Category: Maison Gerard

Top 5 Design Galleries in New York City

DESIGN POWER

In celebration of our 2nd year anniversary, I’ve chosen Design as the main theme for the week. After all, what will a great interior be without great designs? By design, I mean strictly the decorative arts. The design world has long held much interest for me. I find it alluring, and when a client express a keen interest in acquiring an outstanding piece from the applied arts, I work hard on researching and pursuing the very best for their collection. New York City is a haven for this type of art. While I was compiling the list of dealers for this post, I thought of all the outstanding galleries in this town, some of them have been in business for more than 40 years, others just arrived on the scene. It’s impossible to name them all, so I’ve chosen a few favorites. Some I’ve worked with, and others who remain constantly on my radar.

Above image from Anthony DeLorenzo

DeLorenzo has been coined undoubtedly “one of The best Art Deco dealers in the world”. His inventory includes designs masters such as: Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Andre Groult, Eileen Gray, Eugene Printz.
“In America, design has never really been an important subject.
In Europe, it is part of everyday life.”
Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman, R 20th Century Design
The design duo, Zesty Meyers and Evan Snyderman have made R20th Century one of the most distinguished galleries in the city, if not the entire world. They are best known for curating shows of Poul Kjaerholm, Joaquim Tenreiro and vintage Wendell Castel.
Barry Friedman is the proud owner of Friedman Benda. Located in Chelsea, the gallery specializes in some amazing cutting-edge art. He’s also the co-founder of Friedman & Vallois, and sole proprietor of Barry Friedman Ltd, which specializes in painting, works on paper and photography as well as design.
Maison Gerard offers an outstandingly beautiful mixture of fine French art deco, and contemporary design. The gallery has “helped form the collection of Walter Chrysler Jr., now in the Chrysler Museum of Norfolk, VA., assembled the Design Collection of the Utsonomia Museum in Japan; and built numerous private collections.” Founders Gerard Widdershoven and co-owner Benoist F. Drut specialize in Jules Leleu, Jacques Adnet, Jean Girel, Marc Bankowsky, Thomas Boog, Nicholas Howey, Claude Lalanne, Matthew Solomon, Hervé Van der Straeten, and others.

In the heart of the gallery district in Chelsea, Suzanne Demisch is celebrated as a leading specialist in European designs of the 1970s, Maria Pergay, Pierre Paulin, Stefan Zwicky, Joseph-Andre Motte.

January’s Key Events on Review

Rose Hartman, celebrity photographer of Incomparable Women of Style and Pamela Hill of Hill Gallery (Birmingham, Michigan) at the Metro Show opening night accompanied by a life-size sculpture of a amiable man dressed in 18th-century fashion carved from Southern pine, Early 19th Century,

From 18th century textiles from Asia, folk art from the Americas, Jule Leleu’s arm chairs from France, to art deco tea service by Brüder Frank from Maison Gerard, the major antique art shows opened with a brilliant and optimistic note last month starting with the opening night at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, home to the 2nd Annual Metro Show.

