Italian art glass scion Ercole Barovier moved the medium forward
NEW YORK — Ercole Barovier (Italian, 1889-1974) was arguably the most influential and innovative Murano glassblower in the early part of the 20th century.
Seaman Schepps, master of bold, chunky statement jewelry
NEW YORK — Seaman Schepps reportedly received his first name after his mother spied a Seaman’s bank out her hospital room window after giving birth to him in 1881. He was the first in his family to be born in the United States, and his mother supposedly chose the name to give the impression that […]
Frederick Hurten Rhead’s exquisite art pottery endures
NEW YORK – Frederick Hurten Rhead (1880-1942) may not have been a good businessman, but he was one of the best ceramicists of the Arts and Crafts period.
Vu Cao Dam masterfully united Eastern and Western influences
NEW YORK — The artist Vu Cao Dam (1908–2000) came to Paris as an 18-year-old art student from Vietnam and soon became enamored of the French capital, with its European charms and many art museums. He spent nearly 20 years in Paris before settling in the south of France, and his work clearly shows influences […]
Christofle silver: Beautifying tables since 1830
NEW YORK — Creating a memorable culinary experience for family and friends is about much more than the meal — it’s about the tablescape, too. Even in the modern age, when formal dinners have largely been replaced with informal meals or food grabbed on the go, setting a table with real silver has never gone […]
Courvoisier Galleries saved original Disney animation cels
NEW YORK — When it comes to animation art, there is one name that has led the market since the late 1930s. Based in Los Angeles at that time, the animators at Walt Disney Studios cranked out many thousands of celluloid images, or cels, of Mickey Mouse and other now-beloved characters for cartoons and film […]
Van Cleef and Arpels’ Alhambra line makes luck look lovely
NEW YORK — Luck has long been one of the core values at Van Cleef & Arpels. From the beginning, the company incorporated symbols of luck into its jewelry designs, such as talismans, charms and, of course, four-leaf clovers, which first showed up in its archives in 1906.
Paul Frankl scaled the heights of 20th-century furniture design
NEW YORK — Designer Paul Theodore Frankl (1886-1958) is closely associated with the Art Deco movement and his furniture from this period, particularly his Skyscraper series, is iconic. More accessible and collectible to a broader segment of the market, however, are his post-war era pieces, from his metal furnishings of the 1930s to his cork-topped […]
Sergio Bustamante’s whimsical art never fails to delight
NEW YORK — Painter, sculptor and designer Sergio Bustamante was born in Culiacan in northern Mexico in 1949 before moving to Guadalajara when he was five, where he still lives and works. He has become a rising star in the art world, admired for his whimsy and originality, which are influenced by the rich colors […]
Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak posts mighty auction results
NEW YORK — The Swiss are famous for their timepieces and among the top tier of luxury watchmakers is Audemars Piguet. Founded in 1875 in Le Bruassus, Switzerland, the family-owned company’s wristwatches are celebrated for their elegance and precision. A work of beauty inside and out, these watches are known for their intricate design with […]
