Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show Designer Walk: Studio Eckström
Friday, September 27, 2024
Anthony Scornavacco
Historical Reproduction Diamond Collection, C. 1900
These early 20th-century glass reproduction “diamonds” are not just a glorious bit of bling, they’re also a unique addition to any entertaining space. Their historical significance and unique design make them a perfect centerpiece for a cocktail table tableau guaranteed to spark lively party conversations. Imagine your guests channeling the glamour of Elizabeth Taylor or the boldness of Boy Toy era Madonna, and more…
FURTHER READING:
“How Jacob the Jeweler’s Diamonds Helped Define Pop Culture”
https://www.anthonyscornavacco.com
Arader Galleries
Johann Bayer Celestial Engravings, Published Augsburg,1603
These copper plate engravings with hand-coloring, part of a 17th-century star atlas by Johann Bayer, are a testament to the grandeur of celestial art. The text “Uranometria,” derived from ancient Greek, literally translates to “measuring the heavens.” These engravings, with their heavenly blue hues and mythological references, are perfect for sparking divine conversations. Imagine them grouped on a wall, making a transcendent design statement.
FURTHER READING:
“Hex Signs Sacred and Celestial Symbolism in Pennsylvania Dutch Barn Stars”
https://aradergalleries.com
Barley Twist
Mid-Century Modern Carved Stump Slice Wall Sculpture
At almost 51″ in diameter, this wall sculpture is not just remarkable in scale, but also in its unique design carved from a single piece of wood. The movement is reminiscent of 18th-century Italian “Sunburst” sans the gilding. Indeed, the warm patina on this wood is glorious and will be a statement piece in either a modern or traditional interior.
FURTHER READING:
“The History of Wood Carving as An Art”
https://www.chairish.com/shop/barleytwist-williamwalkerhome
Birdsall-Haase
Ancient Roman Intaglio Ring
Early Greek or Roman intaglio of a bearded man—possibly Hercules—set into a gold man’s ring. Ancient intaglios (inˈtalyō) were worn by wealthy businessmen and leaders in Ancient Rome, allowing them to seal documents by transferring hot wax onto letters. They would even be used as signatures on contracts. The intaglios were handmade by skilled artisans who carved an image onto a gemstone or glass. This intaglio dates from 200 BC to 200 AD and is Carnelian or Sard. It is crafted from a fragment—although the image seems complete. We’d suggest men wear this as a signet ring—placed on the pinky of our least dominant hand. Fashion-forward women can wear this on their middle fingers or on a gold chain.
FURTHER READING:
“All the Ways the Roman Empire and Other Ancient Civilizations Have Influenced Interiors.”
“The Ancient Tradition of Intaglio Gemstones”
Chicago Center for the Print
Grand Tour Travel Poster
Grand Tour collectibles are always included within our designs—usually in the form of reproduction marbles, bronzes, or ceramics. These tourist purchases are often whimsical (a common theme of our interiors) and always reflect a well-traveled life. Everyone has “Bucket List” destinations—places that connect us spiritually through architecture, people, or landscape. Angkor Wat Temple in present-day Cambodia is on our list. This antique tourism poster is a brilliant addition to a game room or child’s bedroom to inspire the dreamy wanderlust of a life well-lived. We firmly believe in the old adage: “Travel is the best education.”
FURTHER READING:
“The Influence of the Grand Tour on Antique Collecting”
“The Grand Tour: Artistic and Intellectual Diffusion”
Don Fields and Craig Ringstad Antiques
Stag Assemblage
Contemporary Stag sculpture composed of 17th, 18th, and 19th century decorative arts fragments by Florentine artist “Fillippio”. This is a great modern interpretation of the Black Forest Stag mount trophies. Loads of style and no remorse.
