HENRY VAN DE VELDE | Set of six Bloemenwerf chairs

Honduran mahogany and leather upholstery

Christie's, London, April 30, 2008, lot 23
Private collection, Belgium

Henry van de Velde, exhibition catalogue, L'Ecuyer, Brussels, April 17 - May 16, 1970, p. 103
Wolf D. Pecher, Henry van de Velde, das Gesamtwerk, Volume I : Gestaltung, Munich, 1981, pp. 80, 82-86, 88, 90-91, 108 and 193
Ingeborg Becker et al., Henry Van De Velde in Berlin, Berlin, 2004, pp. 12-13 and 61
Werner Adriaenssens et al., Roberto Polo: The Eye, Londres, 2011, p. 424
Leidenschaft, Funktion und Schönheit Henry van de Velde und sein Beitrag zur europäischen Moderne, exhibition catalogue, Neues Museum, Weimar, March 24 - June 23, 2013, pp. 169, 174-175 and 442
Henry van de Velde, Passion, Fonction, Beauté, exhibition catalogue, Musée du Cinquantenaire, Brussels, September 13, 2013 - January 12, 2014, pp. 96 and 114

Good condition overall, consistent with age and use. Scattered scratches, scuffs, abrasions and dents throughout the set, generally concentrated to the feet, stretchers, seat frameworks and the top edges of the backrests. The backrest of one chair presents with a larger dents and a circular losse of wood of approximately 1cm in diameter (not visible in the catalogue illustration). Four losses to the wood on the feet of three chairs, the largest 2.5 x 1.5 cm, not visually distractive. The set has been re-varnished at a later date and half of the chairs present with signs of older restoration of small woodworms holes. Separations to the interior mahogany framework below the seats of each chair which do not affect the structural integrity of the chairs. The leather seats appear to be newer and are in very good overall condition. One seat presents with very few and very tiny scuffs.
"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."