Pair of Cubist columns in palm wood and engraved glass, French work, circa 1930

Pair of “Cubist” columns in palm wood veneer
Each decorated with an engraved glass plaque depicting stylised figures highlighted with gold; an ensemble combining geometric lines, exotic materials and sculptural decoration in a vocabulary characteristic of Art Deco.
H. 126.5 cm
Circa 1930
Wear and a slight chip on one of the glass plaques

Attribution
This pair may be compared with the work of:

– Pierre Legrain (1889-1929), for the use of thick palm wood veneers and an Africanist aesthetic he explored from the mid-1920s.
– Gustave Miklos (1888-1967), whose Cubist language and stylised figures are found in the treatment of the engraved glass.

Both artists left their mark on the French decorative arts through their modernist experiments and the introduction of rare materials.

Historical context
The design of these columns recalls the Cubist-inspired desk made by Pierre Legrain for Maurice Martin du Gard in 1927. The combination of exotic wood and engraved glass reflects the influence of the major Art Deco designers at a time when luxurious materials and assertive geometry were taking hold in modern interiors.

A comparable pair sold for €395,000 including fees on December 10, 2015 at Art Auction France (see image), reflecting collectors’ sustained interest in these exceptional pieces.