Design at auction: Anna Grassham from Leonard Joel Melbourne

We asked Anna Grassham from Melbourne auction house Leonard Joel for her take on design at auction in Australia.

Over the last 10 years I have seen significant growth in all areas of mid-century design across Australian auction houses. In the early days, collectors and dealers were able to pick up bargains at auction, and flip items on to secondhand stores or ebay and make a good profit.

Antonio Citterio ‘Baisity’ Chaise for B&B Italia

It was evident around the early 2000s when the Scandinavian wave took over, all things 1960s just went nuts. Prices at auction were doubling and tripling for teak sideboards, chests of drawers, sofas and armchairs. Australian brands that produced 1960s furniture such as Parker and Fler started becoming expensive and collectable.

The new generation of buyers no longer wanted period furniture in their homes, the mahogany chiffoniers and Victorian chaise lounges were selling for 70-80% less than their original worth.

How has the popularity of design changed at auction houses?

The Modern Design department has been running at Leonard Joel since 2014, and has gone from strength to strength. Along with company growth, it has also developed its own dedicated following. The demographic is much younger than the usual auction clientele, with design-savvy bloggers, Instagram and Facebook followers. The department is well known within the design community. This design trend is across all auction houses worldwide.

What sorts of things are always popular?

Scandinavian furniture will always be popular, with its simplistic style, clean lines and neutral tones. 1950s Italian armchairs, sideboards and lighting is another competition era under the hammer, along with rarer European pieces.

Which Australian designers are most often sold for high prices?

We have a rich history of important mid-century Australian designers, and thankfully there has also been a rise in popularity of other less well-known designers, who have been cast into the spotlight for the greater good. Grant Featherston, Schulim Krimper and Clement Meadmore designs are even more popular than ever, all selling for exceptionally high prices these days. Other important Australian designers such as Dario Zoureff, Jacob Rudowski, Rosando Furniture, Lester Bunbury, Robin Boyd, Douglas Snelling, Fred Ward and Roger McLay are also on the rise, and getting the attention they thoroughly deserve.

What other observations have you made?

It’s always interesting to see the shift in trends in relation to interiors and collecting. Much like fashion, furniture designs also go in fads, with bold colour palettes, leathers, metals and muted tones. It is a wonderful world to be engaged in. I think that’s why auction houses still to this day are seen as a place to find a bargain, or that undiscovered treasure.

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