Strong interest seen in furniture blending design, functionality: Saffronart

Saffronart's recent design auction has indicated a strong interest in furniture that blends tasteful aesthetics with functionality, the auction house said.

The Design Sale that featured pieces highlighting the art deco style of 20th century Mumbai, alongside modernist furniture, achieved a total sale value of Rs 85 lakh.

A set of two Committee Chairs made of teak and fabric, led the sale at Rs 7.74 lakh against a presale estimate of Rs 4.75 5.25 lakh.

A set of two Grass-Seated Chairs designed by renowned Japanese-American architect George Nakashima in Ahmedabad, invited multiple bids and sold for Rs 6.25 lakh, almost tripling its presale higher estimate of Rs 2.2 lakh.

Among the Modernist furniture on offer were a set of two teak-and-cane Conference Chairs, and a Three Seater Cinema Bench, which boasts a combination of practicality and utilitarianism with Modernist design.

While the chairs sold for Rs 5.45 lakh against a higher estimate of Rs 1.7 lakh, the bench sold for Rs 4.55 lakhs surpassing its estimate price of Rs 2.25 lakh.

"The auction was a success, with many lots surpassing their estimates. There seems to be a renewed interest in Art Deco furniture, not least due to the recent addition of Mumbai's Art Deco buildings to the UNESCO World Heritage List," Saffronart CEO Dinesh Vazirani said.

The Art Deco lots sold for twice their lower estimates, including an Art Deco Whatnot Console Table, which fetched Rs 1.56 lakh, and a set of two Art Deco Lounge Chairs which sold for Rs 1.5 lakh.

"Both lots typify the elegant, streamlined design associated with the Bombay Deco period," Saffronart said.

Another highlight in this category was an Art Deco Table made of ebonised teak, which sold for Rs 1 lakh against a presale estimate of Rs 35,000 55,000.