Hasta La Ideas

(Photos: Sotheby’s)

Did you know that legendary art director Alexey Brodovitch dabbled in furnture design? Behold this plywood, rope, and metal rocking chair, one of his entries in the Museum of Modern Art’s 1948 International Competition for Low-Cost Furniture Design. Organized by Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., who directed MoMA’s industrial design department from 1940 until its merger with the department of architecture eight years later, the competition sought furniture designed to “fit the need of modern living, production, and merchandizing.” Out of more than 3,000 entries received from all over the world, Brodovitch’s rocking chair took third prize ($1,250) in the seating category and went on to be exhibited alongside the work of designers such as Charles Eames. One model of this chair is in MoMA’s permanent collection, and another will be auctioned by Sotheby’s on Friday in New York during its 20th Century Design sale. Estimated to sell for between $8,000 and $12,000, it’s no longer “low-cost,” but it is just about what Brodovitch’s prize money would be worth in 2009 dollars.

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