Design
Created in 2002, the Design department has firmly established itself in a very dynamic and competitive sector, becoming today the leader on the international market. From the domestic landscape to exceptional furniture, 20th and 21st century designers are featured in nearly ten thematic sales per year.
Since 2014, the department has cemented its position as a major actor in the market with remarkable results, including the world record for a piece of furniture by Jean Prouvé at auction, the Trapèze Table which sold for €1.2m in 2014, and the sale of a Charlotte Perriand “Droit” sideboard for €393,600 in 2022.
Since 2015, Artcurial has also been regularly presenting an auction exclusively dedicated to Scandinavian design, under the leadership of consultant Aldric Speer, thus supporting the development of this market. The successes were not long in coming: from the very first sale, a Model FJ49 armchair known as the “Chieftain” armchair by Finn Juhl was sold for a record price of €262,000.
In 2018, the department turned to Italian design with its first single-designer auction devoted to Ettore Sottsass. Building on this success, Artcurial now offers two sales per year to meet the growing appetite of collectors for this speciality.
Finally, since 2022, Artcurial has been honouring Brazilian design and its greatest figures, including Joaquim Tenreiro and Zanine Caldas. Four new world auction records were set in the first sale for this speciality.
Artcurial’s specialists are at your disposal for free and confidential valuations of your objects and design pieces.
Specialists
Thibault Lannuzel
Consultant for Designtlannuzel@artcurial.com
Thibault Lannuzel
Expert
tlannuzel@artcurial.com
Contacts
News
Percival Lafer and Brazilian Design honoured at Artcurial
On 27th February, Artcurial will pay tribute to the career of Percival Lafer, the genius designer and architect born in 1936 in São Paulo, during its sale devoted to Brazilian Design. Seventeen of his creations, reflecting the unique approach of this visionary, will be presented during the sale. The sale will bring together more than 80 lots in total, including an important private European collection with pieces by José Zanine Caldas, Anna Maria & Oscar Niemeyer and Lina Bo Bardi.
Paavo Tynell, lights of the North & Brazilian Design
In September 2023, to coincide with Paris Design Week, of which Artcurial is a partner, the auctions house started the Design season with two sales: one in tribute to the Finnish designer Paavo Tynell and the second devoted to Brazilian Design.
Over €14M for the Monaco Auction Week sales
The Monaco Auction Week sales, which was held from 16th to 19th July 2023 at the Hotel Hermitage in Monte-Carlo, were a resounding success with Artcurial’s Jewellery, Watches, Fashion & Luxury Accessories, Post-War & Contemporary Art and, for the first time, Design departments all shined on the French Riviera, totaling over €14 M.
Monaco Auction Week
Artcurial is back on the Riviera
Artcurial was back on the Riviera for the summer, at the Hôtel Hermitage, from 16th to 19th July 2023. The Important Watches, Jewellery, Hermès & Luxury Bags and Monaco Sculptures departments and, for the very first time, the Design department, preceded by public exhibitions, held auctions with lots selected to appeal to collectors and enthusiast.
Design sul Mare, a private collection from Monaco
At its Monaco Auction Week, Artcurial presented for the very first time a private collection from Monaco dedicated to the very best of post-war Italian design. This chic and eclectic collection brought together the most iconic pieces by Italian designers and architects. From Gio Ponti to Gino Sarfatti and Ico Parisi, these pieces were auctioned on July 19th at the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo.
An unseen desk by Carlo Mollino in the spotlight
As the PAD Paris fair was openning its doors, Artcurial organised its Italian Design sale on March 28th 2023. The highlight of the sale was an important desk made by Carlo Mollino in the 1950s for the Casa editrice Lattes in Turin, estimated €250,000 - 350,000. Presented for the first time at auction on the fiftieth anniversary of the artist's death and after having been kept for almost 40 years in a private collection, the desk offered a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the masterpieces of the famous architect and designer.
Artcurial unveils the catalogue of its first Brazilian Design sale
For Artcurial’s first ever Brazilian Design auction in september 2022, the catalogue featured an exceptional private collection of 81 lots. Magnificent pieces by Brazilian designers such as Joaquim Tenreiro with his exotic style, Zanine Caldas with his unique handcrafted pieces or the refined and precious design of Jorge Zalszupin, were presented for sale.
Jean Prouvé & Jean Royère: Two Exceptional Sets at Auction
On May 23rd 2022, the Art Deco/Design department was showing two sets coming from prestigious commissions: Jean Prouvé for Pierre Bindschedler and Jean Royère for an original private collection.
From Art Nouveau to Contemporary Design
On 31 May 2021, the Art Deco/Design department organised a sale dedicated to major Art Deco and Design artists such as Pierre Chareau, Eckart Muthesius, Josef Hoffmann & Wiener Werkstätte, François Pompon, Jean Prouvé, Claude et François-Xavier Lalanne, Jean Dunand, René Lalique, Raphaël Delorme, Charlotte Perriand, Claude Parent, Paul Evans, Jean-Pierre Vitrac, Michel Boyer, Louis Durot, Ron Arad, Ingrid Donat or even Hubert le Gall. The sale featured exceptional artworks ranging from Art Nouveau to Contemporary Design.
Records & Results
356,200 €
02 jul. 2020
281,800 €
19 nov. 2019
986,500 €
25 oct. 2016
