Diego Giacometti

bronze, metal and leather

Acquired directly from the artist
Michael Taylor, San Francisco
Christie's New York, February 26, 1990, lot 93
Private collection, France

Michel Butor, Diego Giacometti, Paris, 1985, pp. 116, 131 and 139
Françoise Francisci, Diego Giacometti, Catalogue de l'oeuvre, Paris, 1986, p. 70
Daniel Marchesseau, Diego Giacometti, Paris, 1986, pp. 83, 177 and 192
Diego Gacometti, Möbel und Objekte aus Bronze, exhibition catalogue, Museum Bellerive, Zürich, June 16 - September 4, 1988, p. 16, n. 3
François Baudot, Diego Giacometti, Paris, 1998, p. 75
Jacqueline von Sprecher, Diego Giacometti, tritt aus dem Schatten, Zürich, 2007, pp. 49 and 106

FR : Bon état général. Quelques traces d'oxydation et rayures éparses, d'usage. Importante usure à la patine sur le haut du dossier, les accoudoirs et les têtes de lionnes. L'accoudoir gauche d'un des fauteuils est dessoudé au niveau du dossier. Les galettes en très bon état général avec d'infimes rayures et d'infimes usures d'usage. Un devis pour la restauration de l'accoudoir et la reprise de la patine est disponible sur demande. EN : Good overall condition. Some traces of oxidation and scratches scattered, consistent with use. important wear of the patina on th top of the backrest, the armrests and the lions heads. The left armrest of one of the armchairs is unwelded from the backrest. The cushions are in very good overall condition with very minor scratches and very minor wear, consistent with use. A quote for the restoration of the armrest and of the patina is available on request.
"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."

To this day, only these two examples of the Têtes de Lionnes armchairs are known with a v-shaped mount connecting the front and back stretchers.
They might be the first examples of the second version which would later be modified.