The Beautiful South

We arrived back in Canada yesterday after a great vacation in the Carolinas and Georgia.  We visited some beautiful and very interesting places, Charleston, Beaufort, Savannah, but I think the best part of the trip was Asheville, NC.  Asheville is a gem of a large town/ small city tucked into the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The town has a very cool Burlington, VT meets Seattle vibe and is chock-full of galleries, wonderful architecture and great restaurants.  It is also the location of the largest home in America, Biltmore, which was built and is still owned by the Vanderbilt family.  While in NC we made a brief pilgrimage to Hickory, the home of Hickory Chair Co. as well as the Century Furniture Company, and got a little tour of the furniture museum.  We are relaxed, refreshed and inspired, and looking forward to getting back to business this week.  We are also looking forward to adding lots of new pieces to the blog.  Wishing everyone a happy and safe Canada Day weekend!

Porcelain Bowl

Large, signed, hand painted bowl with a colorful and lively design of cranes and flowers.  The cream colored background is done in a matt glaze and the decoration is done in a higher gloss adding even more visual interest to this very appealing piece.  12" diam., 6" h.  Chinese, mid 20th c.  SOLD

Asian Modern Coffee Table

Sophisticated Asian Modern mahogany coffee table with classic lines and beautiful color and grain.  It is a great size for a smaller space.  36" l., 22" w., 17" h.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

Mid-Century Vase

Great shape, design and glaze on this white matte mid-century handled vase.  12" h., 5 1/2" l., 3 1/2" w.  West German, c. 1960  SOLD

"Arthur Umanoff for Raymor" Set of 5 Bar Stools

Cool, modern design on this set of five bar stools designed by Arthur Umanoff for Raymor.  The frames are painted iron and the seats and back rests are made of maple slats.  They are great looking, comfortable and easy care (no upholstery).  Seat 29" h., back 42" h. 17" l., 15" w.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

"Basic Witz" Chest

This is a smaller, three drawer version of a Basic Witz chest we recently listed.  It is a nice size to use next to a bed, but it would also work nicely in a living room, den, etc.  It is clean lined and modern and has simple, patinated  brass drawer pulls.  The pulls are highlighted by contrasting inlaid veneer discs.  34" l., 18" w., 30" h.   American, c. 1960  SOLD

Chinoiserie Secretary

Sophisticated, diminutive, Chinoiserie secretary with lots of visual interest.  The secretary is ebonized with painted and embossed decoration.  The top has two key lock glass doors which open to a compartment with two adjustable shelves.  The key lock drop front desk opens to reveal ten cubbyholes, a small drawer and writing surface.  The writing surface is painted to resemble leather.  78" h., 36" l., 15" w. (25' w/ desk open)  American, c. 1950 SOLD

Modern Cabinet with Marble Platform

This Week at Michael Thomas

Well, it's that time again.  Later this week we will be heading to the Carolinas for some southern comfort and some much anticipated r. and r.  We are really looking forward to kicking back on that verandah for a few days, and perhaps a mint julep or some fried green tomatoes while we enjoy the view and the down time.  While we are away, Michael Thomas will be open for business as usual, but we will not be updating the blog regularly until we return at the end of June.  However, we may be posting some pics. or even a special offer while we are gone.  So don't forget about checking in to see what's happening.
One last thing, we can't go without leaving you with a few more great pieces.  They will likely be added to the site tomorrow.  Wishing everyone a great start to the summer!

June Window

We just picked up "Desk" from our framer this weekend and wanted to show it off.  The new "Modernage" table, Murano lamp, and "Century Furniture" chair make a great setting.

