Rarities and records for the design department at Modern Art + Design
The design department delivered world records for Otto Schulz and Josef Frank's classic "Flora" chest of drawers.
The first day of Bukowskis Modern Art + Design kicked off strongly with 500 lots under the hammer. One of the auction's more spectacular highlights was a cabinet by Otto Schulz, which after intense bidding, resulted in a new world record for Schulz. The design department also achieved one lot exceeding one million SEK, a new world record for Josef Frank's "Flora" chest of drawers and white glove sale for the Rolf Walter Collection, along with high final prices for Hans Hedberg's monumental fruit sculptures as well as for lamps by Harald Notini and Carl-Axel Acking.
An early highlight from the first auction day was a green velvet cabinet signed Otto Schulz, by Firma Boet in Gothenburg from the 1920s, which was sold for a final price of 950,000 SEK - a new world record for the designer. The Schulz and Firma Boet department achieved historically high final prices, including a pair of 1930s armchairs with a final price of SEK 225,000.
– In recent years, Schulz has become more recognised for his contributions to Swedish Grace and Swedish Modern and has become increasingly sought after. It is fantastic to see that Otto Schulz and Boet have reached a whole new level with prices in line with his contemporary industry peers Frank and Hjorth, says Camilla Behrer, Head of Design, Chief Specialist Modern and Contemporary Decorative art and design.
Records for Svenskt Tenn, season after season
Notable items from Josef Frank for Firma Svenskt Tenn included the spectacular "Rosenskåpet" (final price SEK 825,000) and two "Flora" chests of drawers, one of which sold for a final price of SEK 1,125,000, which is a new world record for a chest of drawers by Frank.
– Having achieved new world records season after season for Josef Frank's unique cabinets, we are now proud to present yet another new world record, this time for Frank's chest of drawers, “Flora”, in an excellent and beautiful vintage condition, covered with exquisite Palmstucht Flora motifs, says Eva Seeman, Chief Specialist Modern and Contemporary Decorative art and design
Rare objects with interesting provenance in focus
Rare objects signed Gunnar Asplund, including a set of chairs from the Stockholm City Library and a ceiling lamp sold at high final prices.
The Rolf Walter Collection, which contained objects by Marcel Breuer, Axel Einar Hjorth, Sylvia Stave and others, performed well. Lightings by Harald Notini, Gunnar Asplund, Hans Bergström and Carl-Axel Acking attracted the most intensive bidding. A floor lamp by Acking was sold at a final price of SEK 487,500 SEK, and a ceiling lamp by Harald Notini sold at a final price of SEK 162,500 SEK - new world records for both designers respectively.
– We saw great interest in more unique objects with an interesting history and provenance, such as the iconic chairs from the city library by Asplund and the fantastically peculiar furniture by Helge Werner. The high-quality light lamps by Hans Bergström also sold at high prices. Carl-Axel Acking and Harald Notini also stood out as two shining highlights with new world records, says Jonatan Jahn, Head Specialist Contemporary and Modern Design.
World record for Agda Österberg
The carpets and textiles department offered coveted textiles by Märta Måås-Fjätterström, such as "Örtagården" and "Hästhagen", Marianne Richter's "Rubirosa Grön" and a colourful carpet by Agda Österberg, which became one of the evenings new world record (final price 225,000 SEK). The highest final price of the department was Barbro Nilsson's "Nejlikan gul", which was sold three times the low estimate.
It has been a great pleasure to show our breadth in carpets and textiles. Rugs from AB Märta Måås Fjetterström are still in high demand among our customers, which we could see during today's bidding, says Christopher Stålhandske, Head Specialist Carpets, textiles and Islamic works of art.
High demand for jewellery with provenance
The auction's jewellery section featured designers such as Wiwen Nilsson, Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe, Sigurd Persson, Björn Weckström and others. We saw great interest in jewellery with exciting provenance. One of the highlights was a necklace by Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe owned by Alice Babs that sold for five times the low estimate at a final price of 105,000 SEK.
– It was nice to see that the interest for Wiwen Nilsson and Vivianna Torun Bülow-Hübe was so strong and that a compelling provenance also applies to the jewellery side, says Fredrik Karlsson, Gemmologist, Appraiser.
In the silver section, items by Johan Rohde, Georg Jensen, Sigvard Bernadotte, Tapio Wirkkala, Atelier Borgila, Wiwen Nilsson, Karl Gustav Hansen and others were included. Among the items that stood out was a teapot by Gustav Hansen, which sold for four times the asking price. The department's highest final price was SEK 155,000 for a jardinière by Georg Jensen from 1919.
The results show that Bukowskis, together with Bonhams Network, reaches an international audience and has a selection that attracts buyers and sellers of the highest caliber.
As part of the Bonhams network, Bukowskis reach a global market with millions of customers through a combination of our digital platforms and auction houses in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, London, Paris, New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Sydney.
See all results of the design department
Highlights Furniture & Works of Art
Highlights Furniture & Works of Art
Highlights Ceramics
Highlights Carpets & textiles
Highlights Glass
Highlights Silver and Jewellery
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