New York, 12 June 2026 - Phillips' Design sale in New York realized $2,925,333 (£2,182,516 / €2,528,777), a result built on broad collector participation across the 20th and 21st centuries. Of the 76 lots offered, 68 found buyers, for a sell-through rate of 91 percent by lot and 92 percent by value. Harry Bertoia led the sale, while works by Georges Jouve, Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, and Jean Prouvé far surpassed their estimates.
Reflecting on the result, Cecilia Moure, Associate Specialist, Head of Sale, Design, said the day's totals reflected "an enduring appetite for exceptional design." She noted that the auction "opened with a selection of sculptural ceramics by Georges Jouve, all of which exceeded expectations, and led by a large mirror which sold for $245,000, more than quadrupling the low estimate," and that "the momentum continued as Jean Prouvé's \"Flavigny\" table followed, selling for $193,500 against an estimate of $80,000." Throughout the sale, she added, "collectors' enthusiasm extended across the breadth of the 20th and 21st centuries."
The leading lots
Harry Bertoia's Untitled (Sonambient) (circa 1975) anchored the sale, selling for $251,550 against an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. Georges Jouve's Large mirror (circa 1946) followed at $245,100, more than quadrupling its low estimate of $50,000, and Jean Prouvé's "Flavigny" table (circa 1945) realized $193,500 over an estimate of $80,000 to $120,000. George Nakashima's rare and early "Conoid" bench with single free-form arm (1961) brought $180,600, while William Morris's "Canopic Jar: Sable Antelope" (1996) sold for $154,800.
Demand extended well beyond the headline names. The work of Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti performed exceedingly well amid strong market demand, led by the "Rodéo" desk and armchair (1990), which sold for $167,700 to achieve nearly six times its estimate of $30,000, followed by a pair of "Library" lamps at $30,960 against an estimate of only $4,000. Michele Oka Doner's unique "Burning Bush" candelabrum with tray more than tripled its estimate to achieve $28,000, and Paavo Tynell's rare floor lamp, model no. 9620 (circa 1951), soared to $103,200, nearly seven times its estimate. British studio ceramics also stood out, led by Lucie Rie's footed bowl, which sold for $58,050 against a $10,000 estimate.
Records and full sell-through
Works by Harry Bertoia and George Nakashima achieved 100 percent sell-through rates across the board, with Bertoia's Untitled (Sonambient) leading the sale at $251,550. The auction also set two new world records. Studio Diurne's Carpet, from the "Géométrie" series (2022), sold for $10,965 against an estimate of $4,000 to $6,000, surpassing the maker's previous record of $2,411.06 set in 2024. Vincenzo De Cotiis's Low table, model no. DC1716, from the "Baroquisme" series (2017), realized $70,950 over an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000, exceeding the previous record of $51,200 set earlier in 2026.
Top ten lots
| Lot | Maker and work | Estimate | Price achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Harry Bertoia, Untitled (Sonambient), circa 1975 | $100,000 to $150,000 | $251,550 |
| 4 | Georges Jouve, Large mirror, circa 1946 | $50,000 to $70,000 | $245,100 |
| 5 | Jean Prouvé, "Flavigny" table, circa 1945 | $80,000 to $120,000 | $193,500 |
| 53 | George Nakashima, Rare and early "Conoid" bench with single free-form arm, 1961 | $120,000 to $180,000 | $180,600 |
| 7 | Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti, "Rodéo" desk and armchair, 1990 | $30,000 to $50,000 | $167,700 |
| 18 | William Morris, "Canopic Jar: Sable Antelope", 1996 | $150,000 to $200,000 | $154,800 |
| 40 | Paavo Tynell, Rare floor lamp, model no. 9620, circa 1951 | $15,000 to $20,000 | $103,200 |
| 48 | Harry Bertoia, Untitled (Sonambient), circa 1975 | $40,000 to $60,000 | $77,400 |
| 34 | Finn Juhl, Rare wall-mounted cabinet, circa 1944 | $60,000 to $80,000 | $70,950 |
| 61 | Vincenzo De Cotiis, Low table, model no. DC1716, from the "Baroquisme" series, 2017 | $20,000 to $30,000 | $70,950 |
The sale arrives as Phillips marks its 230th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1796 by the auctioneer Harry Phillips, the house has long offered a forward-looking approach to Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, and Luxury, and today holds its principal auctions in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong.
Estimates do not include buyer's premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium. Exchange rate on 12 June 2026: US$1 = £0.7459, €0.8640, HK$7.835.
Featured Image: Left: Harry Bertoia, Untitled (Sonambient), circa 1975, estimate $100,000 to $150,000, sold for $251,550. Right: Georges Jouve, Large mirror, circa 1946, estimate $50,000 to $70,000, sold for $245,100.
(Press Release)
