LIFE AND AUCTIONS = TIMING AND SHOWING UP (OFF)

Just when I thought that I would have to start worrying about acquiring inventory, God blesses me with an amazing piece.

This gorgeous French(?)/Italian(?)......I'm leaning French, Buffet was added to the auction at the last minute, meaning that there wasn't time to advertise it. This is always a good sign!! And they had positioned the buffet to be auctioned off early--before the crowds showed up (very good sign).  Here are a couple of more more shots

Notice the broken marble? That might also have served as a deterrent.... You can bet that I planned to be at auction early on Thursday.

Thursday Morning (drum roll): I'm there ready and waiting for the sideboard/buffet. Some one else opens the bidding and then I bid. Three of us on the floor plus an absentee bidder go back and forth for a while. The bidding slows down at about $1000 (the absentee bidder drops out). Then the bidder to my right drops out. I bid my top limit amount against the bidder to my left.....and I wait and wait as the auctioneer tries to get a bid from the other bidder (I hate this part of bidding--you are on pins and needles until the hammer drops)......the buffet was ALL mine. (Just needed to pay)

This gorgeous late 1940s/early 1950s buffet is beautifully constructed of solid mahogany in the French manner. The original hardware is of finely cast solid brass and lucite. The fielded form of the paneled doors highlighted with brass stars is super refined. And look at those amazing feet! .....It has all of the bells and whistles that make me happy.

Roberto is picking this handsome guy up tomorrow and he thinks that he can fix the marble. It would be  about $600 to replace the marble. 

MORE--very early Fortuny. I cannot believe that I have been able to acquire two early 20th century Fortuny textile fragments in less than a month. When this happens I am elated (quietly jumping up and down) as I know that I'm listening and that God is blessing me.

This Fortuny fragment dates to the late 1920's, perhaps early 1930's and bears the early Fortuny mark

The reverse of a Fortuny textile is often more indicative of the time frame of the piece than the front and frequently the fragment is not a section of the length that has been stamped. The more common 1920's pieces are almost completely black on the reverse. This rare red example is a very saturated red on the reverse,  which is also an indication of it being a hand made textile.

FINALLY----The Karl Springer table's top has been delivered and is ready to go home with its new owner...

I wonder when we are going to manage to get to autumn?  It's been super hot here.....I can't wait for sweater weather. And I am not ready for Christmas music.

Sending blessings for the coming week.

Mary & Cole

NEW CONNECTIONS

My acquiring a Robsjohn-Gibbings chest like the one shown above--but not in that gorgeous condition--has spurred me to search for a new refinisher/restorer. This is not an easy quest because most "professional" refinishers do not have a clue as to what it really takes to bring a piece of furniture to that level of restoration. I have had my quota of restorers who swore they could "French Polish", lacquer, reveneer, restore an existing finish without stripping, etc. and then what they delivered was a piece of furniture that might as well be sent to a second tier flea market (six unhappy faces) lost money and time and aggravation. I even had one guys (who came well-recommended) steal my piece...

My neighbor, Kevin (Arroyo Antiques) deals in great mid-century and Danish furnishings. Kevin's pieces are always restored to the nth degree....and Kevin shared his restorer/refinisher with me. Danish and mid-century furniture does not need to be lacquered; so I was taking a leap of faith in trying out Aaron Moore.

When I brought the chest to Aaron today, I was astounded--his shop was immaculate, everything was in order; the pieces waiting his touch were all tagged and positioned; his materials and supplies were neatly ordered on shelves. In other words, this guy is a professional!! But most of all Aaron said all of the right words--restoration is an art; the trade has a specialized vocabulary and methodology. When Aaron described the various steps he would take with my chest, I knew I had found my guy. Aaron is even going to use "Piano Lacquer" (the creme de la creme) on my chest. Very, very few restorers even know the difference between piano lacquer and just regular/plain lacquer.

Aaron is super busy; so I won't get my chest back for a while, but that's OK because I'm sure that it will be done just right.

I'm going to take Aaron a Tommi Parzinger coffee table that Roberto hasn't been able to fix properly tomorrow, it doesn't involve a lot of work; so maybe Aaron can squeeze it in next week.

BEST OF ALL--Aaron is located just a hop from my house!!

I'm grateful!! An open heart is just what was needed.

Blessing,

Mary & Jones & Cole

PILLOWS AND NEW HAUNT

I went to see Pam (my amazing pillow fabricator) yesterday to take her a length of Scalamandre "Il Leopardo" silk velvet for a pair of large 24" square pillows. I had forgotten that I had purchased 2 yards of gorgeous gold very high end Italian silk velvet a few months ago. So this gold silk velvet will be the backing for the Il Leopardo silk velvet pillows. Because of their large size and gorgeous gold silk velvet backing, and because my cost for the Scalamandre velvet has gone up a lot, these pillows will be pricey--but what a statement they will make. I had already ordered a pair of smaller Le Tigre pillows when I visited Pam a few weeks ago.

