Olexander Wlasenko; "Dance"

Well, the weekend is off to a teriffic start.  We just picked up a new Olexander from our framer and it looks sensational.  We had it framed and matted in black, and it works perfectly for this piece. In addition, this is one of our favorite Olelxander's to date.  It's entitled "Dance" and was inspired by the final scenes of the Italian classic "La Corruzione" released in 1963.  It depicts the revelry and carefree lifestyle in the days of "la dolce vita".  Cool moves, good vibe.  66" l., 39 1/2" h. SOLD

Ornate Mirror

Classic and highly decorative gold gilt mirror.  It is a great size, great quality and the mirrored glass has a wide beveled edge.  33" w., 45" h.  c. 20th c.  SOLD

"Century Furniture Company" Asian Modern Desk

Fine and luxurious Asian Modern desk by Century Furniture.  This elegant desk has a rich burled top and drawers and ebonized legs and frame.  It has three drawers with very handsome hardware. The back is finished so it can float in a room or be used as a partners desk.  55" l, 30" w., 30" h.  American, c.1970's SOLD

"Maurizio Tempestini for Salterini" Seating Group

Palm Springs Cool!  This rare and outstanding seating group by Florentine designer Maurizio Tempestini (1908-1960) was produced by the John B. Salterini Company.  As noted in an earlier post, John B. Salterini emigrated from Italy to New York in the 1920's and began producing the finest and highest quality iron furniture from his Brooklyn studio in the 1930's.  Initially he was producing pieces mainly for the New York "establishment".  Eventually the company expanded production to meet the growing demand for their furniture, but still maintained the highest standards of quality and design.  This very versatile six piece "Ribbon" seating group is comprised of three chairs which can be used individually or as a two seater and a single chair, two glass top side tables which are two-tiered, and a glass top coffee table.  The set has been fully restored but retains it's original pink leatherette cushions.  The cushions are beautifully upholstered and are in great condition.  The seat cushions have brass air vents.  This is a sensational set that would add a chic pop to a sun room, patio or even a living room.  Originally, these pieces were used as much indoors as out.

3 Chairs 27" l., 27" w., 30" h.
2 Side Tables 21 1/2" l., 24" w., 20" h.
Coffee Table 39" l., 23 1/2" w., 16" h.
American, c. 1952  SOLD

  

"American of Martinsville" Chest

This handsome Asian Modern chest was made by American of Martinsville.  It has two deep drawers with brass hardware and a closed compartment with a door that has gold gilt accents and a brass pull.  It is finished in a rich ebony stain and has gold gilt decoration on the base and a gold stenciled top.  It would look great as a side table between two upholstered chairs.  27" l., 27" w., 21" h.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

Italian Glass

We have recently brought into the shop a selection of Venetian/ Murano glass from the personal collection of New York artist Ramon Santiago (1943-2001).  Santiago was a painter who exhibited internationally and who was also an avid collector.  This is a sampling of some of the beautiful and varied bowls, dishes and decorative objects that are currently on display.  $45.00-$145.00

French Provincial Style Dining Table

Exceptional French Provincial style oak dining table with a tan leather tooled and gold embossed top.  The table features a scalloped apron and cabriole legs.  It is custom quality, very finely constructed, and comes with two leaves.  The table is pictured without any leaves and also with one leaf added.  It measures 30" high and 48" in diameter with no leaves.  Each leaf is 21" and fully extended the table opens to 90"  c. 1950's  SOLD

"Muller and Barringer for Kittinger" Coffee Table

Iconic table designed by Theodore Muller and Isabel Barringer for Kittenger Furniture Co.  This fantastic "lotus" table was introduced in 1940 and has an open cylinder black lacquered base with a gilt, lacquered and oil drop finished wood top.  48" diam., 15" h.  American, c. 1950  SOLD

Italian Giltwood Mirror

Stunning Venetian style carved giltwood mirror.  This octagonal mirror has a triple mirror frame and a nice classic/ modern balance.  42" l., 32" w.  Italian, c. 1960  SOLD

"Arthur Court; Sea Lion"

Have you always wanted to own a Jeff Koons but found the the multimillion-dollar prices a bit prohibitive?  Perhaps an Arthur Court is the answer.  Arthur Court began designing in San Francisco in the late sixties working primarily in metal.  Starting in the late seventies, his pieces were being sold in luxury department stores like Neiman Marcus, I. Magnin and Gumps.  His early pieces from the late seventies and early eighties have become quite sought after by collectors.  This magnificent and monumental sea lion with red stone eyes is from a very limited edition and is signed, numbered (12) and dated 1982.  While it packs a big decorative punch, it is also a utilitarian object.  The large cast aluminum hollow body has a hinged head and tail which open for use as a champagne bucket.  24" l., 16" h., 13" w.  American, c. 1982  SOLD

