Stefek’s Modern Design and Fine Art Auction was held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. EST, and featured an array of quality pieces from several categories. Lively bidding from both floor and online bidders resulted in several notable results across multiple categories.
Stefek’s continues to move towards a specialization in 20th century design, and Thursday’s auction bolstered Stefek’s position as an emerging regional leader in that category. The auction featured several mid-century pieces of note, many of which significantly exceeded their estimates. A Pair of Edward Wormley brass and upholstered benches for Dunbar achieved a price realized of $6,000. An Edward Wormley wingback lounge chair (model 6016) for Dunbar achieved a price realized of $3,600, a result reminiscent of the sale of a pair of the same wingback chairs for $9,225 in Stefek’s March 2014 auction. A pair of Edward Wormley wood and upholstered armchairs (model 5513) for Dunbar achieved a price realized of $3,360, exceeding its $1,500-$2,000 estimate. In addition to several exceptional examples of Edward Wormley’s iconic designs, the auction also featured rare pieces from Calvin Furniture’s Irwin Collection designed by Paul McCobb. A lacquered wood and brass cabinet achieved a price realized of $2,800, exceeding its $800-1,000 estimate. A matching pair of lacquered and brass night tables achieved a price realized of $2,800, exceeding their $600-800 estimate.
Given its proximity to a community of enthusiastic collectors and the studio itself, Stefek’s has had the privilege of offering numerous fine examples of Pewabic iridescent pottery in previous auctions. An important highlight of the September auction was a large Pewabic iridescent pottery vase previously mounted as a lamp (estimate $6,000-8,000). The piece ranks as one of the largest Pewabic vases that has been sold through Stefek’s, and the vase garnered high interest among collectors leading up to the auction. An exciting sequence of bids resulted in a price realized of $7,800.
Jewelry proved to be a noteworthy category during the auction; a success largely attributed to the inclusion of a fine collection of Navajo and Amerindian jewelry. The collection as a whole demonstrated a high sell-through rate during the auction, the pinnacle of which was the sale of a Lee Yazzie sterling silver and turquoise pendant necklace with a price realized of $2,640. Lee Yazzie, who is based in Gallup, New Mexico, is a renowned Navajo jewelry maker, and is a member of the celebrated Yazzie family of Navajo jewelers. His work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and shows featuring Navajo craftsmanship, and is currently the focus of an exhibition titled “Glittering World: Navajo Jewelry of the Yazzie Family” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian.
Sales results from the September 17, 2015 auction are available online at www.stefeksauctions.com, as well as at www.liveauctioneers.com and www.bidsquare.com.
If you would like more information about the September 17, 2015 auction, or would like to schedule an interview with Lori Stefek, please call Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers at 313.881.1800 or email info@stefeksauctions.com. Stefek’s business is located at 18450 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, between Cadieux and Moross Roads.