On Thursday, December 10th, at 6 pm, PIASA is offering an American design auction of 118 lots. On this occasion, numerous creations by George Nakashima, a major figure in American design and representative of the spirit of wood, will be presented to collectors.
In 1946, George Nakashima decided to build his own house on his land, stone after stone, producing his living and working space by mixing details of Japanese carpentry and American techniques.
With the strength of his hands and his ideas, he creates a singular architectural work, a vision of space based on the analysis of circulation, functionality and needs. The dominant material is raw wood, which is taken, cut and simply debarked for the posts and rhythmically composed in the partitions evoking shoji. Large openings introduce nature into the house.
In 1947, the house was completed and the family soon expanded with the birth of Kevin in 1954. He built his workshop and an adjoining showroom. This welcoming and sober space takes up the Japanese tradition of shoji and tatami. He works hard in his workshop, both responding to private orders and producing a collection of archetypal standard furniture that he will produce without interruption.
George Nakashima (1905-1990)
Minguren I - Custom order
Estimate: 30000 / 40000 €
George Nakashima himself, with an assistant, carries out all the operations of furniture making, preparation of the elements, assembly, pegging and assembling with several mortise and tenon, dovetail and butterfly techniques. He steam bends the wood in his workshop and ensures the choice of solid native woods.
He is moving towards a very healthy economy, an essential range without giving in to the temptations of the consumer society, meeting only the strict rules of simplicity, following the example of the first shaker communities in the 18th century.
"I am now seeking to develop the concept of craftsmanship in a world that was then accustomed to mass products"
How can we try to define George Nakashima's style, a unique style where the material is the foundation of all creation. The real starting point of any realisation is the wood and the raw wood exclusively. Unlike industrial design, which starts from the design and the search for the most suitable material, George Nakashima reverses the logic by always starting from the material, so that each wooden plank will guide the object designed and manufactured according to its shape. "George Nakashima's craftsmanship is not only a personal creation but also responds to philosophical concepts inspired by the great Japanese masters".
George Nakashima (1905-1990)
Sideboard - Custom order
Estimate : 20000 / 30000 €
Through the sobriety of its lines, the nuances of its chromatic range and the sliding door system, this sideboard (Lot 96) sums up - in itself - the influence of Japan on his work.
George Nakashima's work highlights the natural beauty and simplicity of the wood, with rough edges, close to a philosophy that cultivates an aesthetics of the unfinished. While developing refined and precise assembly techniques, he likes to combine traditional American and Japanese styles with modern style.
George Nakashima (1905-1990)
Chaise longue - Custom order
Estimate : 35000 / 45000 €
In 1983, George Nakashima was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan and the Japanese government, a recognition of the importance of his work in the field of international arts and crafts.
