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“This is my masterpiece: I call it my jumping horse: I mean it is a piece of furniture that is very simple but not formally inert.”
—Gio PontiIn describing the present model desk Gio Ponti wrote, “This is my masterpiece: I call it my jumping horse: I mean it is a piece of furniture that is very simple but not formally inert.” Indeed, Ponti’s trim, sprightly design stands poised and ready to leap into action, a total reinterpretation of the traditionally heavy and sometimes bulky form of an office desk with drawers.
The present model desk featured in Domus, no. 289, December 1953. Image: Archivio Domus – © Editoriale Domus S.p.A. Ponti designed the desk for the New York-based furniture company Altamira, which retailed Italian furnishings and objects from their 18 East 50th St. showroom in the 1950s. Similar to his collaboration with New York-based Singer & Sons several years prior, beginning in 1953 Ponti designed an entire line of furniture for Altamira, which was executed by Giordano Chiesa in Milan. An earlier walnut burl-clad iteration of the Altamira desk appeared in Ponti’s Casa di Fantasia in 1951 (sold by Phillips, London, April 2023) and, as noted in the December 1953 issue of Domus, this desk further recalled another version created for Nordiska Kompaniet earlier in 1953. For the Altamira design, however, Ponti opted for ash wood, lending a lighter and more attenuated aspect to the form. The following year Ponti also exhibited the same model at the 10th Milan Triennale as part of a presentation titled “The Furnished Window” which envisioned a domestic setting for a single working professional.
The present model desk exhibited at the 10th Milan Triennale as published in Domus, no. 301, December 1954. Image: Archivio Domus – © Editoriale Domus S.p.A. The 1950s constituted Ponti’s most prolific decade. At the forefront of the post-war recovery effort, he led the way in defining Italian design for the new era and spreading the gospel internationally. In addition to the above-mentioned collaborations with Singer & Sons and Altamira, he took part in the traveling American exhibition “Italy at Work;” designed flatware for Sabattini, Reed & Barton, and Christofle; designed fabrics and household fixtures; and executed commissions in Brazil, Italy, Iraq, Sweden, Venezuela, and the United States. Notable New York projects included his design for the Alitalia offices on Fifth Avenue (1958) and the auditorium for the Time & Life Building (1959). For the Time & Life auditorium he created monumental obelisk-form wall lights (a pair of which is on offer in this sale), the design for which he had earlier explored in sketches for the Altamira showroom.
Provenance
Christie's, New York, "20th Century Decorative Art & Design," September 26, 2007, lot 374
Acquired from the above by the present ownerLiterature
"Forma d'una scrivania," Domus, no. 289, December 1953, p. 52
"Alloggio uniambientale alla Triennale," Domus, no. 301, December 1954, p. 31
Lisa Licitra Ponti, Gio Ponti: The Complete Work 1923-1978, Cambridge, 1990, pp. 8, 166
Ugo La Pietra, ed., Gio Ponti, New York, 2009, p. 233Artist Biography
Gio Ponti
Italian • 1891 - 1979
Among the most prolific talents to grace twentieth-century design, Gio Ponti defied categorization. Though trained as an architect, he made major contributions to the decorative arts, designing in such disparate materials as ceramics, glass, wood and metal. A gale force of interdisciplinary creativity, Ponti embraced new materials like plastic and aluminum but employed traditional materials such as marble and wood in original, unconventional ways.
In the industrial realm, he designed buildings, cars, machinery and appliances — notably, the La Cornuta espresso machine for La Pavoni — and founded the ADI (Industrial Designer Association). Among the most special works by Gio Ponti are those that he made in collaboration with master craftsmen such as the cabinetmaker Giordano Chiesa, the illustrator Piero Fornasetti and the enamellist Paolo de Poli.
Property from a Private New York Collection
16
Desk, designed for the Altamira showroom, New York
circa 1953
Walnut, ash-veneered wood, brass.
32 3/8 x 70 x 27 1/4 in. (82.2 x 177.8 x 69.2 cm)
Executed by Giordano Chiesa, Milan, Italy. Together with a certificate of expertise from the Gio Ponti Archives.
