'TIS TEN DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS

I am so proud of myself: I have wrapped one present. I still have a few more to purchase.

Now------the new Fortuny Pillows:

This is a very unusual c.1920-1930 "Ucelli" pattern antique Fortuny textile. I have never seen this color used in very early Fortuny--it's a rich tomato red with a gold-tone overlay. The original "Ucelli" wood blocks were still sharp and crisp when this fabric was created and this particular piece had never been used.

I chose a textured Clarence House gold silk strie (visible in the first photo) for the backing and micro-welt.

Here is a photo of a pillow created with c. 1970-80 "Ucelli"--there are subtle differences. One of the

most noticeable differences between early Fortuny and post 1940 Fortuny is the width of the textile. Early Fortuny is printed on cotton that is no more than 30 inches wide; whereas latter Fortuny is printed on cotton that is the standard 54 inches wide. The width of the top pillows is 29/30 inches.

"Melagrana" Pillows: these two pairs of pillows were created using the "Melagrana" from the tunic that I bought at auction a couple of months ago.

The pair with the antique metallic braid decoration was crafted with the front section of the tunic where there was a center seam. The antique braid covers the seam and I think it adds more interest to the pillows...thoughts?

And now for a a couple of fun (not serious Fortuny) pillows. I bought the 1940s/50s tropical bark cloth from a fellow dealer--it was, miraculously, in mint condition..

I had a lot of catching up to do at the shop (I had a little accident and had to spend a few days at home); so I didn't go to auction on Thursday. That does not mean Gerry stayed home. We had agreed that we didn't have any room for new stuff (it's all just stuff). Famous last words: Gerry bought 18 chairs--yikes!!! Fortunately, Roberto and I hustled and just about everything fit (squeed in tight). By the grace of God and His perfect timing, I sold the large French weathered oak and pine farm table exactly when I needed to and it was delivered last Saturday, meaning that I had a few extra inches to space.

Here's what one (very congested) section of shop looks like:

Those pagoda-top chairs sitting on the lacquered table are amazing....they are 4 of the 18 chairs. Here are another 6 of the 18:

These chairs are pretty good, too. They date to about the 1980s and are in great condition, don't even need to to be reupholstered. There are several reditions of this type of faux bois chair--and these are the better, more highly detailed iteration; are super comfortable and all arm chairs.
Now, for the best of the 18.....set of 6 (all arms) Chinese Chippendale faux bamboo in a yummy green

All of these 6 chairs are in great condition, also. The green needs a bit of touch up in a few spots, but my miracle worker, Roberto, will have them spiffed up in less than an hour. They dovetail with the new 1950s/40s bark cloth pillows! (And Gerry didn't even know about the pillows until after he bought the chairs)
Christmas is closing in on us. This year has been filled with growth and love and increased sales. Growth, by it's very nature, tends to be a bit uncomfortable. This year was no exception, but this time, growth came with a bit more tenderness and to a stronger me. I'm wondering what 2020 holds--I've been approached by some one to start another venture involving antique/vintage furniture. We'll see. I love the serendipitous nature of stepping forth without exactly knowing the future.

Sending blessings for this last busy week before Christmas. Some times I forget that this is the day we celebrate the Light of Christ coming to all. It's good to remember that Light leaves no room for darkness if we choose to focus on the light.

Blessing for the day.
Mary & Cole

UPDATES--AUSPICIOUS FINDS AND SALES

November has been a very auspicious month. Lalo did himself proud with the upholstery on the little sofa and the French Chauffeuses.

The new 1920s Fortuny pillows are ready and I'll pick them up tomorrow. Can't wait to see them.

......The piece de resistance and the most important blessing is the George I bachelor's chest with secretary section.

I was having a bit of trouble firmly assigning a date to the chest, and then, this popped up on 1stdibs this week........

I think I need a professional appraisal. My chest is very similar, but larger. Of course, it has the secretary section (original design) added to the traditional bachelor's chest form. I don't know if the unusual secretary section adds to or detracts from the value of the chest. Both chests retain all of their original c.1720 elements and are in very good condition. I listened to that little voice inside my head when I purchased the chest and am grateful.

