Thursday, January 30, 2020

Jens Risom; Pair of Lounge Chairs

'The Answer is Risom'.  Jens Risom had a wonderful design philosophy... "good design means that anything which is good by itself will go with other things."  Jens Risom began his career in his home country of Denmark, but emigrated to the United States in 1939.  In 1941 he began collaborating with Knoll.  The "Jens Risom Collection" was featured in Knoll's first catalogue.  After his service in WW II, Jens Risom ended his relationship with Knoll and started his own firm, "Jens Risom Design".  Over his illustrious 70 year career, he designed some of the most beautiful pieces of modern American furniture.  In addition to being an exceptional designer, he was also a great marketer.  In the early 60's he collaborated with famed fashion photographer Richard Avedon to produce the 'The Answer is Risom' campaign.  These lounge chairs were featured in the campaign.  They were also featured in the 2014 'The Answer is Risom' exhibition at the Silvermine Arts Center in New Canaan, CT.  This pair of lounge chairs are understated yet elegant, simple yet sophisticated, modern yet warm...and very comfortable.  The frames are walnut and the seat and back cushions are upholstered in their original deep chocolate brown fabric.  31" h., 23" w., 23" d.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good original vintage condition with age appropriate wear.
Examples of Jens Risom's work can be found in many major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Brooklyn Museum, Cooper-Hewitt, and the National Design Museum.










Soren Ladefoged; Set of Four Dining Chairs





They mix well with others.  This set of four dining chairs by Soren Ladefoged would be just as at home with primitive or country as they are with modern.  The beautifully designed chairs have teak frames and their original paper cord seats.  36" h., 19.5" w., 17" d.  Danish, c. 1950's-60's  $975.00 for the set of 4
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear and minor spotting to the paper cord.   

Sunday, January 26, 2020

Edna Reindel 'Summer Day'

Edna Reindel (1894-1990) was an American artist who worked in a variety of media and experimented with a number of styles during her long career.  After graduating from Pratt in 1923, she began working as a commercial illustrator mainly in book and magazine illustration.  Her work included many commissions for House and Garden magazine during the 1930's.  During the same period, her career as a fine artist began to take off.  Her work was exhibited throughout the 1930's and 40's at a number of noted galleries and museums including the Whitney Museum of American Art and in 1938 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  She spent many years working in California and her work was collected by some of Hollywood's old school elite including Spencer Tracy, Elizabeth Taylor, Ray Milland and Hedda Hopper.  This lovely, somewhat Surrealistic, loosely drawn and painted gouache on paper by Reindel is entitled 'Summer Day'.  The frame is original with a new mat and glass.  It likely dates to the late 1940's.  Frame, 23" h., 28" w.  Image, 12" h., 14" w.  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition. 




 House and Garden Covers by Reindel

 Martha's Vineyard Paintings by Reindel

Painting by Reindel from Elizabeth Taylor's Collection

Curtis Jere Raindrop Tree


This large and very graceful Curtis Jere raindrop tree has all the appeal of their highly sought after abstract raindrop pieces without the 2-7k price tag.  Eight brass rods form the trunk which fans out into many branches.  The raindrop leaves are made up of patinated, multi-toned brass discs.  A natural beauty.  36" h., 38" w., 5" d.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.   

Saturday, January 25, 2020

Heart of Glass

Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out had a heart of glass.
Once I had a love and it was divine
Soon found out I was losing my mind.
Once I had a love and it was a gas
Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.







Curtis Jere Bonsai Tree



Pictures don't really do this one justice.  This is definitely top 5 favorite of Jere pieces.  The very dramatic and energetic bronze trunk, roots and branches are balanced perfectly by the delicate patinated brass lily pad leaves.  The tree sits on a quartz base.  13" h., 16" w., 10" d.   American, c. 1970's  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Kroehler Chest



Smart little three drawer chest by Kroehler with ebonized metal pulls and an ebonized wood base.  The top has a layer of wood grain laminate that would make this piece perfect to use as a bar.  30" w., 18" d.,  30" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Brass Umbrella Holder

Classic, timeless British brass umbrella holder with lion head decoration.  It's substantial with  a few dings, some areas that are heavily patinated.....lots of character.  Newer professional polish.  21.5" h., 10" diam.  British, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

American of Martinsville Stands

Sharp pair of walnut, clean-lined, two drawer stands by American of Martinsville.  Each stand, 22" w., 16" d., 23" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Cartier Serving Tray




Get Swellegant!  If you're looking for a very impressive, but also very affordable, gift for a wedding, anniversary, birthday...or a very, very impressive host or hostess gift, we've got you covered.  This polished pewter Cartier serving tray is perfect for serving hors d'ouevres or cocktails, and is suitable for engraving.  It comes in its original red Cartier box with the original Cartier felt pouch.  11" diam.  American, late 20th c. SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition age appropriate wear and light surface scratches.  If you have it engraved, a jeweller will be able to polish out. 

American of Martinsville Chest of Drawers


Another American beauty by American of Martinsville.  This very modern nine drawer chest is clean-lined and minimalist, but at the same time warm and somewhat rich and luxurious feeling in its simplicity.  70" l., 19.5" d., 30.5" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. 

Capodimonte Birds





Italian Lovebirds.  Actually, I think they're pheasants, but I kind of love them.  Fine, Capodimonte handpainted, and beautifully detailed, glazed porcelain pheasants.  They'd make a great centerpiece or addition to a bookshelf or tablescape.  18" w., 10" d., 16" h.  Italian, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Merton Gershun for Dillingham, 'Esprit' Desk



 (Closest to true color)



It's always nice to have original documentation.  The 'Esprit' Collection by Dillingham is often attributed to Milo Baughman.  It was actually designed by Merton Gershun.  This desk from the collection is pretty near perfect.  It's just the right size, with a 'look of classic simplicity and refined good taste', and it's in near mint condition.  It not only has its original cloth label, the original care tag is still stapled to the inside of the top drawer.  The desk has two narrow drawers and a deep file drawer below.  There are ebony accents on the top and bottom of the file drawer which make it appear to float.  The desk is finished on the back so it can be used in the center of a room.
'A contemporary collection so elegantly at home in your chosen surroundings....fashioned for lasting service and pleasure....Esprit by Dillingham.'  Who could ask for anything more?  48" w., 23" d., 29" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear.