NEW YORK, 8 JUNE 2016 – Yesterday’s auctions of WYETH: The Art of Timeless Design and Important Design at Sotheby’s New York totaled $9.8 million, surpassing the day’s overall high estimate of $9.5 million and with an exceptional sell-through rate of 87% by lot. More than 300 works spanning the 20th and 21st centuries were sold across the two auctions – below is a look at what drove these strong results:

WYETH at Sotheby’s: The Art of Timeless Design
Auction Total $3.1 Million
95% Sold by Lot

In celebration of New York design destination WYETH’s 20th anniversary, as well as the much-anticipated opening of its new space in Tribeca this spring, Sotheby’s partnered with WYETH to hold a dedicated sale selected from its extensive and coveted collection. The auction offered furniture and design objects unified by an integrity of materials, impeccable craftsmanship and beauty of form, with a strong emphasis on Scandinavian, American and European modernism.

The successful sale was led by a French Modernist Desk from the Foundation George Eastman, Paris selling for $112,500 – nearly double its high estimate of $60,000. Twenty-eight works by Scandinavian artist Hans Wegner were sold over the course of the auction, topped by his Easy Chair, Model No. JH521 that brought $100,000 (left, estimate $60/80,000). Works by American artists were highlighted by Edgar Tafur’s Screen, sold for $56,250 (estimate $18/24,000).

Important Design
Auction Total $6.7 Million
80% Sold by Lot

The iconic works of Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne commanded top prices in the morning auction of Important Design. Claude Lalanne’s sculptural chandelier Lustre “Structure Végétale” led the sale, achieving $610,000 – more than double its $300,000 high estimate. François-Xavier’s charming “Mouton de Pierre” set a new record for the model fetching $200,000 (estimate $100/150,000).

The sale offered a significant selection of masterworks of Venetian glass from an important New York collection, with pieces spanning from the 1910s through the 1970s. The collection totaled $1.3 million, featuring a Rare "Gatto" Vase from Fulvio Bianconi’s "Con Macchie" Series that achieved $225,000 – multiples of its $50,000 high estimate. The auction demonstrated demand for design across both the 20th and 21st centuries. Works by Tiffany Studios were highlighted by lamps from the esteemed collection of David and Lindsey Morgenthaler, with a “Laburnum” Table Lamp and a “Peony” Table Lamp selling for $250,000 and $225,000 respectively.