There's been a twist in this story since we've posted it. Through the help of knowledgeable individuals who posted info on the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy's Message Board, these "Wright" pieces have been identified as--NOT Frank Lloyd Wright! They are actually from the David Henken House (1949) designed by David Henken. Henken was a Wright apprentice and organizer of the "Usonia" development of homes in Pleasantville, New York. One Message Board contributer, SDR, kindly did the extra detective work of hunting down some historical photos of them in their original house to solidify their correct provenance. SDR points out:
Interior photos are from "Realizations of Usonia: Frank Lloyd Wright in Westchester" (p 10), a pamphlet "published to accompany an exhibition at The Hudson River Museum, 3 February through 7 April, 1985.'" The photos are identified as "Interior views of David Henken house. . ." The settees and the bench visible in the last photo appear to match those shown in the auction announcement.
Despite the fact that the furniture is mis-represented, the fact remains that they were still designed with the same principles in mind that Wright himself used, and as such the fact that they are not meant to be separated from their original home remains. We would strongly ask that the "buyer beware" in regards to the shady auction house representation and the ethical issue of strip-mining decor meant solely for an environment that still exists.
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