The sale also celebrated the artistry of glass and sculpture. Two enchanting Oiva Toikka bird sculptures – a stylised penguin and kiwi, hand-blown in Finland – captured the imagination of collectors, selling together for £600. Doug Hyde’s “First Date,” a limited-edition bronze on granite plinth, offered a more contemporary kind of charm, finding its match at the same price.
Design, however, isn’t just about form, it’s about storytelling. That spirit was perfectly encapsulated in a rare Rowntree Mackintosh advertising prototype for Fruit Pastilles, a collage bursting with colour and nostalgia. Bearing the words “Only 3d a tube” and hailing from the personal collection of Rowntree’s own advertising manager, David Lamb, the poster resonated with York’s creative heritage and sold for £600.
Even the whimsical made its mark: Lorna Bailey’s limited-edition bookends, with their bold Art Deco-inspired colours and charming character, delighted bidders at £220 – a reminder that modern design can be both serious art and pure joy.
Something to Sell?
Now, as we look ahead to our next Modern Living & Design Sale, we invite you to share in the story. Whether it’s a statement piece of furniture, a unique decorative object, or an item that captures the innovation of its time, our specialists would be delighted to consider it for inclusion. Entries are now open – and with each piece comes another chapter in the ongoing story of modern design.