Vilhelm Lauritzen - Nordic Design London Tuesday, September 23, 2014 | Phillips

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  • Provenance

    Royal Suite, National Broadcasting House, Copenhagen

  • Literature

    ‘Tidsskrift for Arkitektur og dekorativ Kunst’, Arkitekten, no. 10-11, Copenhagen, 1945, illustrated p. 132
    Lisbet Balslev Jørgensen, Vilhelm Lauritzen: En Moderne Arkitekt, Copenhagen, 1994, illustrated p. 266

  • Catalogue Essay

    In 1921 Vilhelm Lauritzen founded today’s Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekten Studio shortly afer graduating from the Copenhagen Royal Academy of Architecture. After his peregrinations across Europe in the early 1920s, Lauritzen became influenced by Modernism and was an active agent in its introduction to Denmark. Lauritzen’s talent as an architect allowed him to use elements from the classical principles of architecture acquired from his studies and then combine these with his great attention to functionalism, light and form within his architectural commissions of the time.

    The above elements are significant components in the architect’s work which are demonstrated within the prestigious and iconic commissions of the National Broadcasting Building Radiohuset (1936-1941) and the Copenhagen Airport terminal in Kastrup (1939). Lauritzen’s work on the Radiohuset was not limited to the structure of the building and with the architect Finn Juhl, an employee of the Vilhelm Lauritzen Arkitekten studio, they meticulously elaborated various elements of the interiors. Distinguished by the refined use of materials and exceptional craftsmanship the furnishings were beautifully executed by the master cabinetmaker Andreas Jeppe Iversen. Parallel to the functional rigour, the architect’s spontaneous and genuine inspiration is evident in the natural curves and elegance that characterise his sophisticated interiors. Designed for the Radiohuset Royal suite the present sofa, pair of armchairs and stool (lots: 30-32) are elegant examples of Lauritzen’s exquisite taste and they commemorate his love and passion for entomology, especially butterflies.

    Two examples of the present model were realised, together with three examples of the chair and one stool.

Σ30

Important and rare sofa, from the Royal Suite, Radiohuset (National Broadcasting House), Copenhagen

1938-1945
Rosewood, fabric.
99.3 x 254.2 x 75.8 cm (39 1/8 x 100 1/8 x 29 7/8 in.)
Executed by cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen, Denmark.

Estimate
£150,000 - 250,000 

Sold for £194,500

Contact Specialist
Ben Williams
bwilliams@phillips.com
+44 20 7318 4027

Nordic Design

London 24 September 2014 6pm