Rateau's Commission For the Duchess de Alba to be Sold at Christie's Paris: Part II

Duchess de Alba's Bathroom, Liria Palace, Madrid circa 1922  Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Hello dear readers.  Well I hope you enjoyed my first post on this subject.  The Christie's catalogue is out and many questions have been answered regarding this elusive Rateau commission for the Liria Palace in Madrid.  According to the catalogue, upon the marriage of the XVII Duke of Alba to the future Duchess (doña María del Rosario de Silva y Gurtubay), in 1920 an entire enfilade of rooms were commissioned for her use including a boudoir, bedroom and bathroom.

Liria Place, Madrid: Plan of first floor with the Duchess' suite highlighted in white.  Image via Christie's (Fonds Rateau)

We now know that this fabled suite of rooms had a rather short shelf-life.  The Duchess died 11 January 1934 of tuberculosis and the Liria Palace itself was greatly destroyed during the tumultuous Spanish Civil War (1936-1939).  According to the catalogue essay, in advance of the looming revolution, many of the palace treasures and furnishings were safeguarded at either the British Embassy or the Banco de Espana.  So now the mystery is solved,  The Rateau interiors enjoyed a mere decade of completeness before the tides of war sealed their fate.  Now, onto the surviving artworks themselves.

Alba commission Rateau torcheres    Image via Christie's

We know the floor lamps "aux oiseau" as this image was included with the press release for this sale issued in February.  The lamps are being offered individually each at an estimate of €1,500,000-2,000,000.  They are two from the four that were originally installed in the bathroom.

Alba commission low table "aux oiseau"   Image via Christie's

As I stated previously this iconic low table is a Rateau collector's must-have item and seems to be in very good order.  I am completely unfazed by the estimate of €1,500,000-2,000,000.  It will do far better than that.

Alba commission Rateau low table "aux oiseau" shown in situ   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Now onto the adjustable daybed.  The previous literature on the subject suggested that this was a unique work.  It has now come to light that it is one of two recorded.  The other example with cream upholstery shown in my previous post was exhibited at Delorenzo Gallery, New York in 1990.  It can be deduced that it was subsequently sold, its whereabouts are currently unknown.

Alba commission Rateau adjustable daybed      Image via Christie's

The Alba daybed has never left their possession and looks to be in good condition.  It has been recovered in an animal print fabric in keeping with the original ocelot upholstery.  While it is no longer classified as a "unique" work it is only one of two known and with this stellar provenance the estimate of €400,000-600,000 still seems conservative.

Alba commission Rateau adjustable daybed shown in-situ      Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Detail of daybed   Image via Christie's

I really enjoy the shell and drapery carved frieze on the seatrail.  The bronze pendent's are functional as well as beautiful as they hold the pins that secure the adjustable sides in various positions.

Now onto the dressing table.  It appears that over the years of movement and storage that the original top and bronze-mounted mirror superstructure have been lost.

Alba commission Rateau dressing table  Image via Christie's

Alba commission Rateau dressing table in its original configuration shown in-situ  Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Detail of dressing table showing original bronze mounted mirror   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

As you can see from the period images the mirror and its sculptural mount are now lacking.  I would surmise that the the top has been replaced as well.  It either took a spill in the past ninety years or was modified to make it a more versatile piece.  I will be attending the exhibition so I will be able to check for sure because if the top is original it will have plugged holes to the surface where the bronze mount was affixed.  From the images it looks like the present top is thicker and in the period photos the upper edges appear to be rounded (however it may just be glare).  Rateau made versions to this table with and without mirrors so the present condition is not a deal-breaker and explains the €600,000-800,000 estimate.  It will perform quite well with this conservative approach.

Alba commission Rateau Canape aux Cols Cygnes    Image via Christie's

Now to the sofa, it looks very smart in it brown satin upholstery.  The catalogue confirms that it was originally covered in dark pony skin.  It also notes that all four legs have been replaced to the original specifications.  It is also noted that the patinated seatrail has been restored to its original color.  However, if you look at the period image, the seatrail had additional stenciling, carving or appliques when it was originally installed.

Alba commission Rateau Canape aux Cols Cygnes shown in-situ with original seatrail decoration    Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

The rosettes at either end of the seatrail appear to be in low-relief in the period photo as well.  I will be intriguing to read the condition report for this lot to see what was needed to make it presentable for the auction.  That said, the estimate seems right at €200,000-300,000.  Not conservative given the condition, but that will likely not matter given the provenance.

