Phillips de Pury & Co. Auction Celebrates the Life & Work of Decorator Muriel Brandolini

Written by Charlie Haydon Saturday, 08 October 2011 23:33

New York City.– Phillips de Pury & Company announce ‘The World of Muriel Brandolini’, an interiors auction celebrating the life and work of decorator Muriel Brandolini. The auction will be held at Phillips de Pury & Company, 450 Park Avenue, New York on October 21st, the lots can be viewed from until October 12th. A blaze of color on the fall calendar, Brandolini's sale will include works from her wide-ranging collection of decorative arts, contemporary design and fine art, as well as examples of her own signature line of furniture. A devotee of eclecticism, Brandolini embraces many styles; works on offer will include 19th-century decorative arts, early 20th-century Viennese modernism, postwar Italian design, and limited edition works by contemporary masters Ron Arad, Martin Szekely and Pierre Charpin, among others. Acclaimed artists Yves Klein, Takis, and Ross Blecknerwill accompany rising stars Max Snow and Oberto Gili.

The ‘Queen of Color’, Brandolini will splash her signature style across Phillips de Pury & Company's walls. On this occasion, she will decorate a series of rooms at 450 Park Avenue, the contents of which will be on the block at the end of the exhibition. “Muriel's energy is irrepressible — and catching. Her sale, and the events leading up to it, will be a bright spot this fall. It will be a unique opportunity to step inside her world, and linger there."  Alex Heminway, Director of Design,New York, Phillips de Pury & Company. "My aim for this sale and exhibition is to transport people into my dream world. My hope is that they realize that there are no rules to follow and that a great design piece is great no matter the era or designer...what matters is its beauty and integrity."Muriel Brandolini, Designer. ‘The World of Muriel Brandolini’ will coincide with Rizzoli's publication of the same name and will offer for sale many works illustrated in her forthcoming book. Brandolini will host Rizzoli's only New York book signing at Phillips de Pury & Company from 6pm – 8pm on October 18th.


Phillips was founded in London in 1796 by Harry Phillips, formerly senior clerk to James Christie. During his first year of business, Phillips conducted twelve successful auctions and soon the business was holding sales for some of the most distinguished collectors of the day including Marie Antoinette, Beau Brummel and Napoleon Bonaparte. To win business, Phillips combined business acumen with a flair for showmanship, introducing new ways to promote his sales such as elaborate evening receptions before auctions - an essential part of the auction business today. Phillips quickly gained the confidence of British society and remains the only auction house ever to have held a sale inside Buckingham Palace. When he died in 1840, Harry Phillips' son, William Augustus, inherited a strong and successful legacy and business. In 1879, William changed the firm's name to Messrs Phillips & Son.  In1882, William brought his son-in-law, Frederick Neale into the business, the company was renamed again as Phillips, Son & Neale. This name remained through the 1970s, when the company became Phillips. The company had a reputation for strong regional salerooms dotted throughout The British Isles, selling everything from furniture to art and estates.

In 1999, the company was bought by Bernard Arnault, the chairman of the French luxury-goods brand, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey (LVMH). Shortly after the transaction, Mr. Arnault merged with the esteemed private art dealers, Simon de Pury and Daniela Luxembourg who were operating the Impressionist and Modern art gallery, de Pury & Luxembourg in Zurich. The new team at Phillips, de Pury & Luxembourg with headquarters on East 57th street held sales in Impressionist, American and Modern works of art in addition to watches and jewelry and design. In 2002, de Pury & Luxembourg took majority control of the company and in 2003, Simon de Pury moved the headquarters to the Meatpacking District in Chelsea, which at the time was just beginning to sprout as an international art district. With a new remit to focus solely on the sale of the best works of Contemporary Art, Design, Jewelry, Photography, and Editions, Phillips de Pury & Company began business in a spectacular and spacious gallery setting on 15th Street, overlooking the celebrated Highline and The Hudson River. It is in this space today where Simon de Pury, his partners, and team of specialists are dedicated to the company's unique approach to the auction market. In October 2008, Mercury Group, the Russian luxury retail company, acquired majority share of Phillips de Pury & Company to further enable the company’s expansion, including the opening of our flagship galleries at 450 Park Avenue. Visit the auction house's website at ... http://phillipsdepury.com

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