IT'S GETTING HARDER

Just when you think you have everything lined up to work smoothly, life takes an intervening step and new paths must be found.

My weekly auction haunt has changed its structure as a result of COVID-19.....They are not going to be having weekly on-site auctions....at least for now everything has gone online and the competition is fierce. No more weekly "sleepers" for me. And I'm bummed (with a capital "B").

But I did get this amazing pair of lamps last week...and paid dearly for them (unhappy face inserted here)

This great pair of mid-20th century lamps was created by William (Billy) Haines who used 19th century Chinese Pale Celadon vases to form the bases of the lamps. The vases measure 19" in height which, when added to the height of the electrical fittings, brings the total height of the lamps to about 33 inches. There might be a signature on the bottom of the vases when I take them apart, the wood plinths upon which the vases sit are typical Billy Haines--tall lacquered wood, with the characteristic switch located at the back of the base. One original finial remains and it is painted in typical Billy Haines fashion. Additionally, the lacquered wood shaft leading to the double socket electrical fittings is a typical design element of Billy Haines Lamps. I love the Pale Crackle Glazed Celadon vases--which have considerably value in their own right.

I'll post better photos of the lamps this week, once I get them into the shop.

Now, I'm off to tilt at more windmills.

Blessings for the week.

Mary

GETTING BACK TO BASICS: MY THURSDAY AUCTION

This signed and number lithograph by Marino Marini is calling to me. I love strong and powerful examples of abstract art. Last month I purchased two Antoni Clave lithographs and an art collector came in just a couple of days after hanging the lithos and out the door they went. Marini is known for his representations of the human form (Cavaliere) together with The Horse (Cavallo). We'll see how the bidding goes. That red horse is spectacular.

Next up on my interest scale is this pair of mid-c solid brass can pendant lamps......the photo is awful, but the pendants are pretty cool. 

I think that the cans are about 18 inches in depth--we'll see. I don't have a very good eye for overhead lighting fixtures of any type, much less modern.

Lately I've been buying Chinese porcelain lamps, but no one has been buying them from me!! Of course, this presents a problem: my instincts are telling me that gorgeous chinese porcelain lamps will be making a come back, but it just hasn't started yet.........

Any way, I'm going to make a stab at acquiring this Chinese Export Famille Verte lamp. It's hiding a the very beginning of the auction which means that I need to be out the door by 7:45 to make sure that I don't get stuck in LA traffic (which seems to be getting worse by the hour). I think that the Famille Verte porcelain dates to the late 19th or early 20th c.; the lamp fittings are definitely mid-20th.  I like the little roosters on the porcelain.....I'm such a sucker for anything with animals on it.......

I'm so grateful to be back on my feet--still not perfect, but so much better. Now, if the weather will cooperate and go back to the respectable high 70s or low 80s, my body will be very greatful, too.

Jones and Cole send love. Jones even went running last night--pretty good for an older guy--but if he doesn't have an hour of exercise, he turns into the world's naughtiest dog.

Wish me luck for tomorrow--the good things is that there is always more stuff.

Mary & Jones & Cole