Vacation

We will be closed for vacation from August 30th to September 12th.  We will be reachable by email michael@michaelthomasantiques.com or by phone at 416.407.1269.  Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you on September 13th.

Pair of Chinoiserie Lamps

Chinoiserie light!  Elegant and timeless pair of faux bamboo carved wooden table lamps with original silk shades.  The lamp bases are in good vintage condition with some wear to the bottom portions of both bases.  The shades should be recovered or replaced.  29" h., 15" diam.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Varney and Sons (Dorothy Draper) for Kindel; Coffee Table

This very ample and very stylish coffee table was designed as part of the Varney and Sons Collection for Kindel.  Carleton Varney is one of America's best-know interior designers and started with Dorothy Draper & Co. in 1962.  He is currently the president/ owner of the company.  Several years after the Varney and Sons Collection was introduced, it became the Dorothy Draper Collection for Kindel.  This  Asian Modern style coffee table has an ebonized wood base and an inset beveled glass top.  The table is in very good vintage condition with minor wear to the finish and some wear to the glass but no chips or significant scratches.  48" l., 30" w., 19" h.  SOLD

Pair of Leather Club/ Tub Chairs

Classic and elegant pair of French Art Deco style club/ tub chairs.  The chairs are upholstered in leather with patinated brass tacks.  The front legs are tapered and have ebonized decoration and brass capped feet.  The chairs are in excellent vintage condition.    American, c. 1960's  26" w., 23" d., 31" h.  SOLD

Paul Haustein for WMF; Art Deco Vase

This unique and very beautiful Art Deco vase was made by WMF (Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik) of Germany and is attributed to architect Paul Haustein.  The vase was made using a complex process of acid etching and applying multiple layers of fire patinated color on a bronze base.  After the color was applied a final layer of lacquer was added to create the soft sheen on the piece.  The vase is in excellent vintage condition.  9" h., 8" diam.  German, c. 1930  SOLD

Merton Gershun for American of Martinsville; Bookcase

If you follow our blog, you know we really like American of Martinsville furniture.  We have featured a number of pieces from the Dania collection designed by Merton Gershun in the past.  This is one of the more unique pieces from the collection.  Actually, it is three pieces.  The base or platform/ bench has three drawers and brass detail.  The center unit of the case is divided into four compartments one of which has three drawers.  The top unit has two shelves, one of which is divided into two compartments with a sliding door.  The bookcase is in very good vintage condition with age appropriate minor wear to the base.  54" l., 19.75" d., 67.75" h.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

 Original catalogue images

Russel Wright for Conant Ball; Desk

Russel Wright (1904-1976) was an American Industrial designer who revolutionized the way people lived.  He believed design started with the dinner table, which is the center of the home, and then should work outward to furnishings, interiors, architecture and landscaping.  Wright, throughout his long and very successful career, designed everything from table ware and appliances to textiles and furniture.  He worked with great manufacturers like Steubenville Pottery and Conant Ball Furniture to produce his designs.   He and his wife Mary, with whom  he partnered professionally, wrote several books on "living" including "Guide to Easier Living" in which they wrote "Good informal living substitutes a little head work for a lot of legwork. It doesn't need wealth, but it does take thought, some ingenuity and resourcefulness, and more than a little loving care to create a home that is really your own."  They are widely credited with inventing lifestyle marketing. 

This smart and clean-lined birch desk was designed by Wright as part of the Modernmates collection for Conant Ball.  It has a bank of three graduated drawers and the bottom drawer has removable file dividers.  The top center drawer is divided into six compartments.  The desk is in very good vintage condition with minor age appropriate wear to the finish and comes with a custom glass top (not pictured).  48" l., 24" d., 30.5" h.  American, c.1950's  SOLD
https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/desks-writing-tables/russel-wright-conant-ball-mid-century-modern-birch-desk/id-f_6928393

Century Furniture Bombe Chest

Finely crafted and very decorative bombe three drawer chest with an ivory paint finish by Century Furniture.  42" l., 19" d., 33" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Preppy Pagoda Windows

Strange bedfellows.  Our June windows marry two of our favorite (if somewhat incongruous) styles, East Coast Prep and Asian Modern.  We've always loved the pagoda shape and decided to Pulitzer it up with preppy pink and green.  The side panels reference the simplicity of the Japanese flag.  The Asian Modern black lacquered chairs, in the style of James Mont, are by Century Furniture, c. 1970's.  SOLD

 

Salterini Style Table and Chairs

We've still got lots of summer left, but this cool Salterini style patio set would be just as at home in a kitchen or casual dining room.  The set is in very good vintage condition with original paint and upholstery.  Table 58" l., 32" w., 30" h.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Harvey Probber Side Table

Harvey Probber was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1922 and began working as a designer immediately after graduating from high school.  He established his own design firm, Harvey Probber, Inc. in 1945 and soon became one of the leading modern designers in America.  Unlike many of his contemporaries, his approach to modernism tended to reject austerity and typical materials, and favor exotic woods, hand-rubbed finishes and luxurious fabrics in his upholstered pieces.  This can be seen in this handsome side table designed by Probber.  It has a Terrazo marble hexagonal top with inlaid patinated brass and three sculptural bleached mahogany legs.  17.25" h., 19" diam.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD   https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/side-tables/harvey-probber-hexagonal-mahogany-terrazzo-marble-side-table/id-f_985036/

 

Kent Coffey Credenza

Great looking companion piece to the tall chest listed earlier.  Sleek, twelve drawer credenza in Vicuna Mahogany by Kent Coffey.  This photo shows off the finish and coloring more accurately than in the picture of the tall chest.  60" l., 19" d., 31" h.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Kent Coffey Tall Chest

Tall, blond and very sharp.  Unfortunately this handsome Vicuna Mahogany chest by Kent Coffey doesn't look nearly as good in photos as it does in real life.  The finish, graining and color are beautiful.  On the functional side, there are six ample drawers for storage.  40.5" w., 19" d., 43.5" h.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Continental Art Co. Figural Lamps

Travelling to the beat of a different design drum...If you Love Lucy, late 40's/ early 50's Hollywood, wanted to dance all night at the Tropicana to Ricky Ricardo's band, you may love these lamps by the Continental Lamp Co.  The male and female figural plaster lamps and chenille shades are in mint vintage condition.  The Continental Lamp Co. produced and wide variety of styles during the mid 20th century and lamps by the company have become quite collectible.  https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/table-lamps/beautiful-pair-of-cream-plaster-lamps-continental-art-company/id-f_853953/

33" h., 24" diam.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD

Curtis Jere Bridge Sculpture

We have had a few clients in the shop this week suggest we retake the photo of this piece as they didn't think our original shot did it justice.  We always appreciate feedback!

San Francisco.  Open your Golden Gate.  Don't wait, this exceptional and striking Golden Gate Bridge wall sculpture by Curtis Jere has just arrived in the shop and it's a beauty.  It's almost 5 ft. long, signed and dated, and depicts the Golden Gate with a large ship and five sailboats in front of a smaller bridge as well as a group of seagulls.  57" l., 27" h., 8" d.  American, c. 1985  SOLD

Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin, Sofa

Cool and sleek tufted sofa designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.  The sofa retains its original faux leather upholstery, in near mint condition, and has a chrome base and legs.  It has all of its original labels including one with the manufacture date.  72" l., 31.5" d., 31.5" h.  American, c. 1969  SOLD

Milo Baughman for the Design Institute of America; Dining Table

Milo Baughman for the Design Institute of America, expandable chrome and glass dining table.  "Leaves" on each side separate to reveal center section which lifts up to add 2 feet in length to the table.  While it is a sleek and chic yet very functional dining table, especially where space is a consideration, it would also make a fantastic desk.  61" l. expanding to 85", 39" w., 29.5" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

Brasilia by Broyhill, Tall Chest

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.  We've had a number of pieces from the collection over the years.  This is a great one.  This chest has two doors which open to a divided compartment with two shelves on the left and four drawers on the right.  Below are two full length drawers.  50" h., 44" w., 19" d.  American, c. 1963  SOLD