On 29 April, Lyon & Turnbull is hosting their Modern Made: Modern & Post-war Art, Design and Studio Ceramics sale. Contemporary art, collectable jewellery and ceramics by notable artists such as Lucie Rie will make an appearance, but the heart of the sale centres around a private collection of Danish designs. ‘Denmark: Design’ was an exhibition celebrating 150 years of official relations between Denmark and Japan that travelled to 12 locations between 2016 and 2021. These examples of the golden age of Danish designs are now available to buyers, an exciting opportunity for collectors or anyone interested in Scandi interiors.
Hans Wegner is widely considered one of the most innovative Danish furniture designers, and he created over 500 distinct chair designs over his life. The Peacock chair that appears during the sale is typical of his spare and functional style that lets the natural wood shine. It has a wide, curved back with spindles that are flattened in the centre and resemble the feathers of a peacock’s tail, and a simple seat of woven paper cord.
Mid-century Danish designs are marked by their high quality and simplicity, underscored by the technical mastery needed to produce each work. This skill is apparent in Finn Juhl’s armchair, made from teak and upholstered in a grey cloth. The curved frame is sleek and balanced, and it’s expertly fitted together with few obvious joins in the wood.
Although Scandinavian pieces are typically understated, there are also many colourful and whimsical designs, like the Heart Cone chair by Vernet Paton. Paton’s designs were futuristic and innovative, and he frequently used materials like plastic and steel instead of wood. A contemporary spin on the classic wingback, this chair has a neat conical base that unfolds to form the iconic heart-shaped back.
Along with furniture, there is a variety of Danish décor in the catalogue as well. Poul Henningsen’s revolutionary PH Artichoke pendant lamp has remained a classic since it debuted at Copenhagen’s Langelinie Pavilion in 1958, and it still looks exceptionally modern. The 72 copper ‘leaves’ completely conceal the lightbulb, creating a warm, diffuse light wherever the lamp is hung.
The Modern Made sale showcases the best modern and contemporary design across disciplines, and several notable British artists are represented in the catalogue. Lynn Chadwick has two sculptures in the sale, including this female figure from Maquette VI. Her body is textured and only slightly abstracted, but she has the geometric head that’s typical of Chadwick’s work.
Lucie Rie remains one of the most beloved British studio potters, and her hand-thrown pieces are timeless and captivating. Three of her ceramics appear in the sale, including this footed bowl from 1980. The body is glazed in soft pink, with turquoise bands and a bronzed rim and inner well. It’s also lightly decorated with sgraffito scratches, which reveals vertical stripes of the darker underglaze and adds visual interest to the charming bowl.
Modern Made: Modern & Post-war Art, Design and Studio Ceramics will take place on 29 April as a live online auction. All lots can be seen in the e-catalogue, and in-person viewing is available at Lyon & Turnbull from 26-29 April.