $44,100
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76
Josef Hoffmann
"Brotkorb," model no. S 4453
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $17,640
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77
Seguso
Four wall lights
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $7,560
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78
Josef Hoffmann
Vase, model no. M 3067/M va 6
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $6,930
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79
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Pair of armchairs, from Casa Bonomi, Milan
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $12,600
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80
Josef Hoffmann
"Aufsatz" centerpiece, model no. M sh 17
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $15,120
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81
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Pair of stools, from Casa Bonomi, Milan
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $3,780
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82
Albert Cheuret
Ceiling light
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $22,680
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83
Gio Ponti and Emilio Lancia
Chest of drawers
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $21,420
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84
Ingrid Donat
Pair of "Bougeoirs Ekorce Rondelles 03"
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $8,820
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85
Ico Parisi
Unique wall-mounted console table
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $15,120
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86
Fontana Arte
Pair of wall lights
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $8,820
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87
Ico Parisi
Side table
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
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88
Gabriella Crespi
"Caleidoscopio" floor lamp
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $13,860
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89
Gio Ponti
Table
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $35,280
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90
Angelo Lelii
Three "3 Lune" ceiling lights
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $56,700
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91
Carlo Scarpa
Ceiling light, model no. 5294
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $34,020
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