Lot 403: Jean-Auguste Dampt (1854 - 1946) , A set of doors

circa 1899 oak and wrought iron, the central door carved with vine and fruit, the two smaller side doors each with a sheaf of wheat, the hinges of stylised foliate design locks with 'Fontaine' maker's mark Quantity: 3

measurements 215cm. high by 85.5cm. and 50cm. wide; alternate measurements 7ft 5/8 in., 2ft 9½in., 1ft 7¾in.

Roberta Waddell, The Art Nouveau Style, Toronto, 1977, fig.543;G.S., "La Société de 'l'Art dans Tout'", in: Art et Décoration, vol. 5, Paris, 1899, p.83;For further information on Dampt see Alistair Duncan, Art Nouveau Furniture, London, 1982, p. 116.

Dampt designed this set of doors for his own home separating the dining room from the hall. The decoration of wheat (bread), vine (wine) and fruit symbolise the purpose of the room they were enclosing. They were supposedly surmounted by an inscription from Genesis 'Tu mangeras ton pain à la sueur de ton front' (In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread) (see G.S., op. cit., p. 85). Even at the time it was very rare to see Dampt's pieces exhibited. He spent a long time on his pieces creating elaborate results of absolute master craftsmenship, demonstrating his knowlege of the material together with the diversity of inspiration and technique. Characteristically he works with the character of the wood, using its grain as a decorative feature. Dampt exhibited at many fairs during the time of the turn of the 20th century, amonst which was the World Exhibition in Paris in 1900, showing a variety of works of sculpture and furniture in an abundance of materials.