Works from this renowned studio took half of the top ten slots and included the star turn: the Thomas Lynch Window (right), c.1905, 4ft 81/2in by 7ft (1.44m x 2.13m).
Thomas Lynch worked as the general manager for the coal and coke operations of Pennsylvania’s H.C.Frick Coke Company. Described in a book by John Boucher, 1918, as a man whose “humanity was immense”, he was credited with coining the phrase ‘Safety First’, and introduced a set of safe conduct guidelines for his mines.
The idyllic countryside depicted on this leaded and plated glass window must have stood in stark contrast to the grime of the coal mines. Commissioned by Lynch, the design illustrated Lynch’s grandparents farm near Dungarven, Ireland, and it was contested to $350,000 (£255,475) by the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
Also in demand were three works by Armand Albert Rateau. The French designer acted as advisor and decorator to fashion designer Madame Lanvin. Most spectacularly, a carved and lacquered wood mirror made for Lanvin, c.1921, 3ft 8in (1.12m), sold at a multiple-estimate to the European trade at $98,000 (£71,535).
Not everything was as sought-after as this mirror and 40 per cent of the sale was bought-in by lot. The sale totalled $2,756,238 (£2,011,855).plus premium.
Thomas Lynch Window
The demand for the best of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s studio glass continued apace at Christie’s (17.5/10% buyer’s premium) 86-lot Important 20th century Decorative Arts including Works by Tiffany Studios, June 7.
