Fabulous Furnishings: Billings’ June 20, 2026 Summer Modern Art + Design Sale

Billings, of Los Angeles, CA is presenting its 396 lot SUMMER MODERN ART + DESIGN sale on June 20, 2026, starting at 1:00PM EDT. This premier, well curated event offers an extraordinary range of collectible merchandise spanning the last century, including icons of Art Deco to contemporary design. Here are some highlights that caught the eye of the Auction Daily team. 

Vintage sofas take several of the top lot slots in this signature event. Lot #2, a first edition ‘Mah Jong’ sectional sofa by Hans Hopfer, is estimated at $5,000-7,000. It was produced in 1971 by Roche Bobois in France. It features two corner sections with cushions, three back sections with cushions, and two loose cushions. The cushions are white, brown, tan, and cream. The back and corner sections each measure 16″ H x 37″ W x 37″ D, with each cushion measuring 6″ H x 37″ W x 37″ D. The sofa is made from wood, fir wood, and plywood and retains its original manufacturer’s tag on its underside.  

Hans Hopfer (German, b. 1931) is best known for designing flexible seating “environments” intended for real living and optimizing spaces. He has partnered with Roche Bobois for over a half century to produce his furnishings. His ‘Mah Jong’ sectional is considered an icon of contemporary seating design. In 2025, Circa Auction of Los Angeles, CA sold Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois, 16 piece Mah Jong modular sofa with wood platform and Missoni fabric for $20,625. 

This auction features a fine collection of fine seats and chairs. Lot #3, six ‘Mira’ chairs by George Nakashima, is estimated at $5,000-7,000. Each has three legs, a rounded triangular seat, seven spindles, and no arms. They are made from cherry and hickory wood by the Nakashima Studios in the USA. They measure 27″ H x 19.5″ W x 16.5″ D overall, with a seat height of 17.5″.

George Nakashima (American, 1905-1990) was a designer, architect, and woodworker, known as the founder of the “live edge” furniture movement. His designs often featured unfinished edges or natural wood grains, to showcase the elemental, natural aesthetics of trees. In 1983, the Japanese government awarded him the Order of The Sacred Treasure to acknowledge his achievements and recognize his contributions across many categories. In 2025, Wright of Chicago, IL sold an exceptional conoid dining table made by Nakashima in 1966 for $369,600.

Fantastic mid-century onward decorative art is a key category in this sale. Lot #5, an untitled hanging sculpture by D’Lisa Creager, is estimated at $7,000-9,000.  This 101″ H x 20″ D, hand-woven blackened copper wire example was studio made in the USA in 2024. It features four symmetrical orbs, each nesting two smaller orbs. It is marked with a small hanging copper tag which is impressed with “0524 – 01”.

D’Lisa Creager, a California native, has been making art since early childhood. She returned home to Southern California upon her retirement, and began creating her now signature works made from fine copper wire. Her method, based on traditional Nordic wire weaving techniques, is known as the “Viking knit” or “knotless knitting.”  In 2025, Los Angeles Modern Auctions of Los Angeles, CA sold a 80″ H x 17″ L  Creager hanging sculpture for $9,900.

Also on offer is an impressive array of eclectic to traditional desks. Lot #172, a Tambour desk by Edward Wormley, is estimated at $2,500-3,500. It is model 912, made from walnut and brass, and produced around 1957 by Dunbar in the USA. The desk features two slatted wood shutters, three drawers, a center flat working space, and thin, squared legs. It measures 35″ H x 74.75″ W x 28″ D overall. 

Edward Wormely (American, 1907–1995) was a pillar in the midcentury modern furniture design movement. He worked for 30 years as the design director of Dunbar, a company still in operations today. Dunbar is located in High Point, NC and is known for high end, contemporary furnishings. At his peak of productivity, Wormley designed over 150 pieces a year for Dunbar. In 2024, Circle Auction of Kansas City, MO sold a similar Edward Wormley Tambour desk for $2,852. 

The sale rounds out with tables, lamps, racks, cabinets, sideboards, and other category spanning selections. Lot #15, an Art Deco ‘Silver Swan’ Table Fan by Janet Evans, is estimated at $900-1,200. It measures 15″ H x 11″ W x 6″ D, is made from steel, aluminum, and Bakelite, and produced by Emerson Electric in the USA. It features four black fan blades in a stunning metallic cage. It is detailed with a front toggle switch, black sculptural base, black cord, and copper colored nameplate. According to Billings’ experts, this item is… “considered the highest achievement in art deco design incorporated in an electric fan.”

For more information on BILLINGS’ SUMMER MODERN ART + DESIGN sale on June 20, 2026, please see https://bid.billingsauction.com/auctions/billings/summer-modern-art-design-22755.