Timeline

1902

Born in Lyon. Son and grandson of a manufacturer of furniture. Manufacture founded in 1868.

1903

Last appearance at «Salon d’automne” in Lyon., displaying a “ Studio corner» then noticed and admired for his extreme simplicity of style in a limited closed area.

1917

Student at “Ecole des Beaux-Arts” in Lyon, «Décoration»section under the supervision of J; Larriv, Sonay is studying the books illustration technics

1919

Death of his father. He is then designated at the age of 17 to take over the head of the manufacture.

1920

He stops the production of period furniture and starts designing furniture of a more contemporary style, with very pure simple lines

1922

«Salon de l’ameublement»in Lyon: first participation in a public exhibition. his work is, in the spirit of Follot and Dufrêne ornamented with stylised flowers, like Iribe’s work

1923

Partricipates in the first “Salon d’Automne” in Lyon where he exhibites a sycamore bedroom set, givinfg the wood the aspects of concrete. Complete misunderstanding from the the local press. First contacts with Jourdain, head of the review called “Mobilier et Decoration” from Lyon, in which in 1922, appears Sornay’s production. Sornay is a great admirer of Pierre Chareau

1924

“Salon d’Automne” in Lyon: presentation of a Rio rosewood and walnut dining room with applications of copper and brass Becomes a friend of Beyer, galss specialist, and will later collaborate for lamps. Other artists from Lyon will work with Sornay, Zadounaïsky who will create the wrought iron work ornamenting various furniture., Linossier,famous “dinandier” from Lyon, who produced decorative plates inlaid on doors for different chests and bookshelves by Sornay

1925

Attends the “Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs Industriels et Modernes” in Paris:exhibiting at “ Pavillon de Lyon et Saint Etienne” designed by Tony Garnier ( Architect). Showing pieces such as chest and a Macassar ebony library

1927

Decoration of F. Maire’s apartment, president of “Salon d’Automne”, in collaboration with Louis Thomas (architect). Suggesting a complete harmony between the furniture and the inside architecture

1928

Creation of seats made of metal with tubular structure using synthetic laque “Duco”.

1932

First financial problems for the manufacture

1933

Registration of te trademark on August 28th 1933: for a system of panels and “assemblage” method or his apparent brass studding work on furniture. At a very reasonable price, light and resisting, his collection are now giving him the opportunity to considerably develop his clientele

1937

Participates at “Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques” in Paris. Exhibits his own desk with woodwork made of samples of exotic woods. Receives an honour, a bronze medal for his set. Discovery of «Permatex» (plastic covered waterproof material) colored with an aerograph in high colours of blue, red, he is using it to dress up some of his creations. Sornay has a clientele composed of doctors and industrials such as: Mr Bergé, famous owner of the sugar refineries. Mr Perier,who invented the girdle under the name of«Scandale» Sornay is now covering the base of his furniture or seats with black corruigated rubber as the one used on cars steps at the time.

1938

Second financial difficulties and slowing down of his activity

1944

Because of a shortage of raw materials, he uses aluminium instead of brass for his studding work

1945

Sornay’s manufacture burns and the main part of his archives disappear

1950

Invention of «tigette Sornay»used for fixing and linking various elements of a piece of furniture Donates the manufacture to his children. The children will turn it into an editin company for furniture, working mainly with communities. Sornay in his turn finds back the joy of painting

1988

March: «L’Estampille», Claude Mathieu,writes for the first time since last World War II, a long and beautiful artricle on Sornay, illustrating the various stages of his carrer

1999

publication of «Les Arts décoratifs à Lyon 1910-1950» byThierry Roche in which André Sornay and his work are greatly represented and commented.

2000

Death of André Sornay, almost unnoticed. Only in recent years (1998), his creations are being rediscovered, and this mainly because of public sales, where the records for his work are quite spectacular. He is now part of some very famous private collections

2002

November: Publication of “André Sornay 1902-2000”, the very first monography on the artist by Thierry Roche, Beau Fixe Editions

2010

September : the Gallery Alain Marcelpoil published a long-awaited book devoted to this exceptional artist, entitled "signé sornay." (in English and in French), the result of years of research and close collaboration with Sornay’ family.