Designer, artist and architect Eileen Gray was one of the most fascinating creative figures of the 20th century. Her body of work includes lustrous lacquered pieces — her Dragons chair set an auction record for modern furniture ($28 million) at the 2009 sale of the Yves Saint Laurent estate — and sleek chrome furnishings that rival the work of Le Corbusier and the members of the Bauhaus as exemplars of pure, modernist design.
The independent and unconventional daughter of Irish landed gentry, Gray studied painting at London’s Slade School of Fine Art in her early twenties before moving to Paris in 1906 to pursue her artistic dreams. Gray had become captivated by lacquerware after seeing an exhibit in the Victoria & Albert Museum, and in Paris persuaded an expatriate Japanese master of the painstaking process, Seizo Sugawara, to teach her. Within a few years, Gray had become known among the cognoscenti for her sculptural lacquered furnishings, which she incorporated into the homes of interior design clients.
Gray was ever evolving as a designer. By the early 1920s she was creating geometric works that embodied the essence of Art Deco and the nascent modernist design movement. Some pieces — such as her Bricks screen, an assemblage of pivoting rectangular panels — employ the planar forms favored by Gerrit Rietveld and other De Stijl architects of the Netherlands. Others feature the tubular chrome framing used by Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. These include the Bibendum chair — named for the resemblance of its semicircular back and armrest to the character known in English as the Michelin Man — and the adjustable E 1027 side table, conceived in 1927 for the interiors of a stark white villa she designed for herself in the South of France.
Never a self-promoter, Gray drifted out of the limelight in the 1930s. Interest in her work was revived in the early ’70s, however, when the estates of her early clients came to auction. Her original lacquer pieces are the most coveted, but, as the sale of the Dragons chair shows, are rare and extremely expensive.
None of Gray’s designs were made in large numbers until, a few years before her death, she granted a production license. These pieces range in price from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on furniture type and condition. Gray’s work has become iconic of practical and elegant modernist design. Yet, as you will see on 1stDibs, many of her creations have a simplicity that makes them welcome even in a traditional setting.
ClassiCon White Limited Edition Brick Screen by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
A LIMITED EDITION of a real work of art ca. 115* 24 187 * Gesamtbreite flach 139 cm * Total width flat 139 cm BRICK SCREEN Designer, Version Designer, Ausführung Product Produkt Fold...
Stainless Steel
ClassiCon Limited Edition Brick Screen in Black or White by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
A LIMITED EDITION of a real work of art ca. 115* 24 187 * Gesamtbreite flach 139 cm * Total width flat 139 cm BRICK SCREEN Designer, Version Designer, Ausführung Product Produkt Folding screen. Framework stainless steel. Shims, spacers and end caps polished solid brass, with clear varnish. Panels high-gloss lacquered in black. Handcrafted in Germany. Paravent. Edelstahlgerüst. Beilagscheiben, Abstandshalter und Endkappen aus massivem Messing, poliert und klar lackiert. Paneele mit Klavierlackoberfläche in Schwarz. Handgefertigt in Deutschland. Black Schwarz Also available in white upon request. Auf Anfrage auch in weiß erhältlich. An elaborate masterpiece of craftsmanship, this is the first version of the Brick Screen...
Stainless Steel
$17,094 / item
ClassiCon Folding Screen in Red by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool Industrial a...
Wood
$17,094 / item
ClassiCon Folding Screen in Black by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool Industrial a...
Wood
$17,094 / item
ClassiCon Folding Screen in White by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in New York, NY
The high-tech look that arose in the 1980s and which is still potentially current had an ingenious predecessor. Over half a century ago, Eileen Gray anticipated the cool industrial a...
Wood
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 118.13 in W 35.5 in D 120 in
Modern Wood Sculpture Wall Screen / Room Divider by Pierre Sarkis
By Pierre Sarkis
Located in Guatemala City, Central America
Modern wood sculpture wall screen by Pierre Sarkis from Celine collection. Inspired in the rhythm of ocean waves, beauty of fluid movement and feminine cadenza by basic elements and ...
Wood, Mahogany
$3,619 / item
H 70.87 in W 48.43 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen by Colé, Abstract Pattern Type A, Decor Divider Inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir is not only a perfect divider for a Minimalist or Classic rooms, but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decorat...
Steel
'Tincture Reflector' Screen by Luuk van den Broek
By Luuk van den Broek
Located in Copenhagen, DK
About: Based in Eindhoven, Luuk van den Broek is working in the field between art and industrial design. Intuitively looking for the deepest colour, the most logical connection or th...
