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Sotheby's to Feature Craig Wright Antiques

The lots include Art Deco; 18th-century Russian, Italian, and German pieces; and Japanese export lacquerware.

From The New York Times -- Interior Design, 10/3/2006 12:00:00 AM

Craig Wright, a Los Angeles interior designer known to have very affluent clients, is selling an array of fine antiques on Wednesday at Sotheby’s in New York. The 212 lots reflect his many personal enthusiasms: : Art Deco; 18th-century Russian, Italian and German pieces; Flora Danica porcelain from Denmark; Portuguese Baroque furniture; and Japanese export lacquerware.

“These are all decorating phases I went through,” Mr. Wright said. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years. Most things are from my house on Sunset Plaza Drive — I’m reconstructing it. When I realized I owned 16 pairs of Russian commodes and 36 individual ones, I knew I couldn’t use them all in the new house.”

About 15 percent of the pieces come from Quatrain, his Los Angeles antiques shop, where he will now concentrate on reproductions. Clients have added a few other pieces to the sale.

“It’s a very eclectic collection, all good quality,” said Alistair Clarke, a specialist in French and Continental furniture at Sotheby’s. “It’s a good mix. These are things prepicked by a decorator. We find people like to buy other people’s taste. It’s a coordinated look.”

A native of California, Mr. Wright studied architecture, fine arts and art history at school. He has always liked historic architecture and antiques, especially things found in Copenhagen, Lisbon, Paris, London and cities across Italy.

“I believe in travel and seeing things firsthand,” he said. “I began traveling by myself when I was 15. I had an indulgent grandmother. It was scary, but I managed.”

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