Palm Beach Modern Auctions’ Fall Sale Features Furniture by Key 20th-Century and Contemporary Designers

The 20th century witnessed rapid changes in furniture design as favor shifted from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, Modernism, Scandinavian, and beyond. Notable for its embrace of fresh materials such as steel, glass, and plastic, the furniture of this era offers a window into shifting tastes and values.

The upcoming fall event from Palm Beach Modern Auctions will particularly highlight furniture items from such prominent 20th-century and contemporary designers as Fernando and Humberto Campana, Paul Evans, and Mira Nakashima. Auction Daily examined some of the top furniture lots in this upcoming event.

Fernando & Humberto Campana

Brazilian brothers and furniture designers Humberto and Fernando Campana rose to prominence in the 1980s and 90s for their colorful and exuberant pieces. The brothers have pushed the boundaries of furniture, often mixing their designs with other disciplines, including architecture, decorative art, housewares, sculpture, and more. Elevating Brazilian culture is a central aspect of the Campana brothers’ work. The brothers have cited their deep connection to their homeland as a source of inspiration that often manifests in bright colors and unexpected combinations. “The ugliness that is Brazil, with its mix of everything inhabiting the same place,” Fernando Campana said in a 2008 interview for Bomb magazine. “It forces you to see beauty where beauty doesn’t exist.”

The upcoming Palm Beach Modern Auctions event will highlight a large Fernando and Humberto Campana sofa/daybed composed of polyurethane, feathers, and velvet (lot #269; estimate: USD 12,000 – $18,000). This purple-hued piece is composed of braided pieces, interlaced to create a soft, organic form. 

Paul Evans & Phillip Lloyd Powell

Other key 20th-century designers with work in the catalog include Paul Evans and Phillip Lloyd Powell. Both Evans and Powell were Pennsylvania furniture craftsmen whose output briefly overlapped while they shared a workshop in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Phillip Lloyd Powell was known for his cabinets and use of unusual materials; he frequently incorporated paintings and found objects into his pieces. Paul Evans was more widely recognized for his custom furniture pieces, which continue to fetch high prices at auction today. 

A dining/center hall table from Evans and Powell will be available in this Palm Beach Modern Auctions event (lot #118; estimate: $9,000 – $12,000). Made of bronze, walnut, and marble, this table stands just over 25 inches high and 48 inches wide. 

Mira Nakashima

Another designer of note who is represented in this sale is Mira Nakashima, the daughter of George Nakashima. After George Nakashima’s death in 1990, she carried on the family legacy of woodworking and continued to fill orders through her father’s company. In addition to this work, Mira Nakashima has established a reputation as an innovative designer in her own right. Her works are known for employing unusual woods and embracing natural curvature. 

A Mira Nakashima lamp will come up for bid in this event (lot #114; estimate: $7,000 – $9,000). It is formed of Manzanita burl, holly, and rosewood with a parchment shade. It is signed by Mira Nakashima and bears the name of the original owner on the bottom. 

Patrick Naggar

An artist, architect, and designer, Patrick Naggar has been a force in French design since the 1980s. His work tends to juxtapose materials and design elements that might not otherwise be paired. “I am not driven by mere form and style; I try to connect my deep interest in ancient cultures and science to my work,” the artist told Galerie magazine in 2021. “They might seem disparate but I try to bring those realms into the pieces I design, in addition to being practical and useful.”

Palm Beach Modern Auctions will offer Naggar’s Borealis coffee table in this upcoming auction (lot #6; estimate: $3,000 – $5,000). Manufactured and first exhibited by Ralph Pucci International, this work is made of lacquered and bronze-finished polymer. A striking, flat circle supports one end of the table, contrasting with the rectangular elements in the rest of the piece. 

Palm Beach Modern Auctions’ Modern + Contemporary Art, Design & Luxury sale will take place on October 26, 2024. Bidding will begin live at 12:00 PM EDT, with online viewing and participation options available through Bidsquare. Find additional coverage of this and other sales on Auction Daily.