CHAIR UPDATES--(Addiction Updates)

This is Bob, a master upholsterer. I just picked up my Cockfighting/Reading Chair from Bob. And true to form, the workmanship is exquisite. If I want my antique chairs done right, I always take them to Bob. Yes, he is pricey, but I never have to worry, as Bob is always in top form.

I chose to upholster this chair in Edelman leather and "hammered" brass nail heads. Bob's seams, as well as his nail applications are always perfect. There are many, many nail heads and each one is perfectly positioned.

This Cockfighting chair dates to c. 1820-25 and is a wonderful example of this form, although  simple in style.

NEXT UP:

My pair of late 19th/early 20th c. French Chauffeuse. This charming pair of little chairs was a sleeper at the auction because they looked like this...... 

     

Very bedraggled, with damage to the caned back of one chair, etc. But Bob did a wonderful job on bringing them back to their original glory. To create perfect cushions, Bob makes a new pattern and stitches a dummy cushion to ensure that the curves perfectly match the shape of the chair. I chose a Beacon Hill green with gold silk strie and trimmed them in a 19th c. French green and gold metallic ribbon instead of gimp. Don't they look fantastic with the early 20th c. Fortuny pillows which are also trimmed in 19th c. gold and silver fringe?  (Roberto is coming next week to complete work on the finish) NOW:  to find a buyer.

Move Update:

Nothing much has happened this week--looks like next week the paneling will get installed and things will get crackin'.

Jones' leg is better, but he still can't exercise for another week or so......will my shoes survive? Jones is the master stealth shoe destroyer if he doesn't get enough exercise and he always picks the newest pair to work on.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary and Jones (& Cole)

THURSDAY'S FINDS and DUTCH MIRROR UPDATE

Here are the Thursday finds. I know that they don't look so great right now, but just wait. The campaign chest is perfect just the way it is and when I inspected the stand, it turned out to be original to the chest! It is rather unusual to find an original stand which will disassemble for moving on to the next military post. The little boudoir chairs date to c. 1930's; the cane on one of the chairs is damaged--I'll probably reupholster them (including the backs) in a soft lime green to match the faint green detail paint. I love these chairs--they have an attitude with their sexy little legs and high back. And last up is the cockfighting chair.......it looks a little sad with its dirty old ribbed green upholstery (still retains its original horse hair structure--which is good) but I have been saving an Edelman leather black leather hide for a chair just like this. So this guy will be off to the upholsterer to be fitted with the leather and patinated nail heads on Monday. (I just wish that this chair were a bit older and had a bit more ATTITUDE, but it is what it is. Can you imagine finding an actual George III cockfighting chair with not another soul knowing what it was???)

Dutch Mirror Update:

   

We are still working on the restoration of the interior molding. As you can see, it doesn't look like much has been added, but in reality there are several more hours of work given to the interior ebonized molding. It is a process and can't be rushed. I just wish that Roberto weren't so busy, but I'm happy with what I see.

For months I haven't sold any Fortuny pillows--and this week I have sold ten of them....you just never know what will sell and what will be a wall-flower. Thank goodness I just bought a beautiful panel of antique, c. 1920's, Fortuny fabric to replenish my stash. This purchase was a leap of faith as it was very pricey and I was walking on water considering the demise of pillow sales. I can't wait to find the perfect backing silk (I already have the antique silver--actual silver in thread--fringe).

Jones says "hi"--he is so happy to be gorgeous once again and cool! It is still blazing here, although the nights have started to cool down a bit.

I just bought 2 gorgeous pounds of WILD MEXICAN SHIP--the best and most flavorful of North American shrimp and they are big ones, too (and on sale). Will share these  at dinner tonight with my wonderful neighbors who are moving next week-end to a new house (I'm sad as we have been the best of neighbors).

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Mary & Jones

AUCTION TIME---I SCORED!!! I SCORED!!!

I haven't been going to auction lately--it is soooooo hot in the warehouse and I have absolutely no room (it is getting to be a problem....). But since business has picked up a bit and with a little play money in hand, I went to my favorite auction today.

Remember my chair addiction? Well, I promised that I would not, under any circumstances buy any more chairs. Well, the bid came up on an adorable pair of Italian/French Boudoir chairs and the auctioneer couldn't get an opening bid. So I thought that I would help him out and opened the bid at $50 (these chairs usually go for much, much more money; so I thought that I was safe. Not so. I now own an adorable pair of caned-back Louis-legged boudoir chairs that are really nothing like the ones below, but I thought that I would simply plug in the photo.

My chairs have a high caned back and legs and seats similar to these.

Next up:

A camphor wood campaign chest on newer stand. I think the chest dates to the mid to late 19th c. and is in great condition and already fitted to a custom stand. There were two of these camphor wood chests and somehow I missed the larger one (Never loose your focus at auction is rules No. 1!), but I'm happy with my little guy who looks a lot like the one below, but smaller.

  

   

But the piece de resistance was a single English Regency chair that was mismarked as a "game" chair.

I took one look at it and said: "mine!!!!!!!" I guess that I was the only one to know that it was a c.1810-1815 "Cockfighting" or "Reading" chair. These chairs are pretty uncommon, especially in Los Angeles. So it became mine. The photo below is of a George III Cockfighting chair in all original condition and at a top New York antiques gallery (M.S. Rau). The one I just bought is similar in form, but the legs are fluted mahogany ending in original casters.

  

I bought a few more things.......and I have to admit: I bought another chair. I collect 18th and early 19th century children's chairs....and here was the cutest  19th c. French Provencal high chair in walnut (these usually go for about $250)......Once again, the auctioneer couldn't get an opening bid; so I opened the bid for him at $25.  And there was no further bidding.  You see, it is not really my fault---I simply have good chair karma.

I'm taking the high chair home for Mia. She will finally have something that her sisters don't. And thank goodness I'm not going to have arbitrate the coming scene when Lauren realizes that there is only one chair and that it's for Mia.

I did get something else....but I'm saving it for the next post when I have a chance to take photos of my loot.

Jones says "Hi"--he has to stay home on auction day and hates it.

Have a wonderful early start to the week-end. It is still blistering here--Jones is getting "done" tomorrow which will help him stay cool.

Thanks for joining us.

Mary and Jones (Mini is in the bad cat dog house)