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MassModernDesign
pierre weckx lougne chair brazil 1950s
Low lounge chair designed by Pierre Weckx and manufactured in Brazil 1950s. This low lounge chair is an expressive example of Brazilian modernism, revealing Pierre Weckx’s refined understanding of structure, material, and repose. Designed in the 1950s, the chair embodies a period in which Brazilian designers began to reinterpret international modernist ideas through local materials, craftsmanship, and climate driven lifestyles. The low, reclining posture reflects a relaxed approach to seating, prioritising the body at rest while maintaining a sculptural presence within the interior. The frame is executed in solid caviuna wood, a dense and richly grained Brazilian hardwood prized for its durability and warm tonal depth. Weckx uses the material with confidence, shaping the structure into a continuous, angled silhouette that feels both grounded and fluid. The extended rear legs and subtly inclined seat create a dynamic profile that is visually light despite the solidity of the wood. The armrests are integrated seamlessly, reinforcing the sense of cohesion between form and function. A system of rope supports the original golden toned cowhide cushion, allowing the seat and back to respond gently to the body. This construction not only enhances comfort but also introduces a tactile contrast between the smooth wood, the tensioned rope, and the supple cowhide. The cushion, with its natural patina, contributes significantly to the character of the piece and speaks to its authenticity. This chair has been published several times in Casa e Jardim, underscoring its importance within the canon of mid century Brazilian design. Preserved in fully original condition, it stands as a rare and compelling example of Pierre Weckx’s work, where craftsmanship, material honesty, and an effortless sense of leisure converge into a timeless modern object.
Claes Gallery
Dan 'deangle' Mask Ivory Coast, Dan people Presumed early 20th century Wood and pigment H 25 cm Provenance: Hubert Goldet (1945–2000), Paris, until 1972; Lucien Van de Velde (1933-), Antwerp, from 1972 to 1975; René (1901-1998) & Odette (1925–2012) Delenne, Brussels Literature: Arts d’Afrique Noire 34, 1988, p. 49; Utotombo, Kunst uit Zwart-Afrika in Belgisch privé-bezit, de Heusch, Brussels, 1988, p. 148, fig. 59; A ‘Harley Mask’ at the Cleveland Museum of Art: More on Masks among the Mano and Dan Peoples, Petridis, African Arts, Vol. 45, n° 1, 2012, p. 31, fig. 8; Trésors de Côte d’Ivoire, Neyt, Fonds Mercator, Brussels, 2014, p. 44-45, fig. 18 (indication: H. 26 cm); The Language of Beauty in African Art, Petridis, The Art Institute of Chicago, 2022, p. 207, fig. 164 Exhibitions: Utotombo. Kunst uit Zwart-Afrika in Belgisch privé-bezit, Palais des Beaux Arts, Brussels, 25 March-5 June 1988; The Language of Beauty in African Art, The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, 20 January 2022-27 March 2023 Originating from the northwest of Côte d’Ivoire, near the borders of Liberia and Guinea, the Dan are an agricultural people who primarily cultivate rice and cassava. Their way of life, complemented by hunting, fishing, and gathering, is rooted in a patrilineal society without a central authority, structured around clans led by chiefs chosen for their prestige, bravery, or agricultural success. Relations between clans, often marked by rivalries, gave rise to a rigorous social organization: young warriors ensured the group’s defense, while chiefs reinforced their influence through feasts and gifts. Local power rested on a balance between the chief, the council of elders, and the male associations, which upheld discipline, guided the initiation of young men, and preserved community cohesion. The Dan distinguish between two worlds: that of the village - a humanized and social space - and that of the forest, the realm of spirits and natural forces. It is within this duality that their art takes root, renowned for its independence and for the diversity of its styles from one village to another. In their pursuit of formal perfection, Dan artists express through their works an ideal of beauty that is both spiritual and harmonious. A symbol of this aesthetic quest, the Dan 'deangle' mask is characterized by its regular oval shape, polished surface, narrow eyes, short nose, and full, slightly parted lips. The raised scarifications emphasize the geometry and graphic strength of the composition. Of an elegance imbued with softness and femininity, it embodies the Dan ideal of beauty. Used within the Leopard secret society (go), associated with the pacifying spirit zlan, this mask served as an intermediary between young initiates and the village community. First exhibited and published for the general public in 1988, this exceptional work was most recently presented (in 2022) at the Chicago Museum. The mask’s deep gaze, highlighted by a fine band across the eyes, captures the viewer’s attention. Its patina, with warm brown reflections, and its concave form lend it a presence that is both powerful and serene.
