Showing posts with label beautiful things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beautiful things. Show all posts

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Gorgeous little things, darling...

There are so many incredible estate pieces available right now.  I've been dying to show you some of my favorite selections.  And I know I'm supposed to write all of this stuff about them to entice and educate you, but in reality, I just want you to see the pretty pictures!  Ready to be dazzled?  
In 1993, Henry Dunay designed and made "The Lachrymosa" mask for Elizabeth Taylor with the proceeds benefitting the American Foundation for AIDS Research--AmfAR.  The "The Lachrymosa" mask represent the weeping and tears that Elizabeth Taylor and Dunay viewed the AIDS epidemic.  The Mask is set with over 130 carats of diamonds in gold and platinum.  Dunay is the four time winner of the Diamond International Award.  
Cartier, Spectacular Art Deco Jade Diamond Set Clock, France, circa 1925.
Beautiful and rare desk clock of Oriental inspiration: the circular dial, inlaid with tessellated mother-of-pearl, hosts royal blue enamel details and diamond set hands.  The rock crystal bezel is applied with diamond-set Roman numerals, set within a jadeite frame, and accented with sugarloaf lapis lazuli. 
Nardi, Blackamoor Brooch, Italy, circa 1960s.
Stunning Ebony Blackamoor Brooch set in 18K and embellished with diamonds.  Intricately detailed front and back, in original Nardi Venezia box.
Chinese Jade and French Art Deco Diamond Set Brooch, circa 1920.
A beautiful antique Chinese jade pendant, with a French Art Deco platinum and diamond set mount.  The jade is 19th century, the mount circa 1920.  Beautifully carved with an undulating gourd motif.  Very fine quality and illustrates the synergy between Eastern and Western craftsmen.  
Excellent condition.  Height: 3.25" Width 1.5".  $25,000.

Ebony and Diamond Bangle, USA, modern.
Solid Wave style Ebony wood with over 18 carats of diamond accents.  A Donna Vock collectible.
Faberge, Mauve Enamel and Rhodonite Bellpush, Russia, 1908-1917.
A Russian silver gilt and guilloche enamel bellpush, Adrei Adler, St. Petersburg.
Of low circular form, the body covered in pale translucent mauve enamel over a radiating wave pattern, chased gilt laurel leaf collets and a bullet-shaped rhodonite push.
$14,000
Wheat Shagreen and Diamond Star Cuff, USA, contemporary.
A wheat color shagreen cuff bracelet designed with a vintage diamond star set in 14K gold, by Marcella Ciceri (.25 carat diamond).
Ivan Saltykov, Enamel Teapot, Russia, 1894.
A Russian silver gilt and cloisonne enamel teapot of traditional form.  The teapot, handle, spout, and separate lid completely covered in opaque turquoise enamel between twisted wire scroll designs and outlined with bands of white enamel beads.  
Height: 4.5" $8500.

Art Deco Black Enamel Jade Diamond Box, France, 1925.



"Jumbo" Mouse Brooch, Italy, 1950's.
Extra large figural 18K gold mouse pin. Brushed coat, diamond eyes.  
Very solid.  $7800.
Very Rare Troisieme Boucheron Plique-a-jour Enamel Bangle, France, late 1800's.
19th Century 18K gold and silver, Plique-a-jour enamel and rose diamond bracelet.
Frederic Bourcheron, Paris, circa 1875-80.
Cartier, Ivory Rose Ladybird Pin, Paris, 1960.
Chopard, Diamond and Tiger Eye Bracelet Watch, Switzerland, 1970's.
A rare, 18K gold, bracelet watch designed as an elliptical face of tiger eye stone surrounded by diamonds.  Watch unclasps in the rear.  Manual winding (original mechanism).  These yellow gold and hard stone watches were primarily made in the 1960-70's and are extremely hard to find, particularly the models with diamonds.  Internal circumference of approx. 6.5" will fit a small to medium wrist.  Face measures 2.25"W.  Signed Chopard Geneve.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day Date Watch, 50th Anniversary Limited Edition, Swiss, Modern.
Rolex oyster perprtual day-date "Presidential" reference 118348, serial Z07xxxx in 18K yellow gold with enamel and pave set diamond dial, engraved bezel is set with 52 diamond, and is on a Rolex President bracelet with concealed clasp.
Wood and Gold Unusual "Claw" Bracelet, France, 20th Century
A most unusual 18K textured gold and wood bracelet of a stylized claw motif (Bryant:  Clearly, these are antlers!) with a rear hinge which allows the bracelet to twist open.  
Approx. internal circumference of 6.25-6.5". 

Wow, huh?!  Isn't it amazing to think that the Tsars of Russia had electricity by the turn of last century, with these incredible desk-mounted buzzers?!

Ciao for now. :)

Monday, July 25, 2011

Lorenzo Durán: Leaf Cuts

Aren't these interesting?  I love the rectangular pattern that looks like woven cane.  Artist Lorenzo Durán chooses to use leaves as his canvas, hand cutting different patterns and scenes in his work.  The end result is strong and delicate at the same time.  How beautiful.  The leaves with patterns remind me a little bit of Marcel Wanders lighting designs (and that free Flos tattoo I missed out on during ICFF week this year. Ugh)!






Thanks to Deborah Delaney and DesignMilk

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Incredible Sconces!

I've been running across so many incredible sconces during my shopping trips lately, I wanted to share.  Enjoy!
Look at these incredible Italian sconces.  So chic!  I'd love more than a pair lining a hall...


Gorgeous plaster shells, from one of my favorite antique shops in the city, Bermingham and Co.

Okay, these Pietro Chiesa designed lanterns at Todd Merrill are so exquisite in person!  Firstly, they are enormous.  Secondly, each white enamel bowl serves as a diffuser for the one below and also has a light inside providing soft, reflected light.  Gorgeous.

These wall lamps create a circular glow on the wall around the outside of the mesh disc.  So sexy.

Dazzling.

These extraordinary Apollo's Head sconces, by Andre Cazenave, glow from within!



A pair of bronze beauties, yes?

Have you noticed yet how much I love Stilnovo?

Dutch, 80's.  Yes, please.

Absolutely beautiful.  I wish there were more than two!

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Summer is here!




It's been so long!  And I just couldn't resist this amazing asparagus cake.  How beautiful, creative, and delicious.  And unexpected!  Welcome to summer everyone!

From Sweetapolita.com

Friday, March 04, 2011

Lets Talk...Purple

Purple...why do our clients dismiss this color?  It's labeled too juvenal, too unspecific, too bright or too dark, and always seems to conjure confusion. Take a moment to think about this diverse color. For instance, purple can span the seasons, it can be warm or cold in tone--sounds amazing, yes? We think so!  Here are some beautiful room designs that know just how to treat this tricky little color...









Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Beautiful things...





I simply cannot get enough of beautiful things, and have both very visceral and very physical responses to them.  Imagine how I much be feeling looking at these items:  

A 40's Monkey fur coat from Torso Vintages in San Francisco.
A set of 6 "Champagne" chairs by Laverne at Galerie Yves Gastou.
A set of Wedgewood breakfast cups, saucers, and tea plates through Bardith
A pair of brass geometric form vases from Gustavo Olivieri.
A heavy rope work bracelet in 18 carat gold from Waldman Van Lennep.

All stunning, all timeless, all beautiful, all for sale!  Hide the credit cards, kids.  :)

images from respective vendors