EVOLVING (REVOLVING) DESIGN AESTHETICS

I really, really, really relished the thought of acquiring this chunky early Georgian burled walnut chest last Thursday. I was pretty sure that I would be able to buy as the price point at auction for this type of chest has been quite low. But he was not destined to come home with me as the chest sold for 3 times what I had anticipated......

Three years ago I felt inspired to return to my first love: period 18th and early 19th c. furniture and so I started acquiring period pieces at very good price points. They have not been quick sellers, but in the last year or so I have sold most of the period pieces that I had been acquiring: Five 18th/19th c. French Secretaire a Abattant (and that is a lot for me)! Five 18th/19th c. Chinese Altar Tables. Many period trunks and small chests and several sets of period chairs, etc. Most of the period pieces either stay here in Los Angeles (mainly Pasadena designers) or they are shipped to the East Coast (mainly New York). I am so excited to witness this return to a richer aesthetic where furniture is allowed to act as pieces of sculpture.

Of course, there is always that yin/yang interplay: I think I'm going to have to work a little harder at acquiring new pieces. I love everything that the little chest above represents: tremendous character and strength; beautiful detail==the burled veneer, inlay and original hardware; and the wonderful rich patina, not to mention its versatile size and form that could be incorporated into almost any style of design. The drawer sides and bottoms on this little chest had extensive reworking and the hammer price, surprisingly, did not reflect this potentially big negative.

I did buy three pieces of Steuben mid-century art glass--but Steuben is still a hard sell (I just love its purity of form and clarity of glass)

These three pieces came from the Keck family estate and have retained their original cotton carrying bags. No smudges or finger prints for these guys. 

I love California winters--not too cold and I can wear cashmere all the time w/o a coat--however, I think this coming week will bring an end to cashmere weather for this year.

April is usually one of my worst months, but this year business has been great and I'm so grateful!!

Must get off to bed--Jones says "Hi"......

Blessings for the week,

Mary & Jones & Cole                                                                                                    

BACK TO BASICS--THE HUNT

It was a great Auction Thursday....sorry, forgot to take photos; so I pulled some images of pieces from Google and 1stdibs that are similar to what I bought today. You really have to go to auction with a very open mind--you just never know what is going to go way too high (and I've set my sights on just that piece) or what will go low. Or (as what happened today) the auctioneer doesn't see your bid because some one jumps in front of you...

I wanted to purchase a set of four Katavolos T-chairs (and so did a lot of other people)........ I loved the patination of the carmel colored leather---there's always more!!

I wanted to purchase a 19th c. French farm table similar to this one........

But didn't get it!

And I really, really wanted a 19th c. large French Bistro table

The Bistro table at auction today had a slightly more refined marble, but it went for twice the price of this 1stdibs listed table.......not my kind of price point. (It's a secret, but we dealers do try to make a little profit)

HOWEVER---I did bring home some really good pieces:

I bought a period Louis XIII small side table similar to this one, but with more exaggerated turnings and finial and it appears to retain its original dark surface and it has a little lip around the top. This is a nice little Louis XIII table, but just a tad bit boring, n'est pas?

Next up was a trio of glass sculptures by the well-listed American artist Suzanne Pascal (1914- ). Here's an example (higher level than mine)

I'm embarrassed at what I paid for them--yep, a bit of profit here.

Then I bought an early 20th c. Chinese lacquered pigskin trunk something like this guy

but in better condition and with its original lacquered stand. I have a client who was looking for a black Chinese trunk--perhaps this one will work.

And, at the very end of the auction, I bought two medium-sized Steuben footed bowls.

I realize that Steuben is not currently "in", but these beautiful Steuben pieces are classic and this amazing American company--sadly, is no long in existence. Quality never looses its value.

I also bought some other stuff--just for a bit of filler.

Hopefully Roberto will be close by so that he can come unload for me.

It takes a huge amount of perseverance, focus and a lot of patience to stay at auction all day--but I love this serendipitous, never quite knowing what's evolving process. (Note to self: drink plenty of water and coffe and always carry good chocolate.) Plus I get to see many of my dealer buddies (remember: there are no friends at auction).

It hit 90* today. I pray that is not signaling the end of winter just yet. We need quite a few more good storms to roll through to alleviate our drought--lots more snow in the Sierra. I hope that Boston is beginning to thaw--wish it were possible to truck all that snow to California.

Jones is gradually getting back to himself. And I'm grateful. I'm settling in to my two new/old locations and am soooooo happy. 

I'll take photos of these items and post them to my website shortly....for now it's off to bed.

Have a wonderful almost Spring week-end.

Mary & Jones & Cole

LITTLE 17TH CENTURY TABLE

I love the patina on this little old table, but most of all I love the original forged iron hardware. Roberto will coming next week to spruce her up. Some crazy guy put a light coat of what I think is shoe polish on a couple of the surfaces, but I think that the original finish is under this slightly gooey stuff. Roberto will clean the surface and then apply several coats of hard paste wax and then this little guy will shine. The table is rustic and has acquired a deep soul over its 330 years of existence. A couple more photos......

I love the simplicity of this piece. Just wish I had a piece of Conover pottery to place on the top.

Be well.

Mary and Jones (& Cole)

Steuben and Almost Baccarat--It's been a glass week

I'm still having problems with the software--working on the problems (but geeeezzzzz).

I thought that I would post a quickie and ignore the technical stuff. 

There hasn't been that much to buy at my favorite auction house, so I have taken a bit of a buying break. It does feel good to not feed my addiction, but I must get back to my usual buying as you "can't sell from an empty cart."

Aren't these babies some of the most gorgeous pieces of glass you've ever seen?

Unfortunately, these great (French?) Deco molded and frosted glass bookends are not marked, but they are equal to Lalique, Baccarat or Sabino glass of the early 20th century.  These Jaguars/Panthers are big--10.5 inches long by about 8.5 inches high. Each one of these jaguars could stand on its own merits as sculpture--the casting work is top quality with the original mold carving giving a great Deco angular depth to the musculature. 

Not only did I bring home the glass Jaguars, but I also scored this great Steuben "Trillion" footed bowl by Donald Pollard that dates to the 1950s.

   

  

I wasn't very successful in capturing the beautiful clarity of the Steuben crystal in these photos--but it is truly exceptional. Once again, this is a big piece of art glass, measuring 10" in diameter. The true shame is that Steuben in no longer with us--Steuben Glass was an American Treasure and is greatly missed in our creative landscape. (Once again, the failure of bottom-line accounting decision making) Nevertheless, this Steuben bowl would add a lot of sparkle to any room--place it on a mid-20th century case piece and it would be spectacular. And it is a beautiful piece of American history.

I also scored a great pair of Monteverdi Young cabinets in an asian inspired form and better yet....(drum roll...) a very unique Edward Wormley coffee table--these pieces were all in great condition for their age (50-60 years) and are out getting their original finish spiffed up. They will be featured in a subsequent post.

Thank you for letting me share the ups and downs of my adventures.

Mary