A SOIRÉE AT THE METRO SHOW
    Editor’s Top Picks


Lillian Nassau LLC (New York): Tiffany Studio art glass, early 20th Century

Photos courtesy High End Weekly™

THE 59TH ANNUAL WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW

Set of four Armchairs by Jules Leleu, Carolle Thibault-Pomerantz
* Mahogany and gilt bronze sabots, numbered on right back leg, France c. 1935
* Pair of Fine Ceramic vases by Primavera. Signed on base: Primavera France, impressed with hatchet mark for Sainte-Radegonde. Atelier of Les Grands Magasins du Printemps (founded in 1912)
* Fine rare extension and adjustable center table/coffee table “guéridon elevator” by Jules Leleu. France, c. 1955. *Wallpaper, Incas. Wood-block printed by Dufour in 1818, after Jean-Francois Marmontel. One scene from the panoramique “Incas”: pizaro disembarking with his companions in Peru. Rare panel: in pristine condition and colors, never hung. Wood-block printed by Dufour in 1818, after Jean-Francois Marmontel. * Wallpaper, “Les Chasses de Compiègne” (Stag Hunt at the Chateau de Compiègne): Quarry Scene ( La Curée). This is the only scenic panoramique designed by the painter Carle Vernet who specialized in hunt and horse scenes. The panels were wood-block printed by Jacquemard & Bénard, successor of Reveillon. Provenance:
Jean Zuber private collection.
Black Wings is a hand knotted carpet, made at the Wilton Royal workshops, England,
circa 1935 by Marion Dorn., Keshishian
Salvador Dali, Spain, Ménagère , 1962
Silver-gilt cutlery comprising: “Cuillère artichaut”, artichoke spoon with snail shell, painted and lacquered artichoke bowl. “Fourchette- é l é phant 3 dents”, fork with three teeth and elephant head, the eyes set with rubies. “Couteau escargot aux larmes”, snail knife with tear-shaped pendants., Didier Ltd
Italian Glass Past
Barovier Intarsio Vase designed by Orcole Barovier 1961
Venini Mosaico Zanfirico Vase, designed by Paolo Venini, c. 1954, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base, *Three Venini Incamiciato Vases designed by Paolo Venini, 1950, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Salviati Fascia Murrine Vase designed by Luciano Gaspari, 1964, Inscribed signature “Salviati Murano” to base * Venini Fasce Verticale Vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi, c. 1952, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Venini Tessuto Vase designed by Barlo Scarpa, 1940 Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to bas * Venini Battulo Vase designed by Carlo Scarpa, c. 1940 Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base * Venini Occhi Vase designed by Tobia Scarpa, 1962, Acid signed “Venini Italy Murano” (Circular) to base * Venini Mezz-Filligrana Decanter, c. 1956, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Venini Mezza-Filigrana Bird designed by Tomaso Buzzi, 1932, Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base * Venini Incamiciato Vase designed by Tomaso Buzzi, c. 1933, Acid signed “Venini Murano” to base * Venini Mezza-Filigrana Bird designed by Tomaso Buzzi, 1932,
Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base
Fine & Rare Art Deco Silver six-piece Tea Service by Brüder Frank, Vienna, Austria, circa 1920 from Maison Gerard
Serge Manzon, White lacquered bibliothèque with three stained oak shelves, c.1970, Magen H Gallery
Wingback Lounge Chair, Unknown, Denmark, c. 1951, Wool and Teak, Lost City Arts
The decisive leadership that made Lincoln great 
He overrules his military commander to protect Washington Autograph Letter Signed. May 21, 1862, The Kenneth Rendell Gallery

Photo credit and story by Laurence Fayard

William Helburn Washington Square Arch, 1950 Gelatin Silver Print
William Helburn Red Canoe, 1959 Archival Pigment Print
Both photographs from Peter Fetterman Gallery
VARIOUS VENUES
A reproduced Campbell’s Soup Can by Andy Warhol from the MOMA Store
Unknown artist oil on canvas at the offices of Drs. Chapas and MacGregor of Union Square Laser Dermatology
Photos courtesy High End Weekly™

Art or Decorative Arts – which one is a better investment?

New York City is such a vibrant place for Art & Design. From modern & contemporary furniture, art and antiquities at the Park Avenue Armory fairs, the whimsical and fresh designs to be had at the MOMA stores, to the exuberant atmosphere at the various auction houses week after week, this town is truly a shopper’s paradise for interior designers, art connoisseurs, collectors, and fashionable patriots for the arts & crafts.
But as you shop, remember buying design is different from buying art…

“Here’s to treasures, great and small…” VSP
Vyna St Phard @ Sebastian & Barquet sitting on a Johnny Swing Chair
   
Vyna St Phard @ Trinity House
Vyna St Phard @ the Park Avenue Armory
   
High End Weekly™ Images
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Designer’s Top Picks

Dahling, You Look Marvelous: Etoile de Mer mirror by Thomas Boog

Ready when you are Mr Demille… Movie Star by Gloria Vanderbilt, 1stDibs
Photo courtesy High End Weekly™
Chaotic poetry: Geometric wonders: Herve Van Der Straeten Sconces
Iconic Gio Ponti Candelabra from Christofle
All laced up: The Hello Gorgeous rug is ubber chic and glamor personified
Power to the people: Fernand Leger, Le Cirque Tapestry
Domestic Bliss: German Engineering: The world’s most expensive and luxurious vacuum cleaner. Artists in Berlin, Germany have taken 
over 100 hours to hand-encrust the HYLA GST with 32,000 genuine Swarovski Elements
Hyla-usa.com

NOTE: Please notify us directly, if you believe that certain images on this post are alleged to infringe upon the copyrights of others, according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). Thank you.

