According to Collect Arts Antiques Auctions magazine, the designer Emiel Veranneman (1924–2004) has recently seen a spectacular surge in the auction market, driven by a global craze for 20th-century art furniture. Long considered a well-kept secret and reserved for an elite group of Belgian collectors, this interior designer’s work is now establishing itself as a highly prized safe-haven investment. Veranneman’s long-standing refusal to succumb to mass industrial production is now his greatest strength, with the extreme rarity of his limited-edition furniture pieces sparking fierce bidding wars.
In January 2026, PIASA’s Belgian branch recorded a record price for one of his famous cabinets with asymmetrical drawers, which sold for 28,921 euros (including fees). These iconic pieces, lacquered in black and red, are also driving up prices under the hammer.
With an average price per lot currently hovering around 5,200 euros over the last twelve months, according to Artprice, Emiel Veranneman is therefore no longer merely a source of Belgian national pride, but an essential name in international design.
Emiel Veranneman (1924-2004)
Chest of drawers – Limited edition
Lemon-yellow lacquered wood
Label: ‘Made for Emiel Veranneman
by De Coene Decor’
Model created circa 1978
H 79 × W 130 × D 45 cm
Sold for €28,921
