Modern Furniture and Custom Lighting to Sell at Cain Modern Auctions This May

The latest sale from Cain Modern Auctions is a sweeping collection of 180 lots, ranging from fine artworks by Aboriginal Australian painters to both modern and contemporary furniture. Live bidding will begin on May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM EDT. Before placing a bid, learn more about some of the top modern furniture and custom lighting items in the catalog. 

Saxhorn Armchair by CLC France

Leading this upcoming sale is a “Saxhorn” armchair by CLC France (lot #160; estimate: USD 2,000 – $3,000). Upholstered in white fabric, this chair features a tubular chrome frame defined by curved arms and ball feet. The auction house notes that this example dates back to the 1940s. 

The post-war era in France was a period of rapid rebuilding and creative upheaval. Bombings during World War II had destroyed countless homes and cities; the end of the war buoyed demand for new household products. In response to this demand, French designers and companies increasingly turned to “modern” materials such as plastic, chrome, and foam. Up-and-coming designers such as Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, and Pierre Jeanneret transformed French furniture in the 1940s and beyond. Their work helped shift tastes toward comfort and functionality, qualities reflected in the available armchair. 

Custom Sabine Chandelier by Oly Studio 

Another key lot in this sale is a custom Sabine chandelier by Oly Studio (lot #158; estimate: $2,000 – $3,000). It is composed of a metal frame and fabric shades arranged in an inverted triangle shape. The three sections of the chandelier come to a curved, narrow point at the end. The piece measures 53 inches high from the top to the bottom of the shades. 

Oly Studios is a collaboration between San Francisco Bay area designers Kate McIntyre and Brad Huntzinger. The pair have been crafting interiors together for over 20 years through both the design firm Ironies and mass production company Oly Studio. Their output focuses on bridging luxury design and affordability, often drawing inspiration from nature. Describing their designs, Huntzinger told California Home + Design, “We wanted furniture that was organic and somewhat delicate in appearance, but also sturdy, so we created twig and leaf-inspired designs out of iron.” The designers focus on giving each object its own beauty and personality. “A table shouldn’t need a vase of flowers to make it look good,” McIntyre added. 

Set of Three Chairs by Aristeau Pires

Elsewhere in the catalog, bidders can consider a set of three electric green chairs made in Brazil by Aristeau Pires (lot #166; estimate: $1,600 – $2,000). Each chair is made of Brazilian wood and has been signed by the designer. 

Aristeau Pires is among the most prominent furniture designers currently working in Brazil. Noted for his sleek, modern pieces, Pires has received numerous awards for his work since shifting his career from software to furniture design over 20 years ago. He worked with and befriended Brazilian architect Sérgio Rodrigues, eventually continuing the Brazilian modern furniture tradition and pioneering new designs. 

Pair of Flowerpot Pendant Lights by Verner Panton

Collectors interested in Scandinavian home design can consider several furniture lots and light fixtures in this catalog, including a pair of Flowerpot pendant lights by Verner Panton (lot #154; estimate: $800 – $1,200). These brass pendant lights each measure nine inches in diameter. Considered one of the most prominent Danish designers of the 20th century, Panton rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s. He was unafraid of using bold colors and unusual shapes in his work. Panton’s classic Flowerpot design was introduced in 1968 and features two semi-circular spheres, one nested inside the other. 

Cain Modern Auctions’ Mexican Modernism, Art, Lighting and More sale will begin on May 25, 2024 at 1:00 PM EDT. To view the complete catalog and bid live, visit Bidsquare. Additional coverage of this sale is available on Auction Daily.