Specialist Camilla Behrer's choice – Modern Art + Design

The catalog for the spring's major hammer auction with modern and postwar design is here: Modern Art + Design. The selection is carefully curated and handpicked by Bukowskis specialists to present a modern selection of international and national designs. We have talked to Bukowskis Specialist Design and 20th Century Works of Art Department, Jonatan Jahn, regarding objects from the spring auction, which will be held May 22nd.

Hi Camilla Behrer, specialist design and 20th century works of art department!

Which are your favorite objects from the Modern Art + Design auction?

271. POUL KJÆRHOLM, A PAIR OF "PK 25" EASY CHAIRS, "THE ELEMENT CHAIR", EDITION E KOLD CHRISTENSEN, DENMARK
The chair is Poul Kjærholm's first model, drawn in 1951 and executed as his degree project in 1952. Already here, Kjærholm seeks to reduce the material and to use as few components as possible, he sawed out the chair frame out of a single piece of steel, something that was previously done in plywood. The flag rope in the seat and back of the chair came after being inspired by his teaching master Hans j Wegner's Flag Halyard from 1950. Fritz Hansen made a few copies of the model in the 1950s. E Kold Christensen then took up production in 1960 and then called the chair PK25. In 1982 Fritz Hansen took over the production of Kjærholm's furniture.

4. EDVIN ÖHRSTRÖM, AN ARIEL GLASS VASE, ORREFORS, SWEDEN 1942, NO 242
An early and exquisite Ariel vase by Edvin Öhrström's from 1942, with a striking motif in a up-lifting color scheme. Öhrström developed the technology together with Vicke Lindstrand 1936-37 and the result was shown at the world exhibition in Paris in 1937. Very few pieces were produced in the first years. A gem you should not miss.

21. TIMO SARPANEVA, A MOULD BLOWN GLASS SCULPTURE, IITTALA, FINLAND CA 1964-67
This generous and powerful sculpture with provence silversmith Rosa Taikon (1926-2017) was blown around 1964-67 and is reportedly acquired directly from Sarpaneva who told that it was one of two sculptures, the first one intended as a gift from Finland to the Queen Elizabeth II. The style is reflected in Sarpaneva's work, which he did for the World Exhibition in Montreal 1967. The ceramic department is extraordinarily good, with many top lots including Axel Salto, Pablo Picasso, Berndt Friberg, Hans Hedberg and a fantastic polar bear by Michael Schilkin.

48. BERNDT FRIBERG, A STONEWARE VASE, GUSTAVSBERG STUDIO, SWEDEN 1959
An almost impossible task, but if I have to choose only one object, it would be one of the most generous Friberg vases with a beautiful brown "rabbit's fur" glaze. I never stop being fascinated by Friberg's craftsmanship with cleverly shaped objects in different sizes, from miniatures to large floor vases, with exquisite and perfectly finished glazes around the foot ring. Friberg vases are the most beautiful when they are arranged in group, with several vases in similar sizes combined together.

If you are interested in buying modern design, what should you have in mind?
You should always buy with your heart, but if you want to buy something for the future, choose contemporary designs that reflect our time period and with innovative and cutting-edge shapes. Generally, the collector value is highest for vintage items, which may not be in production anymore or may be reproduced in a different way, perhaps with other materials, the closer to the design year an object is produced, the better. Vintage or newly produced, make sure that the items are made by a licensed manufacturer. It is also important to control the condition. Provenance can also be an important aspect, and if the item is documented in some way or if it has been part of an important exhibition.

What is it that makes modern design interesting to you?
First of all, 20th century design appeals to me aesthetically, and in the Nordic countries we have produced innovative and successful design, from Swedish Grace in the 1920s to the mid-century, when mainly Danish designers excel. Unlike ancient crafts, there is sometimes the possibility of contacting the designer or their close relatives, which can give the objects an additional dimension. But most of what appertains to modern design already has an interesting story to tell.