Auction alert: 20th Century Design sale

Burstow & Hewett – who are located in Battle, East Sussex – are holding their 20th Century Design sale on the 22^nd September 2022 from 10am.

We featured Burstow & Hewett earlier this year and here they are once again. They really do sell the best quality mid century modern furniture, homewares and accessories.

There’s a buyer’s premium and internet surcharge of 24% inc. VAT on top of the winning bid amount. Online bidding is also available via the EasyLiveAuction and The Saleroom websites. Check their websites for additional charges.

Lot 1502: HANS BATTRUD, a set of 6 Scandia bent wood dining chairs, height 93cm
Pitting to leg frames, some wear to rubber feet consistent with age and use, no labels.
Estimate: £500 – £800

Lot 1504: An ALESSI electric kettle for Philips, type HD2001/A, in original box
Unused condition, in original box with wrapping and papers.
Estimate: £60 – £100

Lot 1506: A mid-century Digitor alarm clock, width 10cm
Some paint chips to face, working order.
Estimate: £30 – £50

Lot 1515: VICKE LINDSTRAND for Kosta, a rare large size ruby red Zebra vase
Circa 1955, numbered LH1114, height 21cm. Good condition, no chips, cracks or restoration. Originally sold by the Swedish design store Wettergens.
Estimate: £600 – £800

Lot 1522: TONY CRAGG, a designer trowel for Homebase in 2000
In partnership with Tate Gallery “At Home with Art”, in original box. Good condition, box has tears to lid.
Estimate: £30 – £50

Lot 1523: JULIETTE BELARTI, a tile topped coffee table
On brushed steel frame, signed tile, H 38 x 109 x 66cm. Good condition, no chips or cracks to tiles.
Estimate: £150 – £250

Lot 1535: A mid-century design bolt of cotton fabric, with cactus and watermelon design
Together with another panel (88x 235cm). Good condition.
Estimate: £60 – £100

Lot 1544: A mid-century teak and cork table lamp
With new hesian (sic) shade, overall height 75cm. Good overall condition, untested.
Estimate: £60 – £80

Lot 1595: A Staples Ladderax mid-century shelving unit
With single door wardrobe and 4 shelves, W124cm, H201cm, overall depth 42cm. Supports have been overpainted, chips and marks to shelving and wardrobe sections more evident on underside of shelving.
Estimate: £150 – £250

Lot 1619: Peill and Putzler, Germany, a 1970s glass table lamp
With makers label, H 27cm x dia 35cm. Very good condition
Estimate: £150 – £250

Lot 1597: CHARLOTTE PERRIAND, France, a mid-century Les Arcs leather and chrome chair
Height 81cm. Good original condition, pitting to frame and marking to leather.
Estimate: £250 – £350

Lot 1616: GIO PONTI for Uffici Montecatini by Parma Antonio and Figli, Italy, a pair of tubular steel side chairs
Circa 1936, height 82cm.

Lot 1627: ROBERT WELCH, a rare original 1960s lustre enamelled cast iron Sun dish or charger
Diameter 30cm. Good original condition, some surface marking.
Estimate: £100 – £150

Lot 1658: LOUIS POULSON (sic) for Poul Henningsen aluminium pendant lamp
Shade diameter 50cm. Good condition, recently rewired and tested.
Estimate: £200 – £300

Bookmarks: Miller’s Mid-Century Modern

In today’s Bookmarks post, we’re taking a peek at Miller’s Mid-Century Modern – living with mid-century modern design by Judith Miller.

Well, a bit more of a peek, really, as we linger over some of the wonderful pieces on display!

Mid-century modern is one of our favourite eras for interior design, illustration, textiles and product design…

…so as the pages turned, there was a soundtrack of many oohs and ahhs!

Judith Miller is most famous for her all-encompassing antiques & collectables guides which are published annually.

In recent years, they’ve included an ever-increasing number of 20th century pieces in response to interest & demand.

This book concentrates solely on mid-century modern – 1950s to the 1970s being the period generally accepted.

A wonderful introductory chapter covers its evolution and influential designers.

The movement perfectly encapsulated a new mood of optimism after the war years with revolutionary designs, materials & techniques.

The fresh ideas, and indeed disposable income, of a whole new generation began to soar.

There are examples of houses & interiors that encapsulate the era – less cluttered and designed for modern living.

A broad array of objects is included, with chapters given over to furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, metalware & textiles.

In addition, an extensive section covers the people responsible for these wonderful & iconic designs.

There are about 200 familiar & not so familiar names who are given a short, individual write up.

We’ll just scratch the surface by mentioning Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Eero Saarinen, Alvar Aalto, Robert Welch, Stig Lindberg, Lucienne Day, Per Lutken, Charles & Ray Eames.

The book is packed with quality, full colour photographic references throughout…

…and as with all Miller’s guides – estimated values to accompany each item image.

There’s also a useful directory included of international dealers and their contact details – broken down into categories such as ceramics, glass, furniture, lighting etc.

As well as auctions & fairs and museums if you fancy going to see or sometimes handle wares in the flesh.

The book is well researched and accessible – a perfect coffee table browser or excellent source book for your library.

Mid-Century Modern – living with mid-century modern design is available from the publishers Octopus, Amazon and AbeBooks.

[Many thanks to Octopus for the review copy]

Forthcoming Attractions: Mid September 2011

Here are some forthcoming attractions for mid September… photos taken on a rare, sunny afternoon by recent standards.

We start with a trio of coffee pots. At the back is a tall coffee pot produced by Briglin Pottery in the 1960s – in our favourite wax resist sunflower design. To the foreground are two enamel pots – the orange one (dating from the 1960s/70s) has no maker’s marks, but is a fabulous colour & shape. The green & white pot is by Cathrineholm of Norway – from the much in demand ‘Lotus’ range designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen in the 1950s.

Moving onto some Mid Century Modern stainless steel. First we have the little mustard pot still with its original spoon. This was designed by Robert Welch for Old Hall. The set of tea/dessert spoons was produced by Wostenholm of Sheffield – we love their big moon shaped bowls.

Bedroom items next – some unused 1970s patterned pillowcases in shades of orange and two green vintage enamel candle holders.

This set of snack dishes was made by Chance Glass – pieces with this psychedelic swirl design are steadily getting more sought after.

We think these two lidded pots might just be our favourites in the whole collection. They’re Italian, hand painted and date from the 1950s. A pair of domestic goddesses!!

And last but not least, we have this rather nice desk thermometer produced by Smiths in the 1950s or 60s. We fear its needle is about to plummet!

H is for Home Harbinger

Tag: Robert Welch

Auction alert: 20th Century Design sale

Bookmarks: Miller’s Mid-Century Modern

Forthcoming Attractions: Mid September 2011