Dame Barbara Hepworth RA (1903-1975), ‘Argos,’ 1969, lithograph printed in colors, on handmade Barcham green paper, signed and numbered 6/60 in pencil, printed and published by Curwen Studio, with their blindstamp, 81 x 59cm. Estimate: £800-£1,200. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image.
ESSEX COUNTY, UK – A brand of desk, designed in 1959 and which shot to fame when it appeared in two James Bond films, is being sold at the largest ever decorative art and design sale held by Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers on July 29-30. LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The rosewood and chrome desk, by Danish designer Bodil Kjaer, is one of the 20th century’s most desirable pieces of furniture. Widely promoted in the press when it was launched, the desk went on to feature in two Bond films, You Only Live Twice and From Russia With Love. Early editions of the piece are said to have been bought by the actor Michael Caine and the Duke of Edinburgh. The Model 901 desk is expected to make £6,000 to £8,000 ($10,263-$13,684).
The desk is one of a range of Scandinavian lots in the sale, which will be held on Tuesday, July 29, and Wednesday, July 30, at Sworders’ sale rooms in Stansted Mountfitchet.
“With a total of 1,000 lots, this is the largest decorative art and design sale we have ever held,” said Sworders Director John Black.
“It’s so exciting to be able to offer a real ‘lifestyle’ sale. Alongside some stunning modern pieces, there are more than 300 lots of Arts and Crafts and Art Deco furniture and furnishings. We’ve had huge interest from people looking for key pieces for their own homes – something with a contemporary feel but with a foot in the past. And with many lots in the £400 to £1,000 ($685-$1,710) price bracket it’s a chance to buy a unique piece that’s beautiful, useful and has real investment potential.”
The furniture collections also include a dining suite designed in 1975 by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Maxalto. The suite is in walnut and the table features the original cement ballast. The lot has a guide price of £3,000 to £5,000 ($5,131-$8,552).
Also featured in the auction is a bronze sculpture by John W. Mills, which is now available to view at Sworders.
The work, titled Embrace, is by the local sculptor who created the Women of World War II Memorial in Horse Guards Parade and the Blitz Firefighters memorial at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Embrace is based on a scene from Frederick Ashton’s choreography of the ballet Romeo and Juliet. It was cast at the Meridian Foundry in London in 1992. The foundry has now closed, but its previous works include the statue of Winston Churchill, which stands in Parliament Square.
Mills lives and works in Hinxworth, near Baldock in Hertfordshire. His other works include the design marking the 50th anniversary of D-Day and the VE Day commemorative coin.
Embrace is 153cm (61.2 inches) high, but stands on a reconstituted stone plinth and is, in total, 228 cm (91.2 inches) high.
“This is a stunning piece and it is now in pride of place in our main reception. John Mills is an exceptionally renowned sculptor and it’s a privilege to be selling one of his pieces which come up for sale very rarely,” said Black.
Its sale guide price is £20,000 to £30,000 ($34,210-$51,315).
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Dame Barbara Hepworth RA (1903-1975), ‘Argos,’ 1969, lithograph printed in colors, on handmade Barcham green paper, signed and numbered 6/60 in pencil, printed and published by Curwen Studio, with their blindstamp, 81 x 59cm. Estimate: £800-£1,200. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image. William de Morgan luster twin-handle vase, early Fulham Period, decorated each side with a peacock among flowering foliage, impressed Sand’s End Pottery, crack filled, firing crack, 37cm high. Estimate: £7,000-£10,000. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image. Lalique ‘Bulbes No. 2’ assiette, molded with a blue opalescence, etched stencil mark ‘R. Lalique, France,’ 28cm diameter. Estimate: £400-£600. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image. Danish rosewood and chrome Model 901 desk, designed by Bodil Kjaer in 1959 for E. Pedersen & Son, 200cm wide x 100cm deep x 72cm high. Estimate: £6,000-£8,000. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image. Artona dining suite, designed in 1975 for Maxalto by Afra and Tobia Scarpa, in walnut with ebonised details, table labeled ‘Contrappeso Cemento Tavolo Tondo Noce, Liberty & Co., 145cm diameter x 70cm high, and a set of six ‘Africa’ chairs, with black leather seats. Estimate: £3,000-£5,000. Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers image.
