PARIS — A highly sought-after Borghesani Robot Bar is the star lot at Piasa‘s Art + Design – An Eclectic Collection sale on Thursday, April 25. The 176-lot catalog is now open for review and bidding at LiveAuctioneers.

Little is known today about Borghesani, despite the marketplace popularity of its apparently sole product. Believed to have been released in 1969 around the time of the Apollo 11 moon-landing mission, many collectors attribute its inspiration to that historic event. However, its design is far more evocative of postwar mechanical and battery-operated robots made by countless Japanese manufacturers.

Made of walnut with brass trim elements, the bar stands an impressive 6ft in height, has a width of 25in, and is 16in deep — more than enough interior space for a respectable selection of fine spirits. Piasa has this example estimated at an impressive €15,000-€20,000 ($16,000-$21,000).

Topping the sale is a Harry Bertoia (1915-1978) Willow metal sculpture dating to 1968. It was a special order to the artist by the First National Bank of Seattle and comes with a certificate of authenticity dated March 15, 2022 from the Bertoia Foundation. It is estimated at €40,000-€60,000 ($42,000-$64,000).

The sale also includes six pieces of furniture by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Leading the group is this mahogany, aluminum and copper coffee table dating to 1956, just a handful of years before Wright’s passing. With provenance to Price Tower in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, the table is estimated at €25,000-€35,000 ($26,000-$37,000).

Also highly anticipated is this George Nakashima (1905-1990) Trestle table. Made of walnut, the table includes an ink inscription reading KANE beneath the tabletop and on each crosspiece. Created in 1965, it is accompanied by a copy of the original order slip indicating the special order by Mr. and Mrs. Evan O. Kane of New York. It is estimated at €30,000-€40,000 ($32,000-$42,000).