Frank Lloyd Wright

Darwin D. Martin House, Buffalo, New York, circa 1903-1905
Richard Feigen Gallery, New York
Acquired from the above by the present owner, circa late 1960s

Frank Lloyd Wright, "In the Cause of Architecture," Architectural Record, March 1908, pp. 201-202 (for period photographs of the design in situ at the Martin House)
David A. Hanks, Frank Lloyd Wright: Preserving an Architectural Hertiage, Decorative Designs from the Domino's Pizza Collection, New York, 1989, p. 58 (for an example of the design in the Domino's Pizza Collection)
Thomas A. Heinz, Frank Lloyd Wright Glass Art, London, 1994, p. 104
Jack Quinan, ed., Frank Lloyd Wright: Windows of the Darwin D. Martin House, exh. cat., Burchfield-Penney Art Center, Buffalo State College, Buffalo, 1999, frontis and pp. 14 and 23 (for the design in situ)
Julie L. Sloan, Light Screens: The Complete Leaded-Glass Windows of Frank Lloyd Wright, New York, 2001, pp. 257-263 (for a discussion of the Darwin D. Martin House) and 260 (for the design)
Jack Quinan, Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House: Architecture as Portraiture, New York, 2004, pp. 103 (for the design in situ) and 133 (for the design)

Overall in very good and stable condition. The interior and exterior surfaces of the window have been sensitively cleaned by a leading professional conservator specializing in stained glass windows. The window with minor surface soiling to the adjacent contours of the window caming and with some occasional light surface scratches. A few tiles with small clamshell chips to the edges, not visually detractive. One clear glass tile in the bottom left corner with a small diagonal hairline crack with some associated clamshell chips, stable. The zinc cames retain much of the original brass plating on both the interior and exterior, particularly on the perimeter came. The cames with expected surface wear, rubbing, and scattered areas of discolorations and oxidation throughout. The corners with more concentrated surface scratches and rubbing to the plating. When viewed with reflected light, the iridized surfaces display a wide range of fully saturated and striking jewel-tone hues. The catalogue photographs show this panel with reflected front light (versus remitted back light). The catalogue photograph is slightly oversaturated and does not sufficiently capture the true radiance, luminosity and subtleties of the iridized and metallic gilt glass. Please feel welcome to contact the department for additional photographs. A superb example of Wright's casement design for the Martin House displaying outstanding composition and coloration.
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.