John La Farge

Heinigke and Smith Company, New York
Frederick L. Leuchs, New York, 1957
Thence by descent

Overall in good stable condition. The panel has recently been cleaned and stabilized by a professional conservation studio specializing in leaded glass. The panel was previously warped and was sensitively flattened to minimize this warping and return the panel to its original state. The panel was also stabilized throughout and the junction points of the caming on the reverse side were re-soldered. All of the cracks throughout the panel were stabilized with Hextal (an archival resin which does not discolor over time). There was one small loss to the central blue slumped glass medallion which was sensitively filled with tinted epoxy (measuring approximately ¼ x ¼ inch). The panel with approximately 35-38 cracked glass tiles dispersed throughout. There are small and minimal losses throughout to the original grouting (or glazing) around the caming consistent with age. The panel appears to retain its original painted wood frame, which shows considerable surface wear, with small losses around the perimeter edges, some occasional scattered paint marks, and separation at the corner seams. The wood frame was recently stabilized and braced on the reverse sides of the corners. The panel is secured to the wood frame on the reverse with 16 old nails evenly dispersed around the perimeter (a few of the nails have been re-set). When illuminated, the colors throughout the panel are more vibrant than seen in the catalogue illustration. A rare panel by La Farge displaying a fascinating range of artistic glass, most notably in the dimensional “slumped” glass elements utilized throughout.
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 following two lots were acquired by American stained glass artist Frederick Leuchs in 1957, when he purchased at public auction the business and inventory of the New York stained glass firm, Heinigke and Smith.  Otto Heinigke, one of the firm's original founders in 1890, was deeply influenced by the work of artist John La Farge, and is known to have assembled a large collection of paintings and stained glass that he used throughout his career as visual references in his studio.   

This panel is believed to be a relic from the William Henry Vanderbilt House located between Fifty-First and Fifty-Second Streets on Fifth Avenue in New York.  La Farge designed at least six suites of glass for this commission between 1880-1881.  The present lot is believed to have been part of the stained glass coffered ceiling in the Vanderbilt Vestibule.   

Sotheby's wishes to thank Dr. James L. Yarnall for his assistance in cataloguing the present and following lot.