Bernhard Pankok (1872 - 1943)

manufactured by the Vereinigte Werkstätten, Munich, seat upholstery by Scherrebeker Gobelinwirkerei, mahogany, the pierced backrest carved with a stylised floral design, the armrests supported by lotus petals in full relief, woven tapestry seat depicting further foliage

Bernhard Pankok
Thence by descent
Current vendor

Bernhard Pankok: Malerei, Graphik, Design im Prisma des Jugendstils, exhibition catalogue, Westfälisches Landesmuseum für Kunst und Kulturgeschichte Münster, 1986
Adolf Schneck, Neue Möbel vom Jugendstil bis heute, München, 1962
Sonja Günther, Interieurs um 1900. Bernhard Pankok, Bruno Paul und Richard Riemerschmid als Mitarbeiter der Vereinigten Werkstätten für Kunst und Handwerk, München, 1971
Gudrun Wessing, Bernhard Pankok als Porträtmaler, Münster, 1988, pp. 220-221, 230-231.

A rare armchair of good overall appearance. Some minor marks and scratches overall, consistent with age and use. Minor seperation to the joint where the lower right (facing) back rail joins the upright. Minor crack to the back here also circa 5cm. long. This does not affect the structure and is typical of age. Of good structural condition. The original upholstery is dirty, faded and shows some signs of wear, this again is consistent with age and use. Seat fabric would benefit from a clean. Further images are available upon request. An important piece, well recorded in the literature. In good honest condition. Ready for display.
"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."

The present lot belonged to Bernhard Pankok and remained in his family for many years. He used the armchair in his studio, indeed  there is a contemporary photograph of Pankok in his studio where he is shown surrounded by easels with portraits and the current armchair half covered by a drapery (exhibition catalogue, op.cit., p. 32, reproduced above). The armchair is also depicted in several of his portrait paintings, the first known being a 1901 portrait by Pankok of Prof. F. A. O. Krüge and his family, which was exhibited in Dresden in 1901 (Wessing, op.cit., ill. no. 71., illustrated previous page). Pankok's original design sketches for the floral carving to the backrest,  signed by Pankok and dated '98',  is illustarted in Günther (op.cit., ill. no. 54).

Only three examples of this armchair are documented. One example, sharing the same woven tapestry seat as the current lot, was bought by the Landesgewerbeamt Stuttgart in 1899 at the exhibition Deutsche Kunstausstellung Dresden, and is now in the collection of the Landesmuseum Württemberg in Stuttgart (exhibition catalogue, op.cit., p.82).  That armchair is also stamped 'V.W.' for the manufacturer and numbered. A third example, without the woven seat covering, is illustrated in Schneck, (op.cit., p.70).

Bernhard Pankok is one of the most important German designers of the early 20th century and few documented pieces by him appear on the market. In 1897, together with Hermann Obrist and Bruno Paul (see lot 25), Pankok founded the Vereinigte Werkstätten für Kunst im Handwerk (United Workshops for Artist Craftsmanship) in Munich. Their aim was to create and produce innovative and well-executed designs. Soon other associations in Germany were founded on the same principles which were inspired by the ideas of the British Arts & Crafts Movement.