.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 336 FROM AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION FORMED BY R. W. SYMONDS FOR MR & MRS JACK STEINBERG
Robert Wemyss Symonds (1889-1958) dominated the field of English furniture collecting in the mid-20th Century. Between 1921 and 1958 his five major books and countless articles formed and then reflected the taste of a generation. He was involved in the formation of almost all of the great private collections of English furniture and clocks of the time, including those of Percival Griffiths, Eric and Ralph Moller, Samuel Messer and Joseph Sassoon Sykes, and much of their furniture was used to illustrate his books.
But it was not just furniture that Symonds sourced for his clients; his net was cast far wider as can be seen by the collection formed by Mr. & Mrs. Steinberg under his guidance, some of which is offered in this sale including the present lot and lots 329 and 336. The survival of his bills and the accompanying invoices give a clear picture of his hand in decorating a large London residence, including fees and expenses for advice on purchases, upholstery, repairs and polishing, while in January 1949 his invoice covers ‘... advising you on the purchase of Oil Painting; designing marble chimneypiece in a bedroom; and also advising you on the purchase of stools, etc. ...’. It is apparent that Symonds was entirely responsible for every detail in the house.
Robert Wemyss Symonds (1889-1958) dominated the field of English furniture collecting in the mid-20th Century. Between 1921 and 1958 his five major books and countless articles formed and then reflected the taste of a generation. He was involved in the formation of almost all of the great private collections of English furniture and clocks of the time, including those of Percival Griffiths, Eric and Ralph Moller, Samuel Messer and Joseph Sassoon Sykes, and much of their furniture was used to illustrate his books.
But it was not just furniture that Symonds sourced for his clients; his net was cast far wider as can be seen by the collection formed by Mr. & Mrs. Steinberg under his guidance, some of which is offered in this sale including the present lot and lots 329 and 336. The survival of his bills and the accompanying invoices give a clear picture of his hand in decorating a large London residence, including fees and expenses for advice on purchases, upholstery, repairs and polishing, while in January 1949 his invoice covers ‘... advising you on the purchase of Oil Painting; designing marble chimneypiece in a bedroom; and also advising you on the purchase of stools, etc. ...’. It is apparent that Symonds was entirely responsible for every detail in the house.
Gustave Loiseau (1865-1935)
Rivière en Normandie
Closed3 February 2016
Price Realised
GBP 104,500
More Information
Specialist note
This work will be included in the forthcoming Gustave Loiseau catalogue raisonné currently being prepared by Didier Imbert.