- 257
Eliel Saarinen
Estimate
10,000 - 15,000 USD
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Description
- Eliel Saarinen
- "Contempora" Flatware Service
each stamped STERLING and with firm's mark; 3 of the luncheon forks, butter pick and olive fork stamped STERLING and R & B
comprising 12 dinner knives, 12 dinner forks, 12 soup spoons, 12 luncheon forks, 12 dessert forks, 12 gumbo soup spoons, 12 teaspoons, 12 demitasse spoons, 12 ice cream forks, 12 cocktail forks, 12 butter spreaders, 2 serving spoons, cold meat fork, carving fork, sugar spoon, jelly spoon, butter pick and olive fork. 140 pieces
sterling silver and stainless steel
Literature
The Architect and the Industrial Arts: An Exhibition of Contemporary American Design, exh. cat., The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1929, p. 61 and pl. 8 (for the prototype of the model)
Albert Christ-Janer, Eliel Saarinen, Chicago, 1948, p. 111
Jewel Stern, Modernism in American Silver, New Haven, 2005, p. 106
Albert Christ-Janer, Eliel Saarinen, Chicago, 1948, p. 111
Jewel Stern, Modernism in American Silver, New Haven, 2005, p. 106
Condition
Overall very good condition. The service with minor scratches and appears to have only been very lightly used. Dominick and Haff was a subsidiary of Reed and Barton. Three of the luncheon forks, the butter pick and the olive fork are stamped with Reed and Barton marks. These pieces match the set, but were likely slightly later.
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.
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
For the 1929 exhibition entitled The Architect and the Industrial Arts at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Eliel Saarinen designed four prototype flatware services. The present lot is a larger manufactured service based on one of these prototypes, produced by Dominick & Haffe, which had been acquired by Reed and Barton in 1928.