14 DAY TRIAL // The Tufft Rococo-style table was sold at a Christie's auction house in Philadelphia for the enormous amount of money of $4.6 million. Even though this was taking place in January 1990, no other piece of furniture has been able to surpass this outstanding feat and sell for a larger amount. However, the oak and glass table designed by Carlo Mollino in 1949 got somewhere close to it, as it was estimated last year at $3.8 million.
Named after its creator, the elegant piece of furniture valued at $4.6 million was especially designed for a rich owner residing in New Jersey. It was one of his direct descendants, Samuel Harrison Gardiner, who finally put it on sale.
Carved by Thomas Tufft around 1775-1776, the exquisite and fabulously expensive table has remained a relevant example of rococo furniture ever since. Even though this particular style in art and home-interiors first appeared in late 18th century France, it then expanded to inspire artists and designers around the globe, including the American cabinetmaker previously mentioned.
The table Tufft created follows the characteristic features of such trend: its fretwork is delicately pierced and the legs are long, with narrowing ankles, ending in ball-and-claw feet. Elegant and timeless, Tufft's masterpiece would definitely be the piece de resistance of any antique collection.
However, yet another considerable addition would also be a 20th century dazzling expensive table, designed by Italian architect Mollino, and auctioned at Christie's as well, but this time in New York, in 2005. The creator of this particular table embraced the futuristic trend, choosing to play with volumes and shapes. Given the fact that rumors say that his credo was “Everything is permissible as long as it is fantastic,” the result of his imaginative endeavor clearly comes close, as you can also see in the second picture.
What with the Tufft creation still holding strong to number one, it will still be extremely interesting to see just how high antique furniture can still go. In this sense, 2009 seems to be quite promising, despite the economic recession.
