Antique Desire
AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK APRIL 8TH: RAGO ARTS AND AUCTION CENTER
by Kelly Keating on 04/08/13
This week I have 5 auction finds all from Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, New Jersey. The auction is on April 19th and all the items in the auction are being offered without reserve.
The first item, lot 476, is a French sideboard from the 1940's with a sleek, geometric design and a post-Art Deco feel. The oak and sycamore piece has lovely parquetry doors with brass fittings and the blond finish to the wood makes the piece feel light and exuberant. Although more than 70 years old, it would complement any modern setting. It is being offered with an estimate of $2,000-3,000.
Also in a light wood, a bleached mahogany, is a pair of American Art Deco 1920's side tables, lot 147. The pair of tables are wonderfully architectural with a large circle on a rectangular plinth bisected in the middle with a similar shaped shelf and topped with another rectangular piece. The pieces are quite bold and would be the centerpiece of any drawing room perhaps with a simpler couch and a rug that echoes their geometry. The side tables are estimated at $400-600 which is quite inexpensive for such an expressive pair of tables.
The next find, lot 133, is also from the Art Deco era- a pair of aluminum table lamps by Storco in Kenilworth, New Jersey. Perhaps this pait would look well on the side tables or the sideboard discussed above. This pair of lamps exude a very Metropolis, machine age feel in their shape and material. The lamps are being offered with an estimate of $300-400.
The fourth piece found at Rago, lot 126, is the final piece of Art Deco design in this week's finds- a chic garnish box made of silverplated brass with a glass insert for use on a bar. The style of the piece exhibits the skyscraper style of the 1930's such as The Empire State Building completed in 1931 and The Chrysler Building completed in 1930 with its geometric shapes and crowning finial. The piece was made by Louis Rice of Apollo Studios. The estimate for this item is $700-900.
The final piece from the Rago auction is a strong departure from the Art Deco items alreay mentioned- lot 435, a 19th century Louis XVI painted wood side chair. While this chair is a traditional item, what gives it its edge is the use of commercial sack cloth to upholster the piece. This use of fabric is not really new, but I like the look of distressed, painted wood of the chair and the textured and graphic quality of the sack cloth. It would be wonderful to do a French inspired room with several traditional pieces covered in this industrial material. How about these Louis XVI chairs in a dining room with a glass table and the French 1940's sideboard mentioned above? I think that would look fab. This chair has a estimate of $400-600.
So, check out the Rago April 19th auction for some great pieces and probably some great deals.
Kelly T Keating- [email protected]
AUCTION FIND OF THE WEEK APRIL 1ST: STERLING CANDLESTICKS
by Kelly Keating on 04/05/13
This week's auction find is a pair of sterling candlesticks by Graff, Washbourne & Dunn and retailed by J.E. Caldwell, probably early 20th century in date. The pair of sticks are a profusion of swirls and curls in the Rococo style. They are up for auction on April 6th at Skinner in Boston, lot 181, with a pre-sale estimate of $500-700.
This pair of sticks is a great height at 9.75". A grouping of 3 pairs on a dining room table with different heights and different styles would look wonderful. And perhaps a large tureen in the center? Or an interestingly shaped piece of art glass? So, start your tablescape today with these sterling Rococo style sticks and add other pieces to finish off a gorgeous dining room table or use them as the starting point of a great mantelscape!
Kelly T Keating
[email protected]
AUCTION FIND OF THE WEEK MARCH 25TH: ART DECO SIDE CABINETS
by Kelly Keating on 03/26/13
Hello everyone and welcome to Antique Desire the blog for The Antique Flâneur. Auction Find of the Week will be a new weekly post on Antique Desire where I scour the worldwide auction market for interesting and unusual lots to bring to your attention.
This week I found a fabulous pair of red lacquered Chinoiserie style Art Deco side tables with gilt X design on the front face and a gilt border as well, 1930's in date and probably of American manufacture. The pair are being auctioned at Showplace Antique + Design Center in New York City, lot 621, on March 28 with a pre-sale estimate of $600-800.
What a stylish pair for such a great price. There is touch of Chinoiserie, a touch of Art Deco and a trace of Hollywood Regency all combined to make a fab and bold pair. Wouldn't these be amazing as the signature pieces of a living room or bedroom?
What a stylish, chic pair and for such a great price. There is touch of Chinoiserie, a touch of Art Deco and a trace of Hollywood Regency all combined to make a striking and bold pair. Wouldn't these be amazing as the signature pieces of a living room or as bedroom nightstands? As the epic Diana Vreeland said, "Red is the great clarifier - bright, cleansing, revealing. It makes all colors beautiful. I can't imagine being bored with it - it would be like becoming tired of the person you love. I wanted this apartment to be a garden - but it had to be a garden in hell." Don't become bored, bid on these great side tables on March 28th.
Kelly T Keating
www.theantiqueflaneur.com
Silver Sale
by Kelly Keating on 10/13/11
I currently have 3 interesting pieces of silver for sale on eBay and 3 wonderful pieces also for sale on my website. Each piece would make a lovely gift for the silver collector in your life or someone who just appreciates antiques.
