Even valuers are surprised by what collectors will pay for late 20th century American pieces….
The look is still far from mainstream, but a consensus that 1960s, 1970s and 1980s American studio furniture is “the coolest stuff” is swiftly growing. And prices are escalating accordingly. Aside from Powell, the pantheon includes Paul Evans (1931-1987), George Nakashima (1905-1990) Wendell Castle (b1932) and Karl Springer (1931-1991). All produced custom-made or limited edition furnishings, highly innovative in form and characterised by a profound attention to surface texture, whether the materials were sculpted steel, knotty timber, stacked ply or tinted hide….
The startling surge in enthusiasm for studio furniture is illustrated in an extraordinary run of auction results over the past couple of years, with pieces often doubling and tripling their estimates…
Another Londoner and longtime fan of Modern Americana, Ken Bolan, owner of Talisman, suggests investing in works by Karl Springer. Springer was a custom designer rather than a hands-on craftsman, but his work ticks the same boxes as his craftsman contemporaries (sculptural lines, outstanding quality, relish for materials, fabulous surface texture)…
And the next big thing? A father-and-son collaboration is the one to watch. Philip LaVerne (1908-1988) and son Kelvin (b1936) designed and produced one-off and limited edition etched bronze table and cabinets with classical and Oriental motifs, which were highly popular in the 1960s and 1970s. These have been beginning to create a few ripples at auction in the past two years (a Bathers cabinet sold at Sotheby’s in November 2007 for $91,000) and Talisman’s trend spotting proprietor believes their time had come again. “I love them. I’ve been buying them for a year,” says Bolan. “There’s a following in the States and Paris, but I’m still waiting for people in London to get it.”