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Phillips’ Design Sale In New York Achieves $4 Million | Women Designers Shine

Published on
June 10, 2025
Phillips’ Design Sale In New York Achieves $4 Million | Women Designers Shine

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PRESS RELEASE PHILLIPS’ DESIGN SALE IN NEW YORK ACHIEVES $4 MILLION Women Designers Shine Among Sale’s Highest Achievers New Records for Judy Kensley Mc Kie, Michele Oka Doner, Pierre Yovanovitch, and Bae Se Hwa New York, 10 June 2025 Sale Total: $4,000,246 / £2,963,853 / €3,501,275 Lots Sold: 77 | Lots Offered: 85 Sold by Lot: 91% | Sold by Value: 96% Judy Kensley Mc Kie “Fish” bench, 1999 Sold for $406,400 Claude Lalanne “Crococurule, ” 2009 Sold for $330,200 Benjamin Green, Associate Specialist and Head of Sale, Design, New York, said, “Today’s auction delivered exceptional results and reaffirmed the strength of the design market.

We began with great energy as a T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings console table achieved $40,640 — nearly seven times its low estimate — setting the pace for a day marked by strong bidding and standout performances. Notably, works by celebrated women designers made a powerful impact, with Judy Kensley Mc Kie’s ‘ Fish’ bench leading the sale, selling for $406,400 and breaking the world auction record for the artist.

Works by Line Vautrin and Claude Lalanne are also among the top four lots of the sale. Lalanne’s ‘ Crococurule’ commanded $330,200 against a low estimate of $100,000, while Michele Oka Doner’s ‘ Burning Bush’ candelabrum with snuffer also achieved impressive results, selling for $58,420 – nearly ten times the low estimate. Italian lighting design quickly followed with impressive momentum, with all three Tomaso Buzzi lots selling for more than double their estimates, highlighting the continued enthusiasm for mid-century Italian craftsmanship.

A 100%-sold selection of lighting designs by Tiffany Studios was another standout, led by a rare turtle-back tile ceiling light from circa 1905, which sold for $279,400, and an ‘ American Indian’ desk lamp from circa 1910, which achieved $139,700. Additional highlights included Pierre Chareau chairs, which sold for more than twice their low estimate, and a Serge Roche table lamp that quadrupled its estimate, reaching $27,940.

Collectors also responded enthusiastically to furnishings by George Nakashima, as well as works by Paul Dupré-Lafon, Jean Prouvé, and Pierre Yovanovitch, whose ‘ Candy Pebble’ side table sold for more than ten times its high estimate. This sale was a powerful testament to the enduring appeal, diversity, and innovation of 20th-century and contemporary design. We’re grateful for the passionate engagement of our global community of collectors and look forward to building on this momentum in future sales.” Top Ten Lots Lot Description Estimate Price Achieved 31 Judy Kensley Mc Kie, "Fish" bench, 1999 $150,000 - 250,000 $406,400 16 Claude Lalanne, "Crococurule", 2009 $100,000 - 150,000 $330,200 25 Tiffany Studios, Rare turtle-back tile ceiling light, circa 1905 $150,000 - 200,000 $279,400 2 Line Vautrin, "Folie" or "Le Soleil à Rendez-vous avec la Lune" mirror, circa 1956 $180,000 - 240,000 $241,300 34 Gio Ponti and Pietro Chiesa, Large Ceiling Light , circa 1930 $25,000 - 35,000 $228,600 29 George Nakashima, Three-door room divider, 1987 $60,000 - 80,000 $209,550 56 Diego Giacometti, "Berceau" low table, second version, circa 1970 $200,000 - 300,000 $203,200 30 Tiffany Studios, Rare "American Indian" desk lamp, circa 1910 $80,000 - 120,000 $139,700 12 Pierre Chareau, Pair of chairs, variant of model no.

MC 767 , circa 1927 $20,000 - 30,000 $76,200 67 Hans Coper, "Cycladic" pot with spherical volume and oval lip , circa 1972 $40,000 - 60,000 $76,200 New Auction Records Lot Description Estimate Price Achieved 31 Judy Kensley Mc Kie, "Fish" bench , 1999 WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST $150,000 - 250,000 $406,400 *previous record price: $ 387,500 set in 2022 48 Michele Oka Doner, Unique "Burning Bush" candelabrum with snuffer, circa 1995 WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST $6,000 - 8,000 $58,420 *previous record price: $38,296 set in 2018 49 Pierre Yovanovitch, "Candy Pebble" side table, 2021 WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST $4,000 - 6,000 $60,960 *previous record price: $26,501 set in 2019 40 Bae Se Hwa, "Steam 12" bench , 2010 WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR THE ARTIST $25,000 - 35,000 $63,500 *previous record price: $37,500 set in 2017 *Lot 75 was sold after the lot closed, whilst the sale was ongoing, and is therefore included in the total sale result.

Exchange Rate on 10 JUNE 2025: US$1 = £0.7406, €.8750, HK$7.848 ABOUT PHILLIPS Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia.

Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning. Visit phillips.com for further information. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.

PRESS CONTACTS: NEW YORK – Jaime Israni, Head of PR and Corporate Communications , Americas jisrani@phillips.com Katie Zoni, PR Manager kzoni@phillips.com PHILLIPS NEW YORK – 432 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022 PHILLIPS LONDON – 30 Berkeley Square, London, W1J 6EX PHILLIPS HONG KONG – G/F, WKCDA Tower, West Kowloon Cultural District, No. 8 Austin Road, West Kowloon FOLLOW US ON : We Chat

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