Armand Albert Rateau

Mr Duplan's apartement, 14 avenue Foch, Paris, 1934

Thence by descent to the present owner

Private collection, Belgium

Frank Olivier-Vial et François Rateau, Armand Albert Rateau : un baroque chez les modernes, Paris, 1992, reproduced p. 220

Our frame, made by Armand-Albert Rateau in 1934 for Monsieur Duplan's apartment at 14 avenue Foch in Paris, is a real find.

In 2021, two frames of the same model, but of smaller dimensions, were presented on the market. It was indicated that these unique frames were those reproduced on a period photograph of Monsieur Duplan's salon published in the reference work on the artist. The photograph shows two frames: one in front view, above the fireplace, and the second slightly at an angle, above a sofa.

After careful study of the painted motifs observed on the period document (such as the placement of the birds and the movement of the ribbon), there is no doubt that the frame above the mantelpiece is in fact the one we present today.

Contrary to popular belief, Armand Albert Rateau produced not two, but three frames for Monsieur Duplan's salon.

The clean lines of the frames harmonize with the richness of the classical elements and the delicacy of the Chinese paintings they house. These rare and refined works testify to the decorative genius of Armand-Albert Rateau, and his sense of balance between modernity and heritage.