John Risley 1919–2001
John Risley was an accomplished sculptor, artist, and furniture designer from Waterville, Maine whose skills were honed while obtaining degrees from Amherst College, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Cranbrook Academy of Arts. He taught at Cranbrook and also served as the wood products designer for the United States Mutual Security Agency prior to becoming a professor at Wesleyan University in 1954, where he remained until retiring in 1987. He was best known for bringing a sense of humor to his work and received international acclaim for his satirical drawings and cartoons, even winning a first prize at the 1983 Festival of Humor and Satire in Bulgaria.
Auction Results John Risley
John Risley
chairs, pair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,800
John Risley
dining set
estimate: $1,500–2,000
result: $3,250
John Risley
bench
estimate: $1,200–1,500
result: $3,120
John Risley
rare Duyan lounge chair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $2,500
John Risley
settee
estimate: $900–1,200
result: $2,032
John Risley
settee
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,820
John Risley
Duyan lounge chair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $1,750
John Risley
settee
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $1,725
John Risley
settee
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,500
John Risley
chair and ottoman
estimate: $900–1,200
result: $1,375
John Risley
lounge chair and ottoman
estimate: $700–900
result: $1,063
John Risley
Duyan stool
estimate: $500–700
result: $1,040
John Risley
chairs, pair
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,000
John Risley
ottoman
estimate: $400–500
result: $875
John Risley
tea cart
estimate: $500–700
result: $750
John Risley
Horse bar cart
estimate: $700–900
result: $625
John Risley
wire ottoman
estimate: $400–500
result: $510
John Risley
Untitled
estimate: $500–700
result: $500
John Risley
Horse bar cart
estimate: $3,000–5,000
John Risley
settee and chair
estimate: $2,000–3,000
John Risley
beetle
estimate: $1,000–1,500
John Risley
Leaf table
estimate: $1,000–1,500
John Risley
chairs, set of five
estimate: $5,000–7,000