Clars will offer a strong lineup of Modern Design in our July 18th auction. Design highlights include pieces by Philip and Kelvin Laverne, Robert Mallet-Stevens, James Mont, Folke Ohlsson and Hans Wegner, among others.
Philip & Kelvin LaVerne
The father-son team of Philip and Kelvin LaVerne developed an entirely new category of design in mid-century America — furniture that functioned simultaneously as sculpture, historical commentary, and high art. Their signature technique involved acid-etched bronze and pewter inlaid over wood and sealed under glass, producing intricate surface patterns with a painterly quality.
The “Chan” coffee table — inspired by ancient Chinese art — exemplifies their fusion of classical imagery with modernist form. No two tables are identical, each bearing hand-finished surfaces that evoke patinated metalwork and antiquities. Their pieces are now housed in major museum collections and remain highly sought after for their historical richness and collectible rarity.
Estimate: $4,000–$6,000
Robert Mallet-Stevens
A leading figure in French modernism, Robert Mallet-Stevens (1886–1945) is best known for his radical architectural designs — such as the streamlined Villa Cavrois — which integrated form, light, and materials into holistic environments. His lighting designs reflect the same ethos: a minimalist approach that privileges geometry and proportion over ornamentation.
These torchieres are characteristic of Mallet-Stevens’ architectural vocabulary — simple, cylindrical forms that cast light upward and create dramatic spatial ambiance. As a designer who believed that every detail of an environment should serve the whole, his furnishings were often custom-made, and today are extremely rare.
Estimate: $1,200–$1,800
James Mont
Known as the “bad boy of mid-century design,” James Mont (1904–1978) brought a lavish, often provocative sensibility to American interiors. His work blended Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, and Asian influences — what he called “Oriental Modernism.” His clients ranged from the elite of Hollywood to underworld figures, lending his reputation an aura of danger and mystique.
These oxbow armchairs with faux snakeskin upholstery demonstrate Mont’s theatrical flair. With curving silhouettes and exotic materials, the chairs are both sensual and commanding — hallmarks of Mont’s approach to statement design.
Estimate: $2,000–$4,000
Folke Ohlsson
Swedish-born Folke Ohlsson (1919–2002) was a key figure in the transatlantic spread of Scandinavian modernism. After relocating to California in the 1950s, he established DUX Inc. and helped adapt clean-lined, functional Nordic design to the preferences of American consumers.
This mid-century Dux sofa exemplifies Ohlsson’s strengths: ergonomic form, warm wood accents, and restrained elegance. Designed for comfort as much as beauty, it bridges two design cultures and continues to resonate with collectors and designers seeking timeless simplicity.
Estimate: $1,500–$2,500
Hans Wegner
Few designers have achieved the reverence granted to Hans J. Wegner (1914–2007), often called “the master of the chair.” A leading figure in the Danish modern movement, Wegner was trained as a cabinetmaker and believed deeply in the integrity of materials. His work combines utility, elegance, and a near-spiritual respect for craftsmanship.
This GEG daybed, made for Getama, reflects his design philosophy: minimal yet warm, meticulously constructed, and deeply functional. Designed for modern living, the piece embodies Wegner’s ideal that “a chair is to have no backside. It should be beautiful from all sides and angles.”
Estimate: $1,000–$2,000
High Style Deco
Encyclopedia Design
The Modernists Guide to Cocktails
High Style Deco
Vintage Modern Maine
Carl Hansen & Son