Metal
$7,107 / set
H 62.6 in W 45.67 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen Set by Colé, 3 Abstract patterns, decor dividers inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir screens, closed in a set composed by 3 single elements (Type A, Type B and Type C), are not only a perfect divider for minimalist or classic rooms, , but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decoration. In fact the shapes of this screens are freely inspired on the figurative abstract works by the renowned painter Malevich, a pioneer of the geometric abstractionism of 20 the century Russian avant-garde. The geometric motif in black, white, red and green, of the abstract pattern is recalling the body of the characters in the renewed paintings named "Torso". One screen...
Steel
$375 / set
H 7 in W 10.5 in D 2.25 in
Limited Edition "The Ends" Bookends by Dr. Seuss Collection for Hallmark
By Hallmark, Dr. Seuss (Theodore Geisel)
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition "The Ends" bookends by Dr. Seuss Collection for Hallmark, circa 2000. The set is in very good vintage condition and measures: 10.5”W x 2.25”D x 7”H. Super attract...
Resin
$3,619
H 70.87 in W 48.43 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen by Colé, Floral Pattern Type a, Decor Divider Inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir is not only a perfect divider for Minimalist or Classic rooms, but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decoratio...
Steel
$3,800
H 77 in W 54 in D 1 in
Unusual Art Nouveau Style 3 Panel Decorative Wrought Iron Screen/Divider
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Art Nouveau style 3 panel iron screen / room divider, Highly decorated, wonderful patina and color pierced iron, lattice, tree motif, Superior qu...
Wrought Iron
Sculpture-Screen in Lacquer by Jacques Jarrige
By Jacques Jarrige
Located in New York, NY
This important work by Jacques Jarrige blurs the boundary between sculpture and functional design. Composed of four interconnected panels, the hand-painted white lacquered screen ser...
Wood, Lacquer
$3,619
H 59.06 in W 52.37 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen by Colé, Abstract Pattern Type B, Decor Divider Inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir is not only a perfect divider for a Minimalist or Classic rooms, but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decorat...
Steel
$3,619
H 62.6 in W 45.67 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen by Colé, Floral Pattern Type C, Decor Divider Inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir is not only a perfect divider for a Minimalist or Classic room, but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decorati...
Steel
$3,619
H 59.06 in W 52.37 in D 15.75 in
Kazimir Screen by Colé, Floral Pattern Type B, Decor Divider Inspired to Art
By Julia Dodza
Located in Milan, Lombardy
Masterfully handcrafted in Italy, Kazimir is not only a perfect divider for a minimalist or classic room, but also a symbolic bridge, linking design to art, functionality to decorati...
Steel
Natural Fold Room Divider by Storängen Design
Located in Geneve, CH
Natural Fold room divider by Storängen Design Dimensions: D 4 x W 70 x H 170 cm Materials: oak wood, leather straps. Available in other colors ...
Leather, Oak
Flip Top Jean Table by Eileen Gray
By Eileen Gray
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Flip Top Jean Table by renowned designer Eileen Gray. Crafted with the finest materials and impeccable attention to detail, this table exudes luxury and soph...
Metal
Eileen Gray - Paravent "Briques'
By Eileen Gray
Located in PARIS, FR
Paravent à 5 feuilles articulées en matériaux mixtes laqués noirs Paravent in 5 wings of black lacquered and mix materials.
Hardwood
Eileen Gray Modern Desk Table Lamp, France, 1930
By Eileen Gray
Located in Paris, FR
Beautuful Art Deco Modern style table desk lamp by Eileen Gray in blackened metal and gilt brass in a very good general condition. France, 1930. Dimensions : Width 44 cm x H 39 cm x depth 17 cm Base 15 cm x 15 cm Eileen Gray Brownswood 1878 -Paris 1976 Born in 1878, the designer Eileen Gray was one of the five children of a rich Irish family. Between 1898 and 1902 Eileen Gray attended the Slade School of Fine Art in London and also worked at a furniture-making workshop, where she became acquainted with Asian lacquers, which would start her on her life's work. In 1900 Eileen Gray first went to Paris; between 1902 and 1905 she attended courses at the École Colarossi and the Académie Julian. In 1907 Eileen Gray moved to Paris and 21 rue Bonaparte, a flat she would live in for the rest of her life. From the Japanese artisan Seizo Sougawara, Eileen Gray learned Japanese lacquer techniques. Around 1910 Eileen Gray started making lacquered folding screens. In 1913 she first showed work at the Salon des Artistes Décorateurs, where she attracted the notice of the couturier and art collector Jacques Doucet, who became Eileen Gray's first major client. In 1919 Eileen Gray was commissioned to design the entire interior of the rue de Lota flat of Madame Mathieu Lévy. In 1922 Eileen Gray opened Galerie Jean Désert...
Metal, Brass