From Contemporary Design Icons to Historic Treasures: Five Standout Lots from a Dallas Designer's Collection

This July, collectors will have the opportunity to explore an extraordinary private collection when Treasures from the Vaults of a Dallas Designer Part 2 comes to auction across three consecutive sales on July 10, 11, and 12, 2026. Presented by Austin Auction Gallery, the series showcases a remarkable range of objects assembled by a Dallas designer with an eye for exceptional craftsmanship, bold design, and timeless appeal.

Spanning contemporary furniture, fine art, luxury watches, and historical artifacts, the collection reflects a passion for collecting without boundaries. While hundreds of lots will cross the block throughout the three-day event, five standout pieces capture the diversity and character of the collection particularly well.

Featured Auction Highlights: 

Hunt Slonem's Rabbit Is Rich (Lot 1220)
One of the most recognizable names in contemporary art featured in the sale is American artist Hunt Slonem. His vibrant and instantly recognizable rabbit paintings have earned a devoted following among collectors, museums, and interior designers alike.

Offered in the auction is Rabbit Is Rich, a large oil painting on panel created in 2020. Measuring 48 by 37 inches, the work showcases the energetic brushwork, layered texture, and playful imagery that have become hallmarks of Slonem's career. While rabbits have remained one of the artist's most celebrated subjects, each painting offers a unique interpretation through color, movement, and composition. The result is a work that feels both whimsical and sophisticated—a combination that has helped establish Slonem as one of the most sought-after contemporary artists working today. 

Estimate: $10,000 - $15,000

The Roche Bobois Mah Jong Sofa (Lot 1238)

Few pieces of contemporary furniture are as instantly recognizable as the Mah Jong sofa. Originally conceived by designer Hans Hopfer, the modular seating system revolutionized traditional furniture design by allowing owners to create virtually endless configurations.

This example features Missoni Home upholstery, bringing together two celebrated names in contemporary design. The grouping includes multiple button-tufted seating elements upholstered in richly textured fabrics ranging from metallic-threaded herringbone patterns to vibrant stripes and corduroy finishes. The result is a piece that is as much a work of art as it is functional furniture. Decades after its introduction, the Mah Jong remains one of Roche Bobois' most iconic creations and a favorite among collectors seeking statement-making interiors. 

Estimate: $4,000 - $8,000

Giacomo Garziano's "Polygonia" Sideboard (Lot 1236)
Another standout from Roche Bobois is the dramatic Polygonia sideboard designed by Giacomo Garziano of GG Loop.

Finished in a striking Rosso Vermiglio red lacquer, the sculptural cabinet immediately commands attention. Its distinctive butterfly-inspired doors create movement and visual interest while demonstrating Garziano's ability to merge architecture, sculpture, and furniture into a single object. Measuring more than eight feet wide, the sideboard transforms storage furniture into a centerpiece. Pieces like the Polygonia exemplify the growing market for collectible contemporary design, where furniture is appreciated not only for its functionality but also for its artistic significance. 

Estimate: $4,000 - $8,000

A Rare Springfield Roadster Penny-Farthing Bicycle (Lot 2234)
Among the most surprising lots in the collection is an 1888 Springfield Roadster penny-farthing bicycle, a remarkable survivor from the earliest era of cycling.

Manufactured by the Springfield Bicycle Manufacturing Company of Boston, the bicycle retains many of its original features, including its fish-pattern adjustable saddle, leather tool bag, turned wood handles, and maker's markings. What truly elevates this lot, however, is its provenance. According to the catalog, the bicycle was purchased new by the consignor's family and remained in family ownership for generations. A historic family photograph documents a relative riding the bicycle around 1920 at the family's New Hampshire farmhouse, where it was later rediscovered. Believed to be one of only a handful of surviving examples of the 1888 pattern Springfield Roadster, it represents an exceptional opportunity for collectors of Americana, transportation history, and rare mechanical objects. 

Estimate: $1,200 - $2,500

Estate Rolex Pearlmaster Lady-Date Oyster Perpetual Wristwatch (Lot 3202)
Luxury collectors will find an equally impressive highlight in an Estate Rolex Pearlmaster Lady-Datejust wristwatch.

Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, the watch features a diamond-set bezel and diamond hour markers that elevate Rolex's classic Datejust design with additional elegance. Powered by Rolex's self-winding automatic Superlative Chronometer movement, the watch combines precision engineering with refined craftsmanship. Accompanied by its branded presentation case, the piece embodies the enduring appeal that has made Rolex one of the world's most respected luxury watchmakers. As interest in collectible watches continues to grow, examples such as this Pearlmaster remain highly desirable among both seasoned collectors and new buyers alike. 

Estimate: $12,000 - $18,000

What makes Treasures from the Vaults of a Dallas Designer Part 2 so compelling is its diversity. A contemporary Hunt Slonem painting, iconic Roche Bobois furniture, a rare 19th-century bicycle, and a diamond-set Rolex may seem unrelated at first glance, yet together they reveal a collector drawn to exceptional design, craftsmanship, and individuality.

As the three-day sale unfolds from July 10 through July 12, bidders will have the opportunity to compete for objects that span centuries, disciplines, and collecting categories. For collectors, designers, and enthusiasts alike, these five highlights offer just a glimpse into a collection built on curiosity, great taste, and a passion for extraordinary objects.

Register to bid on Bidsquare.com.