Editor’s Top Picks – Page 4 – High End Weekly™

11 Must Have Art Deco Pieces For Your Collection

Left: TRAVAIL DES ANNÉES 1960. Lampe en métal nickelé à abat-jour circulaire légèrement bombé, cache ampoule cornet traversé par un tube fixé sur la base. Right: ÉCOLE FRANÇAISE début XXe Portrait de Femme Huile sur toile Signé"Martin" et daté — Left: TRAVAIL DES ANNÉES 1960. Lampe en métal nickelé à abat-jour circulaire légèrement bombé, cache ampoule cornet traversé par un tube fixé sur la base. Right: ÉCOLE FRANÇAISE début XXe Portrait de Femme Huile sur toile Signé”Martin” et daté

In my view, there’s just too few art deco sales on the auction block this year. The big auction houses in NY will hold theirs presumably at the end of 2013. So I’m always on the hunt for some great pieces that will hold a sufficient amount of appeal, and add some real value to my clients’ collections.

Claude CUNDA (Ne en 1915) "Composition abstraite", 1974 Huile sur toile 116 x 89 cm Signé en bas à droite et daté "1974" — Claude CUNDA (Ne en 1915)
“Composition abstraite”, 1974 Huile sur toile 116 x 89 cm Signé en bas à droite et daté “1974”

Travail des années 1940. Chaise de boudoir recouverte de tissu moiré passepoilé à dossier coquille animé de cordelettes dorées et orné en partie arrière basse d'une coquille laquée. — Travail des années 1940. Chaise de boudoir recouverte de tissu moiré passepoilé à dossier coquille animé de cordelettes dorées et orné en partie arrière basse d’une coquille laquée.

Must Have Art Deco Pieces4 — TRAVAIL MODERNISTE. Paire de fauteuils à structure en métal tubulaire. Dossiers incurvés à côtés ajourés, assises écusson sur base trapézoïdale

JACQUES ADNET (1900-1984) Important guéridon à base en bois verni noir. Fût cylindrique recouvert de plaques de miroirs juxtaposés. Plateau circulaire débordant à fond miroir orné au centre d'une ronde de lunules et cerclé d'une lame en médal chromé — JACQUES ADNET (1900-1984)
Important guéridon à base en bois verni noir. Fût cylindrique recouvert de plaques de miroirs juxtaposés. Plateau circulaire débordant à fond miroir orné au centre d’une
ronde de lunules et cerclé d’une lame en médal chromé

Paul KISS (1885-1962) Spectaculaire paravent à quatre vantaux en fer forgé. Structure à lames plates de section carrée à parties hautes galbées. Décor ajouré de gerbes de fleurs stylisées à enroulements ouverts et coudés. — Paul KISS (1885-1962)
Spectaculaire paravent à quatre vantaux en fer forgé. Structure à lames plates de section carrée à parties hautes galbées. Décor ajouré de gerbes de fleurs stylisées à enroulements ouverts et coudés.

Travail Art Déco Deux tables gigognes en bois laqué de forme U inversé à décor de coquille d'oeuf sur la table supérieure, d'une bande asymétrique sur la table supérieure et d'une fleur stylisée sur chaque montant plein. — Travail Art Déco Deux tables gigognes en bois laqué de forme U inversé à décor de coquille d’oeuf sur la table supérieure, d’une bande asymétrique sur la table supérieure et d’une
fleur stylisée sur chaque montant plein.

Corradini Argenteria (Bologne) Vase en cuivre martelé de style art déco figurant l'allégorie des beaux-arts. Cachet de la manufacture — Corradini Argenteria (Bologne)
Vase en cuivre martelé de style art déco figurant l’allégorie des beaux-arts. Cachet de la manufacture

Across the pond, one of my favorite auction houses, Drouot, is holding a Sunday afternoon sale in Brussels. These 2 pieces that you’re seeing at the top, are among 15 of my TOP PICKS from their impressive collection.