Alba commission Rateau marble bathtub   Image via Christie's

Last but not least we come to the marble tub.  I was curious as to how it was configured.  It was in-fact carved out of a solid square block of white marble.  As you can see from the period image the mass was sunken into the floor with only the edge molding exposed.

Alba commission Rateau bathtub shown in-situ   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

Unfortunately, it is now lacking its cast bronze fixtures.  As you can see from the detail below the holes have been patched.

Detail of carved marble tub showing the infilled holes from the bronze taps   Image via Christie's

Detail showing original bronze taps from the Alba commission   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

The arrangement of birds and floral motifs are in keeping with the rest of the room's decorative scheme.  The same arrangement of bird faucets and stopper were utilized in the bathroom of Jeanne Lanvin as well.

Rateau bronze bath fixtures from Jeanne Lanvin's Bathroom   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs

The catalogue also notes that the tub will not be displayed at Christie's Paris office but rather at the Monin warehouse located on the northern border of the city.  I can only guess it has to do with the massive weight of the work causing logistical and safety concerns.  On a side note, I heard that the tub spent part of the past sixty years as a water feature in the gardens of the Liria Palace.  The mind reels, but I digress.  The tub is indeed a great object but as I stated before it will need the right buyer who is willing to take on a project.  Lacking its bronze hardware and being relegated to an off-site display location, I do hope that it meets its €150,000-200,000 estimate.  Fingers crossed.

Stay tuned for updates from the design sales in paris later this month!--AR.

Rateau's Commission For the Duchess de Alba to be Sold at Christie's Paris

In researching my previous post on Eileen Gray and her retrospective at the Centre Pompidou, I thought of planning a trip to Paris. I did a little digging considering the upcoming auctions I could take-in....and I am glad I did.  Christie's has announced that they will be selling Armand-Albert Rateau pieces from my favorite of his commissions, the private apartments of the Duchess of Alba, doña María del Rosario de Silva y Gurtubay (1900-1934), in the Liria Palace, Madrid. Commissioned between 1920-1921 by her husband, Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart y Falco (1878-1953), 17^th Duke of Alba.

Duchess de Alba's Bathroom, Liria Palace, Madrid circa 1922  Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

As faithful readers may notice, I have mentioned this room in a previous post and am simply ecstatic that I will be able to see some of these pieces in the flesh at long last.  According to the press release:

“The House of Alba has decided to sell the Armand Albert Rateau furniture commissioned by the 17^th Duke of Alba, don Jacobo Fitz-James Stuart in the early 1920s in France, in order to support the funding of its heritage and of its various palaces throughout Spain as well as supporting new projects for the family. This is part of a general reorganization undertaken by the House of Alba, as illustrated by the recent exhibition ‘El Legado Casa d’Alba’, the first ever organized in Madrid between December 2012-March 2013. These pieces of furniture are all that remain of a larger ensemble that no longer exists. They do not form part of the historic collection of the House of Alba nor do they relate to the history of Spain”, stated the House of Alba.

Duchess de Alba's Bathroom, Liria Palace, detail of niche  Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

While exciting on many levels it settles a long scholarly debate, that this interior was in-fact dismantled at some point and no longer exists.  Hopefully the Christie's catalogue will shed more light on the details when it is issued.  According to Christie's expert Sonja Ganne the pieces consigned include:

Alba Commission Torcheres     Image via Christie's

Alba Torcheres, detail     Image via Christie's

• Two green patinated bronze floor lamps "aux oiseau" offered as individual lots at €1,500,000-2,000,000 each.

Alba comission bronze and marble low table "aux oiseau"   Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

• A dark green patinated bronze and black marble low table "aux oiseau" at €1,500,000-2,000,000

Alba commission patinated bronze and marble dressing table Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs , Paris

• A deep green patinated bronze and black marble dressing table at €600,000-800,000

Alba commission carved giltwood and bronze adjustable daybed  Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

• A carved giltwood and patinated bronze adjustable daybed at €400,000-600,000

Alba commission parcel gilt carved wood canapé "aux cols de cygne" Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

•  A parcel gilt carved wood canapé "aux cols de cygne" at €200,000-300,000

Alba commission carved white marble bath tub Image via Musee des Arts Decortifs, Paris

• A carved white marble bath tub at €150,000-200,000

The line-up is astonishing and I feel that the estimates are actually quite conservative given the rarity of Rateau's works and the fact that these pieces come directly from this original coveted commission.  The torcheres are the same model that were utilized in Jean Lanvin's bathroom (now in the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris).  To my knowledge a torchere of this model has not been up at auction in the past few decades, if ever.

