Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand

grey painted tubular steel, metal springs, the feet with painted wooden tips, upholstered

By Repute: Mr. W.F. Crittal, Great Dunmow, Essex
The Fine Art Society, London, 1987

Arthur Rüegg ed., Charlotte Perriand, Livre de bord 1928-1933, Basel, 2004
100 Masterpieces from the Vitra Design Museum Collection, exhibition catalogue, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, 1996, pp. 70-71
Derek E. Ostergard ed., Bent Wood and Metal Furniture: 1850-1946, exhibition catalogue, New York, 1987

A rare example. Fabric is in heavily distressed condition but frame of solid appearance. Frame with old marks, chips and scratches. Oxidisation and blemishing in places. Springs to underside of seat complete. Underside of rear legs with wooden tips painted in grey, front legs with smaller unpainted tips, presumably old replacements. Further images 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."

The iconic design of the fauteuil à dossier basculant is based on a traditional 'Colonial chair'.  This widely known wooden armchair had coverings in linen with leather straps, such as models manufactured by Maple & Co., who retailed it under the name 'Indian Chair' (see Ostergard op. cit., p. 281)

The first prototype, listed in Charlotte Perriand's notes as Siège B I, dates to 1928/29 and was in the collection of Raoul La Roche and is now in the collection of the National Museum, Stockholm.  It is also known that versions were exhibited in the Paris Salon d'automne in 1929 at the stand created by Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret and Charlotte Perriand. At this time nine other examples were produced, eight with blue or brown satin coverings and another in parchment.  One of these was for the Comte d'Ursel, the other eight for the libary of Henry and Barbara Church in Ville-d'Avray. These nine early in Perriand's notes documented examples were variously produced by the manufacturers Duflon, Hour & Le Gac and Labadie, before Thonet Frères took over the rights to produce the design in 1930 (see Rüegg op. cit., pp. 33, 62, 275). 

The early documented versions are thought to have been nickel-plated tubular steel rather than the grey painted finish found on the present lot, which is believed to have been applied later. An early dating of around 1930 for the present lot however is supported by the constructional details where the rear uprights allow the hinged back to rotate fully. In later examples by Thonet metal bars at either side of the uprights that extend inward prevent the back rest from fully rotating.

Intruigingly, another fauteuil à dossier basculant, with the same grey painted finish and now in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, London, appears to be identical to the present lot. Notably, it has the exact atypical sprung seat assembly, as opposed to the leather or canvas sling that is encountered on other examples.  It is highly likely that the current lot is the pair to the example in the V&A, who believe their example is one of the nine early examples.