Sotheby’s New York Highlights Release September - December 2009 FINE CHINESE FURNITURE, WORKS OF ART AND CARPETS FROM THE ARTHUR M. SACKLER COLLECTIONS Exhibition opens: 11 September 16 September 2009 17
be among the highlights of Sotheby’s December sale of Fine Books & Manuscripts. Comprising star charts, scientific treatises, maps of the heavens and lunar atlases, the collection ranges in date from 1480s through the 1980s, including materials from both NASA and the Soviet Space Program. The collection, which is the finest of its kind ever handled by Sotheby’s, is not only scientifically important, but also aesthetically pleasing; demonstrating a wide range of illumination techniques from 15th century woodcuts to modern photography.
RUGS AND CARPETS Exhibition opens: 12 December 16 December 2009
IMPORTANT 20TH CENTURY DESIGN Exhibition opens: 12 December 17 December 2009
IMPORTANT TIFFANY Exhibition opens: 12 December 17 December 2009
PROPERTY FROM THE COLLECTION OF ROBERT ISABELL Exhibition opens: 12 December 17 December 2009
This December, Sotheby’s will offer property from the collection of noted event planner, Robert Isabell (1952-2009). For more than twenty years, Mr. Isabell was at the helm of nearly every major event hosted by the upper echelon of society; lending his spectacular taste and creativity to charity galas, club openings, magazine launches, White House Christmases and society weddings, birthdays and funerals. His imaginative style always struck the right chord, whether the event was lavish or understated, and it was with that same level of refinement and care that he created a unique retreat for himself in Greenwich Village. In it, he meticulously juxtaposed important pieces by American studio designers Harry Bertoia, Paul Evans and Phil Powell, with prime examples by the French masters of the mid-century: Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand and Serge Mouille. He punctuated the space with lush greenery and playful Pop and Contemporary lighting from Vernor Panton to Tokunjin Yoshioda. Among highlights from the collection are Paul Evans’ Sideboard from the Sculpted Front series, circa 1970s (est. $60/80,000) and Harry Bertoia’s Sound Sculpture, circa 1970 (est. $50/70,000). Leading a small collection of superb examples by the biggest names of French mid-century modernism is one of Prouvé and Perriand’s most well-known collaborative works, a Bookcase from the Maison du Mexique, Cité Universitaire, Paris, circa 1952 (est. $60/80,000). Together, the offering of approximately 130 lots is estimated to sell for $1.5 million and proceeds will benefit the Gerald B. Lambert Memorial Foundation, Inc. for the sole purpose of maintaining and preserving the Oak Spring Garden Library and Greenhouses in Upperville, VA.
For more information, please contact:
Lauren Gioia, lauren.gioia@sothebys.com
Blair Hance, blair.hance@sothebys.com
Dan Abernethy, dan.abernethy@sothebys.com
Lauren Pirrung, lauren.pirrung@sothebys.com
