Lot 492: WILHELM HEJDA (Austrian 1868-1942) AN AUSTRIAN ART DECO PAGODA-FORM VITRINE CABINET ON STAND, VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1924,

WILHELM HEJDA (Austrian 1868-1942) AN AUSTRIAN ART DECO PAGODA-FORM VITRINE CABINET ON STAND, VIENNA, AUSTRIA, 1924, the cabinet with gilt carved dragons perched on gilt bronze chair pedestals, top carved flaring pagoda form roof with pediment of carved stylized serpents and torch form mother-of-pearl inlay, above open side shelves with curved reeded back, mother-of-pearl and black lacquered checkerboard panel on the sides, and black lacquered floor, contained by carved cloud form base with quatrefoil shape mother-of-pearl inlay, centering mullioned glazed gilt wood door with engraved clear glass panel of Buddha with upraised arms and a child in her lap, birds perched on each of her shoulders, and a scarf at her neck terminating in serpents heads, atop a petal form mound, signed "W HEJDA" and dated "1924," the vitrine with bottom hinged back panel opening to hidden secrétaire with three tiers of apple wood shelves above two drawers with walnut borders and walnut veneer to the writing surface, the interior of the cabinet of gold aventurine with raised composite serpents, trees, flaming mandorla with silvered figural plaque, opposing white elephants flanking Buddha in a mandorla, the elephant tusks supporting a mandorla with a flaming bell, the sides with blue dragons with pearls, surmounted by a carved bone bridge with Eve wrapped by a serpent, and a monkey clasping her heel, and Adam with a lion, also with a monkey at heel, with a multitude of insects devouring each other, signed "HEJDA" and dated "1924," the top of the vitrine with glass panel, with four doors veneered in mottled makore wood with mother-of-pearl inlaid sea horses with orange and red beaded manes centering cast bronze circular escutcheons, the interior with walnut veneer, the sides with composite and mother-of-pearl inlayed gilt wood scrolled brackets partially outlined in mother-of-pearl and fitted with bone inlayed wood roundel within shaped gilt wood frame at the top, and at the back a gilt wood arched display shelf, the whole raised on walnut framed stand with makore wood inserts, fitted with a single drawer with shaped gilt wood border over mahogany veneer centering quatrefoil shape with border in mahogany fitted with gilt bronze pull, raised on four tapering fljuted squared legs with gilt bronze mounts with bun feet. Height: 73" Width: 57 3/4" Depth: 21 1/2"

In overall good fair condition with flaking and peeling to the gilt finishes, losses to mahogany veneer around the stand's drawer, extensive rubbing and wear to gilt bronze, crack through glass panel at the top of the vitrine, cracking down the center of the back panel of the vitrine, with losses to the composition decoration, one of the top roundels missing, losses to composition and gilt surfaces of the side brackets, the interior of the cabinet, drawer, and secretaire in excellent unfaded condition.

Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."