categories + archives: classic

object of desire – gorham silver tureen

gorham-silver-tureen

This marvelous Gorham silver tureen is not my usual object of desire, but take a closer look and I think you’ll be persuaded that this is a great piece of sculptural art. Made in 1883 by one of America’s finest … Continue reading →

dutch old master paintings at sothebys

dutch-old-master-paintings-cuyp-interior

Henry and June “Jimmy” Weldon amassed a fascinating collection of Flemish and Dutch old master paintings over 60 years of passionate collecting. Around 2002 I had the good fortune to meet Jimmy and was invited to her apartment to look … Continue reading →

modern silver accessories from wiener silber manufactur

modern-silver-accessories-silver-water-pitcher-Otto-Prutscher

Modern silver accessories are the finishing touches to any well-designed room.  They hit just the right note, saying that this is a home with sophisticated taste.  I’ve written about many of my favorite silversmiths over the years, but luckily I … Continue reading →

the superb belle epoque 19th century art of boldini

Boldini-landscape

When the Sotheby’s New York’s 19th Century European Art catalogue arrived on my desk this week, I was amazed to see this brilliant landscape by Boldini amongst a handful of very good portraits by the master.  I’m not sure I’ve … Continue reading →

chinese archaic bronzes at sotheby’s new york

Sothebys-Chinese-Bronzes

New York’s Asia Week kicks off on 17 March 2014 and brings the great collectors and admirers of Chinese Art to New York to partake in the numerous auctions, fairs and exhibitions that serve to make New York the capital … Continue reading →

are gargoyles the next art collecting trend?

In a world where movies and television are fixated on vampires, zombies and other unearthly creatures, I may have just found the next “BIG” art collecting trend – gargoyles!   The gargoyle has never really received the respect it’s due.  … Continue reading →

messerschmidt, a sculptor a(head) of his time

  Franz Xaver Messerschmidt is not some cool “up and coming” contemporary artist churning out these fantastically expressive sculptures somewhere in a studio in the former East Berlin.  But you’re forgiven for thinking that.  His portrait busts are so wild … Continue reading →