FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT | Pair of Hexagon-Back Chairs from the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

Imperial Hotel, Tokyo, Japan
Domino’s Center for Architecture and Design, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Christie's New York, December 12, 1992, lot 172
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Frank Lloyd Wright: Preserving an Architectural Heritage, Decorative Designs from the Domino's Pizza Collection, Seattle Art Museum, December 1989-February 1990; The Chicago Historical Society, March-June 1990; The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo, July-September 1990; Denver Art Museum, October 1990-January 1991; Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, February-April 1991; Dallas Museum of Art, May-July 1991; American Craft Museum, New York, August 1991-January 1992

Cary James, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Imperial Hotel, New York, 1968, pp. 42-43 (for a period photograph of the model in situ at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo)
David A. Hanks, The Decorative Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright, New York, 1979, p. 133 (for a period photograph of the model in situ at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo)
Edgar Kaufmann, Jr., Frank Lloyd Wright at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1982, p. 38
David A. Hanks, Frank Lloyd Wright, Preserving an Architectural Heritage, Decorative Designs from The Domino's Pizza Collection, exh. cat., New York, 1989, p. 91
Thomas A. Heinz, Frank Lloyd Wright: Interiors and Furniture, New York, 1994, p. 158 (for a period photograph of the model in situ at the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo)

Overall very good condition. The wooden surfaces throughout present with minor scattered scuffs, scratches, rubbing, shallow indentations, discoloration and minor seam separations throughout (not visually detracting and largely visible in the catalog illustration). The rear backrest supports directly behind the seat frames of both chairs with indentations and minor losses running vertically, the largest to the left proper edge of one chair measuring approximately 2 inches. The rear upper proper left section of the backrest frame to one chair with a small hairline stress fracture which measures approximately 1 1/2 in and appears stable. Two interior sections of the inner chair rails on one chair have been sensitively replaced by a professional furniture conservator (this was executed after our catalogue photography, which shows one of these small losses prior to restoration). The original upholstery on both chairs presents with minor scuffs and scratches. One seat with a very minor tear to the rear proper left corner measuring approximately 1/8 inch diameter. An important and rare pair of chairs from Wright’s iconic Imperial Hotel commission displaying superb modern design aesthetics.
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.