Summer Holidays

We're beach bound!  (I like the ocean a lot more now than I did then.)  While we're away Michael Thomas will be open for business as usual.  However, we won't be posting new product until we return home.  Have a happy and safe long weekend!

Paul McCobb Style Table

While not signed Paul McCobb, this sleek drop-leaf table is nearly identical in design and construction to other pieces we have featured in the past from McCobb's Planner Group collection.  The leaves work beautifully and the table is very sturdy when they are extended.  It would make a great kitchen table, dining table where space is limited, and it works nicely as a console table as well.  36" w., 29" h., 25" l., 49" when extended.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Stanley Furniture Desk

A nice size for modern needs, this smart, five drawer walnut and rosewood desk features ebonized detail around the drawers, brass pulls, and inlay decoration on the drawer fronts.  50" l., 18" d., 30" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, Cabinet and Bench

 Original Catalogue Images for the collection

 Cabinet unit 36" l., 18.5" d, 22.5" h.  Bench 55" l., 18.5" d., 12.5" h.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

Leo Jarinek Chest of Drawers

Leo Jarinek was one of the forefathers of  the American Modern Movement.  He began his design career after graduating from Princeton University, and in 1934 became the first president of the American Designers Institute.  It was about that same time that he designed this exceptional chest of drawers.  This striking honey-colored chest, with its sleek and curvaceous lines, is the epitome of "streamline moderne".  It has four very ample drawers with vertical pulls, and is in mint condition.  The condition is completely original and it looks like it just came off a 1930's showroom floor!  It's a beauty.  42" l., 20" d., 34" h.  American, c. 1930's  SOLD

 

Brasilia by Broyhill, Credenza

As the world begins to look to Brazil, so do we.  The Brasilia Collection was first introduced by Broyhill at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.  The collection was inspired by Brasilia, the newly erected capital city of Brazil.  The thoroughly modern city of Brasilia, with its buildings of abstract forms and curves, owes it's design and architecture in large part to architect Oscar Niemeyer.  The inspiration of his distinctive forms is quite apparent in the architecture of Broyhill's Brasilia Collection.  This pecan and walnut credenza from the collection has three center drawers with sculptural brushed brass hardware which are flanked by doors on either side.  The door fronts have raised sculptural decoration which serve as the pulls.  46" l., 17" d., 28" h.  American, c. 1962  SOLD

Palacio da Alvorada

Brasilia's Cathedral

Quatrefoil Pouf

Large, luxurious and elegant quatrefoil tufted pouf in grey velvet.  This piece would work beautifully in a foyer, living room or even a large bedroom.  Great for those who love to entertain, it seats eight.  American, last quater 20th. c.  SOLD

Fresh Fish

Fish out of water?  Actually, a fish above water.  This new addition to the shop takes its place above Britt Randle's Water and seems very much at home.  We're still trying to figure out exactly what type of fish it is... other than the very decorative variety.  54" l., 12" h. SOLD

Kem Weber Chrome and Naugahyde Chairs

While Kem Weber is still relatively unknown outside of collecting circles,  pieces he designed can be found in the permanent collections of the MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.  Above is an article in which he was featured from the August 2015 issue of Elle Decor.  "Long before midcentury modernism became popular, this German born designer and architect brought streamlined style to Hollywood."  He was well ahead of his time as a designer and his designs were pretty cutting edge for the period as exemplified in these 1930's streamlined modern chairs which were produced by Lloyd Manufacturing Company.  The chairs retain their original naugahyde upholstery which is in very good condition. 31" h., 21" w., 21" d.  American, c. 1930's  SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; Stairwell

Fresh from our framer, this is one our favorite works by Olexander.  The mood is beautiful.  The drawing was inspired by a scene in a 1961 French mystery film Paris nous appartient, sometimes translated as Paris is Ours.  It was directed by Jacques Rivette and stars Betty Schneider.  Begun in 1957 and completed three years later, it was then-critic Rivette's first full-length film as a director and one of the first works of the French New Wave.

Olexander Wlasenko; Stairwell, 2016

Charcoal on paper

44" x 32" framed

$2,150.00

Blue Steel

Thank you to the great team at Designlines; 'Toronto's Ultimate Guide to Design' Mag. for including us when they hit the Hammer!

