Strong results for modern design at Helsinki Design Sale

Finn Juhl, The Chieftain Chair, Niels Vodder. Final price: 47 043 €.

Helsinki Design Sale was closed successfully on Sunday evening. The auction presented 227 lots and achieved an amazing sell-through rate of 89 %. The sale attracted bidders from 27 countries. Through the auction Bukowskis once again strengthened its position as the leading Nordic auction house.

The top lot of the evening was an early and rare Chieftain Chair by Finn Juhl that sold for an amazing final price of 47 043 €. Additional top lots included a sculpture by Tapio Wirkkala that realized 29 771 €, Alvar Aalto’s sought-after Paimio chair that reached a final price of 22 306 €, A set of Cowhorn chairs by Hans J. Wegner which sold well-above their estimate for 24 504 €, and Jonas Bohlin’s Concrete chair that realized 17 644 €.

The demand for Finnish ceramics was also high and the department achieved strong final prices. The top lots of the department were Birger Kaipiainen’s beautiful relief that reached a final price of 29 771 €, Kyllikki Salmenhaara’s vase that tripled its estimate and sold for 23 531 €, and Rut Bryk’s ”Candy” relief that realized 18 378 €.

“We are very pleased with the auction’s results, the response has been positive ­– both during and after the auction. The auction presented many sought after collector’s items, which all achieved strong final prices, " says Anna Rosenius, design specialist.

The auction’s top lots:
1. Finn Juhl, Chieftain Chair. Final price: 47 043 €.
2. Birger Kaipiainen, relief. Final price: 29 771 €.
3. Tapio Wirkkala, sculpture. Final price: 29 771 €.
4. Hans J. Wegner, five Cowhorn Chairs. Final price: 24 504 €.
5. Kyllikki Salmenhaara, vase. Final price: 23 531 €.
6. Alvar Aalto, Paimio chair. Final price: 22 306 €
7. Rut Bryk, relief. Final price: 18 378 €.
8. Jonas Bohlin, Concrete chair. Final price: 17 644 €.
9. Alvar Aalto, a pair of armchairs. Final price: 15 439 €.
10. Flemmin Lassen, a 3-piece sofa suite. Final price: 10 539 €
11. Alvar Aalto, table ”75”. Final price: 10 539 €
12. Tapio Wirkkala, plywood dish. Final price: 10 049 €

Following the success of Helsinki Design Sale we are now accepting art and design consignments for our upcoming quality auctions. Welcome to contact our specialists for an auction estimate already today.