John La Farge

Private Collection, Buffalo, NY, circa 1970s

Edward Strahan, Mr. Vanderbilt's House and Collection, vol. III, Boston, 1883, n.p. (for a rendering showing related lanterns in the Japanese Room of the William H. Vanderbilt mansion, New York)
Henry A. La Farge, "John La Farge's Work in the Vanderbilt Houses," The American Art Journal, Autumn 1984, pp. 40-41 (for Strahan's rendering showing related lanterns in the Japanese Room of the William H. Vanderbilt mansion, New York and for a nearly identical lantern by La Farge with variant glass panels)

Overall in very good condition. The lantern with approximately 20-25 cracks to the glass dispersed throughout. The zinc caming is quite malleable, and there are a few areas of separation between the caming and glass, and the caming and metal armature. There is a small loss to the caming on one side of the lantern, bottom perimeter border, to the right tip of a diamond-shaped element. With considerable surface soiling throughout along the came lines. There appears to be a light grey grouting securing the caming to the glass. This grouting has become brittle, and there are small scattered losses throughout. The patinated metal armature shows rubbing to the patina, surface wear, soiling and discoloration, and scattered tiny paint specks consistent with age and use. The central electrical rod and socket appear to be original and undisturbed. Lacking ceiling plate—the four corner rods and central electrical rod all converge at a ball-shaped device which is mounted with an oval loop that will suspend from a secure ceiling hook. The lantern displays beautifully showing a full range of jewel-toned glass and cabochons. An exceedingly rare documented example of Lafarge's lighting.
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.

The present lot relates closely to lanterns designed by John La Farge for the historic New York mansion of William H. Vanderbilt located at 640 Fifth Avenue built in the 1880s.  These lanterns appear in a period rendering by Edward Strahan of the Vanderbilt Japanese Room and are believed to have existed with other patterns throughout the residence.  Hired by the Vanderbilts based on acclaim for his earlier work at Trinity Church, La Farge created for this same residence three large allegorical stained glass triptychs for the walls along the landings of the grand staircase.