Rene Herbst Auction Prices and Value Guide
Rene Herbst auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 251 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Rene Herbst auction prices: quick answer
Rene Herbst auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Rene Herbst
- Source records
- 251
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Rene Herbst
René Herbst (1891–1982) was a French furniture designer and architect recognized as one of the leading proponents of industrialized modern design in twentieth-century France. Born in Paris on March 18, 1891, Herbst championed the use of industrial materials—particularly tubular steel—in furniture, arguing that mass production and modern art were complementary forces. In 1929 he co-founded the Union des Artistes Modernes (UAM), a collective that rejected decorative revivalism in favor of functional, machine-age aesthetics. His advocacy helped shape French modernist design throughout the 1930s and beyond. Herbst's work appears in major museum collections, and his furniture designs circulate regularly in the international design market.
ModernismUnion des Artistes Modernes (UAM)steel furnitureindustrial designfurniture and seating design
Common works and media
Herbst is best known for tubular steel furniture—particularly seating, tables, and shelving systems designed in the late 1920s and 1930s. His metal-frame chairs and lounge seating are the works most frequently encountered at auction. He also designed lighting fixtures and interior fittings. Collectors may also find later production or licensed reissues of his early modernist designs.
Market and appraisal context
René Herbst's work at auction is dominated by his modernist furniture designs, especially tubular steel chairs and seating from the late 1920s and 1930s. Provenance linking a piece to a documented exhibition, commission, or UAM context can substantially affect value. Condition, originality of finish, and whether a piece is a period original or later reissue are key factors collectors should verify. His broader architectural output is less commonly encountered at auction. With 251 recorded auction appearances in the Invaluable data, Herbst maintains an active but specialized market niche within twentieth-century decorative arts.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Value drivers
- Attribution to a named UAM co-founder increases collector interest
- Original steel and tubular-metal furniture pieces from the 1920s–1930s are the most sought-after works at auction
Appraisal caveats
- No specific death date appears in the collected sources; only the death year (1982) is confirmed
- Auction records should be consulted for realized prices, as the source pack does not include specific sale results
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- VIAF library authority
- RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
Data basis
This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.
Artist value FAQ
How much is Rene Herbst worth?
Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.
Can Appraisily value my Rene Herbst artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.