A Sotheby’s Paris auction this close to the holiday season is sure to grab eyeballs. All the more, when the pieces up for auction are among the finest examples of art deco work from the twentieth century. The price points are expectedly high, especially when you consider that one of the star attractions is a bar unit designed for an Indian maharajah.
In The Spotlight
The two main attractions at the Sotheby’s auction to be held in late November are a pair of masterpieces by artist Eileen Gray. The first of these, as I already mentioned, is a curved bar unit that Gray designed for the Maharajah of Indore’s palace. This art deco masterpiece is a stunning work of art. It is unlike any other bar unit you may have seen. Made of wood and alpaca, this black unit with metallic details comes with two stools. The lot dates back to the 1930s. Pre-auction estimates suggest that it could fetch anywhere between €400,000 ($551,145) and €600,000 ($826,715).
The other prize lot, also by Gray, is a Transat armchair. This one too is from the palace of the Maharajah of Indore. This 1927 piece is expected to sell for between €800,000 and €1 million at the November auction.
Other Attractions
Auction lovers will adore the five other pieces that date back to the 1920s and 1930s. On offer is a metal table that Gray designed for her own home in the south of France. A pair of mirrored doors by Rene Lalique, a large panel work by Jean Dunand and a table by Eugene Printz are also lined up for this auction at Sotheby’s Paris.
When: 22 November 2011
(Viewings from 17 to 20 November 2011)
