CHAIRS, CHAIRS and MORE CHAIRS and DROP FRONT SECRETAIRES

Darren took me to an estate sales yesterday........I went to look at some French 18th century engravings of monkeys......but look what I brought home. (Sorry about quality of the photo--it was taken at the sale and I had to erase some one's Ipad from seat and water bottle from floor) The minute I saw the chair, I knew that it was a great one--the highly carved splat, great klismos form, flamed mahogany and carved legs were making it sing. But I wasn't quite sure of its origin. After I got home, I started researching the chair----it's Danish and of an exceptional form. All it needs is for Lalo to reupholster the slip seat--and I think I will have just enough Clarence House Blue velvet left for the seat. Here's another shot of the chair that shows the elegant klismos back sweep. It's pretty handsome.

I scored on the chair...but I think I over paid for this gorgeous American Butler's or Secretaire chest.

I think that I was swept away by the beauty of this chest.....and it is gorgeous. Plus I am a bit rusty regarding the important details of American furniture. I will be replacing the inappropriate hardware and the leather writing surface on the fall front. Additionally, the chest has been refinished--which would not be such a negative for an English piece--on American furniture the original patinated surface is what collectors look for. But its beautiful flamed mahogany veneer and inlay detailing, combined with the simplicity of the interior fittings, bring its status way up. The French feet and scrolled front also bring it up a notch. 

I think I'm just about done buying secretaire chests: I have the Gustavian chest c.1790-1800....

...

And the George I/II secretaire chest c.1725-30...

Of course, if a great French Abattant or Italian..maybe a mid-19th century faux bamboo drop front like this one that sold a while ago

Or maybe a French late Louis XVI Abattant like this guy that I sold a few years ago........

Anyway, I'm happy with what God has given me.

Sending blessings for the week...99 days and counting...............

Mary

I THINK I'VE DEVELOPED A PROBLEM--NEW INVENTORY

I love what I do--the hunt, the gifts (God dropping finds in my lap to provide my daily bread), interacting with trades people, learning something every day--and my wonderful clients.

But I think I am developing a small problem: I do not have an extra inch of space in the shop. I am firmly committed to the principle of not having inventory in storage, but it looks like I may be headed in that direction. Or--I can stop this buying problem. 

I haven't decided in which direction to go, but this amazing recamier/daybed will not fit--not even if I stand it on end.

Of course, the two main issues are (1) I love the hunt; (2) You have to buy when you find a great item because you know it won't wait for you to come back or to have made space for it.

So I put that decision off for another day last Thursday and bought that amazing French Directoire Style Recamier (daybed); so now I have four recamiers!!??

The price point on this piece was just too good to pass on.

Here are a couple of detail photos

The upholstery, although vintage, is in near mint condition--and just look at the quality of the workmanship and the yards and yards and yards of (most probably) Scalamandre silk braid.......just too good to let it go.

I also found (and bought) a very rare form of French Faux Bamboo Secretaire a Abattant (secretary).

I managed to squeeze in this piece with 0 inches to spare. And I already have two requests for more information and one person put it on hold. Which means that if I had gone passive, deciding that I didn't have enough space and that I shouldn't buy it, I would have lost a great sale..........like most things in life: there are no perfect solutions.

We are frying here in Southern California. I now live within 3 miles of the beach and it usually never goes above 85*; but right now the temperature is reading 102* with humidity at about 10%--those desert winds are rolling in.

I'm watching the debate tonight and praying for our girl.

Blessings for the week.

Mary, Jones & Cole

ADVENTURES IN LOCKDOM---WITH CARLOS

I love Muriel Brandolini's work--always deep, multi-cultural, textured and full of color. As shown on the cover of her book, Brandolini does period-inspired rooms exceedingly well. So I photographed the lock & key positioned on her photos as my little abattant might just work in a Brandolini room--the position is just a tad bit tongue-in-cheek.

Carlos was so sweet to stop what he was doing (and he is in demand) to see if he could make me a key for the lock that I brought in

  

First off, Carlos noticed that this lock had been tampered with.......Carlos: "Is the other lock on the doors also broken?"  Me: "Yes, it is also broken." Carlos: .....(after a very long pause) "I think there must be something of value in the abattant, but the thieves (?) couldn't open the fall front."

HIDDEN TREASURE!!!!!!!!?????????? Boy could I use a cool million or two just popped into my head.

But first making the key..........turns out these 18th c. locks are a bit more fussy than I had envisioned. (18th c. locks are made entirely by hand and the creator could add little tricks/traps to the lock, if he desired.)

But Carlos got to work and in a matter of a few minutes he created a new key (using an old 18th c. key) by drilling and filing and then drilling and filing a second time.

  

Of course, the KEY question remains: WILL THIS NEW KEY ALSO OPEN THE FALL FRONT OF THE ABATTANT?

(And reveal the hidden treasure inside--I'll give Carlos some after I count it all in my treasure house.......)

One final note: If the key doesn't work, I will have to hire two guys to load the abattant into the Explorer and take the ________ over to Carlos. At that point he will try to very carefully jack open the fall front millimeter by millimeter to the point where the latch simply slides by. Of course, the KEY ADVENTURE may cost me more than the abattant.             Howard, are you listening? This is all your fault.

Please: prayers that the key slips in smoothly and opens the fall front to reveal my HIDDEN TREASURE.

Have a wonderful summer week-end. Home made Blueberry pie with home made ice cream......Anyone?

Be well.

Mary & Jones & Cole