ANDRÉ FRÉCHET (1874-1967) DECORATOR - DIRECTOR... Lot 205

ANDRÉ FRÉCHET (1874-1967) DECORATOR - DIRECTOR OF THE ÉCOLE BOULLE FROM 1919 TO 1934 "Meuble présenté à l'Exposition Coloniale, Paris, 1931" (Furniture presented at the Colonial Exhibition, Paris, 1931) An exceptional piece of furniture in Madagascar rosewood and precious woods, entirely designed according to the golden ratio. The lower part features two convex boxes, set back laterally from the frame, each opening onto two full doors in precious wood marquetry, separated by a series of simulated drawers, also convex, with motifs carved in high relief. The upper part houses two glass-backed display cabinets, each opening with a glass door, separated by a central section featuring richly stylized motifs, treated in the African style and carved in bas-relief; enriched by patinated copper applications (probably brought in) depicting animals. The quadrangular body rests on two longitudinal blocks forming a base, the original solid bronze door sockets with stylized motifs in a variation on the motifs of the upper central part. Made in the workshops of the École Boulle in 1930-31. Marked and dated E. B. (for École BOULLE) 1931 in the upper part of the central sculpture, numbered 17 - 30 (or date of production) on the back. H. 185 cm - W. 130 cm - D. 46 cm Used condition, the bronze appliqués added (in the years after the furniture was made). Historical background Our piece of furniture was part of a suite of four identical display cases, with only the central carved motifs showing slight variations, designed by André Fréchet for the Exposition Coloniale of 1931. Probably integrating his vocation as a teacher into the creation of this furniture, the golden ratio governed its design, down to the smallest molding. The four pieces of furniture were made in the workshops of the École Boulle while the decorator was its director, a position he held from 1919 to 1934. Two of these pieces of furniture are still preserved in the collections of this institution. Acknowledgements We would like to thank Mr. Pierre-Alain le Cousin for the valuable information he provided on this furniture. Related bibliography: - La Renaissance (de l'Art Français et des Industries de Luxe) - August 1931. An article by Arsène Alexandre, entitled Les travaux de l'École Boulle, describes the presence of this prestigious educational establishment at the 1931 Exposition Coloniale on page 6.