YES!!!....... WE WON

I've commented on the fact that it has been very hard to acquire new merchandise. Almost impossible, without spending a lot more than we usually do....this week was a winner!

I spotted this sofa during preview and fell in love. The form, the carving, the size, the condition and the gorgeous cut (or voided) rust colored silk velvet. The velvet is most probably Italian in origin and of the highest quality--I would never have been able to afford this fabric if the sofa had been in need of reupholstery. There is a tiny bit of wear to the velvet, but it's just enough to make the fabric more interesting. The cushion is down-wrapped and super comfortable.

Here are a couple more shots--I grabbed the photos from the auction listing; so they are not the best quality.

The auction had advertised the sofa as French, but I believe that it is more probably Gustavian (Swedish, but I could be wrong). She was pricey, but not nearly as much as I was willing to pay... Roberto will pick her up on Tuesday and then the real work will start: how to rearrange everything to make her fit.
Here's my quick shot from preview--the color is some place between the two.

Next up: a pair of black lacquered Directoire-style bergeres in very hot pink corduroy dresses. These chairs bring visions of Miles Redd or Alessandra Branca to mind. They are super decorative and in near perfect condition.

Of course, there is something that we just can't pass on, even when the budget groans.........

This is a pair of Chinese copper rice barrels--they were marked garden seats--but their tops lift off; so although of garden seat form, they can actually serve a double purpose. There is a chop mark, which I cannot read. We aren't sure of their age; it's the patina that sucked us in.
Of course, there are always things we want, but didn't or couldn't step up to the plate. These amazing Seguso urns were a good example: I think that they are Karl Springer for Seguso, and there is a signature. But I can't read the signature and wasn't willing to pay over $1700 for the pair w/o knowing who designed them.

And last, but not least: update on new pups. The girls were not cat adapted; so it's been a two-month battle with gates up to separate the three cats from the two other beasties. The gates came down yesterday and everything is progressing--Bailey has only had one scratch to her nose and Roxie could care less. This shot is of Bailey completely fixated on the unseen Maggie.

Thanks for coming along with me---sending blessings.

Mary

How many more days til November 2?? About 90 and I'm ramping up my donation and petition-signing efforts. I truly believe that this is the most important election of our treasured Democracy. Please vote. Please motivate others to vote. Please give what you can--money or time--to return our nation to the rule of law.

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