AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- JULY 22ND: ELEGANT DINING PART III

by Kelly Keating on 07/21/13

This week's auction finds continues our exploration of objects to create an elegant dining room and thus a lovely entertaining experience for you and your guests. In the part one of Elegant Dining the focus was on the foundation of the dining room- the table, the chairs and the plates.  In part two, the finds were all items that could be used as a centerpiece which is the essential focal point of the dining room table.  The centerpiece is the first and most important object in the adornment on the table. 

This week's finds are 4 different types of chandeliers which could work with the tables that were selected in part one: the Louis Phillipe style table, the Georgian style late 19th/early 20th century, the Paul Frankl table and the Art Deco table after Leleu.  The chandelier is not only essential for light, but its style and composition is an important component in the dining room.  Sometimes a pair of chandeliers is warranted with a large table which together with the centerpiece forms a visually appealing inverted triangle.  Or with one chandelier use a pair of centerpieces which then creates a pleasing triangular shape.

The first chandelier is a Vitosi Venetian glass ceiling light from the 1970's, lot 49, which is being auctioned at Christie's London on July 30, 2013 with a pre-sale estimate of $1,217-1,825.  The chandelier consists of twenty five mottled clear glass spheres on a silvered frame with three light-fittings.  The configuration of the glass spheres look like almost like bubbles and with the textured surface, the piece is visually dynamic.The fixture is small, 20" wide, so it would not work over a large table, but would look lovely over a small round 40" diameter table that seats 4- perfect for a chic New York apartment. 

 

The next chandelier for this week is also made of glass, but from the early 20th century.  Lot 340, a Brilliant period-style cut glass chandelier is being auctioned at New Orleans Auction Galleries on July 27. 2013 with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500.  The fixture has ten lights and is  supported on a vase-shaped standard hung with spear-point prisms.  The two tiers of lights are decorated with swags of glass buttons and the bobeches are hung with teardrop prisms.  The piece measures 34" x 29.5".  The glowing lightness and visual dynamism of this chandelier would be great as a pair if possible over the Georgian style late 19th/early 20th century mahogany dining table offered in part one.  This piece is of course very traditional, but it is not stuffy or oldfashioned looking.  It has an intricate richness and buoyancy despite its traditional shape and components.

The third discovery this week is lot 228, an Art Deco bronze and alabaster chandelier being auctioned off at Carstens Galleries, Palm Beach, FL on July 25, 2013 with a pre-sale estimate of $3,800-9,000.  Albaster "petals" alternate with bronze pieces with chevron decoration to form the chandelier.  This fixture is visually a heavy piece.  The materials used impart its richness as well as the glowing golden light passing through the alabaster shade petals.  This chandelier would complement the Frankl and the after Leleu dining tables offered in part one of the Elegant Dining posts.

The final treasure this week is an opulent, over-the-top French ormolu and patinated bronze eight branch chandelier from the second half of the 19th century, Lot 521 is being auctioned at Christie's New York on July 23-24, 2013 with a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-5,000.  The black color of the patinated bronze is a rich contrast to the gilt ormolu portions of the fixture.  At the center is a figure of Cupid offering a laurel ring or wreath of greenery to the viewer.  The French grandeur of this chandelier appeals to me and I would be happy to have it in my home, but clearly it is not for everyone.  Many would consider it old-fashioned.  It would, however, look wonderful above the oval Louis Phillipe style table shown in part one of Elegant Dining.

This post on Elegant Dining featured another important component of the dining room- the chandelier which is both functional and more importantly decorative.  The chandelier works in tandem with the centerpiece on the table to create a focal point for the dining room and to direct the eye for the viewer.  When considering a chandelier be aware of size and scale in relation to the table under it and the room size in general.  Perhaps 2 chandeliers are needed with a central centerpiece or conversely perhaps one chandelier needs 2 centerpieces on the table.

I hope this week's post provided inspiration for your own dining space.  Next week's post will focus on the final essential feature of elegant dining, namely flatware and stemware.

For the auction results of this post's lots and those in earlier posts, please take a look at my Facebook Page.

If you need help finding a chandelier for your home, please contact me at [email protected].

Until next week,

Kelly T Keating
www.theantiqueflaneur.com