Published 10th May 2025

The "Important Double-Pedestal Lamp" holds significant importance as a prime example of Frank Lloyd Wright's holistic design approach, where every element of a building, including its furnishings, was conceived as part of a unified artistic vision. This particular lamp was created for the Susan Lawrence Dana House, a landmark Prairie School residence in Springfield, Illinois. The Dana House is considered one of Wright's most important early masterpieces, and this lamp was integral to its interior design. The lamp's design reflects Wright's Prairie School aesthetic, characterized by clean lines, geometric forms, and the integration of natural motifs. Its presence within the Dana House, a meticulously planned and preserved Wright interior, further elevates its significance.

Frank Lloyd Wright was not only an architect but also a designer of furniture, lighting, and other decorative arts. He believed in creating total environments where all elements worked together harmoniously. Wright often designed custom furnishings for his buildings, ensuring that the interior spaces complemented his architectural vision. His lighting designs, like this double-pedestal lamp, were notable for their innovative use of geometric shapes, art glass, and integrated structures, often reflecting and enhancing the natural light within his architectural spaces. These pieces were not mere accessories but essential components of his architectural statements.

Featuring highlights from The Joseph H. Hazen Collection and The Collection of Rolf & Margit Weinberg, The May 2025 Modern Evening Auction will feature artworks that capture the spirit of artists working around the globe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who dared to challenge established norms of artistic practice to create a new and wholly modern vision of art. Tracing the historic throughlines and cross-continental dialogues between artists working across Impressionism, Surrealism and Cubism into Abstract Expressionism and beyond, the Modern Evening Auction will spotlight these critical developments of the last 150 years, uniting those masterworks that define art history as we know it today.

​

Sotheby’s New York, 13th May 2025