Arman 1928-2005

steel, fabric

Gilles de Bure, Le Mobilier Français, 1965-1979, Paris, 1983, pp. 54-55
Françoise Jollant Kneebone & Chloé Braunstein, Atelier A, Rencontre de l'art et de l'object, Paris, 2003, pp. 40, 138 and 178, (including the stand of Atelier A at the Eurodomus exhibition, Turin, 1972, with Micheline Presle in a `Tambour' chair, and the chair reproduced in Revue de l'ameublement, November, 1971)
Anne Bony, Furniture & Interiors of the 1960s, Spain, 2004, pp. 215-217
Patrick Favardin & Guy Bloch-Champfort, Les Décorateurs des années 60-70, Paris, 2007, p. 74

Fabric a little dirty & discoloured overall with some horizontal lines inherent in the material, and a shadow `ring' where the fabric rests against the frame. Some warping to fabric. Colour of fabric is more cream and with a distinct texture, not apparent in the catalogue illustration. The steel with old marks and scratches consistent with age. Otherwise good.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

In 1969 the painter François Arnal launched Atelier A, a unique and forward-thinking art and design venture, whose purpose was to democratise art practices and free creativity.  Arnal invited celebrated and upcoming artists from his artistic milieu to design furniture and objects.  The French-born American artist, Arman, joined a group which included Yonel Lebovici, Jean-Michel Sanejouand, Roy Adzak and Arnal himself, in creating a total of about 190 pieces which were often produced in a single, unique, example.  However, despite finding patrons in the worlds of art and media, the venture was not commercially viable and it closed in 1975.  It has subsequently been cited as the inspiration for other important ventures including Alchimia and Memphis in Italy.

The present work is accompanied by a certificate from Corice Canton Arman, wife of the designer, and is registered in the Arman Archives, New York and in the Denise Durand Ruel archives, Paris.

Like all Atelier A pieces, the production of the `Tambour' chair was extremely limited, to possibly one or two, the present chair being the first registered in the Arman and Denise Durand Ruel archives.