Several significant records at The Design Sale

The auction featured broad international participation and strong activity across several of the catalogue’s most sought-after objects. Overall, the results mean that this spring’s edition of The Design Sale can be summed up as one of the most successful to date.

Giacometti table sold for SEK 6.3 million

An unusual table by Diego Giacometti became the auction’s top lot, selling for SEK 6.3 million, setting a new Swedish record for 20th-century furniture.

The sculptural table from the 1970s, with Giacometti’s distinctive formal language and decorative detailing, attracted major international interest and ultimately reached a level far beyond expectations.

“It is very rare for these exceptional tables by Diego Giacometti to appear at auction in the Nordic region, and we are very pleased and proud of the result. Setting a new Swedish record for a 20th-century piece of furniture is proof of the strong international interest in high-quality design and our solid position in the market,” says Ulrika Ruding, Head of the Design Department at Stockholms Auktionsverk.

Rescued Art Nouveau cabinet sets world record

A significant Art Nouveau cabinet by Valentin Kielland became one of the most talked-about pieces in the auction. The piece, which had previously been close to being lost, sold for SEK 1,937,500, thereby setting a new world record for the artist.

The over two-metre-tall cabinet, richly decorated with sculptural figural elements and organic forms, attracted strong interest and significantly exceeded its estimate.

“It is both inspiring and meaningful to be able to present such an unusual and artistically strong object. Here we see how historical works can be rediscovered and given new life on the international market,” says Ulrika Ruding.

Strong demand for high-quality design

The results of this spring’s design auction demonstrate continued strong demand for high-quality design. The combination of iconic international works, Nordic modernism, and rediscovered historical objects reflects the breadth and quality of the auction.

The Design Sale continues to attract international collectors and institutions, with competition spanning both design icons and rare objects of significant artistic and cultural importance. This spring’s auction confirms Stockholms Auktionsverk’s position as a central meeting place for international design at the highest level.