Blanc de Chine Lamp

Beautiful Hollywood Regency, Chinoiserie style, Blanc de Chine pierced porcelain lamp on an ebonized wood base.  It comes with the silk shade pictured, but would look fantastic with a black parchment shade.  33" h., 18" diam.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition.

Mont Style Figural Lamp

Handsome James Mont style Asian Modern figural lamp of patinated brass and ebonized metal.  The fabric shade is new.  29" h., 14" diam.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition.  

Frederick Cooper Lamp

Elegant, Asian inspired ginger jar lamp by Frederick Cooper.  The ceramic body, which sits on a wood base, has floral decoration in tones of terracotta on a cream background.  The silk shade is original and the top and bottom of the shade are framed with a band of terracotta ribbon.  35" h., 13" diam.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent original condition.

F. B. Decorative Arts Mirror

Splendor in the grass ....and in the shop.  This magnificent and very large mirror was made by Friedman Brothers of New York.  It has a carved and gilded ribbed wood frame with fleur-de-lis decoration.  52.5" h., 34" w.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Condition:  Excellent vintage condition
The first shot of the mirror was taken on our way back to Canada yesterday for our Instagram page.  If you would like to check out our posts or follow us on Instagram, it's https://www.instagram.com/michaelthomasantiques/  

Wassily Kandinsky, Galerie Berggruen, Exhibition Poster

This lithograph was issued for the 1972 exhibition of Wassily Kandinsky's work at Galerie Berggruen in Paris.  It was printed by Atelier Mourlot and the lithograph was executed by Henri Deschamps.  The frame is a vintage clip frame with glass front.  25.25" h., 14" w.  French, c. 1972  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition.  

Federal Style Mirror

Handsome, gold gilded, carved wood, Federal style convex mirror with eagle and olive branch decoration.  We've featured a number of similar style mirrors over the years, and this is one of the smaller ones.  It would be a great piece to add a little light and life to an art wall, hallway, powder room, etc.  19" h.,  14" w.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD
Condition:  Good vintage condition with minor paint loss.

Laurel Cork and Chrome Lamp

Another cool lamp by Laurel..... this one has a cork and polished chrome base and its original shade.  35" h., 14" diam.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good to good vintage condition.  

Maurizio Tempestini for Laurel; Table Lamp

Carole Radziwill's SoHo duplex as featured in Architectural Digest, August 2017

Impressive and monumental Brutalist lamp by Maurizio Tempestini for Laurel.  The lamp is cast bronze with a painted metal base.  And....if it could talk....The sole owner was a prominent NYC psychiatrist and it was in his office until he closed his practice 20 years ago.  It has been in his home since then.  If you can't afford $140 million for a Giacometti sculpture, this is a wonderful sculptural alternative.  There are a pair currently available (without shades) in NYC for just over $11k.  https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/lighting/table-lamps/pair-of-tall-brutalist-table-lamps-laurel-lamp-company/id-f_1100170/
This one has the original shade and is a little more reasonable.  52" h., 19" diam.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Lamp is in excellent vintage condition.  Shade is in very good vintage condition.  

Donald Deskey for AMODEC, Tall Chest

Donald Deskey (1894-1989) was an innovative American industrial designer best known for designing the interiors of the Art Deco jewel, Radio City Music Hall.  "Donald Deskey was among the leading figures to introduce modern design in the United States in the late 1920's, said David A. Hanks, the author of "Donald Deskey:  Decorative Designs and Interiors", published in 1987.  "Even though he looked to Europe for inspiration, his concerns were more practical and characteristic of the best of American furniture design."  I have been an admirer of Deskey's work for a very long time and purchased Hanks' book about a decade ago.  Until now, I have only seen Deskey pieces in museums.  His work is in many museums internationally including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the MOMA.  This very rare and pretty exceptional example of Art Deco furniture design was part of a collection for AMODEC.  The American Modern Decoration Co. was Deskey's venture into the manufacturing and promotion of his own designs.  The line made its' debut at special showings at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York in 1930 where thirty-five rooms were rented as showrooms.  The line was very well received and an "innovative experiment in the design and promotion of modern furniture", but problems in marketing caused the line to be short lived making the pieces quite rare today.  An AMODEC catalogue is in the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum.  This chest, which has been expertly restored to near showroom condition, has a rosewood top and base, and ebonized sides.  The lacquered drawer fronts have chrome and ebonized wood pulls.  The drawers all operate smoothly and the chest is on casters.  This is a rare opportunity to welcome a piece of American and Art Deco History into your home!  50" h., 34" w., 19" d.  American, c. 1931  SOLD
 

 Donald Deskey in the second mezzanine's men's lounge at Radio City Music Hall

 Radio City Music Hall Interiors

 AMODEC bedrooms in the Deskey book.  The photo on the left shows other pieces from the line of the chest we are featuring

Red Lion Stand

The little Red Lion.  This is the companion piece to the previously posted Red Lion chest.  It is a three drawer (bottom drawer is double depth) stand in blond mahogany with patinated brass pulls.  Nice little bedside stand.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD
Condition:  Good vintage condition with some marks and wear to the finish.

