Wright

Wright: Chicago's Definitive Design Auction House

Wright, founded by Richard Wright in 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, has rapidly established itself as one of the most influential auction houses in the world for 20th and 21st century design. In just over two decades, Wright has become the destination for collectors, museums, and designers seeking the finest examples of modernist furniture, lighting, decorative objects, art, and jewelry. The house's sharply curated sales, meticulous cataloguing, and sophisticated presentation have earned it a reputation that extends far beyond Chicago, attracting an international clientele drawn to the best of Scandinavian, American, Italian, and French modernist design.

A Design-First Philosophy

Unlike traditional auction houses that offer broad categories of antiques and collectibles, Wright was conceived from the outset as a design-focused enterprise. Richard Wright, a collector and dealer with deep knowledge of modernist furniture and decorative arts, built the firm around a curatorial vision—each auction is conceived as an exhibition, with lots carefully selected and presented to tell a story about design history. This approach has attracted consignments from major private collections, design professionals, and institutions, and has positioned Wright as a tastemaker in the design market.

Collecting Categories

Wright's sales span the full arc of modern design, from early 20th century pioneers through contemporary makers. Scandinavian design is a particular strength—works by Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, Arne Jacobsen, Poul Kjaerholm, and Alvar Aalto feature prominently. American modernist design by Charles and Ray Eames, George Nakashima, Vladimir Kagan, and Paul Evans is equally central. Italian design (Gio Ponti, Carlo Mollino, Ettore Sottsass), French design (Jean Prouve, Charlotte Perriand, Pierre Jeanneret), and contemporary design round out the offerings.

Beyond furniture, Wright handles important modern and contemporary art, fine jewelry (with an emphasis on artist-made and modernist jewelry), and select decorative objects. The house's art sales have featured works by Alexander Calder, Harry Bertoia, Ruth Asawa, and other artists whose work bridges art and design.

The Wright-Rago Partnership

Wright's collaboration with Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, New Jersey, has created a bi-coastal powerhouse for design auctions. The combined operation shares resources, specialist knowledge, and marketing reach, allowing both houses to offer consignors broader exposure and buyers deeper selection. While each firm retains its distinct identity—Wright's modernist rigor and Rago's Arts & Crafts and ceramics expertise—the partnership has strengthened both brands.

How Wright Compares to Other Design Auction Houses

Buying and Consigning

Wright's buyer's premium is typically around 25% of the hammer price. The house accepts consignments throughout the year, with specialists available for evaluations in Chicago and through the Rago network in the eastern United States. Wright's catalogues—both printed and digital—are themselves collectible, featuring high-quality photography and scholarly essays that contextualize the objects offered. The firm's website provides full lot descriptions, condition reports, and provenance information for all catalogued sales.

For collectors of modernist design, Wright remains an essential source—a house that has elevated design auctions to an art form in their own right.