The Darwin Martin House sidelight window that was auctioned by Sotheby's this week sold at the high-end of the projected sales price. An unknown buyer paid $8,125 for the window which included the buyer's premium. Which begs the question, Does the Martin House Restoration Corporation chase these windows down when they hit the resale market?
"We tend toward strategic acquisitions," says Mary Roberts, Executive Director of the Martin House Restoration Corporation. Roberts explains that the cost of purchasing an original window is oftentimes two to three times what it costs to have reproductions made.
"Unless the piece is a pattern we don't already have, we can't pay over reproduction cost," she says. "It's not that we would never try to pursue windows put up for sale, but it boils down to a fiduciary decision."
"We have occasionally placed absentee bids for auctions at reproduction costs, but we won't spend market value."
"Since we have a sidelight window that can be used to create replicas, that particular window was on our low priority list," Roberts says.
According to Martin House Curator Eric Jackson-Forsberg, of the 394 glass pieces originally in the Martin complex, the Restoration Corporation has about half of the originals. That includes windows, glass doors and skylights. The balance will be reproduced.
"We would love a donor to purchase an original window and donate it to us," says Roberts. "But if the window isn't a design we need, we might suggest the donor fund two to three replicas for the same price.
"We have an amazing company working on the replicas," says Jackson-Forsberg. "They're virtually indistinguishable from the originals."
Officials at the Restoration Corporation are constantly on the lookout for original Martin House windows.
"We attempt to get owners to donate their windows to the project by stressing the importance of having the window in its original context and function as Wright intended." Roberts and Jackson-Forsberg say that with the money owners can obtain by selling, donation is a "hard case to make."
"On rare occasions we've had the opportunity to buy original windows at close to reproduction cost," says Roberts. She says the Tree of Life window obtained from New York University's Grey Art Gallery was one such purchase (right).
It marked the first time any museum has deaccessioned a piece of Darwin Martin House art glass designed by Wright. The purchase price was not disclosed.
"It was an anomaly in their collection and they were willing to work with us," adds Roberts.
The high cost of Wright's windows is shocking to many, but not to those working to restore the properties he has designed.
"Until you look at the dynamics of the auction market, it is hard for people to understand," says Jackson-Forsberg. "There is a mystique surrounding Wright's life and work. People are willing to pay exorbitant prices for that."
As for the final stages of the Martin House restoration, Roberts says the project is at a "fascinating point in time." Interior utility and reconstruction work is underway, half of a projected $11 million final phase that will complete the restoration of the Martin House. "When the first phase is complete this summer, it will make a dramatic and enormous difference."
Entry Image: Bursar's Office (Darwin Martin's home office) skylight by John Hayden.
Tree of Life image by Biff Henrich
The renewed interest in Frank Lloyd Wright has been traced to the renewed interest in Ayn Rand. Sales of her books The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged have skyrocketed in recent years, and that has created a renewed interest in Wright's work.
http://articles.latimes.com/2009/oct/03/home/hm-rand3