Galerie des Modernes
max ernst
Max Ernst (Brühl 1891-1976 Paris) Fleur de coquillage, circa 1932 Gouache on paper 23 x 30.7 cm Signed lower right 'max ernst' Certificate of authenticity by Mr. Werner Spies dated 29 November 2007 Provenance: Edward Weston collection, Carmel Highlands; Galerie Tarica, Paris; Galerie Heyram-Mabel Semmler, Paris; Galerie des Modernes, Paris; private collection, France
Galerie von Vertes
jean dubuffet
Jean Dubuffet (Le Havre 1901-1985 Paris) Site avec deux personnages, 10 September 1982 Acrylic and collage on paper, mounted on canvas 67 x 100 cm Monogrammed and dated lower right 'J.D. 82' Verso numbered on the stretcher 'F146' Provenance: Waddington Galleries, London (verso with label); James Corcoran Gallery, Santa Monica (verso with label); Karsten Greve Galerie, Cologne (verso with label); private collection, Switzerland (acquired from the above) Literature: Max Loreau, Catalogue des travaux de Jean Dubuffet, vol. XXXV: Sites aléatoires, Paris 1986, p. 73, n° 142 (ill.) Exhibition: London, Waddington Galleries, Jean Dubuffet. A retrospective, October 1983, n° 46 (ill.)
robertaebasta
Alessandro Mendini (Milan, 1931-2019) 'Libreria scultura' prototype of modular bookcase/display for Swatch, Italy 1994 Lacquered wood, coloured, laminated, chromed and satin steel H 214 x W 250 x D 40 cm Unique piece Certificate of authenticity by Mrs Elisa Mendini and Mrs Fulvia Mendini Provenance: private collection, Italy
Jan Muller Antiques
Netherlandish School, circa 1500 Triptych with the Crucifixion and scenes from the Passion Oil on panel 51 x 36.5 cm (closed) 51 x 73 cm (open) The gallery is grateful to Dr. Didier Martens for his expertise The Crucifixion with Saint Jerome and Saint Dominic and Scenes from the Passion, Original frame. This triptych depicts Christ on the Cross, flanked by the sorrowful figures of the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist. Kneeling at the foot of the Cross are Saint Jerome and Saint Dominic, the latter holding a rosary. In the landscape beyond unfold several scenes from Christ’s Passion, culminating in the Crucifixion. This version follows the composition preserved in the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, which originally formed one half of a diptych. Its companion panel, depicting The Coronation of the Virgin, is held in the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam. The distinctive iconography is closely associated with the Dominican devotion to the Rosary. Surrounding the central Crucifixion are smaller narrative scenes illustrating key moments from the Passion of Christ: • Christ in the Garden of Olives: Following the Last Supper, Christ withdraws to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In deep anguish, he prays to be spared his suffering, while ultimately submitting to God’s will. • The Circumcision: According to the Gospel of Luke, this event occurred eight days after Christ’s birth, during the Brit Milah ceremony at which he received his name. • The Flagellation: This scene depicts the scourging ordered by Pontius Pilate, the customary prelude to crucifixion under Roman law. • Christ on the Cold Stone: The pensive Christ sits, crowned with thorns and bearing the marks of his scourging, his head resting in contemplation. This image reflects the influence of the Devotio Moderna, a movement that emphasized Christ’s human suffering as a model for personal devotion.
