Billings’ Summer Art + Design Auction Features Finn Juhl Chairs and Colorful Eames Storage Unit

The Summer 2023 Modern Art + Design sale at Billings will particularly feature a pair of Finn Juhl lounge chairs that appear to retain their original finish and leather accents. A Danish architect best known for his furniture designs, Finn Juhl experienced a slow rise to international fame in the 1950s. His furniture is defined by a softened Modernism that embraced organic forms, and it helped contribute to the spread of Danish modern furniture styles in the United States. The offered lounge chairs reflect this design philosophy in their gently curved arms and comfortable recline. They were manufactured by Niels Vodder of Denmark in the 1950s. Another key furniture lot in the catalog is a circa 1952 ESU 400 storage unit by Charles and Ray Eames. It is made of birch, lacquered Masonite, chrome-plated steel, and enameled steel. With large squares of yellow, red, blue, white, and black, the storage unit evokes a Piet Mondrian painting. 

A selection of fine art will also be available in this auction. Leading this section of the sale is a painting by Michael Goldberg titled Shun Lee Palace II. The Abstract Expressionist work from 2000 contains numerous layers of paint swirls and scribbled lines. An aquatint and drypoint print by Helen Frankenthaler is on offer as well. To view the complete catalog and register to place a bid in the Summer 2023 Modern Art + Design sale, visit Billings’ website.