Fresh Finds, the newest additions to the Modern Love gallery:
A rare execution of Robsjohn-Gibbings' elegant sabre leg lounge chair
for Widdicomb, in original and beautifully worn creamy white leather.
A classic Sheaf of Wheat coffee table base. Despite its Italian origin,
this design became the epitome of Parisian chic when both Coco Chanel
and Yves Saint Laurent utilized them in their own homes.
Usually found in gilt steel, this uncommon example features what appears
to be a nickel-plated finish, reminiscent of Warren Platner's similarly shaped
coffee table for Knoll.
A beautiful work from California Modernist potter Robert Maxwell,
protoge of David Cressey, with whom he shared a Venice studio in
the early 1960's.
This example features a scalloped and freeform edge, with a central
surface of crushed and molten Blenko glass in 2 tones.
An Eames Armshell Chair for Herman Miller in rare Turquoise fiberglass,
with production limited to contract orders only.
An Eames Armshell Chair for Herman Miller in rich and organic Olive Green Dark fiberglass.
A beautiful work from an unknown American studio, featuring sculpted
brass detailing and tapering dowels of solid walnut. Atop the central
walnut post is a white laminate top finished with a bevelled walnut edge.
Materials and craftsmanship are premium throughout.
A fine Italian minimalist trinket box crafted in polished translucent alabaster stone.
All via the new Modern Love.
Fresh Finds: T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings, Eames, Robert Maxwell, Italian, American + More
Fresh Finds + New Site: Part 2: Maison Desny, Jean Boris-Lacroix, Andre Lamont + more
Part 2 of Fresh Finds, the newest additions to the Modern Love gallery:
An interesting organic modernist table lamp attributed to Jean Boris-Lacroix, featuring a perforated shade and a compass-shaped base of tapered brass legs. This clever design converts to a wall lamp by virtue of a brass loop for hanging.
REFERENCE: See Lot 27 Tajan, Paris, May 15, 2012 for a nearly identical example ascribed to Borix-Lacroix.
A credenza by Ste. Marie + Laurent. Combining fine craftsmanship with exotic hardwoods, this relatively obscure
Montreal-based studio produced some of the foremost modernist furniture of
the period. This example of designer Andre Laurent's credenza is sheathed in
an exceptionally pronounced Brazilian Rosewood veneer. The unit's floating
visual effect is achieved through a cantilevered base of mirror-polished chrome.
Named for the contraction of the founders names, M. Desnet and Rene Nauny, La Maison Desny operated on the Champs-Elysees from 1927 until the untimely death of Desnet in 1933. Influenced by Cubism and Modernism, Maison Desny is characterized by radically juxtaposed geometric forms. Though relatively little is known about this short-lived firm, its output is reknowned as some of the finest works of the period, and definitive of French Art Deco. This rare serving tray features a reverse-painted glass panel over mirror, and would benefit from some restoration.
LITERATURE: A similar model is illustrated in The Art Deco Style, Theodore Metten, pg.140.
A rare Japanese modernist bowl, featuring an unusual form with a raised center.
The hand-painted artwork is superb in detail and execution, and appears to have
been influenced by the work of Stig Lindberg, who designed graphic wrapping
paper for the Japanese department store Seibu during the late 1950s.
All via the new Modern Love. Don't forget to check out Part 1 of this update, featuring pieces by Warren Platner, Carl Aubock, and Charles + Ray Eames.
Fresh Finds + New Site: Part 1: Warren Platner, Eames, Carl Aubock + more
I've added a fair number of new finds recently added to the gallery, so this week I've split Fresh Finds into 2 parts. You will also notice a total renovation to the site, and I hope you enjoy the new format.
Part 1:
Introduced in 1966, this fine and rare example of Platner's sculptural arm chair dates to
the earliest years of production. in 1967 Art Metal, a firm which in 1959 purchased
Florence Knoll's interests in Knoll Associates, was sold to Heller. In 1969 Knoll Associates
was renamed Knoll International. These two events in Knoll's timeline, and the presence
of the Art Metal/Knoll Associates label, help date this chair to the first 2 years of production.
This example features a highly unusual black painted finish, which is believed to be original
and identical to Knoll's black Bertoia wire chairs of the same period.
Handcrafted in warm and lustrous brass, this fine Carl Aubock triple candleholder is a rare form.
