Joseph Walsh – Unique “Lilium” Low Table
This unique Lilium low table by Joseph Walsh sold for $78,000 at Sotheby’s in New York today. It was from the collection of Sydell Miller whose enthusiasm for the work of the Irish sculptor started when she first encountered one of his works at an art fair. The commission of two site-specific low tables ensued, including the present lot, with Walsh designing the pieces with the proportions of her sitting rooms in mind. As functionality was primordial to the patron, Walsh included to the design unique moulded glass insets punctuating the top, ensuring that objects could be placed on its surface. In fact, Miller provided the artist with a curated list of objects that she wished to place on the tables.
The ebonized bentwood, characteristic of Joseph Walsh’s practice, beautifully complements the crystal inclusions, which turned out to be the most technically challenging part of the production process. A relatively new technique for the artist at the time, Walsh collaborated with Waterford crystal manufacturer and the Corning Museum of Glass in the production and moulding of each unique glass element, shaped like delicate teardrops.
The day auction of the Sydell Miller collection brought in $11,605,680