Benefit Shop Foundation Sale To Offer Midcentury Modern August 8

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. — Midcentury Modern is in vogue these days, and collectors will have a field day at Benefit Shop Foundation’s monthly Red Carpet auction on Wednesday, August 8, at 10 am, which features a collection of more than 100 midcentury furniture pieces and accessories. All lots open with a $1 bid and there are no reserves.

From the collection of John Edelman, chief executive officer of Design Within Reach, comes a who’s who of midcentury designers: Milo Baughman, Eero Saarinen, Florence Knoll, Donghia for Baker, Russel Wright and Adrian Pearsall. Midcentury is a thread that runs through Edelman’s life, whose family began Edelman Leathers. Edelman and his wife Bonnie began dating while visiting flea markets buying pieces and eventually grew a collection of the midcentury aesthetic. In 2008, the family sold Edelman Leathers to the Knoll, Inc, renowned over four decades for its office systems, tables and seating.

“Midcentury Modern is so hot on the market now. We are thrilled with this incredible donation of this wonderful, curated collection,” said owner and founder Pam Stone. “Midcentury Modern has that classic, timeless look people love in their homes, and these pieces have all the quality craftsmanship and superior design you expect.”

Milo Baughman’s (1923–2003) pioneering American furniture pieces favoring clean lines embodied the vision that good design lives on. He was known for fashion-forward designs that were unique yet reasonably priced and not pretentious. His work continues to influence today’s designers. Among a dozen of his pieces represented in the auction are a pair of Baughman for Thayer Coggin Thin Line chrome armchairs in a dark brown vinyl upholstery mimicking leather, 32 by 23 by 29 inches ($300/600); a Baughman for Thayer Coggin reclining lounge chair in red fabric upholstery on a sculpted wood frame, circa 1960s, 36 by 46 by 18 inches, and a Baughman chrome lounge chair with an ottoman in a multitoned striped pattern fabric, 34 by 28 by 34 inches.

Also featured in this collection are works by Eero Saarinen, led by a tulip table, circular top over metal base ($200/400) and several Eero Saarinen for Knoll executive armchairs, having the Atomic Age styling with splayed tubular chrome legs, 31 by 19 by 27 inches. Born in Finland, Saarinen (1910–1961) grew up in the design world (his father was a famous architect and his mother a textile artist). He assisted his father in designing furniture before studying sculpture in Paris. He then achieved his own fame as a designer.

Also on offer from Edelman’s Midcentury Modern collection is a set of five original Thonet barstools retaining a label on underside of seat “Thonet, American Made” ($300/600), a 1960 motorized chaise recliner in a brown toned fabric, 43 by 61 by 31 inches ($200/400); a pair of circa 1950s Viking Artline Corp. armchairs in solid blonde hardwood with bottle green vinyl upholstery, 30 by 24 by 26 inches; and a Donghia for Baker wooden dining table having two leaves and with a plaque on underside, “Baker New World Furniture,” measuring 29 by 60 inches, without leaves.

Among Knoll standouts is a Florence Knoll for Knoll walnut writing desk, circa 1950s, 29 by 69 by 34 inches ($200/400). Florence Marguerite Knoll Bassett (b 1917) is an American architect and furniture designer who trained under Mies van der Rohe and Eliel Saarinen.

The auction will also offer a wealth of other midcentury goods from carpets and artwork to accessories, including three Judith Leiber handbags; an Amedeo Clemente Modigliani limited edition lithograph portrait of Jeanne Hébuterne, after the original 1919 painting; and a Bitossi, Italy, fused glass, rectangular ceramic dish, circa 1950s, 1½ by 7½ by 10½ inches.

Rounding out the sale are a pair of ceramic foo dogs mounted on rectangular pedestals with pierced geometric design, 8¼ by 3 by 2 inches, and estate jewelry, including sterling silver rings set with gemstones and a Mexican earrings set with natural stones in a dark red hue.

The monthly Red Carpet sales feature choice collections of antique, Midcentury Modern, brand furnishings, sterling, china, crystal, jewelry and fine art. With a mission of “to donate, to discover and to do good,” the foundation is a nonprofit, and all auction proceeds support community organizations. Consignors get a tax deduction, the buyer gets a great deal and local nonprofits get much needed funds.

The auction takes place at 185 Kisco Avenue, Suite 201, and online. For more information, www.thebenefitshop.org or 914-864-0707.