Lot 443
  • 443

Jean Royère

Estimate
350,000 - 500,000 USD
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Description

  • JEAN ROYÈRE
  • Pair of "Ours Polaire" Armchairs from the Dumont Residence, France
  • each with label inscribed JEAN ROYÈRE, carcass wood inscribed with client's name in pencil
  • ebonized beech, alpaca wool upholstery
  • 28 x 37 3/4  x 37 3/8  in. (71.1 x 95.9 x 94.9 cm) each

Provenance

Dumont Family, France, 1958
Thence by descent

Literature

René Chavance, "Les aménagements nouveaux de Jean Royère et les réflexions qu'ils inspirent," Mobilier et Décoration, no. 8, 1956, pp. 16 and 21
Madeleine Rolland, "Esoterisme des lignes," Mobilier et Décoration, no. 6, July 1960, p. 41 (for the present lot illustrated in the Dumont interior)
Patrick Favardin, Le style 50, un moment de l'art français, Paris, 1987, p. 53
Jean Royère décorateur à Paris, 
exhibition catalogue, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, 1999, pp. 41, 60-63, 70-71, 72 (for the present lot illustrated in the Dumont interior), 114-115 and 122
Pierre-Emmanuel Martin-Vivier, Jean Royère, Paris, 2002, pp. 35, 143, 210-211, 230-231, 233, 241 and 266
Galerie Jacques Lacoste and Galerie Patrick Seguin, Jean Royère, Paris, 2012, vol. I, pp. 6-7, 26, 31, 32-34, 46, 68, 95, 98-107, 126, 158, 160, 162, 172, 180, 218 and 266, vol. II, pp. 46-47, 82-83, 239 and 274

Condition

Overall very good condition. The armchairs have been recently reupholstered in plush white alpaca consistent with the type of material that would have been used by Royere during the period. The upholstery is incredibly soft and comfortable and complements the sculptural quality of the design. Please contact the department for images of the reupholstery process showing the carcass wood with “DUMONT” inscription on each chair. The wooden feet are in very good condition and present with scattered extremely minor surface scratches consistent with age. One chair with a few extremely fine and minor hairline age cracks to the proper right front foot, stable and visible only upon close inspection. The same chair with a few extremely minor white scuffs consistent with age and not visually detractive. The other chair with an extremely fine and minor hairline age crack to the proper left front foot, stable and only visible upon close inspection. The same chair with a small scuff to the proper left back foot measuring approximately 1 inch wide along the bottom edge, not visually detractive. A charming, iconic design by Royere.
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.

Catalogue Note

One armchair of the pair is documented in the Jean Royère Archives, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, tracing plan no. 10.725, ekatachrome no. 140 and photograph no. 1728.