Estimate
$25,000 - 35,000
Benjamin Green
Associate Specialist
Associate Head of Sale
bgreen@phillips.com
+1 917 207 9090
Design
New York Auction 8 June 2023
1
Max Ingrand
"Dahlia" chandelier, model no. 1563A
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $48,260
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2
Piero Fornasetti
"Piccolo Coromandel" cabinet
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
Sold for $40,640
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3
Gio Ponti
Armchair
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $9,525
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4
Gio Ponti
Pair of wall lights, from the Time & Life Building, New York
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $76,200
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5
Gio Ponti
Armchair
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $9,525
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6
Ico Parisi
Rare coffee table, model no. 2183, from the "Modern by Singer" series
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,320
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7
Seguso
Pair of wall lights
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $19,050
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8
Gio Ponti
Rare dining table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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9
Gio Ponti
"Diamond" flatware service for 24
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
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10
Max Ingrand
Pair of wall lights
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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11
Gabriella Crespi
"Cubo Magico" coffee table, from the "Plurimi" series
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
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12
Max Ingrand
Pair of wall lights
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
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13
Ico Parisi
Pair of lounge chairs, model no. 865
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
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14
Studio B.B.P.R.
Ceiling light, model no. 2045/p, from the Jane and Gerald Gidwitz residence, Highland Park, Illinois
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $60,960
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15
Carlo Mollino
Bunk bed, from the Casa del Sole, Cervinia
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $30,480
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16
Gio Ponti
Desk, designed for the Altamira showroom, New York
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
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17
Gio Ponti
Armchair, model no. 589
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $12,065
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18
Gio Ponti
Low table
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
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19
Venini
Mirror, model no. 241.2
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $12,700
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20
Gio Ponti
Dining table, designed for the "Conte Grande" ocean liner
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $31,750
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21
Gio Ponti
Settee
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
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22
Venini
Large wall or ceiling light
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $12,700
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23
Osvaldo Borsani
Wall-mounted console table
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $8,255
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24
Angelo Lelii
Ceiling light
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $12,700
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25
Joseph-André Motte
Lounge chair
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $19,050
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26
Jacques Adnet
Adjustable table lamp, model no. 7706
Estimate $2,500 - 3,500
Sold for $7,620
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27
Mathieu Matégot
"Cap d'Ail" table and set of four armchairs
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $19,050
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28
Serge Mouille
Pair of "Antony" desk lamps
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $12,700
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29
Jean Prouvé
Set of four “Semi-Metal” chairs, model no. 305
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $63,500
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30
Jean Prouvé
Pair of “Semi-Metal” chairs, model no. 305
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $30,480
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31
Jeff Zimmerman
Unique "Vine" ceiling light
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $60,960
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32
José Zanine Caldas
Rare dining table
Estimate $70,000 - 90,000
Sold for $133,350
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33
This lot is no longer available.
34
Sergio Rodrigues
"Mucki" bench
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $7,620
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35
Lina Bo Bardi, Marcelo Ferraz and Marcelo Suzuki
Pair of "Girafa" chairs, designed for Casa do Benin, Salvador de Bahía
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
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36
Martin Eisler
Side table
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $13,970
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37
Babs Haenen
"Paysage au solstice d'hiver"
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $3,302
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38
Harry Bertoia
Untitled (Sonambient)
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
Sold for $63,500
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39
Vladimir Kagan
"Contour" armchair
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $12,700
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40
George Nakashima
Set of eight "New" dining chairs
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $30,480
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41
George Nakashima
"Frenchman's Cove II" extendable dining table
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $20,320
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42
George Nakashima
Two-door cabinet
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $40,640
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43
Diane Itter
"Winter's Web"
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $1,905
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44
Diane Itter
"Red Over Blue Fan"
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $1,905
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45
Gloria Kisch
"In The Mirror"
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $7,620
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46
Sam Maloof
Pair of early "Hueter" armchairs
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $9,525
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47
Paul Evans
Rare two-sided “Sculpture Front” screen
Estimate $70,000 - 90,000
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48
Joyce Anderson and Edgar Anderson
Wall-mounted cabinet
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $5,080
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49
Wendell Castle
“Sonny Boy”
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $33,020
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50
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $10,160
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51
Doyle Lane
Clay painting
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $7,620
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52
This lot is no longer available.
53
Doyle Lane
Weed pot
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $15,240
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54
This lot is no longer available.
