Henry van de Velde

mahogany,mahogany veneered pine, leather, brass

Possibly Max Emil Meier, brother of Julius Meier-Graefe
Auktionshaus Michael Zeller, Lindau, 2-3 December, 2005, lot 2194
Acquired from the above by the present owner

Wolf D. Pecher, Henry van de Velde: Das Gesamtwerk, vol. 1, Munich, 1981, pp. 116, 279, pl. 1315, for a relatable example
François Baudot, "La Caverne de Roberto Polo", Elle Decoration, France, no. 175, December, 2006, p. 138, illustrated
Laurence Mouillefarine, "Explorateur des Arts Décoratifs", Architectural Digest, France, no. 62, December 2006 - January 2007, p. 104, illustrated
Ralf Eibl, "Mit Hohem Einsatz", Architectural Digest, Deutschland, December 2008 - January 2009, p. 118, illustrated
Eric Jansen, "Roberto Polo: L'Œil de L'Expert", L'Eventail, no. 125, April, 2012, p. 111, illustrated
Werner Adriaenssens et al, Roberto Polo: The Eye, London, 2011, pp. 410-411, illustrated
Eric Jansen, Nouveaux Cabinets d'Amateurs, Paris, 2015, p. 232, illustrated

Overall very good condition consistent with age and use. A hairline to the edge of the top surface, approximately 3 cm in length. The leather top has been professionally replaced and the drawer and its associated hardware are likely of later production.
"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."

An early supporter of Henry van de Velde's designs, Julius Meier-Graefe, founder of Dekorative Kunst and Art Nouveau gallery La Maison Moderne, commissioned works by van de Velde from 1895 onwards. Meier-Graefe's older brother Max Emil Meier also admired the work of the hand of van de Velde, commissioning works for his own residence in 1898. Emil Meier's collection was eventually sold, a portion of which was acquired by the Statdtmuseum in Munich circa 1970. By repute, the rest of the collection was inherited by his granddaughter, who resided in Konstanz, and eventually sold the remaining pieces following her retirement in the late 1990s. The towns of Konstanz and Lindau both border Lake Constance, therefore introducing the possibility that the offered lot was part of the inherited works.