Barbara Bassi
Arman (Nice 1928-2005 New York) Musical instruments bracelet, circa 1990 Diamonds and 18 kt yellow gold Unique piece signed and dedicated by Arman 'Arman for Janadine' Sonia Delaunay (Ukraine, Hradyz'k 1885-1979 Paris) Flamenco, 1979 Silver metal and enamel Limited edition Provenance: private collection, USA Literature: Cover of catalogue 'Bijoux d'artistes de Calder à Koons' by Diane Venet (Flammarion), Musée d'Art Décoratif, Paris, 2018
Desmet Fine Arts
Pietra dura table top Coloured marble, alabaster and onyx Roman workshop, circa 1565-1600 H 6 x W 104.5 x D 83 cm Accompanied by Art Loss Register certificate: S00253658 Provenance: private collection, Lombardy (Italy) The pietra dura tabletop represents a symbiosis that evokes the rediscovery of the ancient world. The colored marbles used all originate from ancient Roman marble, brought to Rome from across the Roman Empire as early as the 3rd century BCE. In late 16th-century Rome, artists repurposed columns and all manner of these ancient Roman artifacts, reshaping them into sumptuous tabletops to decorate the grand palazzi. This work visualizes how 16th-century Rome sought to reclaim the identity and power of the great Roman Empire, and it must be fully understood within the context of the decoration of St. Peter’s Basilica, when Rome was once again regarded as the center of the world. The patterns are architecturally and geometrically designed to showcase the rarest marbles to their fullest effect. In this specific example, around 1800, the edge underwent restoration, during which the finest artists of the time added a black decorative band. Their aim was to frame what was already spectacular with a dignified restoration. Although created in the late 16th century, this piece radiates two millennia of superiority—politically, socially, artistically, and art historically.
Douwes Fine Art b.v.
rembrandt van rijn
Rembrandt van Rijn (Leiden 1606-1669 Amsterdam) Self-Portrait in a Cap, Wide-Eyed and Open-Mouthed, 1630 Etching and drypoint on laid paper 5.4 x 4.6 cm Signed in monogram and dated lower centre: RHL 1630 Plate not in existence – with Nowell-Usticke (1967): RRR – a very rare little plate Provenance: private collection, Germany; private collection, The Netherlands Literature: Bartsch 320; Hind 32; The New Hollstein Dutch n° 69: Second state (of II) This is a small masterpiece of Rembrandt's early etchings. The expression of this physiognomic study made by his etching needle could not be more livelike as the facial expression (perhaps "astonishment") is in perfect harmony with the round shape of the face. Rembrandt knows exactly how to hit every tonal gradation with fine, arching strokes. Of all the self-portraits in which Rembrandt depicts emotions, this one is probably the most engaging. He looks startled here, with pursed lips and wide-open eyes. You see him slightly from below, so that he seems to be recoiling. The etching is clearly executed and clever, with the contours of the shoulders and the cap fading into the edges. During his lifetime, Rembrandt's extraordinary skills as a printmaker were the main source of his international fame. Unlike his oil paintings, prints travelled light and were relatively cheap. For this reason, they soon became very popular with collectors not only within but also beyond the borders of the Netherlands. Rembrandt's etchings are remarkable for their high number of self-portraits (over 30 out of about 290). These are particularly collectible, perhaps due to the smaller number of states as well as the artist's compelling and powerful presence. Unlike his stately religious scenes, or regal, posed portraits of others, which exhibit his careful and calculating brilliance as an etcher, Rembrandt's self-portraits reveal him as an artist and a man. In them he assumes the role of the experimenting artist, approaching the most difficult of subjects - himself. These self-portraits are often described as ethereal and wistful for their notable contrasting areas of high and low etched space. A very fine impression of this famous small portrait in the second (final) state, printing clearly, just beginning to show a little wear on the tip of the nose, with narrow margins.