Defining Art & Substance

Florence Vacher, Bangwa, 2012, Fabric
Tambaran Gallery

Photo courtesy High End Weekly™

Much of the art that I deeply appreciated at this year’s International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show had a strong masculine feel to them. And that’s a good thing, I think. Frou-frou interiors have never been my thing, so I am a big advocate for adorning my clients’ homes with various pieces of art that make a bold statement and continue to enrich their imaginations as the years go by. So this much anticipated fair met my expectations with its extraordinary attention to detail, breathtaking variety and exacting standards.

The grande dame fair brought together works of art that spanned continents and millennia — among them many of museum quality, furniture, paintings, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, glass, clocks, watches, arms, armour, rare books, manuscripts, jewelry, objets de vertu, Fabergé, silver, antiquities and ethnographic art, are among the many different categories exhibited and for sale. Prices start from as little as a few hundred dollars but rise into the millions. With that much said, here are some of the most desirable and interesting pieces that I liked.

Axel Verdoordt Gallery
Douglas Dawson Gallery
Bernd Goeckler Antiques
Maison Gerard
Tomasso Brothers Fine Art

Michael Goedhuis Gallery
Phoenix Ancient Art
Phoenix Ancient Art
Whitford Art

Tambaran Gallery

Trinity House
Martin du Louvre
 My friend Cole Harrell admiring the art, but also stopped to “smell” these gorgeous orchards.


The International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show opened on Friday, October 19th until Thursday, October 25th, 2012.

Images courtesy High End Weekly™
All rights reserved

The Genius of Leleu

This particular cabinet illustrates how Jules Leleu adapted rather than absorbed the modernist ideas that was so prevalent during his time. Born from a business oriented father in 1883, Leleu boldly opened his own studio in Paris in 1922, while he was in his mid twenties. He exhibited at the historical Exposition Industrielle et Arts Decoratifs in 1925. By the way, he won the coveted grand prize at that exposition. When most people thank about art deco, they naturally think of french art deco because of that grand 1925 exhibition in the city of lights.

Jules Leleu’s walnut cabinet

Rare and important walnut four door cabinet from Leleu
Details of the cabinet
For many, the furniture of Jacques-Emile Ruhlman will forever remain the epitome of Art Deco. He gets high praises for the elegant contours of the exotic woods that he used, most of them inlaid with mother of pearls. And if you’re fortunate enough to own one or two pieces of his work, I’d say you are well and truly in a higher league than most. Having a Jules Leuleu piece of furniture grace your home is not too shabby either. His furniture is aggressively pursued by art deco lovers, museums, and interior designers with big budget clients. Today, I’m featuring this exquisite and extremely rare walnut cabinet, which I first came across earlier this year, while I attended the Winter and Antiques Show at the Park Avenue Armory. This cabinet, from Maison Gerard, stopped me dead in my tracks because it had so much presence. And although it can be the most assertive piece of furniture in a room, somehow because of its elegance, it manages to look a bit understated. Understated elegance goes a long way, trust me. 

Cover Image
Photos courtesy Maison Gerard
Leleu was an illustrious furniture designer who adroitly used some of the following materials in his decorative pieces, iribe rose together with blond shagreen, and walnut. You will often find that Art Deco furniture of the 1920s and earlier often featured shagreen, mother of pearl, eggshell, ivory, tortoiseshell, ormulu, painted parchment, snakeskin, exotic animal hides and silver and gold leaf.

