Lot 228
  • 228

Louis Majorelle

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Louis Majorelle
  • An Important and Rare "Tomates" Sideboard
  • mahogany, Brazilian rosewood, silvered bronze, patinated wrought iron

Provenance

C. Boisgirard, A. de Heeckeren, Paris, June 18, 1979, lot 277
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Exhibited

Salon de la Société nationale des Beaux-Arts, 1904, no. 2388 (for the model)

Literature

Henri Laurens, "Le Style Moderne," Art Appliqué, 1903-1904, pl. 77, no. I
R. de Felice, "L'ameublement au salon (Société nationale)," Art Décoratif, June 1904, p. 216 
M. P. Verneuil, "Les Arts appliqués au Salon," Art et Décoration, January-June 1904, p. 178
Alastair Duncan, Art Nouveau Furniture, New York, 1982, p. 17, no. 1 (for the present lot illustrated)
Alastair Duncan, Fin de Siècle Masterpieces from the Silverman Collection, New York, 1989, pp. 110-111 (for the present lot illustrated)
Alastair Duncan, Louis Majorelle:  Master of Art Nouveau Design, London, 1991, pls. 81, 98 (for the present lot illustrated), p. 113 (for the series)
Alastair Duncan, The Paris Salons 1895-1914, Volume III: Furniture, Suffolk, United Kingdom, 1996, p. 394

Condition

Overall in very good condition. When viewed in person, the wood presents with rich figuring and a warmer color than seen in the catalogue illustration. The wood surfaces have been sensitively revarnished at some point in the history of the piece, and in some areas the varnish presents with a whiter discoloration, notably around the handles of the drawers. The wood surfaces present with a few surface scratches, minor abrasions, a few minor areas of discoloration and surface dirt to the recessed areas consistent with age and gentle use. A few joints with minor separation, all stable. The upper top of the cabinet with a few small restorations along each of the edges, and a few minor stabilized hairline cracks along the perimeter, stable. The proper right upper front corner of the cabinet with a small hairline crack extending until the tomato, stable. The rosewood cabinet top with a few minor hairline cracks consistent with the natural aging of the wood, some of them have been professionally stabilized at some point in the history of the piece, all of them are stable. The two doors with a few minor areas of restoration, mostly visible in the catalogue illustration. The proper left side with a rectangular restoration just above the upper edge of the door, visible in the detail on page 48 of the paper catalogue. The upper tomato of the decoration at the center of the cabinet with a restoration to the proper left upper part. As seen in the catalogue, the wrought-iron tomato plants decoration on each side of the cabinet display the natural wrought iron, with a few minor remnants of the patina. The wrought iron with a few surface scratches, minor abrasions and light surface dirt consistent with age and use. The proper left side decorative element with a missing nail at the proper left extremity, the decoration is stable. The back of the lower opening of the cabinet with a minor horizontal line of indentation with an associated hairline crack which has been stabilized and is visible in the catalogue illustration. The drawers with small restorations to the edges, not visually distracting. All the restorations to the wood are old and do not appear the overall aspect of the piece. The silvered bronze handles have likely been cleaned at some point in the history of the piece and presents with a few minor surface scratches, minor abrasions and light surface soiling consistent with gentle use. The two key holes at the center of the cabinet are missing the metal perimeter. With a later key. A rare and historical piece from the Silverman collection which presents with great visual presence and is in very good condition when viewed in person.
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


Sotheby's would like to thank Roselyne Bouvier for her assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.