PIASA’s sale of 20th Century Decorative Arts & Design on Wednesday 16 December features the work of such major designers as André Sornay, Gustave Serrurier-Bovy and Eugène Printz, with the 196os represented by Charlotte Perriand and Mathieu Matégot, and contemporary trends by Maarteen Baas and Zao Wou-ki.
“When I design an interior, I strive above all to ensure that this interior reflects its owner’s personality ”
Eugène Printz
Sale highlight is a desk by Eugène Printz (1889-1948) in palm-wood, sycamore and gilded wrought dating from 1929 – a great period for this Art Deco designer active in interwar Paris (est. €100,000-150,000). Printz, who had trained as a cabinet-maker in the family firm, welcomed wealthy connoisseurs (often from the aristocracy) to his gallery-apartment in the 8th arrondissement. He was both decorator and furniture-designer, and more artist than dealer. His success prompted him to design items for the Mobilier National from 1931. Our desk was part of a famous theatre décor entirely designed by Printz for Marcel Achard’s Jean de la Lune staged by Louis Jouvet at the Comédie des Champs-Elysées. A pair of Printz palmwood tables (est. €80,000-120,000) and a pair of 1930s Printz walnut armchairs upholstered in grey velvet (est. €12,000-18,000) will also be offered.
Another leading name from the 1930s, André Sornay, is represented by a superb desk and chair ensemble in mahogany, brass and copper (est. €15,000-20,000). The sale moves towards post-war Modernism with Charlotte Perriand (19031999) and her celebrated Minimalist chest-of-drawers in wood and lacquered metal from around 1960 (est. €20,000-30,000). A Perriand table in Brazilian rosewood with bevelled support will also be available (est. €60,000-80,000).