Franck Anelli Fine Art
charles topino
Charles Topino (Arras, circa 1742-1803) Louis XVI period demi-lune commode, circa 1780 Oak, Parisian varnish, gilt-bronze mounts, Aleppo breccia marble top H 91 x W 131 x D 58 cm Stamped 'C. TOPINO' and 'JME', with a CD mark Provenance: private collection, Paris Literature: Forray-Carlier et M. Kopplin, Les secrets de la laque française: Le Vernis Martin, Paris, 2014 This demi-lune commode is decorated with chinoiserie motifs in gold on a green background,. It opens with two side doors and three drawers. The gold chinoiserie decoration on green varnish is quite rare, especially on Louis XVI furniture. The chinoiserie theme is executed here in a decorative style from the 1780s, with framed scenes surrounded by tied garlands. This exotic theme remained in vogue during the Louis XVI period, as evidenced by the lacquered Japanese furniture favoured by Marie-Antoinette, as well as the marquetry furniture by Roentgen. Jean Pillement (1728-1808) popularised chinoiserie designs through his 1776 book 'Œuvres de Fleurs, ornements, cartouches et figures et sujets chinois…etc.,' which spread throughout the courts of Europe. The green varnish décor is especially known for works by René Dubois, such as the small demi-lune commode housed at Waddesdon Manor in England (Inv. WI/23/2). René Dubois, however, was more inclined towards neoclassical scenes, a style that is well-documented in his stock from 1772, which lists around twenty pieces, thus helping to date his production. At this time, the workshop of the Frères Martin was still active, with Jean-Alexandre, the son of Robert Martin, having taken over his father’s workshop in 1767 and acquired that of his cousin Etienne-François in 1772, following his cousin's death the year before. It is clear that Jean-Alexandre benefited from the strong connections his family had with Parisian marchand-merciers and cabinetmakers, one of the most renowned of whom was Charles Topino. This production unfortunately did not survive the French Revolution, and this commode is one of the last examples of this inventive period. Charles Topino settled in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and counted aristocratic clients and marchand-ébénistes such as Delorme and Tuart amongst his customers. His pieces were described as 'à l'antique,' an expression referring to the neoclassical taste that dominated the late 18th century. His journal, covering the years 1771 to 1779, has survived, providing insight into the names of bronziers who supplied him, including Jean-Baptiste Dubuisson, a master founder since 1765, who created some of the finest bronze mounts of the period. It is known that the gilt bronze mounts adorning Topino’s furniture were cast by Viret, chased by Chamboin and Dubuisson, and gilded by Bécard, Gérard, and Vallet. Charles Topino produced several demi-lune commodes of this type, many decorated with marquetry and several with varnish decorations. Notable examples include: -A commode from the Prince Radziwill collection, sold at the Château d'Ermenonville auction, Ader study, March 8th, 1933 -A writing desk sold by Christie's London from the Rechnitzer collection, May 19th, 1955, illustrated in Connaissance des Arts n° 41, July 15th, 1955 -A writing desk decorated with European black and gold varnish in the Chinese style, sold at Paris’s Hôtel Drouot, Cornette de Saint-Cyr study, January 31st, 1994 -A writing desk with Coromandel lacquer decoration, from the Princess A. de Broglie collection, ill. in P. Verlet, Les ébénistes du XVIIIe siècle français, Connaissance des arts, Hachette, Paris, 1963, p. 268
Galerie Alexis Pentcheff
maurice utrillo
Maurice Utrillo (Paris 1883-1955 Dax) Belle Gabrielle, Montmartre, circa 1912-1914 Oil and gesso on cardboard mounted on panel, signed lower right 41 x 55.5 cm Provenance: London, Christie’s sale, 23 June 2004, lot n° 267; European private collection; Galerie Alexis Pentcheff; private collection, France Literature: Jean Fabris and Cédric Paillier, L’œuvre complet de Maurice Utrillo, Paris, 2009, repr. n° 332, p. 396; Maurice Utrillo, exhibition catalogue, Tokyo, Seiji Togo Memorial Sompo Japan Museum of Art, 2010, n° 1, p. 142 (ill. in colour in the section 'Works reproduced as archives') Exhibitions: Centenary of the Birth of Maurice Utrillo, Musée Jacquemart-André, Paris, May-August 1983, n° 13 (travelling exhibition to Liège, Musée Saint-Georges, and to Lille, Fondation Septentrion in Marcq-en-Barœul, until 15 January 1984); Maurice Utrillo, Tokyo, then Osaka, Kyoto, and Yamaguchi, Japan, 1 November 1985-5 May 1986, n° 17 (ill. cat. in colour); Maurice Utrillo: Solitude Urbaine, Galerie Alexis Pentcheff, Marseille, 22 September-4 November 2017, n° 3 (ill. cat. in colour)
