"I’d be divorced before I bought my second Rothko"
Reflections, aspirations, and insights - we delve into the inner thoughts of Head of 20th Century Design John Black...
Reflections, aspirations, and insights - we delve into the inner thoughts of Head of 20th Century Design John Black...
John Black | Head of 20th Century Design
Your favourite object and why?
My iPhone – it keeps me up to date with emails it gets me to my appointments, takes better photos than any other camera. It’s dependable and I can turn it off when I want!
If money was no object what would you collect?
I’d be divorced before I bought my second Rothko.
What was your most surprising find of 2020?
Every week brings surprises, everyday new challenges – I’m surprised and absorbed by everything!
What are your go-to resources for research?
I can only thank many collections worldwide who have digitised theirs – the VAM in particular, helps me on many occasions finding a design or an object.
What's been 2020's strangest request?
Hannah, my wife, asking me to stop bringing things home that I had to buy from one of our auctions… strange isn’t it?
johnblack@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
Recent News
Luxurious Finds | Jewels from Maurice 'Dick' Turpin's Collection
Following on from the hugely successful sale of the contents of the late Maurice ‘Dick’ Turpin’s Barons Keep residence earlier this year at Sworders, we are excited to unveil further of his treasures in our forthcoming Fine Jewellery sale on Tuesday 21 May.
2 May 2024
Reviving Retro | The Resurgence of 60s and 70s Jewellery Designs
Ahead of our 21 May Fine Jewellery & Watches sale, join us as we explore the resurgence of bold and nature-inspired sixties and seventies jewellery designs, celebrating their timeless charm and contemporary appeal.
26 April 2024
The Sculpture Park | Shaping The Future
We're pleased to present this timed auction of modern and contemporary sculpture for Eddie Powell and The Sculpture Park team. To those who know him, Eddie is a force of nature, a man whose drive, imagination and vision have led the Surrey-based park to become the fantastical wonderland that it is today, and it was clear from the outset that he would be applying this trademark enthusiasm to the creation of this sale.
25 April 2024