At Stockholm auction, vintage Ikea goes high-end

At a chic Stockholm auction house, 122 carefully-curated items with unusual provenance went under the hammer on Monday evening: vintage furnishings from flatpack furniture retailer Ikea was sold for a total of 37,000 euros ($40,000).

Collectors’ interest has blossomed over the years for Ikea pieces that have become design icons, as the Swedish company — normally known for more budget-friendly piece — celebrates its 80th anniversary this year.