Marcel Breuer (1902 - 1981)

manufactured by Thonet, nickel-plated tubular steel, cane and ebonised beech, with an adjustable backrest, the seat suspended from a pair of springs at the rear

Magdalena Droste and Manfred Ludewig, Marcel Breuer Design, Köln, 1992, p. 107 (for an illustration of another example of this model)
Alexander von Vegesack, Mathias Remmele (eds.), Marcel Breuer, Design and Architecture, exhibition catalogue, Weil am Rhein, 2003, p. 96 (for a contemporary photograph of another example of this model exhibited in the German Werkbund in Paris in 1930)
Otakar Mácel, Marcel Breuer  - "Inventor of Bent Tubular Steel Furniture", in: Alexander von Vegesack and Mathias Remmele eds, Marcel Breuer, Design and Architecture, exhibition catalogue, Weil am Rhein, 2003, p. 92

A stylish chair in honest condition. Old marks, scratches and signs of wear consistent with age and material. Tarnish and rust to the tubular steel, partially visible in the catalogue illustration. The armrests with signs of wear to the ebonised finish. The left armrest has had a section of timber replaced with an inset of ebonised oak measuring 23 x 3cm. The caning is brittle which has caused splitting in some places and one small loss to the seat. A rare example. Further images available upon 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."

This model, with its unusual spring suspended seat, is known with two versions of armrest, shortened (as the current lot) or extended. The current lot is a further undocumented variant as it also has an additional stretcher support directly under the front seat rail.  Of those in public collections, one is in the collection of the Vitra Design Museum (with extended curved armrests) and another in the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation. Fewer than eight examples are known, and this is the only known example with the additional seat stretcher.

Another example sold in these rooms: Bauhaus, Wiener Werkstätte and other Important 20th Century Design, 25 October 1991, lot 173