October 21, 2011 by Simone
Today’s Friday treasures post comes to you from the wonderful ceramicist Hilda Jesser. Jesser studied under Josef Hoffmann back in 1915, and initially worked primarily with fabric, lace and embroidery. In 1916 she began to produce her first works for the Wiener Werkstätte. She designed only a handful of ceramic pieces, all of which are characterized by what she noted as a ‘deliberate reduction in color and frills with a special emphasis on the usability of ceramics’. To my eye, there are no frills – but there are certainly a pleasing amount of feminine details.What do you think – are you a fan?
Tags: ceramics, Hilda Jesser, Josef Hoffmann, Wiener Werkstätte
Categories: just because, treasures •
October 14, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday friends! I’ve been captivated by coral lately – perusing through archives of estate pieces. I think fall demands a pop of timeless, bright coral on your wrist, don’t you think? These pieces below are for pure, decadent inspiration, as coral like this demands prices that work for only a select few. A girl can dream, right?
Let’s start off with this 1930s Art Deco platinum, diamond, coral and onyx bracelet…..
The below is Italian from the 1950′s. It’s crafted from alternating flat yellow gold and white gold bars, as well as the fantastic domed coral bars.
This Piaget coral and onyx watch is made from angel skin coral on a yellow gold face, with the links that alternate between coral and onyx.
And how about this French art deco coral pyramid and diamond bracelet? I can see this beauty working with just about everything. Do you have a favorite? I think this one below is the most adored for me…
here, here, here & here
Tags: art deco, coral, onyx, piaget
Categories: treasures •
October 7, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday readers! Take a look at this curious treasure, truly reminiscent of a different era. How show stopping is this seashell collector’s cabinet from 1840? It houses a stunning array of seashells from all over the world. Crafted of luxurious rosewood the cabinet features 22 glass-topped drawers that can be pulled out completely for individual display as you please.
Drawers and drawers tucked full of seashells from around the world……
I am truly loving the meticulous, artful mosaics of these carefully arranged shells.
inquire here
Tags: 1840, Rosewood, Seashell Collector's Cabinet, seashells, William IV
Categories: treasures •
October 5, 2011 by Simone
There’s nothing like a rainy Fall day to get me in the mood for some cozy, crafty quilt appreciation According to the hand stitched inscription on the back of the beauty below, this crazy quilt was stitched in 1871 by ‘Eleanor’ on a horse farm in Tennessee. Do you know the history of crazy quilts? They were all the rage back in the 1880′s and earned the name ‘crazy’ because of their whimsical, irregular patchwork patterns. The patches were hand appliqued on top of a base fabric rather than being stitched together to create a more regular surface pattern. Because of the small surface area that each patch covered, the quilters were inclined to get crazy-wild-n-free with their embellishment techniques and incorporated beads, buttons and hand stitched details. A crazy quilter often became as skilled at embellishing as they were at quilting. Oh my, what I wouldn’t give to have spent some hours with Eleanor on her Tennessee horse farm, learning her crazy quilting secrets. What do you think? Inspired?
here
Tags: 1871, crazy quilt, Tennessee, textile museum of canada
Categories: art+artists, treasures •
September 30, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday my darlings…let’s start the day off with something aspirational, shall we? How handsome is this Girard-Perregaux two register chronograph from the 1950s? If there ever was a men’s watch that was meant to be a lady’s, this beauty is it, wouldn’t you say?
here
Tags: 1950's, Girard-Perregaux Chronograph
Categories: treasures •
September 23, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday! I thought we could start off the weekend with something a bit unexpected for the treasures post today. Check out this strong and steadfast beauty – a vintage 2oth century terra cotta horse sculpture. I can think of a few places in my home where this beauty belongs…what about you? At 24″ high, it demands attention and with that gorgeous turquoise glaze, it deserves to be front and center. The maker is unknown, but whoever you are – thank you. I’m in love.
here
Tags: antique, antique pillows, terra cotta horse, turquoise
Categories: treasures •
September 16, 2011 by Simone
Happy Friday! For my latest treasure find, take a look at these early 20th Century Japanese writing boxes. The first features deer crossing a stream, the deer are carved from mother-of-pearl and pewter on a kinji gold lacquer ground. The imagery of the deers feels very Art Deco, don’t you think? The idea of sitting down to use one of these beauties brings some instant serenity, wouldn’t you say?
It even comes with the original suzuri ink stone, the pure silver suiteki water dropper and with it’s original fitted kiri-wood box.
This next beauty, is decorated with chrysanthemums in takamakie high-relief gold lacquer in two tones, with the centers inlaid of kirigane gold foil. The background is created with the bokashi technique that gradates from gold fading into black.
Inside features a removable tray that holds the suzuri ink stone and floral silver suiteki water dropper in with a finely chased work with a gilt center.
Intricate, detailed and inspiring…Now, can we start writing letters again?
here
Tags: 1900s, antique hand painted vase, Hoshuku, japan, Suzuribako with chrysanthemums
Categories: treasures •
September 9, 2011 by Simone
Hello, gorgeous. It’s been a while since I’ve brought out a suzani treasure, and this beauty is one that I could not resist. From the 1900′s in Uzbekistan, this gorgeous piece has 14 large rosettes and those most amazing chain stitch leaf details…..
The handwork and colors create such a vibrancy…
And how about those rosettes? I wonder if the color variation in the greens was intentional – or perhaps the die didn’t take quite as well in certain batches. The blues are beautiful as well – indigo popping off of red. Gorgeous, no? 
here
Tags: antique, chain stitch, suzani, Uzbekistan
Categories: treasures •
September 2, 2011 by Simone
On a recent gift search for a client, I came across this extraordinary piece – a Louis XVI artist’s chest equipped with original brushes and pigments. It was intended to be used for faux decorative painting, all the way back in 1775. The artist whom this chest belonged to had an accurate system for storing his paints, brushes, and pigments – it contains numerous numbered and lettered boxes, compartments, glass bottles and drawers.
The bottom drawer contains specially-designed brushes used for marbling techniques and a well-used artist’s palette. And the top of the chest removes and serves as a stool. This piece has a place in my heart – it’s so rare to find a piece like this in tact. I’m not going to lie – it is literally calling my name. What sounds better than an end of Summer afternoon painting en plein air? Anyone?
here
Tags: 1775, antiques, artist's chest, Louis XVI Period
Categories: treasures •
August 26, 2011 by Simone
Check out this super-chic Bvlgari lighter from the 1970s. It has details of polished 14kt yellow gold, inlaid with a patchwork of malachite, sodalite, jasper & bloodstone. Let’s just imagine for a moment the days when ladies and gentlemen would pull out something as handsome as this, shall we?
here
Tags: 1970, bvlgari, inlaid, lighter
Categories: treasures •
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