Freeman’s Online Only Design Auction Soars Past Pre-Sale High Estimate to Achieve $1.2 Million
Strong prices were realized throughout Freeman’s online only Design auction on April 3, which showcased a curated selection of 78 lots by important international designers and craftsmen. With an impressive sell-through rate of 96%, the auction achieved nearly $1.2 million, well exceeding its pre-sale high estimate. Nearly 70% of all lots offered sold for prices above their high estimate. There was strong competition between online bidders with 60% of bidders registered through Freeman’s LIVE, the house’s free online bidding platform.
The sale saw an 100% sell-through rate for a group of rare Meissen porcelain by Henry van deVelde. Samuel Yellin’s ironwork did exceedingly well, with most Yellin lots soaring past their pre-sale estimates. A Tiffany Studios “Nasturtium” Table Lamp sold for $206,250—nearly triple itspre-sale high estimate. The important “Holtz” Table by George Nakashima exceeded its high estimate and is the highest price achieved at auction for a piece by George Nakashima in 2020.
Said Tim Andreadis, Head of Sale: “I am delighted that our online only Design sale was a tremendous success, particularly in these challenging times. Strong prices were achieved across the board, proving that high quality and fresh-to-market material tends to hold its value. Overall the sale stood as a testament to Freeman’s robust market for classic American Design and Design from Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region.”
TIFFANY “NASTURTIUM” TABLE LAMP LEADS THE SALE
Coming from a private Pennsylvania collection, this table lamp (Lot 27, $206,250) with a “Favrile Glass Ball Library” adjustable base, achieved the highest hammer price in the sale after the most competitive online bidding of the day. It was joined in the sale by three other Tiffany table lamps,all from private Pennsylvania collections, which exceeded their pre-sale high estimates.
IMPORTANT “HOLTZ” TABLE ACHIEVES HIGHEST PRICE AT AUCTION FOR A PIECE BY GEORGE NAKASHIMA IN 2020
The Important “Holtz” Table (Lot 81, $137,500) achieved the highest price at auction for a piece by George Nakashima so far this year. In 1984, renowned Pennsylvania woodworker George Nakashima (1905-1990) was approached by D.C. architect, David A. Holtz, to create a diningtable to serve as a truly spectacular piece of art in Mr. Holtz’s Potomac, Maryland home. This extraordinary table was unlike any Nakashima had completed up to that date, save his Peace Altar completed that same year. As a result, Nakashima named all future tables of the same design “Holtz” for the original table’s owner. George Nakashima Woodworker estimates no more than six such tables have ever been created. The present lot was the first.
ICONIC MUSIC STAND BY PENNSYLVANIA CRAFTSMAN WHARTON ESHERICK EXCEEDS HIGH ESTIMATE
This music stand (Lot 48, $37,500) is one of an edition of 24 and is based on an original model Esherick made in 1960. Another example is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
YELLIN IRONWORK SOARS PAST PRE-SALE ESTIMATES
All six works (Lots 29-34) by renowned metalworker Samuel Yellin (1884-1940) sold at or above their pre-sale high estimates, with the strongest price realised by the Framed Radiator Grill for the Brooklyn Edison Company (Lot 33, $37,500). The sale also featured two works, a floor lamp (Lot 32, $32,500) and a fire screen (Lot 34, $30,000), designed by Yellin for the Abraham T. Malmed Residence, Philadelphia PA.
RARE MEISSEN BY VAN DE VELDE ACHIEVES 100% SELL-THROUGH RATE
The sale opened with 24 lots of various pieces from the van de Velde dinner service for the Meissen Porcelain Manufactory, achieving a collective $160,388—more than triple their total pre-sale low estimate. The top price was realised by a Large Sauce Boat (Lot 17, $28,600)—more than quadrupling its pre-sale low estimate. Belgian-born Henry van de Velde (1863-1957) was among the most influential artists, designers and architects who defined the Art Nouveau style in the early years of the 20th century. A superb porcelain service for the celebrated Meissen manufactory, designed circa 1903-1904, was among his most successful. Known as Peitschenhieb or “Whiplash”, the service took two years for the Meissen firm to complete. Works from the service can be found in public collections including the British Museum, The Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Detroit Institute of Arts, and numerous European collections.
ENHANCING ONLINE EXPERIENCE FOR BUYERS
With the house’s recent launch of an online only sales format, Freeman’s is increasing its accessibility and ensuring that the buying experience for their international bidders remains as seamless as possible. To that effect, more online only sales are scheduled throughout April and May. Please visit freemansauction.com for an updated auction schedule. To create a Freeman’s LIVE account please visit bid.freemansauction.com.