The first item for sale on eBay is a rare and unusual piece of tobacciana- a sterling silver pipe rack from the Edwardian period.
This English piece is clearly hallmarked London 1907 by the silversmith George Betjemann & Sons which was founded in 1851. The rack measures 5.75" in length x 2.75" in width x 3.375" in height and it weighs 2.95 ounces. It has a lovely delicate and swirled design that is evocative of the refinement and restraint of the Edwardian period in contrast to the indulgent fussiness of the Victorians.
The pipe rack can hold 4 pipes. In one of the spoon shape bowls that holds a pipe there is a monogram of PMB in a block lettering. Smoking memorabilia can be very collectible especially this uncommon example in silver. Starting bid at $25.99.
The second piece for sale on eBay is a late 19th century German hand-chased silverplate trio of sugar, creamer and tray by B. Bohrmann of Frankfurt.
The sugar bowl measures 3" in diameter at the mouth, 1.875" at the base diameter and 2" in height. The creamer measures 3.25" at the mouth's widest point, 1.875" at the base diameter and 2" in height. The tray measures 7" x 5". The interior of both the creamer and sugar have the subtle remains of an elegant gold wash. All the items in the trio have a lovely undulating edge that looks like a swirling silver ribbon. The handle of the creamer is constructed of 2 pieces of metal that resemble the cut tendrils of a vine. Its elegant curve echoes and complements the rippling profile of the creamer’s circumference. Besides the edge detail all 3 pieces of the set have a nicely detailed chased decoration that in its wavy lines complements the swirling profiles of the trio. This chased embellishment resembles waves as they crash on the shoreline and then recede creating a bubbling foam. Or it evokes a stylized shell. Either way there is the suggestion of water and the sea. This decoration seems almost late Aesthetic or proto-Art Nouveau in its curving forms and lines as well as its references to nature.The mark of the finial and the 2 “B”s on each piece seems to indicate a date from 1871 when the Bohrmann factory was founded to 1894 when the mark appears to have changed to a complete spelling of the name “Bohrmann” rather than merely initials. My guess is that the piece is on the latter side of that range, 1890 or so with its Aesthetic and almost Art Nouveau form and styling. All 3 pieces are in excellent condition with no plate loss, breaks or significant scratches just the general signs of age and use. Starting bid for the set is $29.99.
The final item for sale on eBay is a sterling silver pickle fork by Whiting in the elegant and ornate Old King pattern introduced in 1890.
The fork measures 6.125" in length and was used to serve pickles from a relish tray. This piece is marked on the reverse with the Whiting hallmark, "sterling" and the letter "I". The piece has a lovely and intricate AH monogram and weighs .85 ounces. A great piece of 19th century American sterling that with its variation on a traditional pattern would coordinate with most other silver patterns. Buy It Now for $29.
The following 2 pieces are for sale on The Flaneur website. The first is a gorgeous gilt sterling berry spoon by John R. Wendt in the "Bird" pattern which was introduced in 1865. With its bird motif it demonstrates the influence of Japanese art on American silver.
When found this spoon had a slight crack to the back of the bowl. The spoon has been repaired, restored and regilt by an expert silversmith and now it is in excellent condition. The handle motif has crisp detailing as does the engraving around the bowl edge. The berry spoon measures 10.25" and weighs 2.98 ounces. Price is $325.
The final piece I have for sale on The Flaneur website is actually a set of 6 silverplate medallion coffee spoons or 5 o'clock spoons. The spoons feature a medallion head of a Greek or Roman soldier wearing a plumed helmet and have a lovely twisted stems. Made by R Strickland of Albany which was in business from 1857-1884, the spoons are 5.125" in length. They were replated and are in excellent condition with crisp detailing. Price is $98 for the set.
If you are looking for a specific piece of silver not found in this sale whether it is sterling or plate, English, American or continental, contact me at [email protected] and I can assist you.
Notes on Interior Design: Turning Over A New Leaf
by Kelly Keating on 10/13/11
My dear friend and fellow Trinity College alumnus, Alexandra Conroy, has started a wonderful and innovative business, New Leaf Furnishings, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. New Leaf Furnishings finds delightful, vintage pieces of furniture or uses pieces you already own and revitalizes them through custom upholstery and refinishing. It is the most elegant form of recycling to help you redesign and reconceptualize your home.
Alexandra can come to your home and evaluate the furniture you presently have and make suggestions of ways in which to reimagine certain pieces through a change of fabric or finish to suite your lifestyle. She has access to a wide range of interesting and different fabrics. Also, New Leaf Furnishings can look for a a new vintage furnishing to add to your home to achieve the look and atmosphere that you desire.
Here are some wonderful before and after photos of furniture re-energized by New Leaf Furnishings:
Whenever I am looking for vintage furniture for a client I always consult New Leaf Furnishings for intriquing finds. Plus, I know that New Leaf Furnishings can provide my client with unique fabric choices for this furniture which will satisfy and delight them!
