Local Voices
MODERN FURNITURE BRINGS SPIRITED BIDDERS TO STEFEK’S MARCH FINE ART FURNITURE & LIGHTING AUCTION
April 7, 2014: Stefek’s Auctioneers & Appraisers is pleased to announce the highlights of their March 20th Fine Art, Furniture & Lighting Auction. The auction commenced at 6 p.m., with bidding moving at a brisk pace. The auction saw competitive bidding across all categories with notable interest in the selection of mid-century furniture and the selection of rare and custom-made Edward Wormley for Dunbar pieces, which achieved the strongest sales. Many Wormley pieces sold above their high estimates, confirming the desirability of modern design and Stefek’s role as a leader of sales in that market.
The record lot of this sale was #172, a pair of rare Edward Wormley upholstered wingback lounge chairs, model 6016, circa 1958. Made by Dunbar, the chairs feature a mahogany frame with tufted upholstered cushions and cane wingbacks. The chairs were estimated at $6,000-$8,000, but lively bidding drove the sales price to $9,000 with buyer’s premium. Other notable Wormley lots sold include #173, a custom-made mahogany fall-front Superstructure, which sold for $5,280 and lot # 167, a Wormely designed console table for $1,920.
Edward Wormley (American, 1907-1995) was hired to design for Dunbar Furniture Company of Berne, Indiana. in 1938. In 1944 the company decided to focus strictly on modern lines. Wormley led the task and incorporated European and and Scandinavian influences to great acclaim, creating sophisticated designs that were successful in the contemporary mainstream market and even more desirable to collectors today. Metro-Detroit has some of the finest collections of Wormley pieces as the J.L Hudson department store was the leading retailer of Dunbar furniture. With the success of the most recent sale, Stefek’s is honored to foster the secondary market for such significant pieces of modern design and local history and continues to move towards a specialization in these areas. Stefek’s always welcomes consignments of modern art and design. The consignment deadline for our May 22nd auction is April 24th, and photos may be submitted to our consignment department at stefeksltd.com. Stefek’s auction house was established in 2008 with the goal of providing personalized service to clients while offering their items on the international market. In 2014, Stefek’s continues to fulfill its high standard of service while also focusing on the importance of sustaining the local art and auction economy.If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Lori Stefek, please call Stefek’s Auctioneers and Appraisers at 313.881.1800 or email info@stefeksltd.com. Stefek’s Auction house is located at 18450 Mack Avenue, Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, 48236.
