AUCTION UPDATE............SHOCK AND AWE

I cannot believe what the garden seats sold for on Thursday...........$1650 (including lot fee). I thought we might have to pay $650, maybe $700. I guess they just were not for us. Word to wise: LOOK FOR THIS FORM OF GARDEN SEAT--and buy it.

We did buy the Japanese bronze and mixed metal vases

And I sneaked in to the auction to check out the Goya prints........

......... the paper was not "right"; so the prints were off the list.....which is just as well as there is no room in shop for anything else!!

I'm feeling a bit better...still being super careful.

Blessings for the week-end.

Mary & Jones & Cole

BACK TO BASICS................THE HUNT

G and I love these abstracts.........unfortunately, although I have searched and searched the internet, I cannot find any current information on the artist--no auction results or listing, just nothing. And that is not a good way to purchase art. After many years of selling online, I know that an artist must have auction and gallery listings or the piece will not sell. And I definitely need to make $$$$.
There were a couple of other things that were ringing my bell

This is one of a pair of antique/vintage Chinese garden seats--this is definitely a yes!!! We have sold several pairs of garden seats over the past few months and the last pair left just a couple of weeks ago.
I grabbed this image from Goggle; there are a couple of Goya "Tauromaquia" engravings coming up.

The engravings are not displayed in the "good" section of the auction and I wonder if they might just be sleepers tomorrow?? If they are original and printed during the life of Goya, they're worth a considerable amount. If they are 19th c. restrikes, then they are still reasonably valuable and worth a shot. Tomorrow's pair are definitely old as they are framed in early 20th c framing and matting........Hmmmmmm............... we'll see.

I'm still fending off pneumonia. And I'm a bit frustrated at this point, but I guess I still need to stay quiet. So G. will bid and get all of the fun.

I am so proud of the Parkland students. They're role models to the politicians who refuse to take responsibility for creating a culture where AR15s will not be unattainable by anyone. Our future will be much more sane and balanced when these young adults reach the age where they can run for political office.

Now off to bed.

Mary & Jones & Cole

GO ROBS GO

Yesterday I was very angry (I still am)

But I do need to cheer on 

-=THE ROBS=-

My Heroes

(And all of the courageous FBI for their dedication to preserving our nation's sovereignty)

THANK YOU

Mary & Jones & Cole

I'M ANGRY

I

AM

SO

ANGRY

We have become a nation of wimps......afraid of taking action. Afraid of voting for people with integrity and vision and hope. Afraid that we will have to pay more to support the weak. Glad to take from the needy and deserving to give to those who need nothing---where is Robin Hood. We have become a nation who caters to despicables like mr. not-my-president. He who demeans our nation at every turn and who has made a laughing-stock of our amazing democracy. 

All I can say is 

VOTE

 VOTE

MAKE SURE YOUR NEIGHBOR

VOTES

MAKE SURE YOUR SONS AND

DAUGHTERS

VOTE

IN NOVEMBER WE SHALL ALL RAISE OUR VOICES 

AND

VOTE 

VOTE TO ELECT THOSE WHO TRULY REPRESENT THE VALUES UPON WHICH WE WERE FOUNDED--

NO TO GREED

NO TO RACISM

NO TO WHITE NATIONALISM

YES TO PLURALITY

YES TO INCLUSIVENESS

YES TO IMMIGRANTS (WHICH WE ALL ARE)

Thank you for letting me be me.

Mary & Jones & Cole

PS THE SENATE JUST VOTED TO GUT THE GROUND-BREAKING DISABILITIES ACT--shame on the GOP. Shame.........

RUSSIAN FAVORITE --SLAMMING

I'm not sure, but I think I'm supposed to be feeling honored......

Those damn Russians are at it again. I guess that Hillary and I have something in common--the Russians love us.

About 90 of those "views" were real and the rest were nasty visitors.

On to other news:

Took a couple more shots of my back corner before the flu hit....that's a lot of green; trying to imagine another color before that space turns into a leprechaun...

