Ettore Bugatti (1881 - 1947)

wood and metal, painted Bugatti blue, the upper shelf above an open compartment, with galleried ends, on four castors

Ettore Bugatti
thence by descent to his daughter L'Ebé
Hervé Poulain
Michel Souillac
Poulain Le Fur, Paris, 5 April 1993, lot 286

Vogue et Décoration, September 1988, p. 47
Centenaire Ettore Bugatti 1981-1991, exhibition catalogue, Strasbourg, 1981, no. 33
Leger et l'esprit Moderne 1918-1931, exhibition catalogue, Musée d'Art Moderne de la ville de Paris, 1982, no. 17, p. 234

An important and unusual piece. Old marks and scratches overall and some wear to painted finish as can be seen in the catalogue illustration. Minor edge chips. One screw missing from lower shelf. Lower shelf very slightly warped. A rare survivor, one of a handful of furniture pieces by the designer and with excellent provenance back to his collection. A museum quality object, 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."

Ettore Bugatti is best known for his innovative designs for motor cars.  His racing cars and opulent limousines and touring cars are well documented.  His designs for furniture however are rare.  His father, Carlo, the idiosynchratic and ground breaking furniture designer, wanted both his sons to follow him into the arts.  Whilst his younger son, Rembrandt exercised his exceptional talent in the production of bronzes, the older son was attracted to the mechanical world at the age of thirteen or fourteen when he was asked to test a motorized tricycle on behalf of Prinetti & Stucchi.  By the time he was seventeen, he had persuaded his father of his passion and begun his apprenticeship as a mechanic.  His great gift as a draughtsman combined with his engineering skills ensured that his motor cars were aesthetically as well as technically brilliant.

The Musée d'Art Moderne, Paris records this trolley as having been made in the Bugatti factory for Ettore's personal use.