AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- SEPTEMBER 30TH: 20TH CENTURY DECORATIVE ARTS AT BONHAMS
by Kelly Keating on 10/04/13
The auction finds for this week are all from Bonhams 20th Century Decorative Arts sale in Los Angeles on October 7, 2013. Twentieth century design continues to be a major component of the auction market. This week's discoveries center around glass and lamps. I hope you will find inspiration in one of these objects to inspire the design of your own space.
This week's first treasure is a Steuben Blue Arene glass vase circa 1910, lot 1044 with a pre-sale estimate of $800-1,200. The color of this vase is extraordinary- an icy blue color that suggests the vase would be cold to the touch. It stands at an impressive 16" tall and would make a wonderful centerpiece for an entry way or on a living room mantel. One could design a whole room around this frosty color.
The next find for this week is also glass, but small at 4.5" tall and just gorgeous. Lot 1070 is a René Lalique molded clear and amber glass perfume bottle, introduced in 1920, with a pre-sale estimate of $12,000-18,000. In contrast to the frosty Steuben Arene vase, this perfume bottle is on fire. The beautiful stopper in the shape of clustered berries is done in hues of yellow and orange that seem hot to the touch. One could use this vase as the design inspiration for a bedroom or dressing room, all vibrant color and rich design.
The third discovery this week is a Tiffany Studios favrile glass and gilt bronze harp lamp, circa 1899-1918, lot 1064 with a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-4,000. I much prefer this type of Tiffany lamp to the more well-known examples with multi-colored glass shades. While those type of lamps are beautiful, I find them a bit tainted by the ubiquity of ersatz Tiffany lamps in the market. All of these bad copies spoil the original for me. On the other hand this lamp with its delicately colored shade and the lovely organic Art Nouveau shape of its base is infinitely more appealing to me. This lamp would be wonderful on a leather topped desk in a richly appointed study.
The next find this week is also a lamp, but in marked contrast to the naturalism of the Tiffany. Lot 1105 is Arredoluce painted metal and brass triennale lamp designed in 1950 and with a pre-sale estimate of $3,000-5,000. This wonderful standing lamp at 75" tall has 3 lights each covered by primary color shades in red, yellow and blue. This lot would be a great starting point for an eclectic modern designed room.
The fifth discovery this week is a modern, high design chandelier by Carlo Scarpa for Venini from the third quarter of the 20th century. Lot 1149 is polyhedral glass and painted metal chandelier with a pre-sale estimate of $1,500-2,500. The clustered glass shades give the chandelier both an organic feel like a zinnia blossom as well as an industrial quality. That combination is what makes this piece visually dynamic and so appealing.
I hope one of these upcoming Bonhams lots will provide inspiration for the design of your own space. If you need help finding an antique or vintage piece for your home, please contact me at [email protected] and visit my website www.theantiqueflaneur.com to see the different services I offer such as helping you sell your antique and vintage items.
For the results of the lots described here visit my Facebook page after the end of the sale on October 7th.
Until next week,
Kelly T Keating
