Lot Essay
Jack L. Warner's Beverly Hills mansion was designed by architect Roland E. Coate, with the interior installed by William Haines. Haines is credited with ushering in the trend for neoclassical interiors in Hollywood, and the Warner house exemplified the design that became Haines’ trademark: classic 18th century interiors with a touch of whimsy. These chairs, sold by David Geffen in 1990, transitioned seamlessly into the home of Betsy Bloomingdale.
In W. Mann, Wiscracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star, Viking, New York, 1998, p. 335, Betsy Bloomingdale recalls a dinner party held at Jack Warner's Los Angeles house: "I remember there were four of these wonderful, marvelous black lacquered chairs of Billy Haines' design. I remember everything about that night - the servants, the dinner. What's been so wonderful for me is that eventually in my life, Bill Haines did a house for me, too. I got a Crown Derby dinner service, just like there was on the table at the Warners' that night. And when the Warner furniture went up for auction, I bought those four black lacquered chairs and have them now in my house."
In W. Mann, Wiscracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood's First Openly Gay Star, Viking, New York, 1998, p. 335, Betsy Bloomingdale recalls a dinner party held at Jack Warner's Los Angeles house: "I remember there were four of these wonderful, marvelous black lacquered chairs of Billy Haines' design. I remember everything about that night - the servants, the dinner. What's been so wonderful for me is that eventually in my life, Bill Haines did a house for me, too. I got a Crown Derby dinner service, just like there was on the table at the Warners' that night. And when the Warner furniture went up for auction, I bought those four black lacquered chairs and have them now in my house."