Introducing Take 5 by Albert Hill and his five highlights from the upcoming

Design Since 1860 auction taking place on Tuesday 4 July.

 

Albert graduated from the University of Bristol with a BA in Art History, and was the Design Editor at Wallpaper* under founding editor Tyler Brûlé. He has written for The Guardian, The Times and The Independent, contributed to a number of books, and commentated on architecture and property on television and radio.

 

 

Lot 60: Josef Hoffmann (1870-1956) Two Model '811' type bentwood armchairs, circa 1930

 

My first choice is lot 60. I love most things from this period of Viennese design history – right at the awakening of Modernism. The softness of the earlier Art Nouveau period is still there whilst also being a robust, rational design that will work well in any setting. I like the fact that this pair is slightly mismatched too (one made in Poland, the other in Czechoslovakia) which makes them both cheaper and less formal as a set. 

 

Lot 96: Constance Spry  (1886-1960) for Fulham Pottery  Twin handled mantel vase, 1930s

 

Instantly recognisable, the voluptuous shape of these vases add some sculptural elegance to any interior. Spry was a florist (and inventor of Coronation Chicken) rather than a designer which only adds to its appeal. I really like the creamy-coloured, glazed surface of the vase.

 

Lot 178: Pierro Fornasetti (1913-1988) Six 'Strumenti Musicali' pattern plates, circa 1960 

 

My third choice is lot 178. Fornasetti plates were a particular favourite of my Uncle (from whom I inherited a few) so I’ve always loved them since being a child. They are whimsical whilst also having something very contemporary about them. It’s very rare to see them in green – my favourite colour - which is why I’ve picked them.

Lot 244: Howard Raybould (b.1946)  'Blue and Orange Arabesque' mirror, 1977

 

A truly unique piece – you won’t see another one of these pop up in a sale again. Howard Raybould is not a superstar, which makes this an affordable piece but it is a beautifully accomplished bit of decorative design. I like the crossover of the crossover between the utilitarian and the artistic, which can go very wrong, but here has gone very right!

 

Lot 360: Ron Arad (b.1951) 'Rover' chair, circa 1987 

 

My last choice is lot 360. I really like Arad’s early work, such as this, where he took ‘found’ designs (in this case, the seat of a Rover car) and reworked them for a domestic setting. It was a way of bringing the brutality of the city into the home. The homemade nature of the pieces echoed the anti-elitist spirit of the Punk movement that was alive at the time.