American, 1894–1989
Donald Deskey
247results on record
69%sell-through
$4,500median result (USD, incl. premium; 99% observed, 1% estimated from hammer)
$274,000record in our coverage
Drawn from 247 recorded results (191 sold · 56 passed) across 8 auction houses, 1998–2026. 1 upcoming lot on the ledger. What we cover
Median sold price by year typical estimate range median result USD, incl. premium; 99% observed, 1% estimated from hammer method · log scale
Where does a value land in this market?
The same figure also answers the seller's question: which house clears a work like this, and for how much — expected proceeds by house, from the sell-through the rest of this page is built on.
Every sold result for this market, low to high (log scale) — the dashed line is the median. Enter a value to see where it lands.
By medium where medium is recorded or stated in the catalog line
| Medium | Results | Sell-through | Median result (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ceramics & design | 194 | 70% | $4,775 |
Medium is recorded for 194 of 247 results (79%) — rows above cover that subset; the rest of the record is in the full ledger below.
Compared with Harry Bertoia Donald Deskey Harry Bertoia
| Metric | Donald Deskey | Harry Bertoia |
|---|---|---|
| Median result | $4,500 | $18,750 |
| Record price | $274,000 | $1,943,900 |
| Results on record | 247 | 1,828 |
| Years active at auction | 1998–2026 | 1998–2026 |
Related artists: Harry BertoiaGeorge NakashimaHans J. WegnerIsamu Noguchi
Market strength liquidity score, 0–100 · method
67/ 100
- Sell-through69%
- Meets estimate51%
- Market depth247 results
How readily and near-estimate this market clears — sell-through, estimate reliability, and depth, blended into one score. "Meets estimate" is the share of sold lots hammering at or above the low estimate, over catalogs that print a real appraisal: a house whose printed low is a starting bid would meet its estimate on every lot, so those lots are excluded from this term only — their prices and outcomes still count in the other two. Method →
Where this artist sells best
| House | Results | Sell-through | Median | vs. estimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wright | 139 | 71% | $3,288 | — |
| Sotheby's | 65 | 100% | $13,750 | 0.80× |
| Christie's | 8 | 100% | $2,232 | — |
| Rago | 8 | 75% | $1,062 | — |
| Heritage Auctions | 10 | 60% | $1,531 | — |
| Bonhams | 14 | 36% | $2,550 | 1.12× |
| Phillips | 2 | 100% | $17,205 | — |
| Freeman's | Hindman | 1 | 100% | $2,500 | 1.33× |
The same artist across every house we cover — hammer-vs-estimate side by side. A dash in the estimate column can mean withheld rather than unpublished: the house publishes no hammer price, or its printed low is a starting bid rather than an appraisal. Method →
Prices realized 248 recorded lots — sold, passed, and upcoming — results in USD incl. premium; est. marks a premium estimated from the house's schedule ✓ Includes 56 passed lots
| Date | Lot | Medium | vs. estimate | Estimate USD | Result USD, incl. premium | House |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 realized prices on this page are locked. A Research Pass reads 50 of them for $19, once — buy a pass | ||||||
| 2026·08 | Table lamp | $4,000–$6,000 | Wright | |||
| 2026·08 | Occasional table | $4,000–$6,000 | Wright | |||
| 2026·08 | Rare matchbox | $7,000–$9,000 | Wright | |||
| 2026·08 | Rare ashtray | $8,000–$10,000 | Wright | |||
| 2026·05 | Boston, Massachusetts, dated 1961, Micarta laminate, enameled plywood, aluminum, paper maker's label 'This piece was made in year 1961. It is number D907M Charak Furniture Co., Boston, Mass.,' ht. 19 3/4, wd. 25, dp. 23 in. | $400–$600 | Bonhams | |||
| 2026·05 | Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1965, Micarta laminate, walnut, aluminum, maker's mark 'Charak Modern,' proper left door opens to interior with two drawers and one adjustable shelf, proper right door opens to interior with two adjustable shelves, ht. 31 1/4, wd. 57 1/2, dp. 19 in. | $2,000–$3,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2026·05 | Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1965, walnut, Micarta laminate, aluminum, top opens to interior with three drawers and several pigeonholes, drawer below writing surface, branded mark 'Charak Modern,' ht. 37 1/4, writing surface ht. 28 1/2, wd. 42, dp. 24 in. | $2,000–$3,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2026·04 | Singing Woman carpet from Radio City Music Hall | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2026·03 | Rare Armchair, Model No. 500, designed circa 1939 | chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, painted steel, silk velvet upholstery | $5,000–$7,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2025·12 | Untitled | $1,000–$1,500 | Rago | |||
