Charlotte Perriand and Jean Prouvé

top executed by André Chetaille

Digard Paris, March 24, 2003, lot 27

L'Architecture d'Aujourd'hui, April/May 1953, p. 67
Galeries Jousse Seguin and Enrico Navarra, Jean Prouvé, Paris, 1998, p. 155
Mary McLeod, ed., Charlotte Perriand:  An Art of Living, New York, 2003, pp. 143 and 228
Jacques Barsac, Charlotte Perriand:  Un Art d'Habiter, 1903-1959, Paris, 2005, pp. 353-354 (for Perriand's drawings of the Maison de la Tunisie interior)

Overall in good original condition. This console was designed for use under the window in the dormitory rooms at Maison de la Tunisie. When the interior of Tunisie was dismantled, most of these consoles were discarded, and the present example is the only one to appear on the auction market this decade. Catherine Prouve has generously provided us with copies of two Atelier Jean Prouve shop drawings for this piece. One drawing is for the metal surround. The other is for the aluminum tray which fit into the top and a small set of shelves for the underside, both of which are missing from this example. The underside of the top retains the grooved hardware that would have served as the guides for the drawer. The metal top of the console with scratches, rubbing, losses to paint and signs of wear throughout revealing large portions the metal color below, as seen in the catalogue illustration. With small areas of grey paint over the black paint along one edge, likely the result of repainting the wall to which the piece was attached. The metal tray area with scratches and discoloration as seen in the catalogue illustration. The wood top with evidence of general use as expected including areas of rubbing, unevenness to color, occasional liquid staining and scattered areas of discoloration that appear to the be remnants of stains. There are also age cracks to the wood, most significantly in three areas with separation, also visible in the catalogue illustration. The wooden leg with scratches, nicks, and a minor crack to the interior extending approximately 12 inches. The underside of the top with pencil marks which appear to say chambre 25 n.6 and lighter areas indicate that the shelf brackets and possibly the leg were moved at some point in the piece's history. It is extremely rare to see a piece from the Tunisie in such original, unrestored condition.
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.

According to the Perriand archives, forty examples of this wall-mounted console were produced, and an unknown number have survived. 

 

Sotheby's would like to thank Catherine Prouvé Drouin for her assistance in cataloguing the designs by Jean Prouvé in this catalogue.