Date: Fri 23-Apr-1999

Publication: Ant

Author: CAROLL

Quick Words:

Phillips

Full Text:

Phillips Modern Design Sale

with cut as transparency

NEW YORK CITY -- A sale of Modern Design attracted a full house crowd to

Phillips Auctioneers on Saturday, March 20, with many present described by the

firm as new buyers.

Large numbers of bidders both in the room and on the phone vied for works by

designers Gaetano Pesce, Ettore Sottass and Michael Graves.

Some of the best examples of many of the artists featured could be purchased

for less than $10,000. Among the highlights was the catalogue cover lot. A

Gaetano Pesce rubber-coated felt and twine "I Feltri" chair, Prototype I,

1986, which hammered down at $9,775. A rare Eero Saarinen covered metal "Womb"

settee and two matching ottomans, circa 1950, sold for $9,488; and a unique

Joe Colombo plastic and foam tube chair, with original bag, realized $8,625.

Usha Subramaniam, director of the firm's Twentieth Century Decorative Arts

department, commented, "After seeing the tremendous interest that the auction

generated, we are pleased to announce that Modern Design sales will be

permanently on our sales schedule."

The next auction of Twentieth Century Decorative Arts will be Thursday, June

10. For information, 212/570-4830.