Rateau design for a floor lamp variation  Image via Fonds Rateau

Two similar and less ornate lamps were offered as successive lots at the Delorenzo tribute sale at Christie's New York in December 2010 achieving $842,500 and $1,142,500 respectively.

One of two Rateau lamps offered in the Delorenzo Sale at Christie's New York   Image via Christie's

A similar example was offered at Christie's Paris from the amazing sale of the Collection of Claude and Simone Dray in June of 2006, then making $1,302,782.

Related Rateau torchere from the Claude and Simone Dray sale, Christie's Paris  Image via Christie's

Also in the Dray sale was a slightly more elaborate version with an ivory switch...the rare variation was reflected in the price as it achieved a staggering $2,307,673.

Variant Rateau torchere from the Claude and Simone Dray sale, Christie's Paris  Image via Christie's

It is this variant nature and the rare Alba provenance that lead me to believe that the Alba torcheres will each soar past their estimates of €1,500,000-2,000,000.

Rateau design drawing for the table "aux oiseau"  Image via Fonds Rateau

Now on to the table "aux oiseau".  This is a model, that while rare, was a staple for well heeled Rateau clients most notably Jeanne Lanvin who had one in her bedroom.

Jean Lanvin's "table aux oiseau" at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris    Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

The last example at public auction was a variant of the Alba/Lanvin model with closer set, more arched birds centered by a flower and lacking the tray top opting for just the simple marble slab.

Rateau "table aux oiseau" from the Claude and Simone Dray Sale, Christie's Paris  Image via Christie's

This table not surprisingly also came from the Christie's Paris Dray sale in 2006 where it achieved $2,601, 667.  It appears that the Dray table was presented at the booth of Galerie Vallois at the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris this past September.  Again, with this price as a base line I feel that the Alba table will blow through its estimates of €1,500,000-2,000,000 given its rarity and provenance.

Rateau Design for a vanity table   Image via Fonds Rateau

Now the vanity table is a Rateau design icon that turns-up with and without the mirror.  Jeanne Lanvin had a variant in her Paris apartment (on view at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris) and one presently resides in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Rateu dressing table at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York  Image via Metmuseum.org

Rateau's variant dressing table for Jeanne Lanvin  Image via Musee des Arts Decortifs, Paris

The last example at auction once again came from the Collection of Claude and Simone Dray at Christie's Paris in June of 2006.  It realized a heady €1,916,000 against a seemingly conservative €500,000-700,000.

Rateau dressing table from the Dray Collection  Image via Christie's

With this in mind, once again the example from the Alba commission seems conservative at €600,000-800,000.

Rateau's adjustible daybed from the Alba commission shown in two positions  Image via Editions de L'Amateur

There is no comparable for the Alba daybed which makes sense as the literature suggests that it is unique.  The period images above show it in two positions and with its original ocelot fur upholstery.  Thankfully for us it was photographed more recently with both the head and foot in raised positions making it a more versatile curule form bench.

Rateau adjustible daybed shown with ends raised   Image via Editions de L'Amateur

Rateau's carved wood furniture typically does not reach the prices of his works in bronze. But, the fact that it comes from the Alba commission and is apparently a unique work, I expect bidders to completely ignore the sale estimates of €400,000-600,000.

UPDATE:  The catalogue is out and it has recently come to light that there are two examples of this daybed.  The example above in the cream upholstery was part of a Rateau exhibition at Delorenzo Gallery, New York in 1990.  Its present whereabouts are unknown...

Now onto the parcel giltwood canapé "aux cols de cygne".  There is not an auction precedent for this work to my knowledge and its rather historicist Empire style form seems right at an estimate of €200,000-300,000.  I still think that it will go well over the high estimate, but it is not the most highly prized work in the offering.  It is by no means a unique work, but I personally have not encountered one in in the flesh.  The Alba model appears to have been originally covered in a dark satin or dark short haired fur and the literature shows this period image of the same model covered in a light striped fur.