| 2025·11 | Untitled | $1,000–$1,500 | Wright | |||
| 2025·11 | Vanity and stool | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·11 | Montauban | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·11 | Coat rack | $1,000–$1,500 | Wright | |||
| 2025·08 | Buffet | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·08 | Dining chairs, set of eight | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·08 | Dining table | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·08 | Cabinet | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·06 | Rare Armchair, Model No. 500, designed circa 1939 | chrome-plated steel, stainless steel, painted steel, silk velvet upholstery | $10,000–$15,000 | upcoming | Christie's | |
| 2025·06 | Matchbox | $4,000–$6,000 | Wright | |||
| 2025·03 | Cabinet | $800–$1,200 | Wright | |||
| 2025·03 | Cabinet | $500–$700 | Wright | |||
| 2025·03 | Nightstand | $400–$600 | Wright | |||
| 2024·09 | Desk and chair | $7,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2024·06 | Floor lamp | $2,000–$3,000 | Rago | |||
| 2024·06 | Rare armchair, model 500 | $10,000–$15,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·11 | (1894-1989) Pair of Andironscirca 1940brassheight 14 1/4in (36cm); width 9in (23cm); depth 9 1/4in (24cm) | $500–$700 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·10 | Roll-top desk | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·10 | Table lamp | $10,000–$15,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·10 | Cabinet | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·10 | Floor lamp | $3,000–$5,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·08 | Coffee table | $1,500–$2,500 | Wright | |||
| 2023·07 | (1894-1989) Pair of Andironscirca 1940brassheight 14 1/4in (36cm); width 9in (23cm); depth 9 1/4in (24cm) | $1,000–$1,500 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·05 | United States, Deskey-Volimer Inc. c. 1930, chrome-plated metal and painted wood, single original socket, unmarked, ht. 15 in. | $5,000–$8,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2023·03 | Cabinet | $4,000–$6,000 | Wright | |||
| 2023·02 | Table lamp | $4,000–$6,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2022·11 | Andirons, pair | $2,000–$3,000 | Rago | |||
| 2022·07 | Rumidor Humidor | $500–$700 | Wright | |||
| 2022·05 | Chests of Drawers, Pair circa 1928 | East Indian rosewood laquered wood, nickel plated steel, bakelite. | $1,000–$2,000 | Freeman's | Hindman | ||
| 2022·03 | Andirons, pair | $2,000–$3,000 | Rago | |||
| 2022·01 | Ten Dining Chairs, 1936, W. & J. Sloane | Wood, upholstery | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·01 | Dining Table with Two Leaves, 1936, W. & J. Sloane | Macassar ebony, madrone burl | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·01 | Credenza, 1936, W. & J. Sloane | Macassar ebony, madrone burl | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2022·01 | Two-Door Cabinet, 1936, W. & J. Sloane | Madrone burl, macassar ebony | — | Heritage Auctions | ||
| 2021·12 | Table Lamp | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2021·09 | Singing Woman carpet from Radio City Music Hall | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2021·09 | Chairs, set of four | $10,000–$15,000 | Wright | |||
| 2021·07 | Andirons, pair | $700–$900 | Rago | |||
| 2021·03 | Untitled (New York Harbor) | $1,200–$1,800 | Rago | |||
| 2021·02 | Occasional table | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2020·10 | floor lamp | $3,000–$5,000 | Wright | |||
| 2020·09 | (1894-1989) Table Lampcirca 1930for Deskey-Vollmer, Inc., nickel-plated brass, nickel-plated steel and lacquered woodheight 11 1/2in (29.2cm) | $4,000–$6,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2020·09 | table lamp | $6,000–$9,000 | Rago | |||
| 2020·08 | Three design studies 3 | $2,500–$3,500 | Bonhams | |||
