After Record-Breaking Year, LAMA Hires New Design Director

For Immediate Release

April 17, 2012

LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA) announces the appointment of Dan Tolson as the new Director of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design, building on the momentum of a record-breaking year in 2011. Dan Tolson is working in tandem with current director, Peter Loughrey, who will now solely focus on Modern and Contemporary Fine Art.

“Last year our sales reached $8.5 million, nearly doubling our previous record of $4.5 million set in 2008,” states Peter Loughrey, co-owner and former Director of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design for 20 years. “As LAMA handles a larger volume and works of higher value, we need additional expertise and support from a practiced design specialist to oversee the influx of material. Dan Tolson will be an asset to the development of LAMA as the leading auction house for both Modern Art and Design through his experience and knowledge, ultimately strengthening the offering of exceptional Modern Design.”

Dan Tolson began his career in 1998 when he founded the Modern Design department at Phillips Auctioneers, London. In 2002, he was recruited by Christie’s Auctioneers in order to help develop their 20th Century Decorative Art & Design department in London. During his time at Christie’s, he co-curated the King Street auctions, where he traveled widely across Europe to secure masterpieces by a wide range of designers from Emile Gallé, Antoni Gaudi, Demetre Chiparus, Jacque Adnet, and Pino Signoretto, to Charles & Ray Eames, Arne Jacobsen, and Alvar Aalto, setting new auction records for the company. Top lots from his tenure at Christie’s London include a Demetre Chiparus Ballet Russes figural sculpture, bringing $377,000 (192,000 GBP), an important carved ebony bergere by Paul Iribe, which realized $250,000 (168,000 EUR), and a Louis Majorelle desk and chair, totaling $231,000 (145,000 GBP). His position at Christie’s London further developed to assisting with auctions and appraisals in Paris, New York, and Amsterdam. Dan worked at Christie’s London until the end of last year when he relocated with his family to Los Angeles.

Dan Tolson, Director of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design at LAMA, states:
“I am delighted to be joining LAMA as Director of 20th Century Decorative Art & Design. Since the company’s inception 20 years ago this year, it has experienced phenomenal growth. I am excited to be working with Peter and Shannon Loughrey’s team to consolidate and further develop their position within the market. LAMA has an unrivalled understanding of the synthesis between art and design, and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to contribute my knowledge and expertise in pursuit of future success.”

Dan Tolson is currently working on the upcoming May 6, 2012 Modern Art & Design auction, and will soon gear up to work with Peter Loughrey on LAMA’s 20th anniversary auction in the fall of 2012. For additional information about upcoming auctions, please visit www.LAMODERN.com or call 323-904-1950.

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The May 6, 2012 Modern Art & Design Auction will be held at the LAMA showroom: 16145 Hart St. Van Nuys, CA 91406 and will start at 12 p.m. (PST).
 Auction Preview: April 25 – May 5; open daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Auction catalogues now available
Preview lots online at www.lamodern.com

Los Angeles Modern Auctions (LAMA), the fastest growing auction house in the modern and contemporary art world, is the leading auction house dedicated to selling 20th century Modern Fine Art and Design. Auctions are held at the LAMA showroom: 16145 Hart St. Van Nuys, CA 91406.

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Elizabeth Portanova, Media Contact 323-904-1950 elizabeth@lamodern.com