Sotheby’s to Offer Property from the Collection of Robert Isabell Sotheby’s to Offer Property from the Collection of Robert Isabell Legendary Event Planner’s Collection of 20th Century Design Will be sold in New York on December 17, 2009
pioneering American collector of Prouvé and Mouille, and his legendary eye made it possible to unify French industrial modernism and American studio sculpture in a single seminal experience."
Mr. Isabell’s fascination with the play of light and color was particularly evident through his collection of contemporary lighting. Highlights range from Pop examples from the 1960s and 70s, by Vernor Panton and Joe Columbo to 21st century works by designers such as Johanna Grawunder and Tokunjin Yoshioda, whose “ToFU” Table Lamp was executed in 2001 (est. $1,000/1,500). Mr. Isabell was constantly refining his collection and among his more recent purchases is a spectacular “Nickel Couch” (est. $15/20,000) by Johnny Swing. Conceived of patinated metal and nickels and executed circa 2006, Isabell purchased the piece directly from the artist. Swing first debuted at the opening of the Museum of Arts & Design and the Nickel Couch is his first piece to appear at auction.