  

I also took a few selections of gold silk to back the vintage Fortuny fabric shown above, but none of the various golds were quite right for this particular piece of Fortuny. There are innumerable shades of gold from green based to orange based.......so getting just the right shade can be very tricky. I've just ordered another length in what is called "old gold"--we'll see if  it works. The gold on this particular piece of Fortuny is pretty strong (the photo is not true) and rich which is why it is more difficult to match.  Wish me luck.

I thought I would show you another of my favorite hunting/buying haunts. This dealer is located in tiny Fullerton (where I live) and has a large following of top LA based 20th c. dealers. I spotted this Milo Baughman petit sofa or love seat in its original late '70s/early '80s upholstery.

  

The piece was in great condition, and very desirable, but the price point was a little too high for me to make a profit. (I would need to professionally clean and make new pillows for the sofa before putting in up for sale). 

But sitting beside the love seat was the N-I-C-E Milo Baughman sky scraper table

in booked olive wood veneer and sky scraper chrome legs. This piece went directly into my trusty Explorer.

Roberto will be coming in tomorrow and we'll polish the chrome and wax the top. The table is in overall excellent original condition, with only one minor scratch to the top. The table measures about 34" x 34" and would make a great coffee/cocktail table, side table or corner table.

(Just before I walked in the door of this great shop, a famous LA dealer had purchased one the the most gorgeous mid-century chairs (+ ottoman) that I have ever seen--the early bird catches the worm.)

I am immensely grateful that "Sandy" has passed with limited loss of life--the property and economic damage is immense. We are an extremely resourceful and generous country; the best of our national character comes forth during times of need. I have many friends in the affected area--all seem to have weathered the storm well.

Jones is well--tomorrow is a super busy day. Roberto and I are rearranging everything to get ready for the Christmas season--can't believe that it is already here!!

Be well

Mary and Jones (& Cole)

HO-HUM TO WOW--LACQUER MIRACLE

 
I think that Jones is a little bored with my photography (it has been a long day: daycare with his best poodle friend, working with me and greeting everyone, getting love from his people friends, treats from David...what a life!) but he is a dog (a great dog, but still color-blind) and dog's usually don't go nuts over design details. Although Jones really likes Juan, he really doesn't appreciate the fact that Juan Vazquez, my lacquer and refinish expert, has worked a small miracle with these late 1950's Michael Taylor for Baker Far East Collection tables.

The photos above shows the tables in the condition that I purchased them...the brown stain/finish--although considered to be the "bees knees" in the late 50's is really very dull/boring by today's aesthetic--the finish is also a little sun damaged--bleached and dried out. 

I usually run from changing the look/color/finish of great pieces of furniture, but these tables were crying out for some love and attention--face lift (oh! so Hollywood). Michael Taylor also included black lacquer tables in his Far East Collection for Baker Furniture; so I don't feel as if I have really betrayed The Master with my updating the tables with black lacquer, leaving the tops to show their beautiful satinwood* graining. Notice the beautiful inlay work to the tops of the tables--the satin wood slices radiate out from a small center radius.

   

I am so grateful to have Juan in my life--quality craftsmen are essential elements in both the design and antiques fields. I knew a lot regarding the restoration of period antique furniture, but over the past 5 years I have learned volumes from Juan regarding lacquer work, colors, application processes, etc. And Juan has expanded his knowledge and expertise into the period antiques arena: he does a nasty French polish.


Thanks for joining me on the crazy journey.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day week-end.


Mary and Jones (and Cole),


*Satinwood is one of the most valuable woods and has been used as inlay on the "best" pieces of furniture from the early/mid 18th c.

Stunning Monteverdi-Young Cabinets

Juan brought back the pair of Monteverdi-Young Cabinets that I posted about last week. And they are fantastic. Juan has the perfect touch when it comes to furniture restoration (or fabrication)--only the tops needed to be refreshed and a small hole (drilled for cables) on the backs repaired. He has the patience and knowledge to perfectly match and restore a surface and that is an invaluable talent in this business.

This chest has all of the bells and whistle required of a mid-century cabinet: the proportions are perfect, there are hints of its asian influence, the custom brass work is original, showy and well-detailed and THERE IS A PAIR OF THESE GUYS. Plus the chests are multi-purpose and can be used in a variety of way....even lined up as a buffet.

Just going to add a few more detailed photos. Jones really likes them (at least his nose does). 

    

The inlaid bras filament is characteristic of American made mid-century furniture. Juan very slightly polished the brass strip without damaging the surface.






The custom hardware is beefy without being cumbersome or out of proportion.

The Glitch is rearing its ugly head again. Ooops, I think that I just overcame it.

I'm not sure what (if anything) I'm doing wrong, but this software is not Mary-friendly. I've got to go back to Nathan to see what is not happening.

So I had best sign off.

Thanks for sharing my journey.

Mary and Jones (and poor Cole)