Blog | Alex Cooper

George Nakashima Furniture Collection for Auction

Written by Alex Cooper Staff | May 23, 2018 12:00:00 AM

Alex Cooper is pleased to announce that the upcoming June 16th auction will feature a 50-piece collection of George Nakashima furniture.

From the Estate of Dr. Seymour and Mrs. Phyllis Lifschutz, Princeton, NJ. Dr. Seymour and Mrs. Phyllis Lifschutz began collecting George Nakashima furniture in 1956.  The Lifschutz and Nakashima families quickly forged a special friendship lasting throughout their lifetime; Dr. Lifschutz becoming the Nakashima family physician. The Lifschutz collection grew to over 50 pieces, many works custom designed for their earlier New Brunswick, NJ home, and covering every room in their later Princeton, New Jersey home.

The Lifschutz collection’s most renowned piece, the early Minguren I coffee table (lot 1144 pictured below), English oak burl, circa 1965, received international attention.  Literature includes: Derek Ostergard’s George Nakashima Full Circle 1989 exhibition catalogue – cover illustration; The Soul of The Tree 1993 exhibition catalog – cover illustration; and Mira Nakashima’s Nature Form & Spirit: The Life and Legacy of George Nakashima.

Other notable lots include, lot 1100: George Nakashima Custom Slab Top Pedestal Desk
English oak burl top, oak single pedestal base, 28 3/4 in. H., 65 3/4 in. W., 33 1/2 in. D.

Lot 1130: George Nakashima Table Lamp
Burl walnut base, parchment lined walnut and holly shade 29 1/2 in. H.

 

Lot 1137: Pair of George Nakashima New Chair Rockers
Walnut, poplar spindles, 35 1/2 in. H., 25 in. W., 16 1/4 in. seat D.

Lot 1112: George Nakashima Custom Daybed
Cherry, triple drawer storage base, vinyl upholstered cushions 15 in. H., 80 in. L., 27 1/4 in. D. (excludes cushions).

 

This important collection; together several works by Phillip Lloyd Powell, other modern furniture, fine art, studio pottery, and sculpture, will be sold in Alex Cooper’s June 16th Gallery Auction. For more information about this auction, please visit our website.