FURTHER READING:
The History of Black Forest Wood Sculpture
Embellish Antiques
Brighton Pavilion Style Chairs
In 1787, with his love of visual arts and fascination with the mythical Orient, King George IV of England set about lavishly furnishing and decorating his seaside home, which came to be called the Royal Pavilion or Brighton Pavilion. Its architectural style is marked by an Indo-Islamic exterior with interiors heavily influenced by Chinese and Indian fashion. We think it’s a grand folly! George mainly chose Chinese export furniture and objects and hand-painted Chinese wallpapers. This chair style is known as “Brighton Pavilion” and is usually crafted from rattan and bamboo. They feature a tortoise shell finish with a horseshoe shape and fretwork of chinoiserie form, which is typical of this 18th Century style. And despite the name, Chinoiserie style influences were not just Chinese but from a wider region often referred to as the “Far East” which included China, Japan, Korea, South-East Asia, India, and Persia. Indeed, Chinoiserie is a western fantasy translation of Far East architecture and decorative arts. Is Chinoiserie appropriation or appreciation? You decide…
FURTHER READING:
“Brighton Pavilion: The Making of a Royal Pleasure Palace”
“Opinion: It‘s Time To Rethink Chinoiserie”
Greenwald Antiques
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Urns
Pair of Grand Tour Bronze Urns depicting Dancing Maenads or Women of Bacchus. Maenads were mythical women inspired by the god of wine, Dionysus, to abandon their homes and families and roam the mountains and forests, singing and dancing in a state of ecstatic frenzy. We can get on board with this! We’d most definitely put these urns on pedestals bookending a window or door; or, as a focal point on a library shelf. When entertaining, we’d fill these with large branches or a flower arrangement worthy of a Four Seasons lobby.
FURTHER READING:
“Dionysus & Maenads: Definition & Mythology”
Jayne Thompson Antiques
Specimen Wood Occasional Table
This late 19th century (George IV) Rosewood and Satinwood parquetry veneered occasional table is the perfect graphic KO punch you can find on scroll-shaped feet. We love that this antique will feel perfectly at home in a traditional or modern home. Tables like this are a great juxtaposition against ultra-modern furnishings.
FURTHER READING:
“The Specimen Table Across Time and Space”
https://jaynethompsonantiques.com
Jesse Davis Antiques Ltd
Palissy Pottery
Bernard Palissy was a 16th-century Huguenot ceramicist known for his lead-glazed, three-dimensional “rustique” pottery. Palissy’s distinctive style is easily recognized by its earth-toned palette, which uses naturalistic scenes of plants, insects, and animals—cast from life—onto wall plates, platters, chargers, etc. If you’ve seen the movie Saltburn, you’ll recognize Palissy Ware as a significant plot device.
FURTHER READING:
https://www.jessedavisantiques.co.uk
Kathy Tobler Silver
Georg Jensen Sterling Flatware
One of our favorite contemporary humorists, Paul Rudnick, jokes that he can teach two important skills: Choosing a silver pattern and suppressing a gag reflex. While both accomplishments are steeped in artistry, choosing a silver pattern is most important to the decorative arts. Georg Jensen, a Danish design house, has (in our opinion) the most inspiring flatware patterns of the 20th-Century. A well-appointed table setting with a mix of Georg Jensen and more traditional patterns is always an interesting juxtaposition. Our favorite patterns are Acorn, Acanthus, Bernadotte, Cactus, Parallel, and Pyramid.
FURTHER READING:
“The History of Georg Jensen and the Silversmithy”
Kelleher Fine Art
Joan Marti Painting
This graphic painting by Joan Marti has a distinct rhythm that will play well against traditional or modern furnishings. We adore the whimsy of the umbrellas displaying like cogs and gears on a beach—a poignant commentary on the mechanization of leisure. The artist’s bio reflects this conversation in his training as a tailor and mechanic. The painting itself recalls the pop-culture rhythm and graphics of the titles sequence of the 1964 French film, “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”. We’d consider this painting to be an heirloom purchase.
FURTHER READING:
Titles: “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg”
http://www.kelleherfineart.com
Lotus Gallery
Japanese Lacquered Presentation Tray
This Japanese red and black Lacquer Maki-e decorated presentation tray is dated 1917 and is a beautiful scale to serve as a centerpiece on a cocktail table or as a large vide-poche on a foyer console. It is decorated with maki-e (gold dust) designs of various stylized mon (family crests), including phoenix, chrysanthemum, butterfly, and deer. This could be the perfect unexpected red needed for a space. We’d style this with a custom Kyle Bunting cowhide rug design, custom drapery, or pillow appliqués using the same mon motifs depicted in the maki-e.
EXAMPLES OF APPLIQUE
https://splendidhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Mary-McDonald-applique-Schumacher.jpg
FURTHER READING:
“Designers say ‘unexpected red’ really works. Here’s how to use it.”
https://www.1stdibs.com/dealers/lotus-gallery
Maison & Co.
Gustavian Corner Banquette
With our surname “Eckstrom,” it’s not surprising we’re a bit biased toward Swedish antiques. And this Gustavian period (circa 1790) corner banquette is a perfect example of everything we love. The repeating carved key motif takes our breath away! We’d pair this with a modern table and lighting to juxtapose and balance the neoclassical motif.
