This unusual chaise longue, inspired by Polynesian and Micronesian dugout canoes, known in Frances as pirogues, is lacquered and silvered. Very similar to one that Gray designed in 1919-20 for Madame Mathieu Lévy, a successful Parisian fashion designer known as Suzanne Talbot, it is among the most celebrated examples of furniture in the Art Deco style. The chaise was purchased in Paris in 1930 from Gray's gallery called Jean Desert by Mr. and Mrs. Jacques Henri-Labourdette.
Gift of Sydney and Frances Lewis
Similar model published in J. Stewart Johnon, Eileen Gray, London: Debrett's Peerage for the Museum of Modern Art, 1979, pp. 18-19;
L'Art d'aujourd'hui, Spring, no. 13, 1927,pls. 17-18 (on Labourette apartment, Paris);
Felix Marcilhac, Jean Dunand. His Life and Works, Harry N. Abrams, NY, 1991, pp. 321-323 (on Labourdette apartment);
Caroline Constant, Eileen Gray, Phaidon, p. 48;
Caroline Constant (ed.), Eileen Gray. An Architecture for all Senses, Harvard University, 1995, p. 7;
Eileen Gray, Biennale, 2000, Galereie Vallois;
Yvonne Brunhammer, Le Style 1925, Baschet et Cie, Paris, p. 80;
Axelle Corty, "Eileen Gray, prophete du modernisme," Connaissance des Arts, March 2008;
Peter Adam, Eileen Gray. Her Life and Work., Schirmer, 2008, pp. 206-207;
L'Art d'aujourd'hui, Spring, no. 13, 1927,pls. 17-18 (on Labourette apartment, Paris);
Felix Marcilhac, Jean Dunand. His Life and Works, Harry N. Abrams, NY, 1991, pp. 321-323 (on Labourdette apartment);
Caroline Constant, Eileen Gray, Phaidon, p. 48;
Caroline Constant (ed.), Eileen Gray. An Architecture for all Senses, Harvard University, 1995, p. 7;
Eileen Gray, Biennale, 2000, Galereie Vallois;
Yvonne Brunhammer, Le Style 1925, Baschet et Cie, Paris, p. 80;
Axelle Corty, "Eileen Gray, prophete du modernisme," Connaissance des Arts, March 2008;
Peter Adam, Eileen Gray. Her Life and Work., Schirmer, 2008, pp. 206-207;
©artist or artist’s estate
Some object records are not complete and do not reflect VMFA's full and current knowledge. VMFA makes routine updates as records are reviewed and enhanced.
