GERRIT THOMAS RIETVELD | An Early Zig-Zag Chair from the Collection of the Artist

Overall very good condition. The present chair was retained by Gerrit Rietveld for his personal collection and remained in the Rietveld family until the 1980s. The wood surfaces throughout with scattered surface scratches, abrasions, wear, discolorations, surface soiling and traces of paint throughout consistent with age and use, visible in the catalogue illustration. The edges with some occasional small losses and softening to the edges and corners. The top edge of the back rest with a small loss on the reverse measuring approximately 1 x 1/2 inch. The front edge of the seat with a small loss measuring approximately 1/2 x 1/2 inch. The back edge of the leg where the leg joins to foot with another small loss measuring approximately 3/4 x 1 inch which appears to be the loss of a burl in the wood. The seat with a shallow dent measuring approximately 2 inches long near the join between the seat and backrest. The wood with some seam separations, most prominently to the proper right side of the foot, visible in the catalogue illustration, which is inherent in the natural aging of the material. As is typical of some early works by Rietveld, the front edge of the foot has been applied with a metal strap to prevent warping to the wood. Five screws (two up through the bottom of the seat and three through the backrest into the seat) were added either by Gerrit Rietveld or Gerard van de Groenekan to stabilize the join between the backrest and the seat where a few of the dovetails broke or became weakened. This modification is indicative of the chair's early construction. The wedge between the leg and foot appears to have been stabilized with glue at some point in the history of the piece. The back of the leg with some minor water damage concentrated to the bottom portion. An exemplary and early work by the artist with excellent historic provenance.
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.