SEIZŌ SUGAWARA
(1884-1937)'THE ARDENT ARMCHAIR', c. 1915
Armchair with pierced backrest in the shape of a gondola, whose structure draws inspiration from traditional Chinese rootwood chairs, such as the example held in the collections of the Musée des Arts Asiatiques in Nice. Lacquer technique known as maki-e with silver powder. Original horsehair cushion preserved.
The virtuoso joinery of the asymmetrical backrest, with its sculpted and moulded openwork, evokes the hand of Kichizo Inagaki. As revealed in a letter from Mrs. Inagaki to Eileen Gray—preserved in the archives of the Victoria & Albert Museum—Inagaki worked exclusively with solid wood.
As in the Sirène armchair, the base—independent from the backrest frame—demonstrates a stylistic approach shaped by talent, thought, and analytical precision. The stop carved into the irregularly shaped seat to accommodate the cushion reflects the confidence of a design free from chance, unlike any known works by Sugawara. It is precisely this understanding of a deeply personal and sculptural language that supports a possible attribution to Eileen Gray.
The virtuoso joinery of the asymmetrical backrest, with its sculpted and moulded openwork, evokes the hand of Kichizo Inagaki. As revealed in a letter from Mrs. Inagaki to Eileen Gray—preserved in the archives of the Victoria & Albert Museum—Inagaki worked exclusively with solid wood.
As in the Sirène armchair, the base—independent from the backrest frame—demonstrates a stylistic approach shaped by talent, thought, and analytical precision. The stop carved into the irregularly shaped seat to accommodate the cushion reflects the confidence of a design free from chance, unlike any known works by Sugawara. It is precisely this understanding of a deeply personal and sculptural language that supports a possible attribution to Eileen Gray.
H 93 - W 73 - L 62 cm.
H 36 5/8 - W 28 3/4 - L 24 3/8 in.
H 36 5/8 - W 28 3/4 - L 24 3/8 in.