FURTHER READING
“A History of Style: Gustavian”
Redefined Décor
Coral Mounted On Lucite
Coral on Lucite tchotchkes are a perfect addition to a library shelf or a cocktail table tableau. There’s a great juxtaposition of antique coral mounted on modern Lucite plinths. Red coral is seen in many cultures. In Mediterranean cultures, it is associated with protection, good fortune, and fertility. Similarly, in some Native American traditions, it symbolizes strength, endurance, and resilience.
FURTHER READING
“Exploring the Symbolism of Red Coral in Different Cultures and Traditions”
Roberto Freitas American Antiques and Decorative Arts
John Marin Watercolor
John Marin produced his first watercolors in 1888 and later became known internationally as a master of the medium. In this 1923 watercolor, soft boundaries between landscape forms reveal the paper support. We love how the work is bordered and has an abstract expressionist vibe. This watercolor was gifted by Marin to American novelist Waldo Frank. That’s some brag-worthy provenance!
FURTHER READING:
https://www.robertofreitas.com
Schorr & Dobinsky
Hermès Magnifying Glass
The chicest way to thread a needle or consult your unabridged dictionary for the definition of “microphallus”. How meta…
FURTHER READING
Silver Art by D&R
French Empire Gilt Bronze Eagle Pocket Watch Holder
We’re all for repurposing antiques for modern living. And unless you don a pocket watch, we can think of a few fabulous ways to integrate this Empire-style eagle—very Napoleonic—into your home. Perhaps in a kitchen holding up bananas? Placed next to a sink to hold rings? Bedside table for your IUD? Get creative!
FURTHER READING
https://www.silverartbydandr.com
The Spare Room
Pietra Dura Brooch
We’ve long been fans of the highly specialized art form of inlaid pieces of polished, precious, and semi-precious stones into a background of marble known as Pietra Dura. While a 16th-century Medici-era mosaic technique, Pietra Dura found a renaissance in the 20th century, with artists such as Richard Blow introducing this mosaic style with new iconography, including cubism, surrealism, metaphysical, and modernism. The flower and fruit motifs seen here in this brooch are most common. These motifs are a terrific “cartoon” for appliqués and rug designs.
FURTHER READING
https://www.spareroomantiques.com
Thomas M. Fortner Antiques
Trompe-l’œil Stand
We must admit, we’re a bit gaga over trompe-l’œil. Whimsical by name, trompe-l’œil is a French term that literally translates to “deceive the eye”. You’ll often find this in painting or in decorative arts such as this short pedestal. We’re smitten with the treillage motif and patina. It’s well aged and loved. This will work perfectly into a modern or traditional décor. And isn’t it fun to say “trompe-l’œil”? It’s a perfect interjection into any cocktail fodder…
FURTHER READING:
“Trompe-l’œil” (featuring or favorite room in the universe: Institut Guerlain)
https://www.instagram.com/tomfortnerantiques/?hl=en
Trace Mayer Antiques
Louis XVI Carved and Gilded Mirror
This 18th century Neoclassical style frame of carved and gilded wood with large, central antique mirror. The carved top features a flower basket, rake and spade accompanied by a laurel wreath with branches and draping at the corners. Bottom corners feature carved bell flowers. We’d pair this French rococo/neoclassical mirror with a modern Parsons style console table in a foyer. Juxtapositions are life!
FURTHER READING:
Vintage Lux
Hermés Pani La Shar Pawnee Scarf
Regarding Hermés scarves, our favorite is the “Pani La Shar Pawnee” pattern by Black artist Kermit Oliver. The scarf was the first collaboration between an American artist and Hermés. Designed as a tribute to the Pawnee Nation, Oliver relied on Karl Bodmer paintings and infused elements from 11th-century Bayeux tapestries around the edge of the scarf. Hermés nor Oliver consulted any Pawnee Nation culture holders or the Pawnee Nation. The Pawnee—who were forcibly removed from Nebraska—received no remuneration from Hermés for their likeness. Appropriation? Yes. Appreciation? Absolutely fabulous!
FURTHER READING
“Portrait of the Artist as a Postman”
“A Prince, A Castle, and Enron: The Long, Strange Trip to Get Famed Native Portraits Back to Omaha”
“What Is the Bayeux Tapestry About: The Story of the Tapestry”
