Colette Gueden 1905–1999
French designer Colette Gueden was best known for the work she produced during her 45 year tenure at Primavera, the design studio of Printemps department store chain. Born in Indochina in 1905, she studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts de Saint-Etienne, France and graduated in 1928. She began working as a designer for Primavera in 1927 progressing to a managerial role in 1934 and director in 1938. Aside from furniture, she also created whimsical jewelry, wallpapers, and ceramics. One of her most popular series featured female busts and faces in colorful glazes and elegant decoration. She experimented in new materials including horn, glass, metal, and mother of pearl. Gueden also designed ceramics for other workshops in France and she received special commissions to design furniture for the French President Vincent Auriol and large bas-reliefs for the La Marseillaise cruise ship in 1949.
Auction Results Colette Gueden
Colette Gueden
lounge chairs, pair
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $8,750
Colette Gueden
cabinet
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $5,000
Colette Gueden
chaise lounge
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $4,763
Colette Gueden
plant stand
estimate: $3,000–5,000
result: $3,000
Colette Gueden
horse
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $1,950
Colette Gueden
tableware collection
estimate: $8,000–10,000
Colette Gueden
plates, set of five
estimate: $4,000–6,000
Colette Gueden
collection of four works
estimate: $2,000–3,000
Colette Gueden
tureens, set of two
estimate: $2,000–3,000
Colette Gueden
dining table
estimate: $2,000–3,000