Oooooooops--didn't intend for Jones to get in the middle of this shot.
Here are a couple of photos of the Black Lacquer chests that I bought last week--now that they have been delivered and are viewable, I think that they are even better than what I had originally guessed
These photos were taken with my iphone; so there is a bit of distortion. In actuality, the cases are in perfect shape, but appear a bit warped in the photos. I love the minimalist perfect proportions and that the brass hardware is the only break in the high glass lacquer front...sexy.
I took these photos of the Russian/Baltic side chairs today after Roberto and I were organizing.
These neoclassical guys are another variation on the "Klismos" chair which is, of course, my favorite chair form.
I'm not sure exactly what the wood is, I think it's mainly mahogany.... will have to do a little research.
Note how tall the slip seats are; the back legs have a very stylized back sweep; the front legs are carved with acanthus leaf (?) detailing and a plain and a fluted ring at the bottom of the chair legs. The gilding on the acanthus leaf carving is not original--but does add a bit of interest. My favorite detail is the charming carving of the back splat--unique to Russian chairs. There are remnants of the ebaniste's label, but so far I haven't able to make sense of it. Serendipitously (word ?), I have just enough of a Scalamandre striped cut velvet to reupholster the chairs!! They have to have a stripe. The chairs are a bit later than I had originally guessed, probably 1830's.
These guys are a little too dressy and stiff for mainstream Southern California decorating, but will be more appealing to an international client.
Hope your last days of summer (before school starts) are glorious--it has cooled down a bit here and I'm loving it.
Have a super Sunday.
Mary and Jones (& Cole)