Please click on the link below to read all about Hamilton's top design destinations....

http://designlinesmagazine.com/hamilton/

Mid-Century Coffee Table

Substantial and nicely crafted, two-tiered coffee table with inlaid checkerboard top and ebonized base.  32.5" square 16" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Faux Bamboo Chair

Double faux.  Handsome Hollywood Regency, Chippendale style faux bamboo chair with forest green faux leather seat and back cushions.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Mid-Century Chest

Smart little chest with brass hardware and brass capped feet.  It would make a nice functional piece for a home office.  35" l., 21" d., 29" h.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Milo Baughman, Pair of Arm Chairs

We thought this extremely stylish pair of chairs were worth another couple of pictures.  They were designed by Milo Baughman and have tufted seat and back cushions with new dove grey velvet upholstery.  The chrome is in excellent condition and the chairs are very comfortable.  They are without question the coolest pair of chairs we have featured in a long time!  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

A Window with a (Inter) View

Our new windows pay tribute to Andy Warhol who would be turning 88 in a few weeks.  Long before there was the Internet, there was Interview.  Andy Warhol's Interview magazine was the best source in the 1970's and 80's for who to wear, who and what to watch, where to dance, dine, shop, and just generally finding out what was happening with the "in-crowd".  It was a great pre-Kardashian time when celebrities generally had to have a talent or accomplish something to achieve a celebrity status.  Looking through this collection of magazines is always a fun NYC throwback with its ads for restaurants, clubs, stores and designers....  Mortimers, Florent, Jerry's, Cafe Luxembourg; Area, Limelight, Pyramid; Halston, Gucci, Fiorucci, Susan Bennis/ Warren Edwards, Agnes b..... and interviews with everyone from Nick Rhodes, Grace Jones and Madonna to Nastassia Kinski, Kathleen Turner, and Jane Fonda.
The chairs and tables are 1970's and were designed by Milo Baughman.  The chairs are newly reupholstered in a dove grey velvet.  The geometric vases are new and in keeping with the Warhol theme contain fresh daisies.  Chairs, SOLD  Tables, SOLD for set of three (nesting).  Vases, $56.00 each

Sailboat Painting

It's 32 degrees outside right now and feels like 37.  Who wouldn't rather be on the water?  So it seems like a good day to post this very attractive oil on canvas.  This seascape with two sailboats is in its original hand carved and hand painted frame and would make a nice addition to an art wall, at the cottage, or anywhere a decorative piece of very affordable art is desired.  It is signed, but the signature is not legible.  24" x 20"  American, c. mid-20th c.  SOLD

Edward Wormley for Drexel Furniture, Tall Chest

Edward Wormley was an American designer at the forefront of introducing Modernism to the American public.  His furniture was shown in the early fifties at the Good Design Exhibitions put on by the Museum of Modern Art.  The Exhibitions showcased top cutting edge designers of the period including Eames, Nelson and Bertoia. This seven drawer tall chest was designed in 1947 as part of The Drexel Furniture Company's Precedent line.  43" h., 32" l., 19" d.  American, c. 1947  SOLD

Conover Leather Chair

Having a seat in this beautifully broken-in leather wing chair is like putting on your favorite leather jacket.  It was made by the Conover Chair Company, has patinated brass tacks and maple legs, and is very comfortable.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville, Credenza

Sleek and stylish credenza designed by Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville.  The credenza has nine drawers with eliptical cut-outs which form the drawer pulls.  The legs are accented with brass fronts and backs.  72" l., 18.5" w., 29.5" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; Unravelling

Unravelling is a drawing composite based on the film Le Combat dans lile.  In the center scene, the telephone cord extension gets caught up on the female actress and the unravelling begins....

Olexander Wlasenko; Unravelling, 2016

Charcoal on paper

20" x 59" unframed

$2,700.00

Olexander Wlasenko; Free Play

Free Play recalls a scene from Les Quatre Cents Coups, a 1959 French debut drama by director Francois Truffaut.  One of the defining films of the French New Wave.  The film is about Antoine Doinel, a misunderstood adolescent in Paris who is thought by his parents and teachers to be a troublemaker.  Here Antoine concentrates like a pinball wizard.

Olexander Wlasenko; Free Play, 2016

Charcoal on paper

21.5" x 48" unframed

$2,200.00

Olexander Wlasenko; Back Seat

Back Seat is inspired by Ascenseur pour l'echafaud.  A young couple make their get-away.  She looks back...

Olexander Wlasenko;  Back Seat, 2016

Charcoal on paper

19.5" x 35.5" unframed

SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; Lelia

Lelia takes its cue from Shadows, a film which was directed by John Cassavetes and takes place during the Beat Generation years in New York City.  The film stars Ben Carruthers and Lelia Goldini.  Lelia is shown in this drawing against the background Libby Holman poster.  Holman was an unconventional LGBT actress and singer.  An endearing character amongst the disestablishment Beats of the late fifties...

Olexander Wlasenko;  Lelia, 2016

Charcoal on paper

50" x 29" framed

SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; It's Jane

It's Jane sources from Les Bonnes Femmes, a French comedic drama directed by Claude Chabrol.  The film tells the story of four single Parisian women and their domestic and romantic encounters.  The picture is from two moments of the same episode.  Jane emphatically introduces herself.  There is no mistaking who she is or will be as the film unfurls....

Olexander Wlasenko; It's Jane, 2016

Charcoal on paper

44" x 20" framed

SOLD