Sotheby's 20th Century Design & Tiffany Studios Sales Total $12,877,127
On 15 December 2012, Sotheby’s New York sales of Important 20th Century Design, Important Tiffany, andMasterworks by Tiffany Studios from the Geyer Family Collection totaled $12,877,127. The morning auction of Important 20th Century Design totaled $7,055,501, well within the pre-sale estimate of $6.7/9.8 million. The sale was led by Paul Dupré-Lafon’s Console Table which achieved $752,500, above the high pre-sale estimate of $600,000. This elegant table is decorated with rich, red Hermès leather panels, contrasted by the limed oak frame and brass feet. Another highlight included Moutons de Laine by François-Xavier Lalanne from the estate of Suzy Furman, an accomplished Palm Beach artist, dealer and collector who co-founded the Norton Gallery Workshop and the Contemporary Gallery in Palm Beach, which sold for $542,500, above the pre-sale estimate of $300/500,000. Additionally, a unique variant of Demeter Chiparus’ five-figure Les Girls sculpture brought in $434,500 (est. $300/500,000).
The Important Tiffany auction totaled $2,950,500 with nearly 80% of lots sold. The afternoon sale was led byA Rare “Trumpet Creeper” Table Lamp, selling for $914,500, well above its pre-sale high estimate. This extraordinary lamp has remained in the possession of only two families since 1906 and is distinguished by its striking color palette, displaying a heavily saturated range of reds, oranges and yellows articulating the trumpet blossoms, set against a dramatic background of deep purple and cobalt blue favrile glass. A Rare “Peacock” Table Lamp, originally owned by Guy Kent Fullagar, the Treasurer of the Board of Directors of Tiffany Studios from circa 1902 – 1929, exceeded the pre-sale high estimate, bringing in $242,500.
The afternoon sale of Masterworks by Tiffany Studios from the Geyer Family Collection realized $2,871,126 with 97% of lots sold. Leading the sale was An Important “Peony” Table Lamp circa 1910 which sold for $746,500. The extraordinary shade was formerly in the Collection of The Charles R. Wood Foundation in Glen Falls, New York and is presented with an exceedingly rare Mosaic Turtleback base from the historic Tavern Club in Cleveland. Additional top lots included a “Lily Pads” Table Lamp which realized $218,500 with a pre-sale estimate of $100/150,000 and a “Bamboo” Floor Lamp which also brought in $218,500.
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