Rateau canape "aux cols de cygne"  Image via Fonds Rateau

In the period, the model was also seen at the 1925 Paris exposition where Rateau recreated the Alba bathroom at the Arnold Seligmann Gallery on the Place Vendome.  The example at the exhibition was covered in a striped fabric and had a minimally carved seat rail.

Rateau installation at Arnold Seligmann Gallery, Paris 1925   Image via Fonds Rateau

Last but not least we come to the tub.  It is a great object, but as with all site specific works and architectural elements it will prove to be a tough sell which is reflected in its relatively modest €150,000-250,000 estimate.  Hopefully it still has its sculptural bronze taps and spout as this will help.  However, at the end of the day, you need that special client who has a vision and is willing to design an entire room around this dreamy sunken tub.  This type of client can prove to be elusive and if the piece passes it will be hard to sell in a later auction stripped of its context.  But I will think good thoughts.

Alba commission carved white marble bath tub Image via Musee des Arts Decortifs, Paris

As a final thought, I mused over the press release's rather adamant stance that "these pieces of furniture are all that remain of a larger ensemble that no longer exists".  As you peer once more into the period images you notice a second pair of floor lamps, a bronze mounted alabaster floor vase, a small vanity chair and tabouret that are unaccounted for.  

Duchess de Alba's Bathroom, Liria Palace, Madrid circa 1922  Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Detail showing vanity chair    Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris   

Detail showing floor vase    Image via Musee Des Arts Decoratifs, Paris   

Detail image showing low stool/tabouret   Image via Musee des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

Who knows where these pieces are or if they will ever surface and don't get me started about the elaborately lacquered and painted walls.  If you look at the plan you see that it was a round room created by cleverly framing out a square room, thus creating concealed niches for the sink, w.c., closet, and an alternate exit/staff access.

Plan of the Duchess de Alba's bathroom.  Image via Fonds Rateau

For color images of this type of Rateau painted decoration see my previous post on the subject.  I plan to provide updated information as we learn more about the Alba consignment at Christie's.  Until next time--AR.

UPDATE:
It has come to my attention that Galerie Vallois presented a canapé "aux cols de cygne" with a matching chair at the 2004 Paris Biennale des Antiquaires.  The pieces came from a group of works that were from the apartment of Jeanne Lanvin circa 1920.

Galerie Vallois Rateau Installation at the Paris Biennale des Antiquaires in 2004   Image via Galerie Vallois

NYC Design Sale Wrap-Up

I am not one to be smug, perish the thought, but I was pleasantly surprised to see my predictions realized. Unfortunately, both the Rateau screen and the Normandie panels crashed and burned when they hit the auction block last week. The Normandie panels were clearly too expensive and unrelated to make a cohesive offering, but the Rateau Screen was another story altogether... I previewed the sales and the screen left me dumbfounded. It was massive, definitely one of those cases where you need to focus in on the published dimensions as it was nearly 15 feet tall. The quality was unmatched for sure and it had sufficient age and patina making its authenticity above reproach. Too bad the deeper history was not known. If it could have been tied to a boldface name like Jeanne Lanvin it very likely would have sold. There is no doubt in my mind that it will sell discreetly via an after sale offer and it will likely turn up again restored to its former glory. The most expensive lot of the week was sold at Christie's. The lot in question was the exceptional Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann "Lasalle" commode that knocked-down for an astonishing $614,000 (with premium) against an estimate of $150,000-200,000. To blow through an estimate to this degree it definitely went to a private individual who was competing against other deep-pocketed collectors.
It is impressive for sure, but it was a bit more sun faded in person with a slightly greenish cast that is just faintly evident in the catalogue illustration. That however did not seem to matter, as I have said before, if the YSL and Dray sales taught us anything it is that rare top-tier art deco works are almost infallible at auction these days. The travesty of the week was the Lalanne zoomorphic bar that tanked at Christie's. Like the Rateau screen the catalogue did not convey the sheer monumentality of the work. With the explosive Lalanne results achieved this past December I thought for sure this devilishly clever bar would find a home, alas no...

Perhaps at $500,000-700,000 the price was just too steep. I for one thought it would fly at that price, pun intended...