Paul Dupré-Lafon

Jean-Jacques Dutko, Paris
Acquired from the above by the present owner

"Les Meubles et les Accessories du Geste Fémin, Art et Décoration, 1948, no. 11, p. 7 (for a related stool design)
Thierry Couvrat Desvergnes, Paul Dupré-Lafon:  Décorateur des Millionnaires, Paris, 1990, pp. 82 and 138 (for a related stool design)

Overall in very good original condition. These chairs are an extraordinary example of the Dupre Lafon’s design aesthetic. Each chair is made with signature Hermès red leather. Each of the chairs with very minor discolorations and some shallow surface scratches to the back rest and chair seats. Each is stable and functional. The leather used to execute the seat backs is a double thick leather, and therefore there is finished leather to both the front and back. The leather used on the seat is unfinished to the reverse. The leather is soft and remains a brilliant hue. The metal work throughout appears to have been sensitively cleaned. The wooden frames are in excellent condition, showing very minor surface scratches and edge nicks. The wear pattern to the underside of the leather seats appears to indicate that a support bar was added under the front edge at some point. This element was not original to the design and was long ago removed. One chair was recently professionally restored to the repair damage to the lower half of one leg. The restoration was very sensitively undertaken and is not visible. The chair is stable. These chairs present collectors with a rare opportunity to acquire an original condition masterwork.
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.

The present two chairs are from an original set of six that were executed by Dupré-Lafon for a client in the 1940s.  Another pair from this set is in the former collection of Claude and Simone Dray.  This lot is sold with an original certificate of authenticity from the legal successors of Paul Dupré-Lafon.