ALBERTO GIACOMETTI | Pair of Andirons

Commissioned directly from the artist by Jean-Michel Frank for Nelson Rockefeller in 1939

Twentieth-Century Art from the Nelson Aldrich Rockefeller Collection, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, 1969, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 20
Van Day Truex, "Jean-Michel-Frank Remembered," in Architectural Digest, September-October 1976, illustration of one Rockefeller example pp. 74-75
Malcolm N. Carter, "Nelson Rockefeller: 'I know exactly what I like'," in ARTnews, May 1978, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 116 
Léopold Diego Sanchez, Jean-Michel Frank, Paris, 1980, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 45 
Dorothy Canning Miller, ed., The Nelson A. Rockefeller Collection: Masterpieces of Modern Art, New York, 1981, illustration of one Rockefeller example on the cover
Michel Butor, Diego Giacometti, Paris, 1985, illustration of another cast p. 101
Léopold Diego Sanchez, Jean-Michel Frank, Paris, 1997, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 45 & 104
Anne Bony, Furniture & Interiors of the 1940s, Paris, 2002, illustration of one Rockefeller example n.p. 
Christian Boutonnet, Diego Giacometti (exhibition catalogue), Galerie L'Arc en Seine, Paris, 2003, illustration of another cast p. 53
Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier, Jean-Michel Frank, Paris, 2006, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 185 
Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier, Jean-Michel Frank: The Strange and Subtle Luxury of the Parisian Haute-Monde in the Art Deco Period, Paris, 2006, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 185 
Jean-Michel Frank: Un Décorateur dans les Paris des Années 30 (exhibition catalogue), Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent, Paris, 2009, illustration of one Rockefeller example p. 67 

Overall very good condition consistent with age and use. The authenticity of these andirons has been confirmed by the Comité Giacometti and they are recorded in the Alberto Giacometti database under number AGD4041; the andirons were each additionally impressed AG 07 by the Comité at the time of their authentication. These andirons were used by the Rockefellers in their 810 Fifth Avenue apartment since they were originally commissioned from the artist in 1939. The andirons appear to retain their original gilding which is bright and luminous. Each andiron presents with scattered minor surface scratches and abrasions consistent with age. The andirons with some scattered minor surface irregularities inherent in the making and not visually detractive. The reverse of both andirons has darkening to the gilt patina resulting from use by the Rockefeller family. The underside of the lowest and largest lozenge of both andirons has also darkened, visible in the catalogue illustration. The surfaces throughout both andirons with scattered extremely minor discolorations and traces of surface soiling. Each andiron with minor traces of oxidation concentrated to the foot, visible in the catalogue illustration, as is consistent with this material over time. Each of the iron andiron supports is in good condition with expected abrasions and surface soiling consistent with age and use. A deeply sculptural and iconic design by Alberto Giacometti from the original 1939 commission of the Rockefeller 810 Fifth Avenue apartment.
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.

Jean-Michel Frank first encountered the work of Alberto Giacometti at the 1928 Salon des Indépendants in Paris. Enamored with the young artist’s abstract plaster sculptures, Frank perceived in them a kinship with the paintings of Henri Matisse. He swiftly engaged Giacometti to create works that he would integrate into his interior designs, thus initiating the sculptor into an esteemed group of artistic collaborators which included Emilio Terry, Christian Bérard and Alberto’s brother, Diego Giacometti, among others.

Lighting, vases, furniture, and objects entered Giacometti’s sculptural repertoire—the result of repeated commissions from Frank for his high-society clientele. The present pair of andirons and a second identical pair were executed for the Rockefeller interior.  One pair was placed beneath each of the two fireplace murals in the living room by Henri Matisse and Fernand Léger. Each andiron is comprised of three stacked lozenges, which achieve a delicate balance between verticality and horizontality, strict lines and soft curves. Their stature and composition present almost as an abstraction of the human form, Giacometti’s most studied subject and a natural reinterpretation of the artist's fine art aesthetic into a utilitarian object.

In correspondence between Frank and Rockefeller from October 31, 1938, the andirons are referenced under identification number 42. These iconic andirons offer an important sculptural complement and counterpoint to the fireplace murals, and are an integral element within Frank’s holistic conception of the Rockefeller living room. Frank even took such care as to ensure that the iron supports of each pair of andirons were scaled specifically to the slightly variant dimensions of each of the two fireplaces. He proudly stated in a letter to his patron dated February 7, 1939 that the bronzes had been "specially gilt 'au mercure' which is as you know the best gilding," underscoring his high regard for the exceptional quality of the works by Giacometti that were selected for the interior.

The authenticity of this work has been confirmed by the Comité Giacometti and it is recorded in the Alberto Giacometti database under number AGD4041.