Bonhams & Butterfields will be auctioning primarily 20th century pieces this weekend at its Potrero Hill warehouse.
Publicist D. Levi Morgan said Bonhams hosted its first purely 20th century event in the spring in hopes of drawing in buyers just starting to collect modern furniture and accessories. “The response has been very strong,” he said.
Bonhams does a monthly auction in SoMa, but normally reserves its 20th century wares for big New York and Los Angeles sales that draw veteran collectors.
The auction includes pieces from estates, retailers and collectors, and most things are expected to go for less than $1,000.
Choice items include a Hans Wegner teak dining table and three chairs, estimated at $900 to $1,200 (shown right), green leather chair and sofa by Italian designer Antonio Citterio at $1,200 to $1,800 (top), chairs designed by Orlando Diaz-Azcuy and Barbara Barry for McGuire at $100 to $1,200 and some gold-plated lamps by Robert Kuo at $600 to $900 (above right).
A large group of lamps by Kuo and furniture by Barry, ordered from McGuire but never used, will be auctioned at a significant discount, Morgan added.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to get pieces from a San Francisco company that is typically out of the normal price range,” said Rachel Goodenow, a furniture specialist. She said prices for McGuire in particular were set at one-tenth the retail cost because “we want to sell,” but bidding interest could drive them up.
Morgan suggested novices come to the previews at 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, look over the “lots” or merchandise and talk to specialists. The auction starts at 10 a.m. Sunday. “Set a goal or maximum of $500 and bid only up to that,” he said. A buyer’s premium of 18 percent and sales tax are extra.
Morgan said many retailers attend the auction in search of pieces for their shops, and “you may be bidding against an antique shop that you may be planning to visit.”
To view the online catalog go to www.bonhams.com/us. The auction will be at 220 San Bruno Ave. (at 16th Street), San Francisco.

Posted: 09|14|07 at 3:36 pm. Filed under: US News.