Engraving of Sir Alexander MacDonald

Part of what drew me to this piece was the label on the back of it.  Part of what I love about this business, a big part, is the research into the history of a piece and imagining the life it has lived.  Part of that imagining is about the home or homes in which it has lived and part is about the owners.  Sometimes I know about both when I'm purchasing a piece, but often times not.  In this case, thanks to Google, I was able to find out a little about the most recent owner of this engraving, and I thought it would be nice to share.  Her name was Lucy Gould Butterbaugh and she passed away a few years ago at the age of 90.  She was 'an accomplished golfer and devoted mother, who touched many lives.  She always wanted to help people -strangers or not- and was truly selfless.  She was a supportive friend, dedicated educator and a force to be reckoned with.  Her generous spirit and playfulness will be sorely missed."  Looking at that wonderful photo of her and that infectious smile, I am imagining she was the teacher that students went back to visit long after they had graduated.  She also has that 'playful' twinkle in her eye of 'a force to be reckoned with.'  So now we know a little bit about Lucy. Here's a bit about her engraving.  This charming (and rare, according to Lucy) engraving of a young Sir Alexander MacDonald holding a long nose golf club is after a painting which is in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.  Alexander was the son of Sir Alexander MacDonald of MacDonald, a Highland chieftain with estates on the Isle of Skye.  While Lucy dates the engraving to 1892, other references place it earlier, around 1860.  It would make a wonderful gift for a golfer, particularly a Scottish one, or maybe a favorite teacher.  21.25" h., 18.25" w.  SOLD

Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Milch and Son Italian Mirror

This Florentine, carved giltwood mirror by Milch and Son is perfect for a powder room, hallway or anywhere a smaller scale piece with lots of decorative punch is needed.  31" h., 20" w.  Italian, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear. 

Drexel 'Oxford Square' Campaign Style Desk

Dazzlingly sumptuous, if a bit boisterous, this campaign style desk was made by Drexel as part of their 'Oxford Square' Collection.  It has all of the bells and whistles, and a few surprises too.  The overall look of the piece is very British, c. 19th c.  It was actually made in America in 1970, but has built in age, character and patina.  The double  X-base appears to be aged brass.  It is, in fact, gilt wood that has been finished, very realistically, to look like patinated brass.  The body of the desk is pecan, and has been finished and distressed to look like it's travelled many miles over a century or two.  It has had one owner and one home for its entire life.  There are a few darker areas on the top which I don't think were part of the original finish, but only add to the character.  There is applied decoration on the top, sides, front and back.  On either side of the top, the tambour roll-tops glide open (very smoothly) to reveal a compartment with a single shelf.  In the center, two drawers are flanked by a pair of cubby holes on either side.  Below, are three drawers with patinated brass pulls.  This one's a show stopper and can be found online listed for up to over 9k.  54" l., 26" d., 34.5" h.  American, c. 1970  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Kittinger Cocktail Table

Invest in the best.  This sophisticated, superbly crafted, tray-style cocktail table by Kittinger is the definition of 'fine furniture'.  The tray-style (stationary) top is hand-finished in the Kittinger signature oil drop (faux tortoise) finish.  The faux bamboo base is newly, professionally lacquered.  The smaller size is perfect for a room where space is limited but style is not.  33" w., 22" d., 18" h.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD

Condition:  Excellent restored condition with age appropriate wear.   

Hickory Chair Sheraton Style Loveseat

Classics week continues with this very pretty Sheraton style loveseat by Hickory Chair Company, from their 'Historical James River Plantations' collection.  The legs are hand-carved mahogany and it is upholstered in its original, and very cheerful, blue and white toile.  It comes with a pair of small throw cushions in the same fabric (not shown).  Picturing this piece in a bedroom or sunroom, or any room that needs some pattern and pop.  50" l., 25" d., 35" h.  American, c. last qtr. 20th c.  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.     

Pair of Hickory Chair Loveseats

A classic pairing.  From the Hickory Chair 'American Masterpiece Collection', comes this classic pair of Chippendale style camelback loveseats.  The legs and stretchers are hand-carved mahogany and the flame stitch upholstery is original.  You never go wrong with the classics.  54" l., 26" d., 34" h.  American, c. 3rd qtr. 20th c. SOLD

Condition:  Very good-good original vintage condition and very comfortable.    

A. M. R. Apollo Bust

It's a bust.  That much I know.  Apollo?  Not certain, but it's a very handsomely modelled plaster, MCM, museum reproduction with a verdigris finish and an ebonized base.  It's marked and dated.  The only other example I could find is listed on Ebay in very poor condition for $600.00 U.S. Appx. 15" h., 8" w., 9" d.  American, c. 1962  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.

Set of Six Louis XV Style Dining Chairs

If one of your 2020 resolutions was to freshen up your dining room and entertain more,  or to add more color, comfort and style to your home, we're here to help.  This is the most beautiful set of dining chairs we have come across in a long time.  The set of six French Louis XV style chairs have hand-carved wood frames.  The seats and backs are upholstered in a sublime seafoam blue, pearlized leather.  They are as comfortable as they are beautiful and would work as perfectly with a modern Platner or Eames table as with something more classic.  37" h., 20" w., 18" d.  c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with age appropriate wear.   

Selig (attr.) Egg Chair and Ottoman

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for someone with great MCM eggspectations (sorry) this year?  We've got just the thing.  New to the shop today is this beautiful egg chair and ottoman by Selig (attr.).  It is as comfortable as it is good looking.  The upholstery is vintage, but not original.  Chair: appx. 41" h., 33" w., 30" d.  Ottoman:  18" h., 21" w., 21: d.  American, c. 1960's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good vintage condition with light wear.

Holiday Hours

The shop will be open Friday and Saturday from 11-4 and then closed for the holidays.  We will reopen on Friday January 3rd.  Happy Holidays!!!

John Widdicomb Hollywood Regency Chest

I have this problem.  I fall in love with these exuberant pieces and picture exactly where and how they could be used to make a room come alive.  Then as I'm driving back to Canada, I usually think....damn, what have I done?  No one will see the possibilities.  Fortunately, I have enough clients who love a broad mix and know just how to make the perfect interior cocktail.  So.....here we have MCM (Mid-century Majestic) at its finest.  This Louis/ French Provincial/ Hollywood Regency style chest by John Widdicomb is a 10 out of 10.  I've never seen better craftsmanship and the condition is near mint.  Hand carved, hand painted, nine drawer chest in an antiqued white finish with embossed and gold paint decoration.  The ornate pulls are patinated bronze and four of the drawers have dividers.  There is a custom glass top.  "Decorating is Fun"  - Dorothy Draper  ...or at least is should be.  69" l., 21" d., 33.5" h.  American, c. 1950's  SOLD
Condition:  Excellent vintage condition with age appropriate wear. 

Drexel 'Consensus' Desk

The consensus is....this is a stunner.  From the Drexel 'Consensus' collection, this simply sophisticated, seventies chic, ash desk has three drawers with a curved center drawer.  The base and pulls are brushed brass.  Note the very handsome ash wood grain on the top.  It's finished on the back, so it can float in a room.  54" w., 30" d. 30.5" h.  American, c. 1970's  SOLD
Condition:  Very good-good vintage condition with a fair bit of patina on the brass and a few minor imperfections to the finish.