Why does mid-century modern furniture remain among the most sought after in auctions across the world?
Well-crafted functional and minimalist Danish furniture became a world phenomenon from the 1950s onwards. Capitalising on Denmark’s late industrialisation, post-second World War Danish designers’ focus on quality materials and craftsmanship gave them an international advantage over standard factory-made furniture.
The Design in Scandinavia exhibition travelled to the United States and Canada in 1954-1957 and introduced modernism to North America. With more than 700 objects from furniture to textiles, ceramics to glassware, the exhibition toured to big cities and influenced designers and consumers.
As suburban homes embraced the open floor plan and minimalist decor, Danish-made furniture became the quintessence of tasteful modern design – simple, functional and beautiful. And of course, Europeans too embraced this new interior design style. In fact, a Scandinavian Design Group report in 1962 led to the establishment of the Kilkenny Design Workshops in Ireland.
RM Block
While the democratic design principles of many of these pioneering Danish designers spawned a new industry of cheaper replicas (thank you, Ikea), the original pieces by Danish furniture designers such as Finn Juhl (1912-1989), Arne Jacobsen (1902-1971) and Børge Mogensen (1914-1972) remain sought after in the 21st century. A visit to the Museum of Art and Design in Copenhagen to see their work is a must for enthusiasts.
Adam’s Mid-Century Modern sale of 20th-century design and contemporary art brings together plenty of excellent Danish pieces from the era.
Take for example Finn Juhl’s pair of teak Model FD138 armchairs (€3,000-€5,000), or Severin Hansen’s rosewood coffee table (€1,000-€1,500).
For dining, Niels Otto Møller’s set of six Model 71 dining chairs (€2,000-€3,000), or Hans Olsen’s roundette table with four chairs neatly fitted into it (€2,500-€3,500), are particular highlights.
Nicholas Gore-Grimes, the mid-century modern specialist at Adam’s, also draws attention to the Polish-born Brazilian-based designer, Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020), who was strongly influenced by Scandinavian furniture designers, many of whom were also qualified architects.
“His atelier in São Paulo brought together architecture, engineering and artisanal craft to produce furniture of the highest quality,” says Gore Grimes.
The sale includes Zalszupin’s Petalas coffee table, so named because its octagonal shape is divided into petal-like segments, which fold down under the table top (€10,000-€15,000).
The Adam’s sale also includes art works by international artists including Joan Miró, Georges Braque, Anselm Kiefer and Barbara Kruger. Kiefer, whose work was deeply inspired by German history, philosophy, world religions and European literature, is one of Europe’s most important post-second World War artists. His piece in Adam’s auction is Für Jean Genet (€20,000-€30,000). The title is a reference to the French writer and political activist, Jean Genet, whose autobiography, The Thief’s Journal, had a big influence on Kiefer. Another piece of note is American concept artist Barbara Kruger’s catalysed ink on coloured silkscreen on mirrored polished steel (€2,000-€3,000). Kruger’s work addresses power, consumerism, identity and sexuality.
Bidding is already open for the 250-plus lots of the Adam’s auction, which can be viewed in the St Stephen’s Green showrooms, October 17th-21st. The timed auction begins to close at 2pm on Tuesday, October 21st.
Morgan O’Driscoll’s online art sale of works mainly by Irish artists will also begin to close on Tuesday, October 21st. It has a mix of oils, watercolours, still life and landscape paintings by renowned artists such as Tony O’Malley, William Scott, John Shinnors and Sean McSweeney. Fans of Kilkenny-born artist, Mildred Anne Butler (who has a room dedicated to her work in the National Gallery), will note the watercolour of her home, Kilmurray House (€800-€1,200).
Scottish-born Willam Crozier’s Night Road (€6,000-€9,000) is also noteworthy. Irish sculptor John Behan has plenty of pieces included, and Ian Pollock’s Aran Cat (€4,000-€6,000) is one of a number of his quirky sculptures, which feature animals and birds.
Viewing in O’Driscoll’s Skibbereen offices is on Saturday and Sunday, October 11th and 12th, and at the RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin, October 17th-19th.
Mug for your health
Collectors of rare antique silver will be interested in a Queen Anne silver mug made in Cork around 1710 (€6,500-€7,500), at Hegarty’s live online auction on October 15th from 11am. The maker, Anthony Semirot, was a French Huguenot refugee who became an acclaimed silversmith in 18th-century Cork. He was made a freeman of the Cork Goldsmith’s Company in 1693, and was active in the city until his death in 1743. Silver mugs were primarily used for drinking alcohol in an era when drinking water could be hazardous to your health. They later became a symbol of wealth and status and were frequently given as christening and wedding gifts.
Finally, collectors of antiques might be interested in a talk on preserving and sharing family histories and archives by owners of historic houses and castles and Natasha Serne, head of library and archives at the RDS. The talk, on Wednesday, October 22nd, is part of a fascinating two-day programme for the Historic Houses of Ireland Autumn School conference, entitled Living Legacies: Public, Private and Shared Futures for Historic Houses at Lisnanvagh House, Co Carlow.
adams.ie, morganodriscoll.com, hegartyantiques.com, ihh.ie
What did it sell for?
Coulson Fellowes, Rosalba Carriera
Estimate £15,000-£25,000
Hammer price £508,000 (€581,736)
Auction house Cheffins
Petrus (2005), Pomerol
Estimate €2,500-€3,000
Hammer price €2,100
Auction house Adam’s
Country landscapes with children around Shobdon Court, Herefordshire, a set of four, George Holmes
Hammer price £4,608 (€5,286)
Auction house Bonham’s
Screenprint in colours (2024) by Michael Craig-Martin
Hammer price £832 (€955)
Auction house Bonham’s
