Pair of Brass Tables

1970's chic.  Each two-tier brass table has inset smoked glass panels and the top pieces are beveled.  They could be used as side tables or side by side as a coffee table.  20" square, 17" h.  American, c. 1970  SOLD

"Henredon Furniture Co." Tall Chest

Handsome seven drawer mahogany tall chest by Henredon.  The Chippendale style chest has contrasting mahogany banding on the top and drawer fronts and brass pulls and escutcheons.  38" l., 19" w., 54" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Pair of "Drexel" Cabinets

A pair of coordinating Drexel Furniture Company cabinets.  One cabinet has two drawers and the other has a pair of latched doors which open to a large storage compartment.  They would function nicely as bedside pieces or as end tables, but they also look smart side by side.  Each cabinet, 36" l., 17 1/4" w., 26" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Caned Settee and Pair of Arm Chairs

While this exceptional three piece suite was made in France in the 1920's and lived most recently in the German "Forrester's Villa" that once belonged to the Prince of Hohenzollern, it is a little bit "Downton", a little bit Hudson Valley, and a lot the epitome of casual elegance.  The set is comprised of a three-seat settee and a pair of arm chairs.  The cane work is extraordinary and in perfect condition.  The set has been newly reupholstered in a luxurious, thick cotton velvet which has the feel of mohair.  The sky-blue color has a heavy hit of gray and a nice historical/ vintage look which compliments the wood and caning beautifully.  Each piece has been unassembled and reglued during the reupholstering to ensure another one hundred years of enjoyment.  This set will only get better with age and would be very much at home today in a hip, minimalist loft, adding warmth and an artful focus, as well as in the parlor or sun room of a great old rambling house or estate.  French, c. 1920's  SOLD

Thomas Wesley McLean; "Blue Hills"

Thomas Wesley McLean (1881-1951) was born in Kendal, Ontario, about 30 kilometers northwest of Port Hope.  At the age of fifteen he started working for Grip.  Grip was a Toronto design firm that was home to many of Canada's finest painters and designers during the first half of the twentieth century.  At Grip, he worked alongside Tom Thomson, Arthur Lismer, Frank Carmichael, Frank Johnston, J.E.H. MacDonald and F.H. Varley.  In his early twenties, McLean began exploring northern Ontario during the summers. During one of these summers McLean discovered Algonquin Park and brought back stories and sketches of his experiences there to his fellow workers, including Tom Thomson, at Grip.  After McLean piqued his interest in the area, Thomson visited Algonquin Park with various other artists and work colleagues.  Out of these visits, came the formation of the Canadian Algonquin School and later the Group of Seven.  

In 1912, McLean moved to Winnipeg to teach, and in 1925 he became a founding member of the Manitoba Society of Artists.  He also became a member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour in 1925.  Two years later, in 1927, he moved back to Ontario.  In May of 1932 an exhibition of his work was held at the Robert Simpson Galleries in Toronto.  During the thirties, he also exhibited his work with the Royal Canadian Academy and the Ontario Society of Artists. McLean died in Toronto in 1951 at the age of 71. 

Photo, between 1899 and 1902, Mahlstick Club; front row, seated, from left to right: E.L. Laur, Fred Haines, Norman Price, Walter R. Duff, T.W. MacLean (with accordion), A.A. Martin, Edgar McGuire, Louis Meyer, G. Dawson, T.G. Greene, C.M. Manly, and A.H. Robson patting dog; standing, from left to right: Fergus Kyle,  W.W. Alexander, D.I. Brown, Neil McKechnie, Victor Darling, Bert Sloan, Lady unknown, and Arthur Goode (Colgate Papers, Ontario Archives, Toronto)

"Blue Hills";  Watercolor on paper signed T.W. McLean in the lower right corner.  In this loosely painted, impressionistic scene we see a rolling landscape in the foreground, then a row of trees framing just a glimpse of a lake.  The "Blue Hills" in the background are the hills of Haliburton at the edge of Algonquin Park.  12 1/2 " l., 9 1/2" h.  Framed, 21 1/2" l., 19 1/2" h.  Canadian, c. 1930's  SOLD

"Curtis Jere" Bicycle

The Curtis Jere design house was founded in California in 1963 and produced sculptural works ranging from the representational to the highly abstract.  Works produced by the company have become highly praised and sought after today.  Writer Mitchell Owens wrote a two page article on the history of C. Jere for the November 2010 issue of Elle Decor.  In it he remarks that "Today those pieces are attracting the admiration of leading dealers in vintage chic".  He goes on to note that after launching in 1963, Jere sculptures were distributed by Raymor, a cutting edge studio in New York City, and retailed at Gump's in San Francisco and other high end retailers in several major cities across the U.S.

