Freeman’s Design Sale More Than Doubles Pre-Sale Estimate, Achieves $1.7 Million
Lot 210 | George Nakashima, Triple Sliding Door Cabinet | Sold for $96,000
Freeman’s Modern and Early 20th Century Design sale on May 21 in Chicago realized an outstanding $1,699,648, more than doubling its pre-sale low estimate. Reflecting strong demand across a broad range of periods, makers, and collecting categories, the auction achieved a 170% sell-through rate by value, with 94% of lots sold and 26% of buyers new to the firm.
Studio makers were a particular highlight, with works by George Nakashima, Paul Evans, Samuel Yellin, and Albert Paley drawing strong interest throughout the auction. Leading the sale was George Nakashima’s Triple Sliding Door Cabinet (Lot 210), which realized $96,000—more than double its pre-sale low estimate. Equally notable was Samuel Yellin’s 1930 fire screen for the Abraham T. Malmed Residence, Philadelphia(Lot 31), which sparked spirited bidding and ultimately realized $70,400, more than quadrupling its $15,000–25,000 estimate.
Lot 31 | Samuel Yellin, Fire Screen, 1930 for the Abraham T. Malmed Residence, Philadelphia | Sold for $70,400
The sale also featured several standout collections of work by Clarice Cliff, Toshiko Takaezu, and Phillip Moulthrop, all of which were 100% sold. In particular, Cliff’s vibrant ceramics proved especially popular with bidders, as all 33 lots found buyers. Highlights included a Collection of 57 Conical Sugar Shakers and Custom Case (Lot 120), which realized $25,600—more than double its pre-sale high estimate. Collectively, these successes helped propel the sale, with 51% of lots achieving prices above their high estimates.
Roger Ward, VP, Head of Department, Design, stated: “We were thrilled with the breadth and depth of the bidding, reflecting impressive results from some of our historically strong performers such as George Nakashima and Samuel Yellin, as well as competitive bidding for the various collections offered and for artists and designers we don't represent as often.”
LEFT TO RIGHT
Lot 205 | George Nakashima Pair of Conoid Chairs | Sold for $60,800
Lot 30 | Robert Winthrop Chanler, Screen depicting 'Porcupines' and 'Squirrels', 1922-23 | Sold for $44,800
Additional Auction Highlights
• Lot 205 | George Nakashima, Pair of Conoid Chairs | Sold for $60,800
• Lot 206 | George Nakashima, Conoid Dining Chairs, set of eight, 1969-71 | Sold for $51,200
• Lot 211 | George Nakashima, Frenchman's Cove II Dining Table, 1969 | Sold for $48,000
• Lot 30 | Robert Winthrop Chanler, Screen depicting 'Porcupines' and 'Squirrels', 1922-23 | Sold for $44,800
• Lot 15 | Poul Henningsen, Piano Lamp, with type 2/2 Shades tubular copper, copper, patinated brass, yellow painted glass, Bakelite. | Sold for $28,800
• Lot 29 | Jean Pascaud, Art Deco Meuble D'Appui, c. 1930, Pascaud, France | Sold for $28,800
• Lot 146 | Lino Tagliapietra, Bilbao, 2005 | Sold for $21,760
• Lot 47 | Walter Lamb, Dining Set, Table and Six Chairs | Sold for $20,480