exceptionally rare and finely executed c. 1920's american polychrome lithographed galvanized steel stoveboard documented as louis sullivan's final commission prior to his untimely death in 1924. stove boards were used as a preventive measure against house fires by acting as a protective barrier between dropping embers emitted from potbelly stoves and the wood flooring found below. previously, only three documented designs were thought to exist for use with the american stove board company's product catalog. this wonderful example clearly demonstrates the possibility of other, yet to be discovered designs fabricated either by american or perhaps another manufacturer. in addition, this is the only known example to have a multi-colored finish, which greatly enhances the design and overall visual impact. the stove board or platform is comprised of a wood core, in the form of interlocking boards with a finely detailed lithographed sheet tin cover crimped along the edges. the visually striking pattern consists of a distinctive interplay between geometric shapes and richly organic design motifs executed in multiple colors. the stove boards are thought to have been made exclusively by or for the american stove board company of chicago, il. no other known example of this "sullivanesque" design pattern and/or color scheme has yet to surface. measures 23 x 23 inches.