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Pair of Shell Sconces, circa 1937
Details
FRANCES ELKINS (1887-1953)
Pair of Shell Sconces, circa 1937
painted plaster, metal
8 x 15 x 8 ½ in. (20.5 x 38 x 21.5 cm) (each)
Pair of Shell Sconces, circa 1937
painted plaster, metal
8 x 15 x 8 ½ in. (20.5 x 38 x 21.5 cm) (each)
Provenance
Mr. and Mrs. James D. Zellerbach, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, circa 1937, commissioned from Frances Elkins (Card Room)
Norah and Norman Stone, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 1994
Acquired from the above by the present owner, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 2022
Norah and Norman Stone, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 1994
Acquired from the above by the present owner, Pacific Heights, San Francisco, 2022
Literature
J. Chatfield-Taylor, “An Elkins Revival: Classic Lines and Contemporary Art in San Francisco,” Architectural Digest, New York, special issue, vol. 53, no. 2, February 1996, pp. 144-151 (for a discussion of the interior)
Z. Sardar, San Francisco modern: interiors, architecture & design, San Francisco, 1998, p. 30 (present lot illustrated)
S. M. Salny, Frances Elkins: Interior Design, New York, 2005, pp. 118 (present lot illustrated), 108-123 (for a discussion of the commission)
P.-E. Martin-Vivier, Jean-Michel Frank, l'étrange luxe du rien, Paris, 2006, p. 254 (for a discussion of the commission)
P. E. Meza, Inventing the California Look, New York, 2022, pp. 229 (present lot illustrated), 226-229 (for a discussion of the commission)
S. Powell, Frances Elkins: Visionary American Designer, New York, 2023, pp. 177 (present lot illustrated), 174-179 (for a discussion of the commission)
Z. Sardar, San Francisco modern: interiors, architecture & design, San Francisco, 1998, p. 30 (present lot illustrated)
S. M. Salny, Frances Elkins: Interior Design, New York, 2005, pp. 118 (present lot illustrated), 108-123 (for a discussion of the commission)
P.-E. Martin-Vivier, Jean-Michel Frank, l'étrange luxe du rien, Paris, 2006, p. 254 (for a discussion of the commission)
P. E. Meza, Inventing the California Look, New York, 2022, pp. 229 (present lot illustrated), 226-229 (for a discussion of the commission)
S. Powell, Frances Elkins: Visionary American Designer, New York, 2023, pp. 177 (present lot illustrated), 174-179 (for a discussion of the commission)
Further details
This plaster 'Shell' sconce model was used in other projects by Frances Elkins such as the interior of Roos Brothers in San Francisco, California in 1939 and the Mr. and Mrs. George L. Coleman Jr. residence in Pebble Beach, California in 1946. The present examples of this model appear to be one of the only executions where the plaster was painted, simultaneously blending in with the cerused oak paneling while imitating the textured surface of a conch shell.
In Situ Images: Photography by Flying Studio.
In Situ Images: Photography by Flying Studio.
Brought to you by
Victoria Allerton Tudor
Vice President, Specialist, Head of Sale