Nicolai Frahm: The Super Collector

Takashi Murakami Kitagawa – Kun

Uniquely colored sculpture, oil paint, synthetic resins, fiberglass and stell

Background: Richard Prince, Telling It Over. Signed, titled and dated 1989 on the overlap acrylic
and silkscreen on canvas

“I bought my first Murakami painting in 1997, and he is an artist that I’ve loved every single day since then.”

Nicolai Frahm

Last month, I attended the premier of Wanderlust at Sotheby’s S|2 Gallery, and saw a curated show unlike any other that I’ve seen before. Nicolai Frahn (famously known as the ‘Super Collector’) was the man responsible for an exhibition filled with a range of art that can best be described as “minimal, clean, Zen” to “very pop, figurative, in-your face.” So it became important for me to understand the collection by looking into the background of the collector.

INTERNATIONALISM AT ITS BEST

Nicolai Frahm is an influential art collector, patron of the arts, and art advisor. I understand that in February 2013, he will be opening a nonprofit art center with collector Frank Cohen in central London. The center will highlight both collaborators’ keen eye for progressive art, and will also include commissioned works by some of the selected artists that you see here. Sotheby’s Lisa Dennison describes Wanderlust as a ‘journey around the globe as seen through Nicolai’s eyes. His aesthetic is broad enough to accommodate the divergent paths of much of today’s art”. I agree. But for me, it was also a splendid journey of exceptional examples of contemporary art from various artists who managed to survived the Cultural Revolution, and came out to create something beautiful, and extraordinary: art that will surely stand the test of time.

I am here by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu

Fiberglass, silica gel, simulacral sculpture

I am here by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu

I am here by Sun Yuan and Peng Yu (details)

Forefront: Ai Weiwei, Bamboo and Porcelain (Three Works)

Bamboo with porcelain, Executed in 2008

Zhang Huan, Yuan Shikai

Ashes and linen, Signed and dated 2007

Left: Subodh Gupta, Black Thing

Steel structure, painted stainless steel pincers and plastic ties

Executed in 2007

Zeng Fanzhi, Qing Yuan Chun Xue, oil on canvas

Signed and dated 2006

High End Weekly™ Photos

Top Picks from AD 2012

Top Picks from the 2012 Architectural Digest Show

Today I’m reflecting on the Architecture Digest Show that took place last week at Pier 94. Those types of fairs are informative, and excellent for product sourcing. But sadly enough, over the last few years, the AD Show have seen more misses than hits. And so it was a breath of fresh air, when this time around, I discovered a few vendors who were pushing the limits with creative ideas, and designs. No cookie cutter design, please. David Rockwell’s new textiles for Jim Thompson was one of the designs that I thought worked well with the playful, and dramatic surface of the table which was covered in a warm white wax.

Whimsy: Mark A. Perry Sculptor

The Rockwell Group’s table concept for DIFFA Dining by Design was simple and inviting, but still managed to evoke a theatrical effect.

Robert A.M. Stern’s furniture was offset by a gorgeous white-washed herringbone floor. I’m so glad that my friend Rio Hamilton brought the booth to my attention, otherwise I woud of missed it!

The large booth was a modernist dream, curated with a minimalistic approach. At the end, it did not feel cold, but instead had a zen-like feel to it.

Vibrant Hues: Luxurious Qashqai blankets from D. Bryant Archie Textiles – I’ve always been impressed with D. Brynat Archie’s striking hand-made, vibrant, yet subdued, luxurious fabrics. Her new resort collection of 100% cotton fabrics, pillows, throws and bed covers reminds me of Marrakesh. How exotic!

Top Right: Robert A.M. Stern Stern Collection

Top Design Trends from Milan

I Saloni is 50 years young this year, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the design trends that keep trickling down each year at this iconic luxury design trade show. Planning to attend? You’re in for a treat since you’ll be able to touch, marvel, and experience the world’s best furniture design.