I love this set of Chinese early 20th century quartetto tables--the wave design of the skirts (instead of a highly carved skirt) is what drew me to the set and Roberto made them shine (he always does).

This week-end this little French etagere is coming up at auction. Both Gerry and I love it--we'll see. I'm about finished with buying for 2019, but the hunt must go on.

The stand is in very good condition--no more projects, please--and has unusual detailing, just my style.

The San Gabriel Mountains received their first blanket of heavy snow and Big Bear Mountain was open for skiing this past week-end. My drive up to Pasadena all week was breath-taking. I love the chill in the air and being back to wearing cashmere--my favorite second skin. We are getting ready for Christmas.....one of the trees is in place and ready for the decorating party with the girls tomorrow. I'm planning what to bake. Miraculously, I have even purchased some presents... I do not like shopping. We usually have about 18-20 for Christmas Eve--this year, it's only going to be family, which still adds up to a lot of people. 

Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas season. I fully intend to focus on my blessings. 

Mary & Cole

AUCTION SLEEPERS

"Auction Sleepers" can be defined as those items that come to the block that are very good, but just don't garner much attention on that particular auction day. And that is precisely why I love auctions and why I will faithfully sit through boring hours waiting for those one or two items that I think I can buy at an affordable/great price. Most of the items that I highlight in this blog are "sleepers." I guess my love of "sleepers" stems from my conviction that with each "sleeper" that I acquire, I know that God is directly blessing me. All I am responsible for is being prepared and present.

Case in point is this very unusual early 18th century George I/II chest. When I previewed the chest on Wednesday, I had a hunch that it would go low. To begin with, the chest was identified on the ticket as American--it's most definitely English burl walnut.

The conformation of the chest was strange/unusual with the off-center two side drawers countered with the the larger and deep drawer. The more I studied the piece, I came to realize that it is a normal George I/II Bachelors Chest with a superimposed secretary structure.

The larger drawer revealed a sweet drop front little secretary with a beautiful serpentine (baroque influenced) cubby-hole section. Looks like it's the original leather writing surface, too.

The back look as good as the front with just a little restoration to the support of the original bracket foot. That tape is newer, but doesn't detract from value as age cracks are to be expected.

Roberto can restore the small sections of missing banding on the front, clean the surface and apply a couple of coats of hard paste wax and the chest is set to go! I'm not sure of the value of this little beauty, but it is definitely a gift.

More gifts on Thursday:

I have absolutely no extra room to squeeze in any more furniture (or so I thought)..........but how could I resist this 20th century Japanned/Chinoiserie games table?

Which was hammered down and goes into shop on Monday.
Now--I'm really pushing it: This Portuguese early 20th century mahogany 2-drawer side table came to the block--this is a super Belgium/Dutch design element piece and these tables do not show up very often.....besides, I'd been patient waiting for the bachelors chest and wasn't sure that I would get it and needed to pay for my two days of auction time.......I got it! It didn't go super high, and  was definitely within my range. More, importantly, the table is very saleable and multipurpose and doesn't need any work except Robert's magic touch.

I lusted after this large English Regency-style partners writing desk.

Gerry and I had discussed it, but decided not to bid as it is really big and we have no room--besides, the monthly cost to cover sq. footage in shop would be about $200/month (a lot). When the table came to the block my heart was beating in anticipation.......the bidding started at $300 and slowed down and then stopped at $1000---up came my hand (all by itself)---at $1000, the table would be the buy of the century. It was not to be: I stayed in until $1700. But the table eventually sold for about $2500 + fees and I was saving my budget for the unusual campaign chest.

Transformations:
New Clarence House Belgium Linen Zebra--it turned out just as I had imagined--Love it. The nail heads were being applied when Lalo sent me the photos.

Before: pretty, but very pink and a bit "Grandma"

I also had this pair of early 20th century chauffeuse upholstered in the Clarence House Zebra...

