These things are ridiculous

... and I can't help but love them.

 I stumbled upon this British circa 1850 example at the Philadelphia Museum of Art last weekend...

American, circa 1850. The seat cushions are dreadful...

but the decoration? Superb. 

and per usual Florian Papp always has something incredible...

The upholstery is relatively unfortunate, but again, the decoration is really extraordinary...

I particularly enjoy the Moravian star detail

Some beds are better than others...

Italian, mid 20th-century

Something I'd like to own...

Male Nude, Seen from Behind

Hippolyte Flandrin  (French, Lyons 1809–1864 Rome)

Obsessed

I think we all know by know that I have an affinity for drapery or tassels especially when rendered in materials other than fabric or thread. These 18th century French consoles are particularly beautiful and unusual. 

Future husbands please note: if I don't already own these, don't waste your time on a ring. 

Available here on 1stdibs.

Really?

Cast iron drapery and tassels? 

In love. 

Available here.

To Die For

 

A cast iron urn with serpent handles? 

Yes and yes.

Available at McKinnon and Harris, NYC

The Pope

 

So are you obsessed with the painted Empire screen, the cast bronze leaf, or the taxidermy bird? They're all amazing and they're all available at my favorite Charleston antiques store, John Pope Antiques. John has had the shop for the last 4 or 5 years and has done amazingly well... from museum quality antiques to really affordable pieces, you'll definitely find something to take home.

Normally most people would be worried about the extra expenses of living in New York... I'm actually going to be saving money since I will no longer be able to regularly frequent this shop.

 

A collage of paintings from every period... I've always loved the St. Sebastian on the demi-lune table...

 

I love everything about this combination... the painting, that tribal fabric, and the blown glass light fixture...

This pair of lamps are definitely my favorites right now. Cast metal painted to simulate marble? I don't care if they're Jansen or not, I'll take them!

 

A detail of my lamps...

 

What is there not to like about this? 

Well... actually I can understand someone hating it, but that's fine, just means it'll have a better chance of ending up with me.

 

I love the vibrant glazes of these Asian statues... instant collection. I'm particularly obsessed with that turquoise color right now.

 

and finally, something I wouldn't normally go for... but I love the purples and blacks in this painting, especially combined with that pop of chartreuse 

Basically you have to stop by if you're ever in Charleston... I mean, he carries around an 18th century chalice to drink out of with his Pope costume every Halloween... I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any more sybaritic than that.

Stapled Porcelain

Ever since I was little I remember a set of early 19th century Coalport Finger and Bow patterned plates that hung on the wall of our living room. I was intrigued by these plates because each one had been broken into about ten to fifteen pieces and had been reassembled with staples. These repaired objects have always held more interest to me because of how loved they were to be repaired rather than discarded. After spotting a teacup with a stapled saucer while in an antiques store in Asheville my interest was renewed.

 

and then I found this great little Minton creamer...

 

and then this fabulous Flight & Barr plate...

The collection is still expanding... stay tuned. 

I have also discovered a wonderful blog by designer Andrew Baseman called Past Imperfect: The Art of Inventive Repair (please click here to be directed to his blog). All the following images come from his blog

A plate repaired with 35 staples... the reverse is much more interesting than the front of the plate which leaves something to be desired...

 

 

 A Crown Derby polychrome tray for a teapot... much more my aesthetic. I love everything about this... the colors and decorative devices. The reverse exposes a stapled repair...

 

Baseman even features a crystal ewer repaired with staples... amazing.

Vintage Fornasetti?

Yes!

Available here on One Kings Lane

My last day

With the impending move to New York (the adventure begins November 6th, stay tuned!) this will be final day working at the Julia Santen Vintage Poster Gallery on King Street here in Charleston. I've worked for Julia for about a year now and have seen some fantastic art pass through these doors. It's remarkable that these pieces have survived decades, and for some over a century, in the condition they are in.

Current vintage poster obsession:

 

I love the jewel tones of these vintage Bally posters which both date from 1964. The height of 1960s glamor... I mean a cheetah? Fabulous.

Visit Julia's website here to peruse here amazing collection of vintage and original posters which date from the 1890s to the 1990s

To Die For

Available here.

To Die For

 A Tula center table made of steel, silver, ormolu, wood, and mirror plate, circa 1780

Could this be more fabulous?

Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Flight (and Barr) of Fancy

After discovering a fantastic Flight & Barr Worcester porcelain inkwell with feather decoration on 1stDibs (view here), I decided to delve into the archives of Sotheby's and Christie's to see what I could find... 

Please click on the images to be directed to either Sotheby's or Christie's to view details on these sybaritic examples of early 19th century porcelain...

 

Because I'm so over crystal...

 

An impressive "Shards" Murano Glass Chandelier by Mazzega, circa 1960s

via 1stDibs, available here.

Biggs Powell on One Kings Lane

Biggs Powell, who recently opened a store on King Street in Charleston, had a fantastic sale on One Kings Lane that opened yesterday. His store, located in one of my favorite buildings on lower King, is a jewel box of unique antiques, reproductions, and contemporary pieces. 

I love this 19th century hall chair... it's so modern in its severity and geometric shape

A pair of fantastic vintage French lamps...

Obviously obsessed with this vintage eglomise mirror...

These are so incredibly beautiful... I've been in love them for a while

And finally, my favorite piece from the entire sale...

These gilt and painted grotto brackets are quite possibly some of the most unique things I've ever encountered. If only I had an extra $3,000 lying around...

View the sale here

Visit Biggs' website here

from his website you can visit his listings on 1stDibs