Specialist Spotlight: Roger Ward

Join us as we spotlight Roger Ward, Head of our Design Department. Learn about his journey in the world of design, notable achievements at Freeman’s | Hindman, personal collection favorites, and highlights of our upcoming Art + Design auction, to be held this August 19th. 

Freeman’s | Hindman: What originally attracted you to the world of design? Do you have an early memory tied to this form of artistry?

Roger Ward: A college friend who was studying architecture built a replica of Red and Blue Chair by Gerrit Rietveld that really blew my mind, and she also sent me a space-age clock from the famed Clignancourt flea market in Paris. She taught me that design permeates everything in our daily lives. Why not surround yourself with objects that inspire you?

FH: What is your favorite piece of design that you own?

RW: A brutalist ceramic table lamp by Marcello Fantoni that’s really a piece of functional sculpture. Some (okay... most) may describe it as ugly, as it looks a bit like a cross-section of a brain. But to me, it’s beautiful. I’ve owned it for 20 years and finally found a matching one at the Palm Springs Modernism show this spring. As the saying goes, two brains are better than one.

FH: What drew you to becoming a specialist and translating your passion into your career?

RW: I’ve always been a puzzle solver, so researching pieces to figure out the designer/history is somehow fun to me. I started as a picker with an antique mall space and eventually opened a vintage modern store in Brooklyn. So, I was an auction buyer for years prior to transitioning to working for an auction house.

FH: Tell us about some trends in the world of design that you are most excited about.

RW: Tastes have really changed over the past five years as the focus has moved from the 1950s/60s into the 1970s/80s. Postmodernism seems to be finally finding its footing in the market, although I find it’s the most mis-used design term on Instagram.

FH: Describe a typical workday for you at Freeman’s | Hindman.

RW: Coffee. Then addressing emails before I dive in to putting estimates together. More coffee. Because most of my time is interacting with consignors, I try to spend some time each day connecting with buyers, and also checking out what else is selling at auction. Looking through an auction catalog to me is like going to a museum. I am continually amazed that after 25 years in the antiques world I still see things I’ve never seen before.

FH: Can you describe a collection of design that you are proud to have brought to auction?

RW: A collection from Denver and Aspen that features a really eclectic but curated mix of design, art, jewelry and pottery. The consignor, who was an executive at an energy company, had clearly developed her eye over decades and it was obvious that her collecting brought her great satisfaction. We will be running several of her post-modern pieces in our November Design sale, as well as in the upcoming August Art and Design sale.

FH: Freeman’s | Hindman’s Art + Design sale will take place this August 19th in Philadelphia. Can you tell us about some of your favorite lots in this sale?

RW: The paintbrush chairs by David Krakov (lots 9-12) have that right mix of wit and whimsy. The Morigami Jin bamboo sculpture (lot 83) is a compelling example of an ancient craft with a modern twist. And the ceramic bowl by Otto and Getrud Natzler (lot 157) really showcases their exquisite craftsmanship, and the mottled glaze is simply mesmerizing.