Tag: Ronald Stennett-Wilson

Auction alert: 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors

Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair

East Bristol Auctions is holding their 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors auction – including street art on Friday 1st October 2021 from 9:55am.

Justin is the one who first pointed me in the direction of this 20th Century Design & Retro Interiors sale. He already knew of East Bristol Auctions and thought it was a good one to share on our Auction Alert series. I looked at the catalogue and could have picked about ¾ of the 690 lots to feature – there’s some great quality on offer. The sale estimates, in my opinion, are temptingly low; ‘come and buy me’, as they say in the trade.

The auction house uses Royal Mail and Parcelforce services to deliver small items internationally. They offer furniture delivery within a 30 mile radius of their auction house for a fee from £35.00 plus VAT. Delivery within England, Wales, Scotland & Ireland, excluding Highlands & Islands, costs from £40.00 plus VAT.

To bid at our auctions you will need to register directly with us (in person, over the phone, or via email) or sign up online via the-saleroom.com or eastbristol.co.uk. Our buying fees direct are 19% of the hammer price, plus VAT on the commission (22.8% in total). If you bid online additional fees will apply and these are namely 4.95%+VAT (the-saleroom.com) and 3&+VAT (bid.eastbristol.co.uk). In all instances, buyers are asked to check the specific fees before bidding as occasionally an auction may have different commission rates set.

Original 1960’s retro floor standing rocket lamp

Lot 2: Original 1960’s retro floor standing rocket lamp
Estimate: £100 – £150
Rocket Lamp – A retro vintage 1960’s Space Age teak wood and spun fibreglass floor standing lamp standard light comprising of a double bulb fitted centre, cylindrical fibreglass shade / diffuser and raised on shaped teak wood legs. Measures approx; 113cm tall.

Ronald Stennett Willson - Wedgwood - Sheringham candlesticks

Lot 13: Ronald Stennett Willson – Wedgwood – Sheringham candlesticks
Estimate: £40 – £60
Ronald Stennett Willson – Wedgwood / King’s Lynn – Sheringham – A graduating pair of retro 1960’s studio art glass candlesticks / tea light holders with one having 3 bladed rings and the other two. Each having a translucent peach glass colourway. Each measures approx; 16cm x 7cm diameter.

Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair

Lot 24: Franco Albini mid 20th century cane & bamboo satellite hoop chair
Estimate: £100 – £200
Attributed to Franco Albini – A retro mid 20th Century Italian wicker / cane and bamboo satellite lounge hoop chair. The circle tub shaped chair of round form raised on ebonised tubular legs with black atomic feet. Wear commensurate with age, overall a good example. Measures approx; 81cm x 80cm x 58cm.

Retro vintage 1970's Troika manner pottery lamp

Lot 92: Retro vintage 1970’s Troika manner pottery lamp
Estimate: £50 – £80
A large retro vintage 1970’s studio art pottery lamp in the manner of Troika. The light of brutalist form having three groups of circular panels raised on a tapered pedestal base. No visible makers marks. Measures approx; 78cm tall.

Shop display / butchers advertising display pig

Lot 236: Shop display / butchers advertising display pig
Estimate: £40 – £60
A contemporary shop display / butchers advertising point of sale display pig constructed from hard acrylic moulded in a standing position with painted facial features. The pig being black with a white strip. Measures approx; 30cm x 58cm x 21cm.

Vintage wooden articulated artist's mannequin

Lot 567: Vintage wooden articulated artist’s mannequin
Estimate: £40 – £60
A large retro vintage 20th Century wooden articulated artist’s mannequin table / desk top figurer supported by a single metal steam raised on a circular base. Measures approx; 55cm tall.

Retro vintage Italian mid 20th century bamboo crib

Lot 496: Retro vintage Italian mid 20th century bamboo crib
Estimate: £80 – £120
A retro vintage mid 20th Century Italian Boho bamboo & cane Childs crib / cot or bed having two curved ends with various woven cane patterns to the sides. Slatted base and all raised on wheel castors. Slight wear and would benefit from tightening. Measures approx; 90cm x 145cm x 66cm.

Retro 20th century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner

Lot 611: Retro 20th century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner
Estimate: £50 – £80
An original retro vintage mid 20th Century wool shag pile floor carpet rug / runner of rectangular form having a red ground finish with dark orange and black colours forming patterns throughout. Measures approx; 138cm x 70cm.

Bookmarks: Miller’s Mid-Century Modern

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'Mid-Century Modern' by Judith Miller surrounded by vintage Mid-century modern homewares including a West German fat lava vase, bright orange pedestal cigarette lighter, small Cathrineholm enamelware Lotus bowl and still life oil painting

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.

title page of "Mid-Century Modern" by Judith Miller with a small Cathrineholm enamelware Lotus bowl

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

interior view of the mid-century modern design Kauffman House sitting room

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

Arne Jacobsen "Ant" and "Swan" chairs

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

selection of vintage Mid-Century Modern glassware including a kingfisher blue "Drunken Bricklayer" vase designed for Whitefriars by Geoffrey Baxter

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

collection of colourful West German "Fat Lava" pottery pots and vases

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

collection of GPlan furniture including a nest of pebble tables and "Butterfly" chairs designed by Lucian Ercolani

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

collection of vintage mid-century modern glass vases

A wonderful introductory chapter covers its evolution and influential designers.

collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs including examples designed by Charles and Ray Eames and Carlo di Carli

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

collection of vintage mid-century modern pop art chairs including examples designed by Egon Eiermann and Günter Beltzig

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

vintage mid-century modern chair designed by Eero Saarinen and folding cube radio designed by Richard Sapper

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

vintage mid-century modern George Nelson "Spike" wall clock, Tommi Parzinger-designed sideboard and mahogany credenza and aluminium armchair designed by Harvey Probber

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

collection of vintage mid-century modern glass vases produced by Riihimaki of Finland

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

collection of vintage mid-century modern fabric

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

Mid-Century Modern text

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.

view of a sitting room with black Barcelona chairs and sofas

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

vintage "Valentine" typewriter designed by Ettore Sottsass, Peter and Alison Smithson chair and Ronald Stennett-Wilson green glass candlestick

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

vintage mid-century modern Marcel Breuer reclining chair and Holmegaard "Gulvase" designed by Otto Brauer

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.

collection of American-designed vintage mid-century modern furniture

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

vintage mid-century modern posters by Saul Bass and Herbert Bayer

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

collection of vintage Scandinavian mid-century modern ceramic pots, vases and plaques

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

collection of vintage Scandinavian mid-century modern ceramics designed by Stig Lindberg

[Many thanks to Octopus for the review copy]