Olexander Wlasenko; "Desk"

Five decades have passed since the release of the Italian film "La Corruzione".  The film's main plot revolves around an idealistic son's rejection of his father's materialistic values.  The inspiration for this work by Olexander is a point of view scene in the film.  Through the main character's eyes we see a darkened office with a desk cluttered with ledger books, a telephone, stationery and rubber stamps.  He wonders if there is more to life than office work.  Is there a world beyond the desk?  66" l., 42" h., framed. SOLD

"Modernage" Mahogany Table

With Wright and Frankl influences, this three-tier table by Modernage has a sleek, streamline moderne look.  The base and corner support column are ebonized wood and the tiers are a rich, beautifully grained, ribbon mahogany.    The condition is fantastic as is the ultra-cool design.  32" square, 22" h.  American, c. 1940  SOLD

Happy Father's Day!

Wishing all the dads, granddads, goddads and all the "father figures" a very Happy Father's Day weekend.  Thinking about my own father and remembering his inspiring creativity, artistically and musically (his 1940's band...."The Jars of Jam"....best band name ever!).  Thinking about all those school projects that looked o.k. when I went to bed at 11 p.m. and were magically transformed into art by 7 a.m.  Thinking about his homemade waffles, corn fritters or pancakes on Saturday mornings.  Mostly thinking about a generous father who was his own person, did his best and gave his children all the tools he could to do their best.  Happy Father's Day dads and thanks for your dedication, education and inspiration!

Lacquered Jewelry Chest

Exceptional, handcrafted, lacquered Chinese jewelry chest.  The case is lacquered with patinated brass decorative medallions on the sides and a brass handle on top.  The two doors on the front of the case are hand painted and feature inlaid maidens of mother of pearl.  The doors have a brass lock and open to reveal five interior drawers.  12" h.,  8" l., 6" w.  Chinese, early 20th c. SOLD

"Frederick Weinberg" Horse Bar Cart

With a nod to Picasso, this wonderful modernist rolling bar cart was created by Philadelphia artist Frederick Weinberg.  The cart is made of steel rods and it has a removable glass serving tray.  The bottle or glass holders on either side of the serving tray are also removable.  It would add a fun and artful pop indoors or on a patio.  41" h., 36" l., 23" w.  American, c. 1950  SOLD

Lucite "Empire" Table

This smart little Empire inspired lucite table has three lucite columns, each with a brass capital and base,  as well as a brass rim on the lucite top.  It's both versatile and very attractive, and would make a great little drinks table.  22" h., 14" diam.  American, c. 1970  SOLD

"Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville" Desk with Bench Platform

Pair of Francoise Carre Sunburst Chairs

Continuing our Hollywood theme today, if you have seen Cassablanca or the documentary on Grey Gardens, these iconic chairs might look familiar.  They were featured prominently at Rick's Cafe Americain and were also part of the original furnishings of the Hampton's Grey Gardens House.  They were designed by Francoise Carre in Paris during the late 19th century and produced at least into the 1940's.  This pair is in great vintage condition and surprisingly comfortable.  c. 1930's  SOLD

Murano Glass Bowl

Impressive and dramatic Murano glass shallow bowl with a swirl pattern and rich red tones over a white base.  26" diam., 4" h.  Italian, c. 1970  SOLD

Lucite and Glass Coffee Table

Cool and clean-lined lucite and glass coffee table.  The lucite frame has slightly beveled edges as do the legs. The inset glass top is very thick and also has a beveled edge.  The table is quite large and substantial but visually does not overwhelm.  Both the lucite frame and glass top are in excellent vintage condition.  62" l., 32" w., 17" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

Pair of Tole Lamps

Classic, elegant, and quite unique, these tole lamps have urn form bases with decorative finials and hand painted candle shades.  They would look great on a mantle, a sideboard or anywhere a bit of decoration and soft light is desired.  16" h., 8" l., 5" w.  American, c. 1950  SOLD

Majolica King and Queen Jardinieres

Fantastic pair of Italian jardinieres in the form of a king and a queen.  They are very large, measuring almost 17" high, hand-painted and very decorative.  17" h., 12" diam.  Italian, c. 2nd half 20th c.  SOLD