| 2020·08 | firedog | $300–$500 | Wright | |||
| 2020·07 | (1894-1989) Table Lampcirca 1930for Deskey-Vollmer, Inc., nickel-plated brass, nickel-plated steel and lacquered woodheight 11 1/2in (29.2cm) | $8,000–$12,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·10 | (1894-1989) Companion Pair of Mirrors1930sglass, chromed metaldiameters 36in (92cm) and 30in (76cm) | $2,500–$3,500 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·10 | (1894-1989); attributed to Console Table1930sebonized wood, chromed steelheight 35in (63.5cm); width 28in (71.12cm); depth 12in (30.4cm) | $2,500–$3,500 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·10 | Papierabfälle; and Barrels | $2,000–$3,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2019·04 | (1894-1989) Companion Pair of Mirrors1930sglass, chromed metaldiameters 36in (92cm) and 30in (76cm) | $5,000–$7,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2018·06 | Rare table lamp | $10,000–$15,000 | Wright | |||
| 2018·04 | Floor Lamp | $3,000–$5,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2018·04 | Covered Box | $2,000–$3,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2017·09 | occasional table | $1,500–$2,000 | Wright | |||
| 2017·08 | floor lamp | $1,000–$1,500 | Wright | |||
| 2017·03 | occasional table | $2,000–$3,000 | Wright | |||
| 2016·12 | A Rare Writing Table | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2016·12 | Ceiling light from the Brown Palace Hotel, Denver | $30,000–$40,000 | Phillips | |||
| 2016·12 | coatrack | $4,000–$6,000 | Wright | |||
| 2016·12 | table lamp | $8,000–$12,000 | Wright | |||
| 2016·12 | floor lamp | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2016·06 | "Charak Modern" Tambour Desk and Low Table | $4,000–$6,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2016·03 | Armchair, Model no. 4517 | $3,000–$5,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2016·03 | Covered Box | $4,000–$6,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2015·12 | Pair of lounge chairs, circa 1932 | $60,000–$80,000 | Bonhams | |||
| 2015·12 | Table Lamp | $150,000–$250,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2015·12 | Covered Box | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2015·12 | Side Table | $30,000–$50,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2015·06 | Box | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2015·06 | Armchair, circa 1940 | chrome-plated steel, leather upholstery | $2,000–$3,000 | Christie's | ||
| 2015·03 | table | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2015·03 | Cocktail Table | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2014·07 | firedog | $1,000–$1,500 | Wright | |||
| 2014·06 | Table Lamp | $10,000–$15,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2014·03 | table | $10,000–$15,000 | Wright | |||
| 2014·03 | Reading Lamp | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2014·03 | set of fire tools | $3,000–$5,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·06 | Sofa from the Men's Smoking Room at Radio City Music Hall, New York | $25,000–$35,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·06 | An Important and Rare Box | $25,000–$35,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·06 | set of fire tools | $6,000–$8,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·06 | pair of lamps from the roxy apartment at radio city music hall, new york | $12,000–$18,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2013·06 | A Rare Floor Lamp | $15,000–$20,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·12 | Armchair from the Men's Smoking Room, Radio City Music Hall | $40,000–$60,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·06 | A Rare Pair of Table Lamps | $25,000–$35,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·06 | Console | $8,000–$12,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2012·03 | andirons | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2012·03 | floor lamps, pair | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
| 2011·12 | Table Lamp | $5,000–$7,000 | Sotheby's | |||
| 2011·07 | andirons, pair | $200–$300 | Wright | |||
| 2010·06 | floor lamp | $5,000–$7,000 | Wright | |||
Realized prices are sold by the record: 50 for $19, non-expiring. Reading them at volume is what Starter is for.