20^th Century and Contemporary Design 

Freeman’s is an industry leader in the sale of Pennsylvania and American studio furniture, craft, and design, in particular works by George Nakashima, Samuel Yellin, Wharton Esherick, Harry Bertoia, Phillip Lloyd Powell, and Paul Evans. Our 20^th Century and Contemporary Design department presents work by both iconic and emerging designers in four to six annual sales that bring fresh-to-market property to auction.

Freeman’s international team of experts has advised private collectors, museums, corporate clients, and those working with family collections on the sale and acquisition of works ranging in date from the British Design Reform movement to postwar and contemporary design. In frequent collaboration with our sister auction house, Scotland’s Lyon & Turnbull, Freeman’s specialists are committed to the highest industry standards in the vetting and presentation of property.

Our Design auctions emphasize an impressive variety of studio furniture, ceramics, and glass; our Art and Design auctions feature selections of multiples, works on paper, and design pieces by modern and contemporary artists.

Freeman’s boasts one of the industry’s highest sell-through rates for family collections, as well as works by famed New Hope woodworker George Nakashima. Freeman’s has sold the most valuable work by George Nakashima to appear at auction in four of the last five years; single-owner sales, like the 2020 sale of a rediscovered set of seven windows by Tiffany Studios for $705,000, underscores Freeman’s strength in bringing new-to-market discoveries to international audiences.