The Whimsical Works of Wendell Castle
“I believe that drawing is critical thinking. Nothing good is easy, and this is because we see so little at first glance. It’s only by drawing/thinking about something that we are able to move ourselves into perceptions that we never knew we were capable of.”
Wendell Castle, Custom Cherry Chandelier for a Private Residence, USA, 1976
estimate: $55,000–75,000
result: $112,500
Wendell Castle is known as one of the most significant American sculptors of the late 20th century. He literally carved a niche out for his artistry. R and Company’s director of museum relations, James Zemaitis is stated, “His work happened to be functional, but function was almost an afterthought.”
Castle was born in Emporia, Kansas in 1932. He went on to study at the University of Kansas where he would graduate with a Bachelor’s Fine Art degree in Industrial Design in 1958 along with a Master’s degree in Fine Art in Sculpture in 1961. Following his graduation, he relocated to Rochester, New York where he would teach at the School for American Crafts as well as the Rochester Institute of Technology. During this time he established his permanent studio which would remain in operation for almost 60 years.
Wendell Castle, Custom Cherry Dining Table for a Private Residence, USA, 1976
estimate: $125,000–150,000
result: $156,250
One of Castle’s pioneering materials he used was that of stacked lamination. The technique uses thin layers of wood that are glued togethet to form one solid mass which is then carved, shaped, and sanded. The result was a variety of contrasting bands of color and grain which Castle described as a “quiet revolution” in the field of wood working.
Wendell Castle, Unique "Butterfly Love Seat", 1967
estimate: $60,000 - 80,000
result: $106,250
It also allowed him to compose volumes without the constrained limitations of his signature material, wood. His works would soon gain international recognition and we’re included in various exhibitions including the Triennale di Milano in 1964. Castle was continuously creating vastly different designs, achieving some of his most ambitious works of his career during the last decade of his life. This was due to his new process of combining 21st century digital technology with his signature lamination process. He also began realizing works in cast-bronze which was a lifelong aspiration of his.
Wendell Castle, Match Point bench, USA, 2006
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $88,200
One story that Castle was known to share was that of a 1950s spring break road trip to the east coast. Unexpectedly he arrived at the Connecticut home of artist, Alexander Calder who graciously welcomed him in for a glass of wine and a tour of his studio. His next stop was too, unannounced and this time it was at the suburban Philadelphia home of Wharton Esherick - one of Castle’s heroes. Unlike Calder, Esherick shooed him off his door step, telling him ‘Get out of here. I’m busy.’ Castle is quoted saying “But it was worth the visit anyway. The house was pretty damn interesting from the outside.”
Wendell Castle, Custom Cherry Sideboard for a Private Residence, USA, 1976
estimate: $140,000–170,000
result: $118,750
Castle’s persistence to connect with his design idols was clear and he was ready to take inspiration from wherever he could find it. Esherick had opened his eyes to the idea of furniture as art. Castle also admired the work of Henry Moore, Jean Arp, Isamu Noguchi, Calder and others. All he wanted was to be exhibited alongside these modern artists which he would go on to do.
Wendell Castle, Custom doors for Gannett Co., Inc., Rochester, USA, 1976
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $40,000
Castle’s celebrated career would span over six decades. His work was groundbreaking and made others question the ways of looking at, thinking about, and making furniture. He was he recipient of numerous honors and awards, including four grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, three honorary degrees, a Visionaries of the American Craft Movement Award from the American Craft Museum (1994), the American Craft Council Gold Medal (1997), Master of the Medium Award from The James Renwick Alliance of National Museum of American Art (1999), and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Brooklyn Museum of Art (2007).
Wendell Castle, ‘Unique’ chair, USA
estimate: $60,000–80,000
result: $175,000
His works can be found in the permanent collections of more than 40 museums and cultural institutions worldwide, including: Art Institute of Chicago, IL; Los Angeles County Museum of Art, CA; the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY; Minneapolis Institute of Arts, MN; Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, Quebec; Museum of Arts and Design, New York, NY; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX; Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY; Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia Museum of Art, PA; Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Castle died in 2018 in Rochester, NY.
More Works
Wendell Castle, Walnut mirror, USA, 1975
estimate: $20,000–30,000
result: $32,500
Wendell Castle, Caligari's Mistress's Desk and Chair, USA, 1990
estimate: $50,000–70,000
result: $50,000
Wendell Castle, ‘Abilene’ rocker, 2008
Estimate
$30,000 - 50,000
Wendell Castle, ‘Dog’ Bed, USA, 1992
estimate: $4,000–6,000
result: $16,900
Wendell Castle, ‘Bird of Paradise’, USA, 1996
estimate: $7,000–9,000
result: $10,400
Wendell Castle ‘Flow’ desk, 2009
Wendell Castle, Black Edition “Big Table,” from the “Molar” series, 2007
estimate: $60,000 - 80,000
result: $74,500
Wendell Castle, Unique 'Angel Heart' rocking chair, 2010
Estimate
£80,000 - 120,000 Ω
Wendell Castle, Bookcase, 2006
estimate: $12,000 - 18,000
Wendell Castle, ‘Again and Again’ sideboard, USA, 1994
estimate: $8,000–10,000
result: $37,500
Wendell Castle Settee, 1968
Wendell Castle, ‘Sleepy Time Gal’ bed, Studio, Executed 1998
estimate: $30,000–50,000
Wendell Castle, Pair of chairs, 1967
estimate: $50,000 - 70,000
result: $69,300
Wendell Castle Settee, 2006
estimate: $60,000 - 80,000
result: $43,750
Stack-laminated cabinet in oak by Castle, designed in 1975, completed in 2017.
Photograph courtesy of R and Company.
Wendell Castle, ‘Molar’ chairs, pair, USA, 1969-73
estimate: $2,000–3,000
result: $4,375
Wendell Castle, Swivel ‘Molar’ coffee table, 1969
estimate: $2,500–3,500
result: $6,930
Interiors Featuring Wendell Castle’s Work
Archive
PLEASE NOTE* WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED EVERY WORK OF WENDELL CASTLE’S, WE URGE OUR READERS TO DO THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT RESEARCH INTO ALL OF HIS DESIGNS.
DISCLAIMER: THE MILLIE VINTAGE DOES NOT OWN ANY RIGHTS TO THESE PHOTOS. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL IMAGES AND COPYRIGHT BELONGS TO THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED.
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