After the mirror left for Park Ave.(NYC), I hung (Roberto hung) a grouping of contemporary Japanese wood block prints (sorry about the reflection)--still searching for Toko Shinoda lithographs. I know they will turn up--just requires a bit of patience. I love Japanese art. Note the continuum between the 18th/19th Japanese "Tales of Genji" screen in the second photo and the minimalism of the woodblocks in the first. I love the tension created by showing the essence.

I hope that Goggle manages to shut down those Russians by tomorrow and that I will finally make it out of the house.

Sending blessings for the rest of the week 

  (Note: I'm not going to auction tomorrow)

Mary & Jones & Cole

DECO CHAIRS

YES!! The chairs came home with me.............and so did The Flu!!!

If anyone hasn't heard, this year's strain is really a party spoiler. I've been stuck in bed for almost the entire week and it is getting pretty boring..........

Today is looking up; so I should be back to me by tomorrow.

Stay warm and dry, you East Coasters......you can send the rain to CA if you feel like it.

Blessings for the week

Mary&Jones&Cole

CHAIRS......and other addictions

I took this photo from Heather Clawson's latest Habitually Chic post. It's the dining room of Cliveden House..........Of course, it's absolutely gorgeous. My eye went directly to the chairs. Last week there was a set of 14 similar chairs that came to the block--they all needed to be reupholstered (a very pretty penny) and I couldn't figure out where to store them in the amount of time that they were being auctioned (1/2 min)---they sold for $250 dollars and I kicked myself.......and then to add insult to injury, I saw the above chairs on Heather's post and almost cried. Fortunately, when I was picking up this week's loot (more on that later), I spotted 9 more of THE CHAIRS and these do not need any work---all redone in ivory leather and they will be mine (hopefully)!!!

Sometimes you do get a second chance.......

I have a new boyfriend and I love him

He came all dressed up to party.

Last week was a very good week (we're moving on from the Cliveden House chairs). I snagged a gorgeous Meiji Bronze and mixed metal vase, now a lamp--I think that everyone else had their eyes blinded as I was the only bidder. This vase is beautifully sculpted with a pair of high relief Ho-Ho Birds (I'm calling them cockerels)

The lamp measures 28" to bottom of electrical fittings; so with an appropriate shade, the total height of lamp will be close to 40"--impressive. The high relief sculpting is all in perfect condition, including the spurs to the birds' feet.

And continuing with my passion for all things Japanese, I bought this Edo period, early 19th c. Bronze hibachi that would make a wonderful orchid display planter

It seems that we are back to drought in Southern California.........we have only had a couple of rainy days (unfortunately, bringing the disastrous Santa Barbara floods) so far this winter and with none on the horizon, we desperately need our rainy season to show up.

Yes, climate change is real. We need prayers for radical change in the prevailing governmental policies. We need increased funding for disaster relief that includes all Americans!! We need a government that respects scientists in the various arenas where public policy comes into play. We need that change now.

That said...the weather today is glorious: 69* and breezy here at the beach; 78* in Los Angeles proper...

Hoping that everyone up North and East manages to stay warm and dry and safe.

Blessings for the week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

  

A LITTLE BIT OF A LET DOWN

This is the final rack of Ives St. Laurent clothes to be auctioned tomorrow.

After 2 weeks of glorious St. Laurent creations and after the excitement of bidding on a few of the lots, this shot of tomorrow's final St. Laurent rack makes me sad. I would like to remember the numerous glorious creations of prior weeks; these pieces simply do not satisfy my earning for beautiful elegant design.

And there just isn't that much to bid on tomorrow..... I like this French bronze floral chandelier

I have another late 19th c. floral in cage form--but I like this one a bit better........but hard to sell right  now. Maybe?

I just sold this large Anglo-Raj mirror

 So perhaps, we should get this one??

I don't think it compares with the Indian mirror--but maybe I'm wrong.

I think that I'm a bit spoiled....life can be underwhelming and still be great. Life and choices and beauty all come in cycles. To stay with Spirit despite the ups and downs is the key.

Blessings for the day.

Mary & Jones & Cole