Artcurial’s Design auctions have made a name for themselves around the world and it is thanks to the relationships built with key international collectors and also the important pieces on sale, sometimes previously unseen on the market. Organising an event in the French capital is significant as French historic designers are amongst the most sought after today and reach record results at auction.

“The sale of part of the collection of this design enthusiast (mainly French) is a prestigious event featuring a range of quality and rare works which offer a breath of fresh air to the art market. The collection reflects the research, paradoxes and passion of one man. It is always a pleasure to offer a collection at auction and once again we are thrilled to celebrate a passion which we share with a great number of collectors.”

Fabien Naudan,
Vice-President, Artcurial

Design Panorama from the mid 20th century
With 80 lots, Collecting on the wild side boasts a panorama of the essence of French design and mid 20th century Italian design. Organised around three decades: the late 1940s, the 1950s and the 1960s, the collection offers a complete vision of how Design emerged and its rapid evolution. French furniture with Jean Prouvé’s creations will headline the auction as the collector has been passionate about Prouvé for the past 30 years. His work, a cross between architecture and furniture design illustrates the delicate way in which he works metal, the symbol of the modern society. The auction will present a set of furniture from the Villa Saint-Clair. Built in 1948 by Jean Prouvé, the holiday home was constructed in Lavandou for the Dollander family. The architecture reflects Jean Prouvé’s constructive style and has a metal roof supported by a central beam and metal gates. All furniture was designed by Jean Prouvé and has conserved the original light green metal colour. Highlights include a desk and shelving unit estimation : 15 000 – 25 000 € / 16 500 – 26 500 $) and also beds and wardrobes (estimation : 30 000 – 50 000 € / 33 000 – 55 000 $).

Jean Prouvé, pergola circa 1950, steel and aluminium, estimation : 15 000 – 25 000 € / 16 500 – 27 500 $ ; Jean Prouvé,  Fabert bed, 1934, steel and oak, estimation : 18 000 – 22 000 € / 19 800 – 24 200 $

The collector experiments with styles and contrasts the force and roughness of work by Jean Pouvé with the smooth decorative style of Charlotte Perriand and the light, refined style of Italian designers such as Gio Ponti and Carlo Mollino. A beautiful desk by Carlo Mollino which was designed for the publishing house Lattes en 1951, made from sculpted ash is estimated at 50 000 – 70 000 € / 55 000 – 77 000 $  and the Jean Royère red velvet sofa is estimated at 300 000 – 500 000 € / 330 000 – 550 000 $ and a pair of polar bear armchairs is estimated at 200 000 – 300 000 € / 220 000 – 330 000 $

French Masters are at the heart of this stunning collection, but nevertheless a few pieces of metal contemporary works have also been integrated. Two examples of how the collector continues to acquire works ‘on the wild side’ : The Rover 2 Seaters sofa made by Ron Arad in 1981 (estimation : 6 000 – 8 000 € / 6 600 – 8 800 $) and the sofa made by NIGO and street artists KAWS in 2005 for Cassina, a one off piece estimated between 8 000 – 12 000 € / 8 800 – 13 200 $.

The Story behind a collection
For the past 30 years, this American, passionate about design has constituted an impressive collection. Spending countless hours at auctions, in galleries and specialised trade-fairs, he has gathered the essence of French creation from the early 1950s and adds a magic touch with works by Italian designers.

Charlotte Perriand Antony shelving unit 1954, estimation: 20 000 – 30 000 € / 22 000 – 33 000 $ 

Collecting on the wild side, is the auction of part of a magnificent collection and reflects the portrait of the man who built it: a man with high standards, confident and somewhat intimidating, and a well known figure in the fashion world. Design is one of his many passions, alongside taxidermy and punk rock, inspired by the wild American spirit.

Charlotte Perriand, Table Forme libre, 1958, solid mahogany estimation : 80 000 – 120 000 € / 88 000 – 132 000 $

Jean Prouvé, important shelving unit and, 1951, steel and solid cherry wood estimation: 100 000 – 150 000 € / 110 000 – 165 000 $ 

Jean Royère, Suspension Bouquet à 12 lumières, 1950, métal laqué rouge, estimation : 30 000 – 50 000 € / 33 000 – 55 000 $ ; Charlotte Perriand, Table Forme libre, création 1958, acajou massif, estimation : 80 000 – 120 000 € / 88 000 – 132 000 $