This incredibly rare sofa is a superb early example of Royère’s playful style. Crafted in Paris for Maison Gouffé, the sofa holds an illustrious provenance, acquired first by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and later by famed painter John Currin. Drawing inspiration from Louis XV corbeil sofas, Royère exaggerated the scale of this piece for a modern audience, adding a touch of whimsy to an otherwise traditional design. The curved back of the sofa prefigures one of Royère’s most timeless designs: the Ours Polaire sofa. This is a timeless piece that has engaged its audience for decades.

In 2002, the sofa was featured in Blithe Spirit: The Windsor Set, an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York that highlighted the close relationship between fashion and interior design, placing the romantic and spectacular evening gowns of the Windsors alongside the fine and decorative arts of the period.

The sofa retains its original frame, feet, horsehair and muslin understructure.  It has been recovered in hand-stitched Rose Cummings Fortuny silk velvet.

Provenance:

Manufactured by Maison Gouffé, Paris, c. 1938;

Duke and Duchess of Windsor

Eric Phillipe, Paris

Barry Friedman

John Currin

Dimensions: 108″ L x 34″ H, 274.32 L x 86.36 H cm