The Modern Design auction at Auctionata offers a diverse selection of design objects from 1920 to this day. Consisting of lamps, cabinets, chairs and so on that are the product of the design genius of the 20th century, this collection goes on sale on May 24, 2016 at 18:00. Find the objects and bid live here.

From the Art Deco period, a bookcase by Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann shines as the highlight.

Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Book Case, France, c. 1930. Wood, verneered, brass, glass. 155.5 x 70 x 46 cm Price est.: € 36,000 Auctionata
Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann, Book Case, France, c. 1930. Wood, verneered, brass, glass. 155.5 x 70 x 46 cm Price est.: € 36,000 Auctionata

The cabinet is designed by the interior architect and designer Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann (1979-1933) who was born in Paris and began with the design of furniture in 1907. He received prestigious commissions, such as the decoration of the Elysee Palace. Moreover, he designed the writing/office furniture for the Manik Bagh Palace of the Indian Maharaja of Indore. 

In the Modern Design sale, the Mid Century is represented with a characteristic multifunction sideboard by the designer duo Charles and Ray Eames.

Charles & Ray Eames, ESU 200-C, USA, c. 1950. Plywood and metal, partially painted polychrome, Masonite, laminate. 82 x 119.5 x 42.5 cm. Price est.: € 8,000 Auctionata
Charles & Ray Eames, ESU 200-C, USA, c. 1950. Plywood and metal, partially painted polychrome, Masonite, laminate. 82 x 119.5 x 42.5 cm. Price est.: € 8,000 Auctionata

This elongated-rectangular sideboard has sliding doors on its lower part and 3 drawers and an open compartment on its upper part. It was designed by American designer couple Charles(1907-1978) and Ray Eames (1912-1988). Charles and his wife Ray became one of he most known and popular design couples of the 20th century. Their designs for Hermann Miller, for whom they designed complete product lines, were new, unusual and most of them are design milestones.

The side table was probably executed by US-American manufacturer for furniture Heman Miller, established in 1905.

Highlights from the postwar period are an reclining chair by Joe Colombo from 1969 and a monumental palm tree lamp by Maison Jansen from 1970s.

Joe Colombo, ‘Tube Chair’ in White, Flexform, Italy, 1969. PVC, steel, rubber, synthetic upholstery. c. 94 x 119 x 62 cm. Price est.: € 3,600 Auctionata
Joe Colombo, ‘Tube Chair’ in White, Flexform, Italy, 1969. PVC, steel, rubber, synthetic upholstery. c. 94 x 119 x 62 cm. Price est.: € 3,600 Auctionata

This work is one of the first ‘flexible’ pieces of furniture and one of the most important industrial designer pieces of the 1960s and the Italian design. ‘Tube Chairs’ are on display in important museum collections, including the MoMA and the Metropolitan Museum in New York. It is designed by Italian architect and designer Joe Colombo (1930-1971). The individual elements of the ‘Tube Chair’ can be combined in different manners, so than one or more persons can take a seat on it. The pieces can be plugged into each other as well. The chair is made entirely of synthetics and reflects the period’s interest in using manually produced materials for domestic purposes.

Maison Jansen, Monumental Palm Tree Lamp, France, 1970s. Brass, steel, gold-plated; resin stones. 250 cm; diameter: c. 220 cm. Price est.: € 16,000. Auctionata
Maison Jansen, Monumental Palm Tree Lamp, France, 1970s. Brass, steel, gold-plated; resin stones. 250 cm; diameter: c. 220 cm. Price est.: € 16,000. Auctionata

From the very beginning, the French interior designer Maison Jansen had a special feel for the tastes of his customers. With exclusive and distinctive, often dramatic interior designs, he gained customers around the world. In the 1970s, opulent plant-shaped lamps met the period’s taste, symbolizing a sophisticated Hollywood chic. This extraordinary piece features state-of-art details.

Detail from Maison Jansen, Monumental Palm Tree Lamp
Detail from Maison Jansen, Monumental Palm Tree Lamp

Photos courtesy of Auctionata website.