A suite consisiting of a bench and two armchairs
Champhor wood with ebony and ivory inlays, modern wool upholstery. The upholstery of the bench separate. On the right side of the bench and at the upper back of the armchairs inlaid labels "ARTS AND CRAFTS den HAAG HOLLAND". H bench 163.5, W 126.5, D 57 cm. H armchairs 105.5, W 58, seat depth 51 cm.
Chris Wegerif, 1901/1902.
Chris Wegerif (1859 - 1920) was originally a building contractor but later developed into an architect. Influenced by Jan Thorn Prikker, he and his wife Agathe became proponents of the Art Nouveau style. Chris Wegerif designed several villas in Apeldoorn, which he decorated with modern furniture of his own design, built in his workshop. In 1898 he opened an interior design shop specialising in new Arts & Crafts style in The Hague together with Johan Thorn Prikker, where they sold their own designs as well as those of Henry van de Velde. Chris Wegerif also presented his spectacular seating furniture at the first World Exhibition of Modern Applied Art in Turin in 1902. In contrast to French Art Nouveau, his designs did not display the typical curves and floral patterns, but instead a more austere, linear style that was also favoured by English, Scottish and Austro-Hungarian designers. Unfortunately, the furniture business went bankrupt in 1904.
Certificate
Sales permit for the EU internal market available.
Literature
Cf. the folding screen by Chris Wegerif in the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam with the same marquetry decor, produced in The Hague by J.Th. Uiterwijk & Co. (obj. no. BK-1976-100).
Exhibitions
1902 Prima Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte Decorativa Moderna,Turin.