Beschreibung:

Property of an Important New York CollectorArmand-Albert RateauAn Important Torchère from the Guinle Family, Rio de Janeiro
circa 1922offered en suite with the following lotpatinated bronze, alabaster, ivorinestamped A.A. RATEAU/INVR/PARIS twice and numbered 131867⅜ in. (171.1 cm) high18½ in. (47 cm) maximum diameterCondition reportOverall in very good condition. The present Torchère, offered en suite with the following lot, is an illustration of Rateau’s masterful ability to combine bronze and alabaster to create a stunning work of functional sculpture. The patinated bronze is in very well preserved condition overall and presents with occasional light surface wear and some extremely minimal areas of discoloration concentrated to the edges and corners of the piece, slightly more pronounced to the base. The central stem presents with some very minimal wobbliness but is overall stable. The alabaster shade is in stable, age-appropriate condition. The alabaster presents with scratches, minor edge abrasions and a stable hairline crack measuring approximately 2 ½ inches long with accompanying smaller hairlines around it. The alabaster with areas of faint discoloration and calcification throughout consistent with heat exposure over time.  The butterfly switch has recently been replaced with an identical replica executed in ivorine by a professional conservator in a manner that is faithful to the original design and tonality of the piece. On behalf of the successful buyer Sotheby’s will oversee the rewiring of the lamp with a professional restorer directly following the auction.  Sotheby's does not guarantee electrical components and recommends having all wiring inspected by a licensed electrician.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colors and shades which are different to the lot's actual color and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation. The condition report is a statement of opinion only. For that reason, the condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS ONLINE CONDITION REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE/BUSINESS APPLICABLE TO THE RESPECTIVE SALE.ProvenanceGuinle Family, Rio de Janeiro, circa 1922
Argentinian Embassy, Rio de Janeiro, by acquisition of the Guinle Family residence, through 1979
Marcio Roiter, Rio de Janeiro
Acquired from the above by the present owner, 1985LiteratureYvonne Brunhammer, Le Style 1925, Paris, 1975 p. 40 (for the example of the model made for Jeanne Lanvin Paris)
Yvonne Brunhammer, 1925, Paris, 1976, p. 204 (for a related model)
Alain Lesieutre, The Spirit and Splendour of Art Deco, Secaucus, NJ, 1978, p. 286, fig. 271 (for a related model)
Milton Abirached Filho, “Na Crise, Asaida e a Reforma,” Domingo, February 1985, p. 27 (for one of the present lots illustrated)
Carol Vogel, “Object Lessons,” New York Times Magazine, March 2, 1986, p. 76 (for the example of the model made for Jeanne Lanvin Paris)
Jean-Paul Bouillon, Art Deco 1903-1940, New York, 1989, p. 123 (for a related model)
Alastair Duncan, A. A. Rateau, New York, 1990, pp. 22 and 61 (for period photographs of the model exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 1926)
Frank Olivier-Vial and François Rateau, Armand-Albert Rateau, Paris, 1992, pp. 35-37 and 200-201 (for the example of the model made for Jeanne Lanvin Paris)Catalogue note