Sold for $75,000

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

Wendell Castle

(1932-2018)

Too Soon Chair, 2005

walnut

signed 'Castle 05'

H 36 3/4 x W 59 1/2 x D 32 inches

Property from the Collection of Dr. Robert C. Springborn and Mrs. Carolyn J. Springborn, Naples, Florida

Exhibited:
"Wendell Castle", Habitat Galleries, Boca Raton, Florida, March 9-April 1, 2006
“2 Chairs”, Royal Canadian Academy of Arts, Agnes Jamieson Gallery, Minden, Ontario, CA, January 6-March 3, 2007; traveling exhibition

Literature:
Emily Evans Eerdmans, Wendell Castle, A Catalogue Raisonné 1958-2012, New York, 2014, illustrated p. 393

Lot Essay:

In Too Soon, Castle returns to his monumental stack lamination forms of the 1960s and 1970s while subverting a "back-to-basics" approach.

During the last decade of his career, Castle synthesized his material knowledge of carving, finishing, and metal casting with newly available digital technologies of 3D scanning and CNC milling to produce the most herculean works of American furniture design. Although several of his tables and chairs from the 1960s emanate from a tree-like base, Too Soon marks the first instance of Castle using branch-like ramifications to create separate supports for a surface and a seat. This work also explores a new typology for Castle, using cut-out voids to depict negative space.

Harkening back to his post-modern and trompe l’oeil period, Castle unravels the ways in which form and function undergo a continual metamorphosis. Castle punctuates Too Soon with his signature chip marks which begin at the stack laminated walnut base and wrap around the chair. A scooped seat emerges gracefully from the truncated stump at the center. The chair follows the undulating forms of a landscape before terminating at an exaggerated crest. A cantilevered table radiates outwards, visually anchoring the chair at a whimsical slant. The cavity in the center recalls Castle’s most-cited influences of Henry Moore, Jean Arp, and Constantin Brancusi, who demonstrated an almost tacit knowledge of sculptural form.

Before acquiring Too Soon in 2007, Robert and Carolyn Springborn's friendship and patronage of Castle extended back to the days at Peter Joseph Gallery. Another seminal work at the cornerstone of the Springborn's collection was the Angel of Blind Justice chair from the Angel Chairs series (1990-1991) that they gifted in 2012 to the Museum of Fine Arts Boston (accession no. 2011.2132). Together these works presided over the Springborn's home, albeit briefly, tying the lineages of Castle's career through the decades.

Condition Report

Seat height - 15 in.
Table height - 24 in.
Table Top - W 20 x D 21 in.

Overall excellent, stable, structurally sound condition, the color, and finish are even and consistent throughout. The chair shows one small isolated age split to the staved seam underneath the table element, which is stable and does not affect the structural integrity. The outer edge of the chair-back portion shows two small indentations, associated with normal age-related use.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email conditionreports@hindmanauctions.com for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.