Top Lots: Art and Design

On September 27th Capsule presents Art and Design featuring a selection of paintings, prints, sculpture, design objects by well known designers Herve van der Straeten, Massimo Micheluzzi, and Tiffany Studios, and furniture by Herman Miller, Warren Platner, Milo Baughman, more. From functional design to the exquisite ornate, this sale offers a diverse range of items that cater to a wide array of design sensibilities and aesthetics of the twentieth and twenty-first century design movements. Capsule continues to offer property from prominent New York and New England estates, including the GE Corporate Collection.

A most exciting offering in Art and Design is Viasge et Hibou (A.R. 407) by Pablo Picasso. Picasso's ceramic work represents a fascinating and lesser-known aspect of the artist's prolific career. While he is most renowned for his contributions to painting and sculpture, his exploration of ceramics added a new dimension to his creative repertoire. Picasso’s ability to seamlessly translate his distinctive artistic style into three-dimensional forms is what sets his work apart. His ceramics showcase the same innovative spirit, wit, and creativity that characterize his paintings and sculptures. He explored an array of subjects and themes, including playful animal shapes, mythological figures, and abstract forms infusing them with his unique visual language. A recurring animal in his ceramic work was the owl, featured in the vase offered in this sale. Picasso created a whole series of whimsical owl-shaped vessels, adorned with bold and expressive brushwork and likely inspired by an injured owl the artist took in 1946. 

Viasge et Hibou in Art and Design features a portrait of an owl on one side and a portrait of a human on the other, their striking yet simple features mirror each other and provide an interesting and captivating parallel. 

Also featured in the sale are two works by Hervé van der Straeten, a prominent French designer and artist known for his exceptional work in the fields of furniture design, lighting, and decorative arts. With a career spanning several decades, he has established himself as a creative force in the world of contemporary design. One of the distinguishing features of Hervé van der Straeten's work is his ability to seamlessly blend traditional craftsmanship with a modern aesthetic. His designs, like the mirror featured in this sale, often reflect a keen appreciation for geometry, balance, and proportion, resulting in pieces that are not only functional but also striking works of art. Others give nods to further sources of inspiration like the coral or root-like legs on the Boule Planter being offered. 

Other exciting design offerings include this Tiffany Studios Ten-Light "Lily" Table Lamp. Lily lamps like this one are among the most iconic and cherished creations of Tiffany Studios, and are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship, intricate stained glass shades, and botanical-inspired designs.

A symbol of both comfort and style, Eames Lounge chair has left an indelible mark on the world of furniture design. Its clean lines, elegant curves, and blend of natural materials make it a versatile piece that can complement a wide range of interior design styles, from mid-century modern to contemporary and minimalist.

Milo Baughman's Barrel Back lounge chairs are a testament to his design ingenuity and commitment to creating seating that is not only visually striking but also exceptionally comfortable. Their timeless appeal and adaptability continue to make them highly sought-after pieces.

This beautiful Murano Vase by Massimo Micheluzzi lights up as the sun shines through it, adding an extra dimension of luminosity to an already beautiful piece. Massimo Micheluzzi is an esteemed Italian glass artist known for his exceptional mastery of the art of glassblowing and his innovative approach to creating contemporary glass sculptures and vessels.

A remarkable American folk artist, Clementine Reuben Hunter was known for her vibrant and evocative paintings that captured the daily life and culture of rural Louisiana. This painting depicting couples dancing captures Hunter's simplicity and authenticity. She depicted the world around her with a unique perspective, offering an intimate and personal glimpse into the rural Creole community of Louisiana. 

A notable highlight from the GE collection is Red/Green Painting by Jane Couch. This large scale colorful oil painting is split into three panels. Couch’s paintings are revered for their mesmerizing color, texture, and patterns and have been exhibited widely and with success including at the Museum of Modern Art and the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art.

Art and Design also offers a variety of colorful rugs from the Collection of Seymour Stein. This Svarta Fällen Rug is by Märta Måås-Fjetterström who was a leading Swedish textile artist in the early 20th-century. Her dedication to preserving traditional weaving techniques while infusing them with modern design sensibilities has solidified her place as a pioneering figure in Swedish textile art. Her contributions to the world of textile art and design have left an enduring legacy in Sweden and around the world.

Also featured is a rug by Ivan da Silva Bruhns. Born in Paris to two Brazilian parents in 1880, Bruhns cultivated a reputation as a visionary rug designer who seamlessly blends traditional craftsmanship with modern elegance. He often drew inspiration from diverse sources, including nature, architecture, and art, and skillfully translated these inspirations into rugs that are not only functional but also works of art in their own right. While large overlapping geometric patterns and bold lines were characteristics of his earlier rugs, the design featured in our rug reflects his later style consisting of large fields of neutral color with minimalist abstract patterns. 

Exhibition Hours: 

Monday September 25th, 11-3PM

Tuesday September 26th, 11-3PM

and by appointment 

Pre-bidding for Art and Design is available now. Live bidding begins September 27th at 11:00 AM EST.