Gio Ponti, Studio Job and Ron Arad designs up for grabs at Sotheby's

With the Design Museum on the verge of opening its sparkling new West London doors, there's an autumn design buzz in London at the moment. Coinciding with this is another celebration of international design in the capital, Sotheby's ‘Design’ – the second edition of the house's relaunched design-centric sale (last year's was the first in half a decade) and a preceding exhibition at its New Bond Street space.
Following editions hosted in New York and Paris earlier this year, 'Design' London takes place on Tuesday 15 November, offering up a expansive list of 173 pieces. Exhibiting the products from tomorrow, the roster features 20th century pieces that span the classic and contemporary, functional and abstract, spending significant effort honing in on postmodern Scandinavian design with highlights from Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner and Peder Moos.
’Wall-mounted Chest’ by Gio Ponti, 1959
These minimalist masterpieces stand alongside Gio Ponti silhouettes from the 1930s–60s; whimsical Ron Arad chairs; and experimental forms from Italian stalwarts Ettore Sottsass and Andrea Branzi.
'Just like the city itself, our London "Design" sale is developing its own unique character,' says Laetitia Contat-Desfontaines, Sotheby's head of 20th century design sales. 'Exciting new initiatives such as the inaugural [London] Design Biennale at Somerset House and the fantastic new home for the Design Museum are putting design at the forefront of the cultural life of the city.'
’Monumental Bookcase’ by Ico Parisi
Contemporary lots include a marble table by Marc Newson, Studio Job’s playful 'Bottle Rack’, and clay sculptures by Maarten Baas, while extra special Picasso ceramics and Zaha Hadid prototypes show the team have most styles covered for discerning collectors.
‘Design’ follows an impressive display of David Bowie’s extensive art and design collection, marking a nuanced and successful stream of shows at the auction.
Left, five ’Klismos Model no. 5’ chairs by TH Robsjohn-Gibbings. Right, ’Gothic’ mirrored cabinet by Gabriella Crespi
Left, monumental ’Spade Form’ vase by Hans Coper, 1970. Right, ’Loop Loop’ chair by Ron Arad, 1992
Desk by Arne Jacobsen, 1952
A pair of ’Onkel-Stühle (Uncle Chairs)’ by Franz West
'Surface Table' prototype by Terence Woodgate and John Barnard, 2008
’9 Arm Wall/Ceiling Light’ by Angelo Lelii, 1950
'Daybed' by Peder Moos, 1944
INFORMATION
’Design’ takes place at Sotheby’s on 15 November. For more information, visit the Sotheby’s website
ADDRESS
Sotheby's
34–35 New Bond Street
London W1S 2RT
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.
-
Extreme Cashmere reimagines retail with its new Amsterdam store: ‘You want to take your shoes off and stay’
Wallpaper* takes a tour of Extreme Cashmere’s new Amsterdam store, a space which reflects the label’s famed hospitality and unconventional approach to knitwear
By Jack Moss
-
Titanium watches are strong, light and enduring: here are some of the best
Brands including Bremont, Christopher Ward and Grand Seiko are exploring the possibilities of titanium watches
By Chris Hall
-
Warp Records announces its first event in over a decade at the Barbican
‘A Warp Happening,' landing 14 June, is guaranteed to be an epic day out
By Tianna Williams
-
A portrait of the artist: Sotheby’s puts Grayson Perry in the spotlight
For more than a decade, photographer Richard Ansett has made Grayson Perry his muse. Now Sotheby’s is staging a selling exhibition of their work
By Hannah Silver
-
‘Art speaks to the world around us’: Victoria Beckham’s 10 favourite artworks go on show ahead of Sotheby’s auction
Works by Victoria Beckham’s favourite artists go on show at her Dover Street, London store, before they are offered across Sotheby’s upcoming contemporary auctions in New York and London or sold privately
By Hannah Silver
-
Radical modernity: Kim Jones on curating Charleston for Sotheby's
As the newly appointed vice president of Charleston, Jones is curating a two-part selling and loan exhibition at Sotheby’s, ‘Radical Modernity: From Bloomsbury to Charleston’
By Hannah Silver
-
FKA Twigs at Sotheby’s: healing, rawness and Eusexua
FKA Twigs debuts durational artwork at Sotheby’s, London, to coincide with new album launch, Eusexua. Wallpaper’s Hannah Silver was there
By Hannah Silver
-
Secret 7” is back with limited-edition vinyl cover art to aid War Child
Secret 7” returns with it charity auction of seven new mystery tracks sealed behind 700 uniquely designed vinyl cover sleeves (and anyone can bid)
By Tianna Williams
-
Lana Trzebinski’s ceramics for de Pury sale are mediations on healing
Lana Trzebinski on creating her ‘Fractal Series’ of ceramic art in her Nairobi studio, for a selling exhibition with de Pury
By Mazzi Odu
-
Hospital Rooms and Hauser & Wirth unite for a sensorial London exhibition and auction
Hospital Rooms and Hauser & Wirth are working together to raise money for arts and mental health charities
By Hannah Silver
-
Pharrell Williams’ third Joopiter auction is an eclectic and cultural mish-mash
Pharrell Williams’ ‘Just Phriends’ Joopiter auction is curated by Sarah Andelman; bidding opens 19 June 2023
By Hannah Silver