If you are interested in "Breaking Away" from the banal and looking for a very cool and unique piece of decorative wall art, we suggest you race over and check out this sensational piece.  It is a beautifully crafted ten speed bicycle of brass, chrome, rubber and wood by Curtis Jere.  60" l., 29" h., 5" w.  American, 4th qtr. 20th c. SOLD

Hanging Lantern

This classic ebonized metal hanging lantern has eight glass panes and has been recently rewired.  It would make a great fixture for a dining room, kitchen or foyer, but could also be used outdoors on a covered porch.  24" h., 12" l., 12" w.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD

Toni Hamel; "The House of Sighs"

From "The Lingering" series, "The House of Sighs".  Graphite, watercolor and thread on paper.  Framed, 32 1/2" h., 24 1/2" l.  SOLD

American Eagle

Decorative cast metal American Eagle with spread wings.  19" l., 6" h.  American, c. 1950's SOLD

Shield Shaped Mirror

Classic, mahogany framed, shield shaped mirror with a nice lodge/ cottage feel.  19" l., 15" w.  American, c. 1920's

Bronze Indian Chief Bookends

Pair of well cast and nicely detailed bronze Indian Chief bookends.  The Chief is in traditional garb with a large feather headdress.  5" l., 3" w., 6" h.  American, c. 1880's  SOLD

Advertising Calendar

This metal and board Bank of Montreal Advertising Calendar is a perpetual calendar, and has all the month and date cards in tact.  It would be a great piece for a kitchen, office, etc...  18" l., 12" w.  Canadian, c. 1950  SOLD

Art Deco Letter Holder

Cool, clean, streamlined modern design on this lucite and brushed chrome letter holder/ desk caddy.  11" l., 9" w., 3" h.  American, c. 1930's  SOLD

Solar Vortex

We are anxiously awaiting your arrival.

"Lane Furnitue Co.", "Tuxedo" Chest of Drawers

Rare and handsome nine drawer walnut dresser by Lane with rosewood "bowtie" inlay and ebony "pinstripe" detail.  The chest has tapered legs framed in ebony and aluminum bowtie pulls.  66" l., 18" w., 30" h.  American, c. 1965  SOLD

Glass Lamp

Frosted glass lamp with a rounded rectangular, pale green glass body and  patinated brass base.  The elliptical fabric shade is covered in a natural colored linen.  30" h., 16" l.,  9 1/2" w.  New  SOLD

"Lane Furniture Co." Bar Cabinet

Sixties classic cool!  This bar cabinet by Lane is unlike any we have seen.  The top lifts up, and as you lift the top, it lifts a shelf/ compartment which holds the bottles.  There is ample room for mixing drinks and serving on the shelf.  Below, the handsome herringbone patterned doors open to storage space and glass holders. Quite surprisingly, the bar comes complete with the original 24 cocktail glasses which are all in perfect condition.  There are 12 highballs and 12 rocks glasses.  33" l., 17" w., 36" h.  American, c.1960's   SOLD

Art Deco Carrara Marble Washstand

Why settle for a reproduction when you can have an original for a fraction of the price?  This timeless Carrara and chrome washstand has a thick bevelled marble top, base and shelf.  It has polished chrome legs and retains it's original porcelain casters.  While it would be a smart addition to a kitchen or bath in it's current form, it could easily be retrofitted to hold a sink.  30" l., 24" w., 43" h.  American, c. 1930's SOLD

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Toni Hamel whose work "The Landscaper", from her "Opus" series, has been chosen for the Aird 2014 Drawing Exhibition.  The annual juried exhibition is the most prestigious of it's kind in Canada.  Each year the show has a different tone.  "No single theme or trait is ever dominant throughout because the exhibition celebrates the diversity and potency of drawing, showcasing a range of processes, styles, materials and conceptual approaches."  The judges, which include Ed Pien this year, look for works that negotiate the boundaries of what constitutes drawing and choose works they hope will further discussion and enjoyment of this vital and engaging artistic practice.

"The Landscaper" Graphite and watercolor on paper.  Framed, 21" x 21"  $1,250.00  It will be available for sale at Michael Thomas in early March, after the Aird exhibition.  SOLD

Cheer Up!

Welcome | New York Social Diary

I came across this 1968 Lilly Pulitzer ad on New York Social Diary today.  I thought it might be just the thing to brighten spirits as the mercury hovers around minus 20!  If you haven't checked out the site, it is a lot of fun.  Click on the link above to view.

"Gerd Lange" Chairs

Set of four very comfortable and very chic chairs designed by Gerd Lange and produced by Drabert in West Germany.  The chairs are called the "SM 400 Swing Chairs" and have chrome sled bases and white molded plastic one piece seats and backs.  They are stackable.  West German c. 1967.  SOLD

"La Barge" Mirror

This large and impressive La Barge mirror has gilded urn, floral and swag decoration on an antiqued ivory frame.  It packs quite a dramatic and decorative punch.  57" h., 30" w.  Italian, c. 1960  SOLD

Empire Chest

One of the most handsome Empire chests we have had in the shop, this chest has contrasting flame mahogany veneers, a stylized back splash and a serpentine front top drawer.  All of these elements combine to create a very dynamic piece.  45" l., 22" w., 55" h.  American, c. 1850 SOLD