Collecting is an Art by Michael Jefferson
As the relatively young global market of collectible design is experiencing important momentum—fueled by strong demand, new collectors, new markets, newly-discovered materials, many record-setting prices, and recently being recognized as stronger than the art market—it is becoming more and more specialized. As the market continues to grow and thrive, many re-editions, copies, fakes, and heavily restored pieces have flooded the market, causing buyers to become confused between the old and the new production, so it has become important to recognize authenticity. The collecting design market has become the most remarkable and intriguing market of today and attempting to acquire without the guidance of an expert is a sure way for mistakes and failure. This is why I find myself particularly anticipating the upcoming sale of the collection of Michael Jefferson at Wright Chicago as an opportunity to buy directly from the expert.
In his roles at auctions houses and as a private advisor, Michael has been one of the most important voices in turning collecting design into an art. The sale of his collection is titled Collecting is an Art: Michael Jefferson at 25 Years, and it presents his personal and professional vision, reflecting on his taste and expertise. “Collecting,” he says, “is an immersive process which utilizes all of the senses—both intellectual and aesthetic. It is the role of the collector to find resonance between disparate categories of art or design across time and place, to let curiosity and taste be our guide.”
When describing his collection, Jefferson says: “With an ever-expanding desire to own--and intellectual curiosity to study--historic works of art and design, my collection continued to grow. My relationships and friendships with collectors have given me the greatest education I could ever dream of. After 25 years, I know a great number of collections, but it is a bit sad that experiencing a collection is not a common or accessible experience for most people. Collecting is intensely private activity, and for me, it’s a rigorously instinctive pursuit. I know the history of art and design, as it has been my primary focus both personally and professionally. Even though I show up in the world with a great deal of knowledge and experience, the pursuit and acquisition of works is often an immediate, emotional decision. I don’t often know how or where a new work will enter the collection, but I do know that every single piece, whether pedigree or anonymous, will add to the conversation and shift the perception of everything else around it. A collection is a living sculpture and a kinetic assemblage.”
With the growing desire for the patina and the authenticity, the collection of Michael Jeffeson is one of the greatest opportunities to acquire genuine design this season.
