Modern Living & Design: A Sale of Strong Results and Statement Pieces


January 2026

We kicked off the year in style with the Modern Living & Design sale bringing together a carefully curated selection of 20th century and contemporary furniture, art and decorative objects, demonstrating the continued strength of the market for well designed, recognisable pieces. With buyers drawn to quality, provenance and visual impact, the sale achieved solid results across all categories, appealing equally to collectors and interior focused bidders.

From iconic mid century furniture to contemporary sculpture and bold decorative forms, the auction highlighted how modern design continues to sit confidently within both private collections and contemporary living spaces.

Modern Furniture with Flair

At Furniture proved a key area of interest, led by an iconic Charles and Ray Eames lounge chair and ottoman for Herman Miller, upholstered in black leather with moulded plywood shells and aluminium star bases. A benchmark of mid century design, the set achieved £3,500, reflecting the sustained demand for original, well presented examples of this enduring classic.

Scandinavian design also performed well. A mid 20th century Danish teak extending dining table by Lynggard Møbler, extending to an impressive 300cm, sold for £950, with its sculptural pedestal bases and organic form appealing to buyers seeking both practicality and elegance. Completing the furniture highlights was a Poliform ‘Wallace’ armchair, whose leaf like silhouette and black leather upholstery delivered a confident contemporary statement, selling for £900.

These results underline the appeal of furniture where strong design, craftsmanship and recognisable makers come together.

Art with Presence and Place

The art selection offered a varied mix of subject matter and style. John Thornton’s ‘Spring Morning – Cornelian Bay’, a large mixed media work capturing the atmosphere of a coastal landscape, sold for £500, while Fabian Perez’s ‘The Red Hat’, a limited edition artist’s proof giclée on canvas, achieved £440, appealing to collectors familiar with his bold, figurative style.

Graphic design and travel art also attracted interest. A framed Leonard Squirrell British Railways poster depicting Hadrian’s Wall, published in 1955, sold for £600, reflecting continued enthusiasm for mid century posters that combine design, history and strong visual identity.

Decorative Objects: Sculpture and Contemporary Form

Decorative objects performed particularly well, with buyers responding to sculptural impact and material innovation. A bronze ‘Girl with Hoop’ by John Huggins FRBS, sensitively modelled and mounted on a lacquered base, sold for £600, while a bronze figure after Salvador Dalí, titled Dreams, achieved £300, offering accessible surrealist inspired sculpture.

The standout decorative result came from contemporary glass artist Toland Sand, whose optical glass sculpture ‘The Wedge’, incorporating laminated and polished forms with dichroic inclusions, sold for £1,200. Its interaction with light and colour made it a compelling focal point, highlighting growing interest in studio glass and contemporary sculptural design.
The success of this sale confirms the strength of the market for modern and contemporary design across furniture, art and decorative objects. We are now inviting entries for our next Modern Living & Design auction and welcome consignments of mid century furniture, contemporary sculpture, studio glass, ceramics and works by recognised designers and artists.

If you are considering selling, our specialists are happy to advise on suitability, estimates and timing. Please get in touch to discuss your items or arrange a valuation.
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