Identification
Photo reference
3 uploaded photos
Overview
A quintessential piece of 'invisible' furniture, this two-tier cart features thick-walled acrylic panels joined by polished brass-tone hardware. It represents the 1970s shift toward space-age materials that offered glamour without visual weight.
Story
Charles Hollis Jones pioneered acrylic functional sculpture in the 1960s and 1970s, introducing materials developed for wartime aircraft to the realm of high-end Hollywood interior design.
Maker / Origin
Operating within the 'Jet Set' aesthetic tradition, unverified workshops heavily mirrored Jones's innovations, utilizing thick-walled Lucite and brass joinery to create visually weightless forms.
Condition & Value
Because the transparent acrylic medium is highly susceptible to crazing and chemical overcleaning, pristine surface condition without heavy polishing is a primary value driver for these sculptural objects. The acrylic appears to have excellent clarity with no major yellowing or cloudiness visible.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Direct, authenticated comparables are sparse, requiring this valuation to be market-informed by both established original outcomes and unsigned 'School of' proxies. The most exact direct match is an identical unsigned 'Attributed to Charles Hollis Jones' Lucite cart that realized $1,250 at John Moran Auctioneers. While signed, verified functional artworks by Jones regularly clear $2,200+ (as seen at BILLINGS), this signed comp establishes a strict ceiling, not a midpoint, for our unsigned subject. To reflect the confidence penalty applied to unauthenticated mid-century acrylic artwork, we look to 'School of' functional sculptures that have recently hammered between $400 and $825. Consequently, the FMV of $800 to $1,500 captures the current liquidity constraints for unsigned mid-century works while recognizing the object's period originality over contemporary $300-$400 reproductions.
▲ Period originality, indicated by authentic 1970s brass patina and correct fastening hardware.
▲ Uncompromised acrylic structural integrity (absence of deep scratches, crazing, or chemical clouding).
▲ Strong aesthetic and structural alignment with Charles Hollis Jones's 'Metric' design language.
▲ Increasing collector demand for visually weightless, space-age functional sculpture.
▼ Lack of definitive signature or maker's mark necessitates a steep 'School of' attribution penalty.
▼ Acrylic medium is highly susceptible to overcleaning; severe surface degradation drastically reduces FMV.
▼ High volume of modern contemporary reproductions in the market dilutes pricing power for unauthenticated period pieces.
Best Venue
A mid-tier specialist auction house focusing on 20th Century & Contemporary Art + Design (e.g., John Moran Auctioneers or Rago).
Upside Potential
Discovery of an original maker's label, designer stamp, or vintage purchase invoice attributing the work directly to Charles Hollis Jones could elevate the piece into the $2,000+ verified market tier.
Authenticity Notice
Authenticity risk is medium, primarily regarding period originality versus contemporary decorative copies. Verification of 1970s construction signals (oxidation on the brass, original caster mechanics, and correct joinery techniques) is required to differentiate from modern reproductions.