Design
Our Mid-Century and Modern Design offering falls under the Design department's care as an area of keen interest. This aspect of our department encompasses the various modern styles of the post-war period, with a renewed interest in British design from exhibitions such as the Festival of Britain, with the likes of John & Sylvia Reid and Ernest Race, through to the contemporary designs of John Makepeace and Mark Brazier-Jones.
Further to this, mid-century Scandinavian and American design continues to dominate the market and Sworders have become leaders in the sale of furniture, applied arts, glassware and jewellery from this category. Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner, Nanna Ditzel, Alvar Aalto, Charles & Ray Eames, Isamu Noguchi, and Harry Bertoia are but some of the regular designers who feature in our dedicated Design auctions.
European glass remains extremely popular with designers spanning the continent from France, Italy, Scandinavia, and the United Kingdom. Our auctions regularly include works designed by René Lalique, Geoffrey Baxter, Alessandro Pianon and manufacturers such as Murano and Orrefors.
Be sure not to miss out on the launch of a new catalogue by signing up for alerts here and follow the department on Instagram @swordersdesign
Our specialists hold regular valuation days. Please contact us for more information, or complete the online form to enquire about the valuation of your items.
Want to know how much your Mid-Century & Modern Design may be worth? Fill out our easy-to-use form and a member of the team will be in touch with free advice shortly.
We're pleased to welcome Matthew Yeats, who joins Sworders as Head of Design. With a commitment to building on the department’s success and expanding the reach of its sales, here he shares an insight into his background and expertise.
20 February 2025
At Sworders, we have a long and proud history of handling studio ceramics; this field is a passion of ours, and we are committed to its growth - honouring its rich history while embracing the exciting evolution of contemporary craft.
20 February 2025
Stanley Webb Davies is known for his finely crafted furniture and our January Design auction will feature examples of his highly collectable work. His designs emphasise simplicity and functionality, together with the natural beauty of wood.
21 January 2025