ROMAN PIAZZA OBELISKS

All I bought yesterday was this pair of blue & white elephant obelisk lamps (and they were very pricey). Both G and I loved them (G more than I). I have seen similar representations of this form of obelisk, but didn't know where the original came from and vowed to investigate. After buying the lamps, I went to shop to take photos of a set of 8 Fornasetti plates.

As you know, I frequently write about Serendipity and the joy it brings me to know that I'm connected to so much that I'm only marginally aware of.)

Anyway, here is the second plate that I photographed

Yep, there is the elephant obelisk--It's a real obelisk situated in the Piazza di Minerva.........I didn't even need to open the computer or go down any rabbits holes to satisfy my quest to identify the obelisks. And that is also connection.

I'm so excited that Fall is approaching.....I do not like the heat and we need rain desperately. As I studied the paler blue sky and wispy clouds this morning, I could almost smell Fall in the (crisper?) ocean breezes.

Blessings for the next to the last real summer week-end.

Mary & Jones & Cole

PS Not going to talk about my joy over what is happen in mr. small t's world.

GORGEOUS IRON WORK

This amazing table was at auction today. When I previewed yesterday, I immediately spotted the table and fell in love. I couldn't believe the condition of the tiles......they seemed to be old, but no wear? The forged iron was spectacular and I was sure that it must have been old, but it's not.........

Tonight as I was going over the photos and enlarged one of them, I spotted a signature "Bushere & Son" on one leg. Of course, I had to investigate.

Bushere & Son is currently making this table in their workshop (really artist's studio) in Corona, California--about 30 miles from me.

I didn't realize that this high quality iron was still being forged in the US. I was sure that this table was an antique English or Spanish piece. 

You can go to their website www.bushereandson.com

to view and order these gorgeous tables and many more Spanish Revival type objects.

I'm still speechless.

I'll get back to my usual postings--have had a lot on my plate.

Blessings for the week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

SPANISH COLONIAL "NICHO" or NICHE SANTO

Last week G and I bought an stunning Spanish Colonial Processional altar crucifix. I believe this beautiful piece is 18th c. Mexican, but it could be Peruvian, Ecuadorian or even Brazilian. The nicho or altar measures a full 25 inches in height. The truly exceptional factor is that the nicho has not had any restorations and has survived intact for over 200 years. Of course there are minor losses, especially to the painted surface, but this is normal for nichos of this age and its frequent use in religious rites over its long life span.

I'm adding several detail photos of the Santo. I'm truly ambivalent about selling this beautiful object--my being strongly reliant on my faith and having been raised in Mexico and having spent many years in Spain has a lot to do with this ambivalence. And I think its beautiful.

Sending blessing for the coming week--thanks for visiting.
(Jones needs prayers for his back--chiropractor visit today)

Mary & Jones & Cole

LALO STRIKES AGAIN--he did an amazing job!!

This little sofa is already drawing everyone's attention...Lalo did an amazing job with the upholstery. I love the contrast of the herringbone tweed against the turn-of-the-century carved mahogany frame which I call Corinthian meets Chippendale.

Here's what the sofa looked like when I bought him

Now he's so much more handsome in a proper suit.

Here's a shot of the accompanying chair pre-Lalo

And here's what he looks like all cleaned up

I just love his very sexy funky legs

Lalo also brought back the pair of Karges benches--here's a before shot

And here's what they look like now

Roberto still has a bit of restoration work left and then these funky guys will be ready to go. The benches are quite generous and will be perfect at the end of a bed. Lalo is truly a master at tufting--it's not that easy.

I brought home lots of great "stuff" last Thursday, but I just finished watching "Capote" and my head is still attempting to process the movie. I do not see how it would be possible for an actor to survive emotionally after creating this film. The world lost a  powerful creative with the loss of Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

BIBLIOTHEQUES vs. ARMOIRES

A few weeks ago, I purchased a charming early 18th c. French Regence Bibliotheque. Armoires are not selling very well, but the much rarer and more desirable bibliotheque is another matter.

I love this little guy--he's only about 78" high and about 15" deep and in very good condition for his age: he dates to c.1730-30 and appears to be all original. I do need to have a new key made. Sometime in the second half of the 20th c. he was lined in a French blue & (off) white toile which is also still in good condition. Here are a couple of detail shots

The simplicity of the shell carving and the carved outlined door panels plus the original patinated white oak make this country piece adaptable to almost any room--even a bathroom? Shoe collection? Or just books, as this was its original purpose. I love to find 18th c. pieces that have not been embellished by a 20th c. artistic impulse (ie., bleaching or other faux finishes)--there is nothing that equals the caress of a polished hard wax finish.

Well, it's off to bed--need to get Mr. Jones to the salon early tomorrow.

Blessings for the week.

Mary & Jones & Cole

ART DECO UPDATE

In November of last year, I purchased a pair of these very deteriorated French Art Deco Consoles. They were very sad.... 

These poor boys had lost their tops and were really scratched up......but I knew that their bones were good and  that they were macassar ebony. (One 6' x 4' sheet of macassar ebony sells for about $1200!!). And being the adventurer that I am, I knew that I (Camilo) could restore their beauty.

And here they are waiting to be picked up by the finish specialist

The consoles' surfaces will be refinished in a slightly lighter stain than the current very dark support structure. Yes! Camilo did a fantastic job. Now on to Rolando.

Mary & Jones & Cole

BEFORE & AFTER --A little chair's journey

Lalo brought back the little 18th c. provincial French chairs yesterday......and they look so chic and of the  moment as opposed to the "bordello" red that they were dressed in at auction. Lalo can do an absolutely amazing job when he's focused (at other times--he's a little distracted. Insert unhappy face here.). He did a bang-up job on these guys....

From the outside, the chairs appeared to be very stable, but when he took off the old upholstery, the chairs needed to have the "blocks" and legs tightened/stabilized to get them ship-shape for another 200 years of life. 

Here is what these guys look like now. The putty-toned 100% raw Belgium linen has undertones of silver that bring out the deep natural patina of the frames. The original chair finish was a classic French greenish putty color which has turned into this amazing patinated suface.

Don't they look snappy? Patinated nail heads, too!! Love you--Lalo. (I'll be really sad when I use up all of this great fabric as it suits so many different style of furniture without being a boring simple linen.)

Lalo also brought back Gerry's pair of mid-century Venetian gilt "grotto" chairs. Here's what they looked like before Lalo (sorry about the poor quality of photo) (that fabric does nothing for the chairs)......

And here's what these iconic carved Gold Leafed Shell back "Grotto" chairs look like now

We had a length of very high-end Italian silk velvet in this deep blush tone. Lalo put nail heads on these guys, too--just a bit of extra pop!!

Well, it's going to be a scorching week and I'm not anticipating leaving the beach to work in LA and Pasadena....we're usually about 10 to 15 degrees cooler (sometimes more).

Jones is not doing that well--I'm taking him to a veterinary chiropractor next week. That pinched nerve is really slowing him down (but not when it comes to stealing cat food).

Sending blessing for the coming week.

(I hate mention mr. small t--but we need to get together to pray for our nation and the members of both the Senate and House to bring them to the level of patriots.)

Mary & Jones & Cole