Rare and important Cerused Oak Buffet by Andre Arbus

Rare and important historical cerused oak buffet by Andre Arbus , the front fitted with three doors inset with gilt eglomise glass panels and large cast bronze cabochon door pulls. The 1939 New York World's Fair opened at the same time as World War II was beginning in Europe, and the United States was celebrating the 150th anniversary of the election of the first president of the United States, George Washington. Arbus was commissioned by architects Roger H. Expert and Pierre Patout to furnish the French pavilion. Alongside Arbus showing his furniture , several other artisans were commissioned to decorate and represent France's workmanship in decorative arts, theatre, beaux arts, folklore and fashion for which Janne Lanvin was chosen. Arbus presented a manifesto piece of furniture, a large sycamore sideboard with three gild and lacquered doors and a panel on the apron bearing the date "1939" in Roman numerals: MCMXXXIX. It was a monumental architectural piece of furniture, a very strong modern in design , in the cubist style which was a departure from his more "classic" delicate designs , clearly outlining thick relief mouldings balanced by the sophistication of gilt panels. Following the exhibition, he produced a version of this piece of furniture for a private commission, in limed oak instead of lacquered sycamore, accompanied by a table with an overhanging top containing a bar in the base. The buffet we are offering is the one that was commissioned for a private collection after the 1939 New York World's Fair . Provenance: Galerie Yves Gastou, Paris | Acquired from the previous c. 1995 by the present owner . Literature: André Arbus: Architecte-décorateur des années 40, Brunhammer, ppg. 164-168 Les décorateurs des années 40, Foucart and Gailleman, pg. 26.

width

137.75

height

43.75

depth

25.75

Circa 1939