Milo Baughman Style Chairs

If you have been eyeing our travertine marble table but wondering what type of chairs to choose, we found the perfect set.  This set of four Milo Baughman style chairs are modern, timeless, have great lines and are really comfortable.  The bases and legs are polished chrome and the upholstered seats are done in an ivory slubbed cotton fabric.  Both the chrome and upholstery are in excellent condition.  American, c. 1970  $795.00 for the set

"Henredon" Asian Modern Console Table

A very beautiful and unusual Asian influenced console or sofa table (or desk) by Henredon.  The table has a medium toned mahogany top. The carved frame has it's original finish which has the appearance of deep green marble or jade.  58" l., 16" w., 30" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

Horse Head Bookends

Beautiful pair of cast metal horse head bookends with a brass and patinated bronze finish.  5 1/2" h., 5 1/2" l. 3 1/2" w.  American, c. 1950 SOLD

"Carstens" Mid-Century Vase

Large table or floor vase by "Carstens" with a deep brown inner glaze and an off white glaze on the exterior which has applied leaf, circle and diamond decoration.  20" h., 7" diam.  West Germany  SOLD

Travertine Marble Dining Table

This stylish travertine marble dining table has a rectangular pedestal base and a beveled top.  As a dining table, it would seat six very comfortably, but it would also make a great desk or feature table in a large room.  60 1/2" l., 36 1/2" w. 28 1/2" h.  Italian, 2nd half 20th c. $1,150.00

Modernist Brass Table Lamp

Parzinger/ Nessen style brass modernist table lamp.  This very smart tripod lamp sits on a brass ring base and comes with what I believe to be it's original linen shade.  29" h., 14" diam. American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Thomas O'dea; "Andersonville Prison, Fort Sumter, GA"

Often times when I look at vintage or antique pieces I wonder about the lives they have lived.  What kind of parties did those 1970's chairs witness in that Manhattan apartment?  Who were the beautiful French women, and men, who took one last glance in that 19th c. mirror before a night out on the town in Paris?  With this original lithograph of the Civil War prison at Fort Sumter, completed by Thomas O'dea in 1885, it went deeper.  When I removed the print to clean the frame, I saw the time and care someone had taken to redraw areas of the print that had been lost over time.  It was a very evocative moment for me, especially being American, and led me to continue my task with a certain sense of reverence.  I thought about the importance and horror of the War, the lives lost and the fact that this is an important historical remembrance.  The lithograph is by no means in excellent condition.  It has been repaired, there are pieces missing and it was at one time varnished which has given it an almost leather like patina.  However, while I generally like things in excellent condition, with this piece it doesn't seem to detract, but adds another layer of depth and meaning.  Following are remarks from the National Park Service and then comments on the piece by the artist:

 After the Civil War, drawings of Andersonville Prison became very popular. Probably the most famous drawing was done by Private Thomas O'Dea who served in Company E of the 16th Regiment Maine Infantry and who survived his confinement at Andersonville. He decided to draw a picture of the stockade, not to revive war issues or prejudices and animosities, but to show a true picture of the prison. Private O'Dea's picture became very well-known     


I never drew a picture before in my life. Were I an artist, I could have completed it in a short time. I commenced this work in the winter of 1879 and finished it in 1885 devoting to it my leisure moments for over 5 years. To gratify my own desires I resolved to attempt the task knowing that if successful, my production would be immediately recognized as a faithful and accurate picture of the original prison and vicinity. I have seen different pictures of the subject by different authors. The inaccuracies of all these pictures induced me to try my hand at producing one, hoping in the venture that I would be able to supply the deficiencies, correct the misrepresentations of the rest, and give the public a true description of the prison, and view of the sufferings of its inmates. In executing the work, I had no picture, map, plan, or scale to guide or instruct me, but I relied upon and drew the whole subject from memory. To the casual observer, such a thing may be looked upon as absurd and impossible, that it is impossible after such a length of time for "memory" to retain such a perfect list and one of details as here portrayed and that I must have had assistance from some other source to be able to present such a vast combination of characters and situations in so perfect manner. Ah, my friends, had you been there and experienced the sufferings that, in common with the thousands of other unfortunates who "were there," you too, like myself, would have the whole panorama photographed in your memory to remain there to your dying day. For a period of 12 months I resided in the "Prison Pens" of the South, as a "Guest" of the "Confederacy." There is not a man born that can accurately describe the scenes and sufferings of those who were imprisoned in those southern hells. ONE HAD TO BE THERE TO WITNESS AND UNDERSTAND IT!

64" l., 44" h., framed.  American, c. 1885
SOLD

Advertising Flyer for O'dea's Famous Picture

 Monumental Framed Lithograph

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 restored area with hand drawn figures

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