Gerrit Thomas Rietveld

two chairs in painted wood
Both branded H.G.M. G.A.v.d. GROENEKAN DE BILT NEDERLAND on the underside

Gerard van de Groenekan
Sotheby's, Amsterdam, March 2, 1987, lots 282 and 283
Private collection, Europe
Phillips, New York, December 4, 2000, lots 88 and 89
Private collection, U.S.A.
Sotheby's, New York, December 18, 2008, lots 135 and 136
Collection Jacques Grange, Paris

Daniele Baroni, The Furniture of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld, New York, 1977, p. 137
Gerrit Rietveld 1888-1964, exhibition catalogue, Central Museum, Utrecht, November 28, 1992 - February 21, 1993, pp. 145-147

EN : Fair overall condition. Scratches on the surface and some small dents scattered, all consistent with age and use. Wear to the paint, especially along the edges and the corners with some chips of paint and some of the wood underneath visible, more important on one of the chair (partially visible on the catalogue illustration). On both chairs, two worn areas with lacks of paint on each upper sides of the back, more important on one of the chairs (and visible on the catalogue illustration). Two vertical cracks on the back of one chair (on the front and the back). Three cracks on the back of the other chair with a more significant one in the middle (on the front and the back), visible on the catalogue illustration. A crack on each seat. Scattered surface soiling, with some stains and some drips. On the underside of one of the chair, the areas around the screws have been digged. //// FR : Etat d'usage. Rayures de surface et quelques petits enfoncements épars, tous cohérents avec l'âge et l'utilisation. Usure à la peinture, plus particulièrement le long des arêtes et des angles avec quelques éclats de peinture et le bois en dessous partiellement visible - plus importante sur l'une des chaises (partiellement visible sur l'illustration du catalogue). Sur les deux chaises, deux zones usées avec des manques de peinture sur les côtés de la partie supérieure du dossier - plus important sur l'une des chaises (visible sur l'illustration du catalogue). Deux fissures sur le dossier d'une des chaises (au recto et au verso). Trois fissures sur le dossier de l'autre chaise, dont une fissure plus importante au milieu (au recto et au verso), visible sur l'illustration du catalogue. Une fissure sur chacun des siège. Encrassement épars avec des tâches et des coulées. Au revers d'une des chaises, le bois autour des vis a été creusé.
"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."