RAOUL LAMOURDEDIEU (1877-1953) - Lot 254

RAOUL LAMOURDEDIEU (1877-1953) "Les Baigneuses, très grande version" circa 1925-30, the only copy with original alabaster plates known to date, our print bears a number 3. Exceptional Art Deco decorative lamp. Proof in bronze with triple patina; the bathers (in 4 different positions) are treated with burgundy-plum and the drapery is gilded on a brown-black background. Early edition cast from the 1920s-30s. The light is diffused by original alabaster plates mounted in a cascade. The thick, square marble base. Signed Raoul LAMOURDEDIEU, bears the publisher's stamp La STÈLE, another stamp showing a face in profile (Association de La Douce France?) and a number 3 towards the base. Height: 123 cm Alterations to the patina, 6 alabaster plates missing (including those on the lower part of the lampshade), plates damaged and glued back together, 3 curb guides missing from the lampshade. Provenance : - Collection X., Yonne. Family provenance. Related work : Karl Lagerfeld Collection - Art Déco - Eponymous sale, Mes Godeau, Solanet et Audap, Hôtel Drouot, November 21, 1975. An identical lamp, with different patinas and fitted with glass plates to replace the alabaster plates (probably missing), was presented at this auction under catalog number 81 and reproduced on page 40 of this publication. Bibliography : L'oeil - Un styliste d'aujourd'hui aux sources du Design - N° 178, October 1969. An identical lamp, with different patinas and fitted with glass plates to replace the alabaster plates (probably missing), featured in a photograph reproduced on page 53 in an article devoted to Karl Lagerfeld's apartment. Alterations to the patina, 6 alabaster plates missing (including those on the lower part of the lampshade), plates damaged and glued back together, 3 corrugated guides missing from the lampshade. Provenance : - Collection X., Yonne. work of family provenance. related work : Collection Karl Lagerfeld - Art Déco - Eponymous sale, Mes Godeau, Solanet et Audap, Hôtel Drouot, November 21, 1975. An identical lamp, with different patinas and fitted with glass plates to replace the alabaster plates (probably missing), was presented at this auction under catalog number 81 and reproduced on page 40 of this publication. Bibliography : L'oeil - Un styliste d'aujourd'hui aux sources du Design - N° 178, October 1969. An identical lamp, with different patinas and fitted with glass plates to replace the alabaster plates (probably missing), featured in a photograph reproduced on page 53 in an article devoted to Karl Lagerfeld's apartment. Expert Emmanuel Eyraud