Tennants Auctioneers were delighted with the reception they received to their recent Decorative Arts Sale which included many pieces of ultra modern design by some legendary designers and makers.

One of the highest performing lots was lot 63, a Stoneware Sake Bottle by Shoji Hamada (Japanese 1894-1978) which sold to a private collector from the Harrogate area for £3,000 (estimate £1,500-£2,000).  Although over 40 years old, this classic piece looked like it could have been made yesterday and as well as looking decorative, was likely to be an excellent investment.

The Sake Bottle was given to its present owner in 1988 by Stella Coe, famous Ikebana flower arranger, writer and lecturer. With a four-sided design, slab built, with a Kaki and grey ash glaze and iron oxide painted designs on each side, it was unmarked, 23cm high and was sold with its signed box.

Some rather unusual Car Mascots also created a great deal of interest in the saleroom with lot 122, a Red-Ashay Clear and Frosted Glass ‘Lightning’ Car Mascot in Art Deco style selling for £4,200 (estimate £700-£1,000).  It originally cost £5 10s and its clever design incorporated a fan and dynamo to make it light up and change colour.

Two further Car Mascots made by Rene Lalique also sold very well. Lot 118 was in amethyst tinted glass in the form of a falcon which sold for £1,400 (estimate £1,000-£1,500) and lot 119 was in frosted and clear glass in the form of a dragonfly which sold for £1,700 (estimate £400-£600).

A most unusual glass table by Naos Atlante (lot 292) was an engineering masterpiece with a folding leaf mechanism activated by a foot pedal. It sold for £600 (estimate £400-£600). Also, a set of six Clear Polycarbonate Louis Ghost Chairs designed by Philippe Stark sold for £650 (estimate £300-£400).  They were introduced in 2002 and are deemed modern Italian classics.  They were inspired by a typical 18th century chair and reinvented in modern materials and are clever because they stack too!

Danish Teak is now starting to become very popular – it is very retro and now appeals to younger generations, whose parents may well have originally owned it. Designs are typically very simple, sleek and practical. Sizes are made for everyday living and they are well engineered for practical use. Lot 297, a Danish Teak and Oak Chair by Hans J Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son, Odense, Denmark (lot 297) with a woven cane seat sold for £100 (estimate £50-£70) and a Danish Teak Dining Set (lot 301A) comprising a table, sideboard and six chairs sold for £550 (estimate £100-£200).

In Tennants forthcoming Decorative Arts Sale on 1st December 2007, a rare Chiparus ‘Top Hat’ figure with a pate-de-verre panel (estimate £7,000-£10,000) will be offered for sale along with a Preiss ‘The Stile’ Lamp (estimate £4,000-£6,000) and a Lorenzl Nude Bronze (estimate £600-£900).

For more information please contact Tennants Auctioneers on +44 (0)1969 623780 or email enquiry@tennants.co.uk

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Lot 63

A Stoneware Sake Bottle by Shoji Hamada (Japanese 1894-1978)

Sold for £3,000

Lot 122

A Red-Ashay Clear and Frosted Glass ‘Lightning’ Car Mascot in Art Deco style

Sold for £4,200

lot 119

A Frosted and Clear Glass Car Mascot in the form of a dragonfly. Sold for £1,700