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 a small loss along the lower right perimeter border of the central blue urn which was sensitively filled with tinted epoxy (measuring approximately ¼ x ¼ inch). The panel with approximately 37 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 scattered losses to the painted surface throughout, some small losses to the wood on the side contours and corners, some occasional scattered paint marks, and separation at the corner seams. The frame was recently stabilized and braced on the reverse side of the corners. The panel is secured to the wood frame on the reverse with 13 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, and the tone of the background glass is more purple and not as pink as in the catalogue photo. 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 present lot is believed to be a relic from the Cornelius Vanderbilt II House, located at One West Fifty-Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue in New York.  La Farge produced a large variety of stained glass pieces for this commission, including dozens of transoms and windows, and two glass ceilings, all between 1881-1883.   This panel, depicting a vase on tripod, is believed to be one of the few surviving transoms from this commission.