899/​1454

Poul Henningsen (b. Ordrup 1894, d. Hillerød 1967)

“PH-5/4–4/3”. Gigantic, extremely rare chandelier with brass frame. Shades of one-layer opaline glass, bottom bowls of frosted glass. Middle shade set size 5/4. Six arms with shade set size 4/3. Bayonet socket houses. Outer shade holders marked “patented” and “P.H.-3/100”. This example manufactured 1930 by Louis Poulsen. H. 81 cm. Diam. 125 cm.

Provenance: Made to order for Neye, later the Neye Foundation, where the chandelier has hung in the boardroom/tower room ever since.

Neye was founded in 1881 by Johannes Neye, when he opened a “gallantry shop“ on the shopping street Strøget in Copenhagen. A shop with accessories for dressing up and other pleasures, gift items as well as leather goods.

Johannes Neye died in 1926, after which his eldest son Knud Neye took over the company, which at that time consisted of seven shops and a leather goods factory.

Knud Neye died early of cancer in 1945 just 59 years old. His wife, Agathe Neye, took over the Neye Group after her husband's death.

Since the couple was childless, Agathe Neye was very concerned about what would happen to Neye in the future. Therefore, she decided to place her personal fortune and all of Neye's properties, six locations in Copenhagen and 10 on Funen and in Jutland, in a foundation, Neye Fonden. The foundation also took over a large and impressive collection of paintings, established by Knud and Agathe Neye. The foundation later sold this collection at auction at Bruun Rasmussen Auctioneers of Fine Art.

According to the 1977 Royally Confirmed Deed of Foundation, the purpose of the Neye Foundation is to safeguard the future of the company and to support scientific institutions or individuals who are engaged in research on the causes of and the fight against cancer.

This is the definition found in the articles of association of the Neye Foundation.

“The money earned in Neye must benefit the society in which the money has been earned.”

Agathe Neye died on 29 January 1980 at the age of 84.

This item is subject to full VAT
Condition

Condition report on request. Please contact: design@bruun-rasmussen.dk

Auction

Design, 10 December 2020

Category
Estimate

300,000–400,000 DKK

Sold

Price realised

550,000 DKK