55
Axel Einar Hjorth
Library table
Estimate $7,000 - 9,000
Sold for $7,620
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56
Märta Blomstedt
Armchair
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $12,700
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57
Paavo Tynell
Rare hanging candelabrum
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $48,260
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58
Fritz Hansen
Pair of armchairs, model no. 1669
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $19,050
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59
Poul Henningsen
"Artichoke" ceiling light
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $5,715
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60
Fritz Hansen
Sofa, model no. 1669a
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,510
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61
Claggett Wilson
Extendable dining table
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $19,050
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62
Claggett Wilson
Set of twelve dining chairs
Estimate $40,000 - 60,000
Sold for $50,800
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63
Claggett Wilson
Sideboard
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $18,415
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64
Nils Fougstedt
Two nesting tables, model no. 423
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $10,160
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65
Daniel Cottier
Side chair
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $20,320
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66
Tiffany Studios
Vase with lilies and buttercups
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $24,130
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67
Émile Gallé
Lotus table lamp
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $101,600
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68
Eugène Gaillard
Set of five nesting tables
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $21,590
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69
Daum Frères and Louis Majorelle
"Nénuphar" table lamp
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $152,400
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70
Georges de Feure
Pair of side chairs
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $12,700
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71
Daum Frères and Louis Majorelle
"Magnolia" table lamp
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $63,500
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72
Louis Majorelle
Pair of rare sellettes
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $40,640
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73
Établissements Gallé
Flowering maple table lamp
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $16,510
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74
Émile Gallé
"Libellules" guéridon
Estimate $30,000 - 50,000
Sold for $40,640
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75
Émile Gallé
Table lamp
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $25,400
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76
Louis Majorelle
Guéridon
Estimate $3,000 - 5,000
Sold for $10,160
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77
Émile Gallé
"Ombelle" table lamp
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $50,800
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78
Louis Majorelle
"La Cascade" cabinet
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
Sold for $76,200
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79
Georges de Feure
Chaise longue
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $20,320
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80
Maurice Bouval
"Chardon" table lamp
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $82,550
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81
Georges de Feure
Armchair
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $27,940
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82
Gilbert Poillerat
Firescreen
Estimate $10,000 - 15,000
Sold for $40,640
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83
Albert Cheuret
"Heron" console table
Estimate $120,000 - 180,000
Sold for $215,900
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84
Simonet Frères
Ceiling light
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $35,560
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85
Louis Cane
Pair of "David" table lamps
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $5,080
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86
Attributed to André Arbus
Carpet
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $9,525
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87
Hervé van der Straeten
Pair of "Pirouette" wall lights
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $20,320
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88
Console table
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
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89
Claire Cormier-Fauvel
Ceiling light
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
Sold for $35,560
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90
Marc du Plantier
Table lamp
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
Sold for $6,985
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91
Max Lamb
Chair, from the "Delaware Bluestone II" series
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $20,320
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92
Scott Burton
"Semi-Circle Table"
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $16,510
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93
Scott Burton
"Two-Cube Table"
Estimate $18,000 - 24,000
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94
Ruth Duckworth
Wall-mounted sculpture
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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95
Martin Szekely
Two-part "F.D.G." console table
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
Sold for $25,146
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96
Scott Burton
"Low Piece"
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
Sold for $21,590
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97
Zaha Hadid
"Gyre" lounge chair, from the "Seamless" series
Estimate $12,000 - 18,000
Sold for $38,100
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98
Gaetano Pesce
Set of four "543 Broadway" chairs
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
Sold for $11,430
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99
Mattia Bonetti
"Miami" coffee table
Estimate $25,000 - 35,000
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100
Marcel Wanders
Rare "Henna" side table
Estimate $6,000 - 8,000
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101
Studio Wieki Somers
"Jin (Compassion)" floor lamp, from the "Mitate" collection
Estimate $15,000 - 20,000
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102
Bodil Manz
"Oval Form with Yellow, Black, Blue, Japanese Red and Green"
Estimate $2,000 - 3,000
Sold for $6,985
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103
This lot is no longer available.
104
Jeroen Verhoeven
"Cinderella" table
Estimate $60,000 - 80,000
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105
Geert Lap
Vase and bowl
Estimate $4,000 - 6,000
Sold for $12,700
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106
Studio Job
Floor lamp, from the "Robber Baron" series
Estimate $50,000 - 70,000
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107
Studio Job
"Pharmacy" table lamp
Estimate $5,000 - 7,000
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108
Jonas Bohlin
"Concrete" armchair
Estimate $8,000 - 12,000
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109
Marcel Wanders
"Bon Bon Gold" chair, from the "Personal Editions" series
Estimate $20,000 - 30,000
Sold for $22,860
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