And before--very boring and unsaleable 1990s upholstery (which was still perfect)

Thanksgiving is nearly here and I am counting my many blessings--my wonderful family and Roberto come first and of course, my friends and business cohorts that add so much flavor to my life......the stuff that I sell, is truly only stuff. My joy comes from having a thankful heart, my relationships with my clients and... the HUNT=following inspiration.

Wishing everyone a blessed and thankful Thanksgiving.

Mary & Cole

I've been poodle-shopping. But not quite ready, yet.

WOWSA---BID ANOUNT OF $55,000 + FEES

Thursday seemed like it was going to be another (ho-hum) uneventful day at auction---boy was I wrong. The Chinese Hard stone plaque shown below fetched $55,000 plus fees. There were two Chinese groups bidding against each other........

I did not pay any attention to the Plaque at Preview. It just shows that no matter how much you know in this business, there are still pieces about which you are totally ignorant. I had never seen a piece like this, so when the bidding started to escalate past $5000--I started taking notice. Up and up and up went the bidding war. I can't remember if the phone bidder or the group on the floor won out, but at that altitude, it didn't seem to matter. Remember, on top of the bid amount there is a 15% buyers fee. Yikes.

As for me.....well, there was a gorgeous English Secretary Campaign Chest that I really, really, really wanted.......it was not to be. I bid it to the very limit of profitability. Unfortunately, Fred didn't seem to care about his profit margin.

I did not come home empty handed......

This sweet Tuscan bench dates to the end of the 18th century and I was determined to have it---little could I have suspected that no body else would be paying attention and the bench came home for a ridiculously low price point. 

Life at the park next door to my home:

I did a rough count of the Pelicans: there was a small group of 4 (they are usually at Park); there was a larger group of about 12-15; and then there was a huge group of about 24-26 in front of the pond. And no one was fighting or getting their feathers ruffled--i.e., good birds.

And it's off to bed for me!

Mary & Cole

IN POSITION

Roberto brought the French Buffet to the shop and I placed it front and center. We switched out the art work to provide a little energy to the buffet and I had acquired the John Dickinson (style??) lamps a few weeks ago.......not a bad little mix, if I do say so.

The antique Fortuny pillows and the Scalamandre "Le Tigre" and "Il Leopardo" pillows are ready for pickup--can't wait to see them. I'm going to take the red antique "Ucelli" Fortuny to have pillows made up when I go to LA to pick up the others. 

Roberto will wax the buffet next week and I'll go investigate new marble. We decided that the original marble is beyond repair....that's the way it goes.

Well, the formal Impeachment hearings are starting tomorrow. Each day there are new revelations regarding the damage that has been done to our nation by this administration (I refuse to say the traitor's name)--I pray that we elect good solid, conscious leadership in 2020.

Sending blessings.

Mary & Cole

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

KARL SPRINGER PARCHMENT TABLE

Gerry found this table on an East Coast online auction and was able to acquire it for a great price....

I thought that the charge to ship the table to California would be about $550-$600....in actuality that number was way off. The actual price to ship the table nearly double my rough estimate as I wanted to crate the table to prevent damage........I was assuming that the top was in fairly good condition.........wrong! When the table arrived (no damage in shipping whatsoever) it was immediately apparent that the top would need to be re-lacquered. (we could have skipped the crating charges). Some dealer friends suggested that it just be touched up----not my way of doing things as I send pieces all over the world and I have a pristine online presence (as far as I know) and want my customers to be 100% happy with what they buy.

Rolando has had the table top for a few weeks. I went to check on the table on Tuesday.......and it is gorgeous. Rolando was able to restore all of the goat skin seams (it can be a struggle, sometimes impossible, to re-align and glue down the edges of the skins).

It's not quite ready, but take a look

The lines are where the seams of the goat skins meet and the mottling is desirable. Rolando is finishing up the lacquer today and Monday. Can't wait to see it in the shop. The table will seat six, but it would make a great center table or even a desk.

Wishing you all a super week-end! No smoke and no sand from the desert for us today.

Mary & Cole