Christie’s concluded two design auctions on June 12, selling items worth a total of $23.6 million. Selling the collection put together by American Interior Designer Francis Elkin in one and the work of several renowned designers from the past century, individual collections of these sales stood at $8.12 million and $15.43 million, respectively.
Showcasing the wave previously observed at Sotheby’s Important Design auction this week, artists who had a significant role in pushing the revenue to the charming figure of the 20s were Alberto Giacometti, Tiffany Studios, Claude Lalanne, and François-Xavier Lalanne, among others.
Among these reputed personalities in design, the lot that attracted the priciest tag was The Goddard Memorial Window by Tiffany Studios, realizing $4.28 million, a 214% increase over its low estimate – making it the second-highest price realized for a window from the artist’s studio. The other two significant and record-breaking works by the artist are Danner Memorial Window, sold by Sotheby’s last November for $12.5 million, and Pond Lily Lamp, sold for $3.4 million by Christie’s in 2018. Designed to support the continued advancement of St. Luke’s Church’s missions, this work remains the specimen of Tiffany Studios’ market value and how it can direct the momentum of an auction in the coming years as well, of course, whenever the pieces come to auction.
Speaking of the Giacomettis (Alberto and Diego), the market witnessed an increased demand for their lighting and sculptural design, achieving an impressive 147% increase in the pre-sale low estimates. That said, a pair of Important and Rare ‘Oiseau’, Curved Version, circa 1937 by Alberto Giacometti sold for $2.95 million and $2.83 million, against their estimate of $2 million to $3 million each.
The auction is also a testimony of the continued and growing interest in the works of Claude Lalanne and François-Xavier Lalanne. Structure végétale aux papillons, souris et oiseaux’ Chandelier, 2000 achieved $1.86 million and her other design from 1990, L’Enlèvement d’Europe achieved $1.13 million. The works of François weren’t behind too, as I mentioned before. The miniature works of the artist were seen in demand – his work Le Métaphore (Canard-Bateau), circa 2002, sold for $667,800, more than five times its high estimate and his Rhinocéros Bleu, 1981, achieved $327,600, about five times its high estimate.
The auction results only get better with artists achieving as much as ten times their estimates and this certainly gives the design market a strategy – bringing pieces of value and name can cast a spotlight that is meant to be stolen away by eager collectors.
Featured Image: Alberto Giacometti’s Important and Rare ‘Oiseau’, Curved Version, circa 1937; Source: CHRISTIE’S IMAGES LTD. 2025.
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