21st Apr, 2026 10:00
Design
73
André Sornay (French, 1902-2000)
a pair of mahogany bergères,
circa 1940, French, each upholstered in taupe velvet
(2)
66cm wide, 79cm deep, 80cm high, 34cm to seat
Provenance:Purchased from Holly Johnson Antiques, November 2005.
Footnote:André Sornay was born in Lyon, the son and grandson of well-established cabinetmakers. He studied at l'Ecole de Beaux Arts before taking over the family business upon the death of his father in 1919. In 1920, he began to focus on the design of contemporary furniture, featuring clean lines and minimalist details. He exhibited at the first 'Salon d'Automne' in Lyon in 1923, with a sycamore bedroom suite. The year after, he exhibited a Rio rosewood and walnut dining suite with copper and brass mounts. He often collaborated with other local craftsmen, with the likes of Zadounaisky creating wrought iron for the furniture and Linossier decorative plates for the doors. In 1925, he showed at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs Industriels et Modernes in Paris, producing a chest and a Macassar ebony bookcase. He worked in various materials, including exotic woods, metals and lacquers. In 1937, he exhibited at the Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techiques in Paris, where he won a bronze medal for his desk with exotic veneers.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
Sold for £650
Condition Report
Good overall condition. Some scuffs and wear to the frame.
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Auction: Design, 21st Apr, 2026
Viewing
VIEWING
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 17 April, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 19 April, 10am - 1pm
Monday 20 April, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size.
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