This December at Bonhams, collectors of ultra-cool Bakelite radios and stylish Bakelite jewelry will have an opportunity to bid on pieces assembled by the legendary Manhattan collectors of the medium, Susan Kelner Freeman and Cliff Freeman.

Discovered in the early 1900s, Bakelite was the first completely synthetic plastic that could be produced in almost any shape and color.  The visual appeal of Bakelite objects is timeless and the Freeman's assembled one of the finest collections around.

The Susan and Cliff Freeman vintage radio collection will be sold on December 9th in New York as a featured section of Bonhams 20th Century Decorative Arts auction. Special highlights of the group include a Motorola black 51X16S grille radio (estimated at $3,000-4,000), An Emerson red 400 Patriot radio (estimated at $1,500-2,000) and a Fada yellow 188 All American radio  (estimated at $5,000-8,000).

Featured lots of the Susan Kelner Freeman Collectiion of Bakelite Jewelry include a stunning matchstick collar (estimated at $2,000-3,000) and a chic 'berry' cluster necklace (estimated at $200-400). This 300 piece collection of Bakelite jewelry will go up for sale on December 16th  in New York and Los Angeles and will be sold "without reserve". 

Click here for full catalog.

Bakelite Matchstick Collar

Bakelite Berry Cluster Necklace

Fada yellow 188 All American radio

Emerson red 400 Patriot radio

 Tony Duquette (1914-1999) was best known for his intoxicating maximalist interiors, sculptural works of jewelry, extraordinary movie sets – and for hosting legendary parties in ‘Old Hollywood’.  

The images below include a Duquette Primal Sun sculpture and a Ghost Snail illuminated resin sculpture, similar to works the artist/designer had installed at his famous Beverly Hills compound known as Dawnridge.  Also included below are paintings by Tony Duquette’s wife, Elizabeth; a tribal inspired painting by the couturier, Adrian, who was a longtime friend and client of Duquette; and a reverse-painted glass fireplace surround by the painter turned set designer, Nicolai V. Remisoff, which was commissioned by Adrian and later owned by Tony Duquette.  

All of these fantastical items will be included in the Bonhams & Butterfields 20th Century Decorative Arts sale tomorrow, September 29th.  Click here for more info.

 Tony Duquette (American, 1919-1999)

Ghost Snail, circa 1974
from the original edition of twelve, illuminated cast resin.
height 20in (50.9cm); length 37in (94cm)

Est. $3,000-5,000 

 Nikolai Vladimirovich Remisoff (Russian, 1887-1975)

fireplace surround mural, 1940s
reverse painted glass, fourteen panels, some with canted corners.
dimensions range from approximately 36in x 34in (91.5cm x 86.5cm) to 36½in to 37½in (92.7cm x 95.2cm)

Est. $8,000-12,000

Tony Duquette (American, 1914-1999)

Primal Sun, circa 1974
brass, plastic and mirror plate.
height 34in (86.4cm); length 5ft 4in (1.63m) 

Est. $5,000-7,000

Adrian (American, 1903-1959)

African Fantasy, circa 1950
oil on canvas, signed lower right.
dimensions of image 24in x 29in (61cm x 73.7cm); dimensions of frame 30¼in x 29in (76.8cm x 90cm)

Est. $3,000-5,000

To a private preview of 20th Century Decorative Arts and cocktail reception with John Nyquist Celebrating his 50th year in business. 

Noted California Studio Craftsman John Nyquist's bespoke pieces are characterized by a combination of sculpted edges, curved surfaces and organic sloping lines. On view will be items from John Nyquist’s personal collection that are to be sold in Bonhams & Butterfields forthcoming auction of 20th Century Decorative Arts scheduled for September 29th. The items on offer include design prototypes as well as works that were originally shown in the California Design Exhibition of 1968. The now legendary California Design shows were a series of 13 exhibitions held at the Pasadena Art Museum (now Norton Simon) between the years of 1954 and 1976 that showcased the best of California Design.

Thursday, September 24th, 6pm to 8pm
Location:  Bonhams and Butterfields
                    7601 W. Sunset Blvd.
                   Los Angeles, CA  90046

Please r.s.v.p. to Katie.Nartonis@Bonhams.com with Balustrade and Bitters in the subject line

LadderRockChair-JN SignatureLadderRockChair-JN John Nyquist walnut ladder back rocking chair with Larson fabric

Ottoman-JN
John Nyquist Indian rosewood ottoman
Est. $2,500-3,500
From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist
Exhibited in the California Design Ten exhibition of 1968 at the Pasadena Art Museum, Pasadena, California (now Norton Simon)


WalnutRockChair-JN
John Nyquist ebonized walnut rocking chair with Larsen wool fabric
Est. $6,000-9,000
A prototype From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist, Long Beach, California


BlkLeatherBackChair-JN
John Nyquist walnut armchair with black leather
Est. $3,500-4,500
A prototype From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist, Long Beach, California

JewelryClosed-JN
JewelryOpen-JN
John Nyquist teak, Brazilian rosewood and ivory jewelry box
Est. $3,000-5,000
From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist, Long Beach, California

MagRack-JN
John Nyquist walnut magazine rack
Est. $2,000-3,000
From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist
Exhibited in the California Design Ten exhibition of 1968 at the Pasadena Art Museum, Pasadena, California (now Norton Simon)

SignatureLadderRockChair-JN John Nyquist walnut ladder back rocking chair with Larson fabric
Est. $5,000-8,000
From the Personal Collection of John Nyquist, Long Beach, California

Here at B&B we are pleased to be welcoming over the next month a new group of contributors in partnership with Bonhams & Butterfields.  Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one the world's oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. From 20th Century design to fine and rare wines, the specialists at Bonhams offer a wealth of knowledge and information.  Four experts are slated to contribute to the B&B Blog and give us an inside look at the always compelling auction world including collecting advice, the latest trends, and great treasures at great prices.

First up is 20th Century decorative arts specialist, Jason Stein.  Stein has more than 18 years of experience in decorative arts with a special expertise in custom works by legends of interior design.  Over the course of his career, Stein developed a sale category called "Innovators of 20th Century Style," a type of auction geared for the design cognoscenti that features custom pieces created by the great "International Taste-Makers".  Amongst his professional highlights, he developed and produced the auction of the late design legend Tony Duquette.