An exquisite handcrafted box carved from solid rosewood, featuring a series of brass stripes perfectly inlayed to the contour of the lid. The hollowed interior recalls the oeuvre of Alexandre Noll, who may have influenced the unknown creator of this work.
Classic Eames sculptural side chairs in creamy white fiberglass. Several
available, please inquire if ordering sets. Signed with embossed HERMAN MILLER factory marks, some examples
with ink date stamps 1969.
All via the new Modern Love, with many more great finds to come in Part 2.
Fresh Finds: Ilmari Tapiovaara, Magda Frank, Russell Woodard, Robert Larin + More
Designed in 1956 and inspired by the traditional Windsor Chair, Ilmari Tapiovaara's Mademoiselle Chair became a definitive example of the Finnish Modern Movement. Surprising comfort is achieved through a carved bevelled edge seat with waterfall front edge, a relaxed seating angle, and 9 tall backrest spindles that cradle the sitters back. The tapered and dramatically splayed dowel legs continue the form developed in his Pirkka series from a year before.
Original production by Asko, where Tapiovaara served as designer and artistic director in 1938.
An impressive stone sculpture by acclaimed Argentinian artist Magda Frank. Having studied in Paris under the mentorship of Marcel Gimond, Frank was heavily inspired by Pre-Columbian Art, whose influence can be seen in this work.
Signed with inscription to base: Magda. Approximately 15.75" x 5.5" x 4".
From the studio of Montreal artisan Robert Larin, who despite a relatively brief period of operation (1968 to 1977), created some of Canada's finest modernist jewelry of its time. By utilizing a lost wax process to cast pewter, and using oxidation as an artistic overlay, Laurin created some rather remarkable and exquisite pieces. This present work, featuring a multi-layered criss-crossing brutalist relief set on an asymetrical disk, is an exceptional example of his craft.
Signed to verso: Robert Larin. Approximately 3" x 1.5" x .5".
A fine modernist lamp in the style of Gino Sarfatti, featuring an articulating perforated dome shade mounted to a gracefully arching brass post.
Not marked, manufacturer unknown.
Durable and strong yet visually light, Russell Woodard's highly successful Sculptura series features a sturdy wrought iron frame supporting a single flowing sheet of wire mesh, formed to the contours of the human body.
Mounted on a lounge sized base, this is an uncommon variant of the Sculptura high-back armchair with a lower profile and more relaxed seating angle.
A bent and woven rattan stool styled after the Franco Albini's Margherita series, designed for Vittorio Bonacina.
All via Modern Love, with many more great finds to come.
Fresh Finds: Charlotte Perriand, Poul Kjærholm, Bitossi, Stilnovo + More
Rare early examples of Poul Kjaerholm's PK1 in bent steel and handwoven wicker, the first of Kjaerholm's designs to be produced by Ejvid Kold Christensen. These examples were crafted during the initial production series of 1956-1960.
Impressed to top rail: Denmark.
A fine pair of Charlotte Perriand's folded metal wall lamps with pivoting shades. Manufactured and retailed by Galerie Steph Simon.
Both examples signed with labels: SCE Made in France.
An impressive table lamp featuring lyrical brass detailing, perforated bias-cut cone shade, and articulated reflector.
From an unknown studio, with Arredoluce and Arteluce having both produced similar models.
A fine pair of minimalist single-drawer nightstands in the style of Harvey Probber, sheathed in walnut veneer and floating on legs of solid brass.
A rare and impressive pair of side tables sheathed in tessellated fossilized coral stone with inlaid brass detailing.
These tables are exceptional examples of a movement championed by Karl Springer and Maitland Smith in the 70s and 80s, rooted in Jean Michel Frank's philosophy of combining luxury materials and old world craftsmanship, with clean lined modernist forms.
Both signed with labels: MAITLAND SMITH.
Asahara Sigheaki's minimalist Palemar floor lamp, featuring a tripod base and articulated parabolic shade.
Signed with embossement: STILNOVO: MADE IN ITALY.
Literature: Repertorio Del Design Italiano, 1950-2000, Giuliana Gramigna, Volume 2.
Subtle bamboo detailing adds a touch of glam to this otherwise minimalist 1970's coffee table of sleek chrome and glass.
A bold graphic ceramic bull from Bitossi Studios. This is a rare pattern that was also utilized on Howard Miller's Meridian Series Clock, Model 7589.
Signed with impressed mark: ITALY.
All via Modern Love, with many more great finds to come.
