ÉMILE-JACQUES RUHLMANN | Davène bookcase

Macassar ebony, sipo and ivory

Galerie Couvrat-Desvergnes, Paris
Private collection, Paris, acquired from the above in 1992
Christie's, Paris, November 25, 2013, lot 13

Florence Camard, Ruhlmann, Paris, 1983, p. 291
Florence Camard, Jacques Emile Ruhlmann, Saint-Rémy-en-l'Eau, 2009, p. 338

EN : Very good overall condition. The Macassar ebony presents with some light surface scratches, a few rare scuffs and a few rare tiny dents and tiny chips of veneer mostly concentrated along the edges and the base. Along the proper right front corner of the base, there is a hairline crack accompanied by small chips of veneer. The wood presents with some hairline cracks, not visually distracting and inherent to the aging process of the material, and has been previously re-varnished. There are a few previous small professional restorations, mostly concentrated along the edges and the seams (most of them to stabilize previous tiny cracks and to restore tiny losses of veneer). The shelves and the interior of the bookcase presents with some scattered light scratches and a few scuffs, consistent with age and use. There are 17 shelves and some of them presents with instances of previous restorations to the veneer. The ivory elements presents with a few hairline cracks, inherent to the aging process of the material. There are a few very rare and very tiny losses of ivory, not visually distracting. //// FR : Très bon état général. L'ébène de Macassar présente de légères rayures de surface, quelques rares égratignures, quelques rares très petits enfoncements et quelques très petits sauts de placage, localisés pour la plupart sur les arêtes et sur la base. L'angle antérieur droit de la base présente une craquelure accompagnée de petits sauts de placage. Le bois présente quelques fissures, peu dérangeantes visuellement et inhérente au vieillissement du bois. L'ensemble a été précédemment re-verni. Il y a quelques petites restaurations professionnelles, localisées pour la plupart le long des arêtes et des jointures (stabilisation d'anciennes fissures et restaurations de petits sauts de placage). Les étagères et l'intérieur de la bibliothèque présente quelques légères rayures et quelques égratignures, éparses et cohérentes avec l'âge et l'utilisation. Il y a 17 étagères et certaines d'entre elles présente des traces de restauration au placage. Quelques petits supports d'étagères en métal sont manquants. Les éléments en ivoire présentent quelques petites craquelures, inhérentes au vieillissement de l'ivoire. Il y a quelques très rares et très infimes petits manques d'ivoire, peu dérangeants visuellement.
"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."

Reference numbers AR2013 and NR2358 in the Ruhlmann Archives, Musée des Années 30, Boulogne Billancourt.