Dorotheum attaches great importance to design: as one of the first auction houses in Europe, Dorotheum has held its own design auctions already from 1996 onwards. With top results and premium prices for design classics of the 20th century and contemporary design, including works by Austrian and international designers and architects such as Adolf Loos, Carl Auböck, Jean Prouvé, Ron Arad, Zaha Hadid, Diego Giacometti, Verner Panton and Ettore Sottsass, Dorotheum made a name for itself as one of the leading auction houses for design. Maximum prices are regularly realised also for works by Gaetano Pesce, Ross Lovegrove, Danny Lane, Tom Dixon, Michael Young, Franz West and Heimo Zobernig.

Among the design creations offered are furniture, lighting, applied art and architectural designs. The broad range of design trends at the auctions stretches from the Vienna Secession and Bauhaus over to Constructivism, Functionalism and the mid-century design of the 1950s through to the radical design of the 1960s and Postmodernism. A particular focal point is contemporary design. Therefore, prior to the design auctions, regular performances by contemporary designers take place: for example, by the Austrian designer collective breadedEscalope or, most recently, the Polish designer duo chmara.rosinke. The design expert thereby aims, as “temporary gallerist”, to present current trends in design and conceptual art in their relation to historical positions.

The auctions, which are held twice a year, thus provide the perfect environment to successfully sell or purchase first-class design items.

Our specialists are at your disposal for evaluations. This service is free of charge and involves no obligation.