René Lalique, 1860 - 1945

en verre blanc moulé-pressé, la monture de fixation en acier nickelé, à deux battants, comprenant huit compartiments verticaux délimités par des baguettes en verre agrémentées de moineaux en relief, leur tête tournant alternativement vers la droite ou vers la gauche, les poignées rectangulaire en verre et acier

Lady Trent, Parlour Door, Jersey, Royaume-Uni

Collection privée, Royaume-Uni, acquis du précédent en 1988

Salon de la Société des Artistes Décorateurs, Paris, 1929

Breves Lalique Gallery, Londres, 1929

Vogue, 16 octobre 1929
Plaquette publicitaire de Breves gallery, n. d.
Mobilier et Décoration, 1934, p. 249
Félix Marcilhac, René Lalique, catalogue raisonné de l'oeuvre de verre, les éd. de l'Amateur, Paris, 1989-1994, p. 902, n.14 du catalogue raisonné

A magnificent pair of doors of immense stature. The extraordinary virtuosity of the delicate glass elements juxtaposed with the tightly engineered steel frame rightly places these doors at the top of Rene Lalique's extensive oeuvre. The doors have been in two private collections since having been bought from Lalique in 1929. In the catalogue illustration, the doors were photographed against a wall, so the true extent of their transparency is not evident. Photographs have been taken of the pieces on view, which are available on request, where they are installed as intended by Lalique, with the full extent of the transparency is clear. No significant restoration has been undertaken. Merely some additional silvering to the backs of the outer ridged 'tile' elements, which are showing signs of wear to the original silvering. Otherwise the doors are in original condition. In detail, there are two birds which are broken in two, and one of these has an additional chip to one wing. All pieces are present and with judicious restoration a repair could be made invisibly. One bird also has a very shallow 'slice' off the top of one wing. Again this piece is present in the lot and a restorer could make it good. Otherwise, there are chips to within the glass pieces, including one chip and bruise to one of the small lowest outer 'tile' elements. Many of these are concealed once the element is fitted into the frame, and they are commensurate with use and age. Similarly, the nickel plating has lifted to some elements, revealing a somewhat rusted surface below. This is more evident on the inner frame which borders the inner edge of the 'tile' elements to one side. There are areas of pitting and some other areas of nickel lifting but these are not distracting. Installed for the exhibition at Sotheby's the doors have not been fitted with the means of opening. These are present in the lot though somewhat rusty. They should be set in the floor under the doors. One spring is missing, as is one shock absorber, but the other is present in each case and could provide the pattern for a replacement. No key is present with the lot, and there is a key hole to one side only. Some screws have been replaced and some are missing. The doors are made up of 86 edge 'tiles', each of which is numbered by Lalique to ensure that the pieces fit. There are approximately 450 other pieces of glass (birds and rods - the latter in three patterns). In conclusion, the doors are truly an extraordinary feat of artistic endeavour and possibly the most important architectural work by Rene Lalique to be offered on the open market.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.