NEW YORK – Christie’s New York Design department concluded a successful two-day series of Design sales at Rockefeller Center on December 9 – 10, achieving a combined total of $18,162,375.

The Design sale on December 9 achieved $13,969,125. The top lot of the sale was the iconic ‘Moutons de Laine’ by François-Xavier Lalanne which sailed past its high estimate to sell for $1,590,000. The department achieved strong results throughout the over 160 lot-sale, highlighted by two significant works by Alberto Giacometti from the Collection of a Member of the Matisse Family. ‘Lampe Coupe aux deux figures’ sold for $930,000 and an important ‘Grande Feuille’ floor lamp achieved $1,170,000—more than triple its high estimate. The sale also included a leading lot of Art Deco art to be sold in recent years, the Andre Groult important suite of furniture, which sold for $930,000. 

Notable results were also realized for iconic designs by the French master Jean Royère, including a beautiful and rare ‘Croisillon’ sofa which sold for $562,500 as well as an exceptional ‘Ours Polaire’ salon suite, a sofa and armchair, which totaled $1,110,000.

The December 10 Tiffany auction saw outstanding results with a sale total of $4,193,250, and was sold 99% by value, 98% by lot. More than three quarter of the lots sold above their high estimate. This auction was led by the rare and important ‘Apple Blossom’ table lamp, A Masterpiece from the Silverman Collection, which surpassed its high estimate to sell for $625,000. A rare ‘Turtle-Back’ Chandelier circa 1910 achieved another strong result, totaling $500,000, double its high estimate.

Our highlighted collection, The Collection of Dr. Thomas Chua, saw strong depth of bidding, for works including the wonderful ‘Laburnum’ floor lamp, which sold for $400,000 against its low estimate $200,000.