I Saloni is where you’ll find a variety of furniture and accessories – from classical to modern. With an increasing audience each year, no wonder this is the quaintessial place where you’ll find firsthand, the trendsetters of tomorrow.

Scene XXL by Montis
Designer: Gijs Papavoine — Scene XXL by Montis Designer: Gijs Papavoine

Hanoi by Prandina
Designer: Federico Churba — Hanoi by Prandina Designer: Federico Churba

Breva by Molteni & C.
Designer: Arik Levy — Breva by Molteni & C. Designer: Arik Levy

Opening Night at New York’s Design Center

The hugely successful online luxury marketplace for antiques and vintage designs, 1stDibs celebrates their 10th Anniversary by opening its first brick and mortar operation at the New York Design Center.

“1stdibs@NYDC is poised to completely change the dynamic of this once design-trade only building into a progressive, multi-faceted center that promotes and encourages working designers and makes shopping the building for consumers and designers a rewarding and positive experience”.

Left: Interior designer Juan Montoya and antique dealer, Roger Prigent.

Yvonne Prigent Lacks (Roger Prigent’s sister) and 1st dibs founder Michael Bruno

Frederic Lazare, owner of Bourgois Boheme, a Los Angeles-based antique company.

The celebration took place on the 16th of February, at the newly curated space on the 10th floor of New York’s Design Center. Of note was a curated exhibition from Malmaison’s Roger Prigent, my former boss, and most beloved mentor (read more about Roger here 1stDibs). The Malmaison show show took place in the 1,100 sq. ft modern white cube gallery space designed for holding future exhibitions, as well as hosting lectures, books signings and special events. The space occupying the entire 10th Floor is now home to 53 dealers from all over the US as well as several international dealers from Paris, London, and Canada.

Top Places to Shop for High-End Designs

Since its launch in 2009 ShopAD has revolutionized the way designers shop online. Although nothing beats seeing and feeling the products in real-life, wouldn’t you say?

Whether one goes on-line, or visit their various locations across the US,
Kravet is a true and proven interior design source. Not to mention a reliable one. In addition to their wide scale textile designs, they also carry an awesome furniture line. — Whether one goes on-line, or visit their various locations across the US, Kravet is a true and proven interior design source. Not to mention a reliable one. In addition to their wide scale textile designs, they also carry an awesome furniture line.

Hello Gorgeous! Hand-made furniture with a clear English aesthetic.
George Smith is also home to one of our favorite wallpaper maker, Fromental. — Hello Gorgeous! Hand-made furniture with a clear English aesthetic. George Smith is also home to one of our favorite wallpaper maker, Fromental.

This is truly a chic eco friendly company that is keen on keeping you warm inside and out.
What more can you ask for? — This is truly a chic eco friendly company that is keen on keeping you warm inside and out. What more can you ask for?

A premier venue for ALL your lighting needs. From the classics to the little table lamp you saw while vacationing in the Czech Republic all those years ago.

From ashtrays to wool-made calendars.
Expect the unexpected while shopping at
Moss — From ashtrays to wool-made calendars. Expect the unexpected while shopping at Moss

IceStone's mission is to create products that foster a sustainable environment, while developing materials that helps us breathe easier. IceStone is EcoChic. — IceStone’s mission is to create products that foster a sustainable environment, while developing materials that helps us breathe easier. IceStone is EcoChic.

Noteworthy Mention:

Dangerous Liaisons at 301 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London. Middle Eastern furniture, ivory bone inlaid side tables … Simply beautiful.

FR 66 – über trendy, aka the House Of True Style. FR 66, 25 Rue Renard, 75004, Paris

Cathy Lerebours houses a collection of NY’s finest antiques, all due to her tireless travels and acquisitions. Lerebours Antiques, 220 East 60th Street, New York, NY. Lerebours Antiaques.