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An important Arts & Crafts…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
23-Jun-2024
Lot No.
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Description:
An important Arts & Crafts Movement carved oak buffet, attributed to Henri Rapin (1873-1939), French, early 20th century, with a domed top above two tiers of open shelves centred by a lead-light panelled door, the projecting lower section with two frieze drawers above two finely carved and panelled doors with stylised gothic revival handles and hinges, Literature, The son of a painter (Alexandre Pierre Etienne Rapin), Henri Rapin studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, notably in Gerome's studio, before embracing a career as a painter, decorator, and illustrator. Also a student of Eugene Grasset, he frequented Henri Bellery-Desfontaine and turned to the design of furniture and interior decorations. He is best remembered for his contribution to the 1925 Exhibition where he was credited with the dining room of the French embassy implemented by the Societe des Artistes Decorateurs., The cabinet in the present lot is an important example of Rapin's work before World War I. It perfectly illustrates the interest of artists in the renewal of interior decoration in the early years of the twentieth century in Paris. Making reference as it does to English Arts & Crafts, Rapin's approach is characteristic of this new generation that benefited from the teaching of E. Grasset, steeped in the influence of E. Viollet-le-Duc, and which waited until the interwar period to come of age. Rapin favoured oak to design this magnificent cabinet adding his own personal ornamental approach by emphasizing the carving to the doors with a sculpted decoration made of geometric patterns and stylized foliage.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified