Record Prices For Nordic Design

Ola Kolehmainen - More or Less

Christie's, the international auction house, hosted a the Nordic Art and Design sale in London last week. The auction was a rather global affair, with telephone bids coming in from all over the world. 21 world records were set. One example of a record high price was that acheived the lounge chair "Ägget" by Arne Jacobssen, which went for almost €44,000. Four Swedish artists also reached top international price levels; Olle Bonniér, Erik Olson, Ingegerd Torhamn and Ivar Johnsson. A painting by Helene Schjerfbeck (see below) was the day's most expensive item, it went for €984,000. Lifeiscarbon® wonders if this is a sign of increasing interest in Scandinavian æstethics.

The sale was also somewhat of a test of a new market concept. Nordic art from the 19th century up to the present day was mixed in with 20th century design. The whole lot was then marketed as "Iconic style from the Nordic countries" and was displayed in an unusally spacious and elegant six room space. Due to the success of the sale, Christie's is planning a follow up in October next year.

An exhibition of highlights from the sale will tour Oslo, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Stockholm in the near future. We will let you know details when they're available.

Look here for a good background article by Sophie Hawkins, Specialist Head of Sale for Nordic Art and Design at Christie's.

Look here for more details of the auction and full results of the sale.More images of selected pieces from the show:

Helene Schjerfbeck
(Finnish, 1862-1946)
Ryöväri paratiisin portilla
(Robber at the Gates of Paradise)
1924-1925
Oil on canvas
83.5 x 62.5 cm

Louisa Matthiasdóttir
(Icelandic, b. 1917)
Reykjavik Harbour
1981
Oil on canvas
86.5 x 122 cm.

Alvar Alto
(Finnish 1898-1976)
High-back armchair
102cm high, 61cm wide, 69cm deep.
Designed 1931, Produced 1931-1933

Olafur Eliasson
(Icelandic/Danish, b. 1967)
Gletscher serien
(The Glacier Series), 1999
Forty-two C-prints in artist frames
Each picture 34 x 50 cm; overall 244 x 404 cm
Executed in 1999, this work is number six from an edition of six.