Press Release

February 22, 2014

Kamelot Auction House will host their annual mid-century furniture and design sale on Saturday February 22nd in their Philadelphia showroom. This focused sale has become a favorite among design industry professionals, furniture collectors, and craftsman as a source for stylish and trendy pieces suited to a variety of aesthetics.

The sale features a breadth of twentieth century design including mid-century modern furniture in addition to Art Deco, Jansen, French, Italian, and English designs. Prominent artisans are handsomely represented with pieces seen from masters such as Paul McCobb, Sergio Bustamante, James Mont, Karl Springer, Erik Höglund Boda, and Milo Baughman among others. A very good Italian Gio Ponti style curved front bar and matching back bar circa 1960 (Lot 352) is predicted to sell for $4,000- $6,000, while a rare and unusual mid Century modern Italian mahogany ''L'' form sideboard circa 1960 is thought to fetch $3,000-$5,000 (Lot 323). A large collection of Lucite furniture items is thought to earn significant interest with the most notable piece being a rare king size Lucite poster bed in (Lot 258). Yet another great mid-century modern find is Lot 1, a James Mont style three panel painted screen having distressed mirrored back panels circa 1940 ( 300-$600).  

More than seventy lots comprised of chandeliers, sconces, lamps, and other lighting fixtures will indeed bring further enthusiasm to the sale .Among the mid-century modern offerings is an Erik Höglund Boda wrought iron and glass hanging light fixture presented with an estimate of $2,000-$3,000 (Lot 439). Expected to spur sizable competition amongst bidders is a rare collection of twenty matching Murano glass shell form sconces having gold fleck scroll decoration circa 1970 (Lots 402, 403, 404, 405). Complementary pieces featured in that sale include a Murano chandelier (Lot 279) and a pair of twentieth century Murano table lamps (Lot 459). A small but select group of mirrors also make an appearance in the auction, choice highlights include a French brass clad bistro mirror circa 1900 (Lot 15, $800-$1,200), and an antique Venetian mirror having ornate etched and applied multicolored glass decorations circa 1910 (Lot 3, $600-$900). Lot 22, a gilt wood circular form sunburst mirror with stylized flowers circa 1950 holds a presale estimate of 600-800 and is one of several decorative sunburst mirrors on offer in this auction.

Antique and twentieth century French, Italian and English furniture in a variety of styles will be available, as well. Everything from a handsome ebonized Directoire style library desk (Lot 168, $3,000-$5,000) to a beautiful Venetian mirrored server (Lot 48) are in the mix. Lot 422 is a very good labeled 'Maison Hurel, Paris' bentwood table having inset leather top and single drop side circa 1910 tthought to pique strong interest ( 2,000-$3,000). Similarly is an interesting French burled walnut Rhulmann inspired cabinet having shaped marble top over four central drawers flanked by two doors circa 1930 ($800- $1,200, Lot 6).

Jansen collectors and enthusiasts will certainly be pleased with the selection featured in this sale. Highlights among these are Lot 162 is a Jansen chinoiserie decorated marble top and bronze mounted commode in the Louis XVI style circa 1950 ($2,000-$4,000) and a good Jansen Regency style ebonized bookcase and desk circa 1940 (Lot 196, $1,000-$1,800). Art Deco, a staple at Kamelot, is in no short supply either, with many fine pieces on offer. Lot 201, estimated at $800-$1,200 is a pair of oversized Art Deco club chairs with macassar veneer circa 1930 and one of several Deco club chairs featured in the sell. Another exemplary Deco choice is Lot 207, a pair of ebonized Art Deco style console tables with mirrored tops is thought to fetch between $2,000-$3,000.

Toward the end of the sale are a few Lots of the more eccentric sort and will certainly garner attention from bidders; Lot 443 is very interesting life sized welded metal found object sculpture of a standing horse, purportedly created for an Hermes advertising campaign, estimated at $2,000-$3,000. Just as unique is a very good taxidermy zebra shoulder mount with unusual cut shoulder design ($500-$1,000, Lot 398) and a whimisical signed 'Sergio Bustamante' papier mache owl sculpture having two birds perching, all raised on plinth base circa 1970 (Lot 424, $700/$ 1,000). The auction will begin at 10AM on Saturday February 22 and doors will open at 8AM.

The auction house will be open to the public for preview February 19-21, from 10AM until 5PM each day. To view the complete catalogue on line, or for more information visit www.kamelotauctions.com or call 215-438-6990.