Harry Bertoia’s Furniture Period

On Thursday, September 19, Rago Auctions hosts former Senior Industrial Designer for Knoll Product Development, William Shea, as he delivers a presentation titled “Harry Bertoia’s Furniture Period.”

This talk will explore the 15-year period (1940 through the mid-1950s) during which artist, sculptor and metal craftsman, Harry Bertoia left his mark on mid-20th Century furniture design. As a lifelong fan of both Harry’s art and furniture, Bill Shea recounts the story of Bertoia’s foray into the world of furniture design.

Bill Shea was Senior Industrial Designer for Knoll Product Development from the late 70s to the late 80s before leaving to establish the design, development and engineering consultancy, Shea+Latone, Inc. During that time, he’s worked with such luminaries as Emilio Ambasz, Don Chadwick, Niels Diffrient, Frank Gehry, Emanuela Frattini, Maya Lin, Carl Magnusson and many more. Now retired, he is working on a book about Harry Bertoia’s furniture work with Charles Eames and Knoll Associates. He is a member of the Harry Bertoia Foundation board.

The auction house opens on Thursday, September 19 at noon. A wine and cheese reception begins at 5 pm. The presentation will begin at 6 pm.

Guests are invited to R.S.V.P. to raac@ragoarts.com or 609-397-9374 ext. 119.