Navy Blanket

W.W. II vintage U.S. Navy blanket.  This blanket which would be perfect for a cottage, den or at the foot of a bed is made of 100% wool and has a blue stripe with "U.S. NAVY" embroidered at the top and bottom.  64" w., 76" l.  American, c. 1940's  SOLD

Leather Briefcase

A case of good character.  This handsome, handmade, expandable, saddle leather briefcase has developed a wonderful patina after years of use, but it has at least another hundred years of life left.  It would make an excellent gift for dad or grad.  18" l., 6" w., 15" h.  SOLD

"Henry Dreyfuss" Telephone "Model 302"

Low tech., high design.  This iconic telephone was designed by Henry Dreyfuss (1904-1972) in 1937.  Dreyfuss was at the forefront of 20th c. American Industrial Design and designed for Western Electric, Hoover, Polaroid and New York Central Railroad, amongst many others.  The Model 302 was produced by Bell Laboratories and can be found in the permanent collections of many museums including The Smithsonian.  This phone was the higher end model with a chrome body.  It has been completely restored and operates perfectly with a ring that will .  SOLD

Modern Cabinet

This smart and sophisticated cabinet is unmarked but is very much in keeping with pieces designed by Bert England and Renzo Rutili for Johnson Furniture Co.  It has three doors with very handsome contrasting geometric inlay and brass door pulls.  The two doors open to a shelved compartment and the single door opens to a separate shelved compartment.  The back is finished so it can be floated or used as a room divider.  54" l., 18" w., 38" h.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

A Chair's Tale

I couldn't say goodbye to this fixture in the shop without a post.  For those of you who have visited the shop, you might have heard the story behind my desk chair; a chair which has served me well for almost the whole time Michael Thomas has been in business.  Before the chair came into my possession, it was owned most recently, and in the office of, Conrad Black.  For those Canadians reading this post, you know the story there.  Prior to Conrad, it was owned, and in the office of his father George Montegu Black Jr.  One of the best parts of this "job" is researching the history of pieces and pondering the lives they have lived.  I know while this chair was in the shop it lived an interesting life and met some fascinating people.  It heard lots of intriguing stories from clients and friends, heard lots of laughs and a bit of gossip, and even got featured in an article that was done on the shop in 2009.  It wasn't the first time.  It had already been published in "The Canadian Establishment" by Peter C. Newman twenty-five years earlier.  Last week a gentleman came into the shop and fell in love with it in its current Miss Havisham state and had to have it.  For some time, my back had been telling me it was time for something a little more ergonomically correct, so I decided to say goodbye.  Saying goodbye to so many of the great pieces that pass through Michael Thomas is bittersweet as it will be with this tattered chair with a history.  However, as I have said many times, it is a real pleasure to be a caretaker for a while and then send these pieces off to make new history.

Pair of Louis XVI Style French Bouillotte Tables

Elegant and fine pair of Louis XVI style mahogany double drawer tables with gold embossed leather top slides.  The marble tops are trimmed with mounted brass galleries and the tapered, fluted legs have brass capped feet.  French, c. early 20th c. SOLD

International Relations

While the relationship between the French and the Italians hasn't always been harmonious, they seem to be working well together in our latest window.  One of our French Louis XV style Bergeres is paired with an ornate Italian gilt wood mirror (SOLD) and a pair of Italian wheat sheaf tables.  Hopefully the robins egg blue backdrop, wheat sheaves and fresh flowers will send a message to Persephone that we are ready for spring!

"Widdicomb" Asian Modern Dining Table and 6 Chairs

Palm Springs chic!  This outstanding set by Widdicomb features a round, four foot diameter table with three leaves.  Each leaf is 15" wide, and fully extended the table is a 93" oval.  It is finished in a rich sable stain and has decorative patinated brass balls on the skirt.  There are two arm chairs and four side chairs.  Each chair has been completely restored and newyly reupholstered in a very smart cotton Ikat style fabric with new foam.  The chairs are on casters and are very comfortable.  In addition to being one of the coolest sets we have had in the shop, it is also one of the most versatile.  It functions beautifully as a dining group, but would also be perfect as a games set or for a sun room.  The chairs work nicely as occasional chairs as well as dining chairs.  American, c. 1960  SOLD

Olexander Wlasenko; "Whisper"

This drawing features a young Stefania Sandrelli and Marcello Mastroianni in his acting prime.  The scene is from the 1961 Academy Award winning film, "Divorzio all'italiana" (Divorce Italian Style).  They share a secret.  A whisper remains concealed from peers and parochial ears....  Charcoal on paper.  Framed, 42 1/2" h., 78" l.  SOLD

Happy Easter!

Michael Thomas will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, but open from 10 to 5 on Saturday.  We wish everyone a Happy Easter!  Please check back early next week for some fantastic new pieces that we will be posting as they make their way into the shop.  In the meantime, we thought we would leave you with a seasonal tune to start off your Easter weekend.  We heard this song for the first time a couple of weeks ago sung as a traditional hymn.  This is a beautiful folk version of "What Wondrous Love Is This".  The hymn originated as an American southern spiritual and was first published in 1811 in Lynchburg Virginia.

Pair of Italian Tables

These sophisticated and hospitable (the pineapple is a traditional symbol of hospitality) tables have gilded metal faux bamboo frames with pineapple finials, and inset glass tops.  The tables are on casters and would function nicely as side tables or used together as a coffee table.  Each table, 20" square, 21" h.  Italian, c. 1960's  SOLD

Theater Masks

Highly expressive and very decorative pair of bronzed, wall hanging theater masks.  Larger, 10" h., 8" w. American, c. 1960   SOLD