Mushroom Floor Lamp

Back by popular demand.....we picked another mushroom floor lamp/ table.  This one is brushed chrome with a lucite table.  The original white plastic mushroom shade gives off a soft warm light.  51" h., 15" diam.  American, c. 1970's  $250.00 
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with minor marking on the shade and base.

Pair of Tufted Velvet Chairs

"Seasoned yet season-less, Chili Oil is an earthy brown based red that adds flavorful definition to the spring 2018 palette."  That color description, borrowed from Pantone, seems to work for this smart pair of tufted velvet, chrome cantilevered chairs.  We're not sure if they qualify as 'Chili Oil' or plum, but the brown based red color is very rich and particularly luxurious in velvet.  Unfortunately the original label is missing, but they are very high quality (Patrician?), very comfortable and in excellent vintage condition.  30" h., 24" w., 19" d.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD

Condition:  Excellent vintage condition.

Chrome and Glass Table Lamps

Bold and Beautiful.  Colossal pair of Seventies chic, polished chrome and smoked glass table lamps with original shades.  42.5" h., 18" diam.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD
Condition:  Bases in excellent vintage condition.  Shades in usable vintage condition with some marks but no tears.

It's our Hamiversary

Today marks two years since we opened in Hamilton.  Thank you to our clients old and new for your continued support, friendship and encouragement.  There are so many ways and places to shop these days.  We are grateful to all of you who choose to shop with us and visit us regularly on the blog and on social media, but very happy that so many of you still take the time to come into the shop for a visit, a chat and the 'old school' shopping experience.  You keep it real, interesting and fun..... and I'm sure we will figure out the answers to the American political situation, the best place to live in North America, how to deal with the effects of A.I., and the meaning of life very soon.

Opening eve at MTA

Johnson Furniture Console

Classic Johnson Furniture mahogany console from their handcrafted Guild Collection.  It has a green marble top and green leather inset door panels.  The key lock doors open to a compartment with one adjustable shelf.  The definition of classic "fine furniture".  42" l., 15" d., 32" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Drexel Bar Cart

Rare single drawer bar cart by Drexel.  While only marked with the Drexel label, this cart looks to be part of their Profile Collection designed by John Van Koert.  We haven't been able to find another example of this particular cart, but it has virtually identical lines and design elements as other pieces we have featured from the Profile Collection over the years.  The cart comes with its original Certificate of Inspection which states it has been "produced under the exacting standards of craftsmanship that merit the brandmark 'by Drexel'."  40" l., 18" w., 32" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Finn Juhl for France and Son, Rosewood Desk

Finn Juhl was a Danish architect, interior and industrial designer credited with bringing Danish Modern to America in the 1940's.  He had a long and successful design career and among his achievements were lines of furniture for Baker, collaborations with General Electric, and designing the United Nations Trusteeship Council Chamber in NYC.  His honors include five gold medals at the Milan Triennale in the 1950's, a 1978 Royal Designer for Industry Award in London, and a 2010 Wallpaper Design Award.
This stunning rosewood desk was designed by Finn Juhl for France and Son of Denmark and retailed by John Stuart in New York.  It retains both the France and Son as well as the John Stuart metal labels.  This impressive piece of furniture is a testament to Danish Modernism and fine design.  Every detail has been carefully thought through down to the bowtie drawer pulls.  Originally, the desk was able to be ordered in different configurations and sizes.  This piece has one bank of drawers which may be positioned on either the left or right side.  Another example of a larger model may be seen here.  https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/tables/desks-writing-tables/large-danish-rosewood-executive-desk-finn-juhl/id-f_1769072/  
If you're looking for a desk which is also a statement piece with a perfect mix of form and function, look no further.  63" l., 31.5" d., 28" h.  Danish, c. 1960's  SOLD

 Finn Juhl

 Finn Juhl pieces at the Design Museum, Denmark

 

At Home with MTA

It's always nice when pieces from the shop find the perfect home.  Our Romeo Rega etagere, papier mache fish sculpture and Milo Baughman chairs are looking just right in this beautiful Oakville lakefront residence designed by Rachel Deeks  https://www.racheldeeksdesign.net/.  (Stephani Buchman photography  https://www.stephanibuchmanphotography.com/) 

Sputnik Table Lamp

Keeping it light on a Friday afternoon.......  This is a lot of light and one of the crazier table lamps we have come across.  Not much description required.  It pretty much speaks for itself.  The plaster base has a center which shoots up to a fiberglass shade with applied metal stars and printed stars.  On either side, 3-D metal stars are shooting from the base.  Red plastic jewel in the center.  Just because they could.  34" h., 20" w., 17" d.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition.

Mahogany Chest

Best chest.  No contest.  We love everything about this mahogany four drawer chest; the contrasting banding which continues onto the base, the chunky patinated brass ring pulls, the size.  The label is gone so we're not sure of the maker, but it's top quality.  46" w., 20" d., 35" h.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD
Condition: Very good vintage condition.

Marble Top Table

Charming little side/ drinks table, just the right size for a cocktail and a few hors d'oeuvres.  The top is Carrera marble and has a pierced, patinated brass gallery.  The skirt and fluted legs are antiqued and gilded wood.  18" h., 13.5" diam.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition.