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Charles Hairon ( French,1880-1962)
Titled: SS Normandie Café Grill Night Club and Gathering Place Cast Iron Grille Plaque
Dimensions: 122" X 77 6ft X 10ft) and when separated 57" X 77" and 65" X 77"
Weight: 1450 pounds.
The original cast iron plaque from Café Grill Night Club and Gathering Place - most elegant dining room of the SS Normandie - considered by many to be the most luxurious ocean liner in history with its Art Deco interior and celebrity passengers such as Cary Grant, Marlene Dietrich, Walt Disney, James Stewart, Ernest Hemingway, and Fred Astaire to name a few . This piece of history surrounded the oven of the grill boasting Charles Hairon's illustrated animal engravings - this is where the very rich and famous would dine. The cast iron grill plaque is notably mentioned and images showing this exact plaque in its glory can be found in the photo gallery. This enormous cast iron plate surrounding the oven is fully decorated with Mr. Hairon's illustrated animal engravings. An engraved glass plate decorated by Mr. Max Ingrand surrounded the grill in front presumably to keep the fumes out of the dining room area. The ship was seized by the U.S. Government in WWII and The Ship was renamed the USS Lafayette. During renovations the ship caught fire in 1942. It was determined to not be rebuilt and salvaged in 1946. The plaque was removed from the ship and beautifully preserved in a private residence for the last 75+years in Monroe, NY along with doors bearing original Art Deco chrome finished hardware each being signed in the door jams by Jean Lacotte, Paris. (Separate lots 101,102 and 103) Weighing 1450 lbs. and standing 6 ft. tall and 10 ft. wide, this magnificent work of art comes apart in 2 pieces. Condition Report: The grill plaque surface is clean and highly detailed. It shows no damage, repairs or restoration. The bottom portion on each side of the plaque that would have dropped down on each side of the grill was cut off and it is unknown of its location. It is presumed this was done to fit the wall space at the residence. The approximate sections missing are 3ft X 2"ft sections. Photo gallery image of artist rendering is seen showing the missing sections. This in no way takes away from its beauty. Shipping: Freight Shipping or Pick Up Only. Please call office to discuss further. Plaque is easily accessible for loading purposes.
Estimated value: $20,000.00 - $30,000.00
