Phillips’ Domenico Raimondo on the Rise of Collectible Design

In an interview with Collezione da Tiffany, Domenico Raimondo, Head of Department Design Europe and Senior International Specialist at Phillips, discusses the rapid growth of collectible design as a dynamic market segment. He notes that collectors of modern and contemporary art increasingly view design as a natural complement, and that as interest in traditional antiques wanes, collectible design has filled the gap. Raimondo highlights Phillips’ focus on elevating lesser-known designers alongside French, Italian, and Scandinavian masters, fostering a deeper understanding of historical periods. He observes that historical design remains the strongest segment, while contemporary design saw exponential growth in the early 2000s before a market correction after the 2008 financial crisis, leading to a more sustainable trajectory. Raimondo advises new collectors to prioritize passion over investment, stating that the most significant collections are built by those who genuinely love the objects and develop expertise over time. He cites a record sale: a Jean Dunand ‘Les Palmiers’ smoking room sold for £3,289,500 in June 2021, and a Lucio Fontana and Osvaldo Borsani console sold for £1,135,700 in November 2024.