High Five: Decorative & Fine Arts Sourcing

The oil on canvas is by Hong Viet Dung who is well known for his intensely serene artwork. I was drawn to Path to Tranquility for that very reason. The scene is dreamy and has this certain bewitching quality about it. www.artnet.com/judithday.html

Path to Tranquility

So Chic!
Contemporary round stool Pieds de Bouc with bronze legs by Marc Bankowsky, France 2010.
The historical reference to Greek mythology brings this stool en par with the other  antiquities selected for this post. Plus it is a fresh and witty way to live up any type of design disciplines.
Maison Gerard
Photo courtesy 1stdibs.com
Princely Figure
Bodhisattva head, Grey schist
Art from Gandhara, 2nd-3rd Century
The Bodhisattva head is supremely regal and refined. I instantly liked this one because of its rarity, excellent condition, and what’s more, it looks great in whatever angle you choose to gaze at it.
Pure Elegance
Wada Akira (b. 1978) 
White porcelain Geometric vessel, 2011
A friend of mind told me that this vase reminded him of something one might have seen at Crate and Barrel. Upon closer look, one could see the careful details embellished on this vase by young and emerging artist, Wada Akira, disqualifies such thinking. Mass produced decorative works will never look this good.
Photo courtesy of Joan B Mirviss LTD, New York 
(Photography by Richard Goodbody).

High Horses
Detail of a six panel screen, depicting horses in a stable.
Mineral pigments on paper, 17th century.
The images on this screen seem to fade in and out of darkness, and they have incredible movements. Not to mention effortless elegance.
Alex Michels

To acquire these, or similar works of arts, please contact us for Fine Art Consultancy.

Mario Dal Fabbro at Maison Gerard


“My goal is to represent spatially the complexity of profiles, the dimensions of forms which constantly seem to rearrange themselves in space and set themselves between the empty space and the concrete form.” Mario Dal Fabbro
Direction Optical, Carved Wood Sculpture, 1968
by Mario Dal Fabbro (1913 – 1990)
H: 17 1/2″ x W: 25″ x D: 16″
Signed and dated


Three Squares, 1971
H: 22″ x W: 18″ x D: 6″
Signed, and bears an original tag
Dal Fabbro was born into a family of furniture-making craftsmen in Capella Maggiore, Treviso, Italy. He studied in Venice at the Institute for Decorative and Industrial Arts and at the Regio Magistero Artistico, majoring in art and design and graduating with honors in 1938.
Untitled, 1982
H: 6 1/2″ x W: 16″ x 4″
Signed and dated
He has authored over 20 books on furniture design, created works that are sensuously anthropomorphic and while reminiscent of Brancusi have an even more tactile quality due to his choice of woods.
Birds at play, 1972
H: 19″ x W: 22″ x D: 12 1/2″
Signed, dated, and inscribed
In his later career, Dal Fabbro focused solely on his sculpture, perfecting his transformation of wood into his signature fluid and dynamic shapes. This exhibition at Maison Gerard is the latest in an ongoing series showcasing artists who are little known outside the collector’s market but whose work is important and noteworthy today.
Untitled, 1978
H: 23″ x W: 5 3/4″ x D: 8″
Signed and inscribed

Photos courtesy: Maison Gerard
All rights reserved

“I personally love the effortless quality of his work, the purity of form, which is the thread throughout the body of work…” Benoist F. Drut, Maison Gerard
Mario Dal Fabbro Sculpture: Opening Reception: Wednesday, February 22nd – 6 – 9 PM
Exhibition from Thursday, February 23 – Friday, March 30, 2012
Artists are a rare breed, and their actions are usually misunderstood. How do you explain why someone as creative and imaginative as Mario Dal Fabbro chose not to sell his important sculptures during his lifestyle? I don’t pretend to know the answer to that, but I do know that many art collectors are thankful that the  wait is over.
Starting this Thursday, until March 30th, Maison Gerard will feature and sell 40 rare and exquisite wood sculptures by the artist and mid-century furniture designer at their swanky gallery, located at 43 East 10th Street. RSVP (rsvp@maisongerard.com) for this event, because quite frankly, you won’t regret it.

In his lifetime, the esteemed sculptor only exhibited his works but never allowed them to be sold. Known for his seductive abstract forms, and his connection to the wood is evident in the way he highlights the natural beauty of its density, color and grain. The result is the constant interaction of solid and void, mass and movement, for pieces that are supremely architectural and structured yet sensuous and tactile. He was trained as a sculptor but took an active role in the family furniture business. I will look for you at the party in order to entertain your feedback for this special sale and exhibition at Maison Gerard. Are you thinking of purchasing one of these sculptures, and if so, which one? Look for my feedback of the preview party at the News and Events Secion at the Devenish Group, this coming Friday. See you soon.