Galerie Alexis Bordes
jacques-emile blanche
Jacques-Emile Blanche (Paris 1861-1942 Offranville) View of a longère at the end of a tree-lined path, near Offranville Oil on canvas 38.3 x 46.2 cm Signed lower right: J E Blanche Certificate of authenticity by Mrs. Jane Roberts, a specialist on the artist Provenance: private collection, France Literature: Jane Roberts, Jacques-Émile Blanche, Paris: Gourcuff-Gradenigo, 2012; Mireille Bialek, Michel Ciry, Félicien Cacan, Jacques-Émile Blanche à Offranville: peintre-écrivain, Offranville: Mairie d’Offranville, 2006
Art et Patrimoine - Laurence Lenne
Potpourri vase in polychrome porcelain Tournai porcelain, second period, 1763-1775 H 36.5 cm Rare potpourri vase in soft-paste, polychrome Tournai porcelain. At its base, it depicts a gallant offering grapes to his lady Provenance: former du Bois de Roest collection Literature: a similar piece is published in Lucien Delplace, Considérations sur les porcelaines de Tournai, p. 25, plate 3; and in Soil de Moriamé & Delplace, La Manufacture Impériale et Royale de Porcelaine de Tournay, 1937, p. 341, n° 645, plate 79
Giammarco Cappuzzo Fine Art
Giovanni Giacomo Sementi (Bologna 1584-1636 Rome) The Triumph of David, circa 1630 Oil on canvas 137 x 159 cm Provenance: private collection, Italy Literature: M. Francucci, Giovanni Giacomo Sementi, Un dipinto di soggetto insolito, in Arte Cristiana, n° 869, 2012, pp. 143-148; M. Pulini, Rimini per Simone Cantarini, opere da raccolte private, Rimini 2012, pp. 20-21, fig. 20; A. Pellicciari, I'Eredita’ di Guido Reni, in la pittura in Emilia e in Romagna. The Seventeenth Century, edited by Andrea Emiliani, Milano, 1992; G. Puglia, Il Bastaro, fig. 36, pag. 79; M. Francucci, il naturalismo classicizzato nella Roma di Urbano VIII, LibroCo Italy, Florence, 2013; Ariccia, Gian Giacomo Sementi, Quaderni del Barocco, 2021, p. 8 fig. 14
Herwig Simons Fine Arts
Wooden chef-d'oeuvre of the Compagnonnage France, 19th century Walnut, maple and mohogany wood H 185 cm Provenance: former private collection, France A fine, rare and large nineteenth-century wooden exhibition model, the chef-d'oeuvre of a master carpenter of the Compagnonnage. These models were made to show the technical expertise and skill of the master carpenter. The Compagnonnage is an old French guild with roots in the 12th century. In the eighteenth century, they incorporated symbols and rituals, many of which were borrowed from Freemasonry to create an initiatory progression for its members.
Chambre professionnelle belge de la Librairie Ancienne et Moderne (CLAM)
miquel barceló – josé bergamín la solitude sonore du toreo paris : éditions du solstice, 2015
Folio (40 x 38 cm), Coptic binding, original publisher's printed wrappers, publisher’s chemise and slipcase. An artist’s book presenting multiple challenges, resulting in an exceptional work. Text by José Bergamín, translated from Spanish by Florence Delay, who also wrote the preface. 8 full-page engravings by Miquel Barceló. Edition limited to 140 copies. One of 20 artist’s copies on papier vélin BFK Rives des papeteries Antalis, signed by the artist. With an additional signed suite of the 8 engravings on papier Hahnemühle. "A print is a major undertaking, involving fifteen different stages. There are fewer hours of work in a large painting than in a small print; it demands willpower, precision, and hours upon hours of concentration" Miquel Barceló. Painter, sculptor, and ceramist, Miquel Barceló has shown from the beginning a keen curiosity for printmaking techniques. He has experimented with them at various stages of his career, both alone and in collaboration with renowned printers, and continues to practice in a dedicated space in his studio. Ingert - Antiquarian Bookseller