Modernist 20th Century 
8 December 2002
Modernist 20th Century 
273

Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan

Elevator grille for the Chicago Stock Exchange

Winslow Brothers
USA, 1894
Wrought iron 70½ h × 74 w in (179 × 188 cm)
estimate: $15,000–20,000
result: $13,800
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This type of grille work from the Chicago Stock Exchange was used only on the upper tier of the second floor landing in the building, making it far rarer than the more densely designed ironwork more commonly known from this building. The design illustrates clearly Sullivan's adaptation of floral forms and nature as a means to design. The grille evokes the prairie grasses found in the Chicago area prairie with a leaf motif at the bottom of the composition. This leads to a branching stem that finishes with a floral motif at the crown. Literature: "The Trading Room: Louis Sullivan and the Chicago Stock Exchange," John Vinci, 1989, pg. 21.

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Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan

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During their partnership, Dankmar Adler and Louis H. Sullivan created some of the ground breaking and influential buildings of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Adler specialized in the engineering side of the business, which allowed Sullivan to work primarily as the designer on their projects. Together they completed many notable structures including the famous Wainwright Building (St. Louis, 1891), the Schiller Building (Chicago, 1891) and the James Charnley House (Chicago, 1891–1892). However, it was the Chicago Stock Exchange, built at the height of the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, that was undoubtedly the magnum opus of their career. The interior of the building was decorated with lavish organic designs inspired by the flora and fauna of the prairie landscape exemplary of their uniquely Midwestern style of Art Nouveau. Although the partnership ended in 1895, Adler and Sullivan forever changed the architectural landscape of Chicago with more than 180 buildings designed during the 15 years they worked together.

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Important elevator surround from the Chicago Stock Exchange

estimate: $150,000–200,000

result: $161,000

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elevator screen from the Chicago Stock Exchange

estimate: $30,000–40,000

result: $122,500

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Elevator door from the Chicago Stock Exchange

estimate: $30,000–50,000

result: $77,500

Dankmar Adler and Louis Sullivan

elevator door from the Chicago Stock Exchange

estimate: $20,000–30,000

result: $76,900

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