George III Silver Gilt-Covered Monteith

If you were to ask someone from New Orleans, “What are the seasons,” they would definitely not give the answer, winter, spring, summer or fall.  You are much more likely to get the response of, “it’s Mardi Gras season, or football season, (or more specific, Saints season),  Jazz Fest season, creole tomato season, strawberry season, hunting season, fishing season, shrimp season, the season of Lent and I could go on and on. We all look forward to that next great season and a reason (or excuse) to celebrate.

Right now we are in Mardi Gras season and I am having a, “Twelfth Night Party”. What is a Twelfth Night Party? It’s just a great reason to have a party! The twelfth night was actually on January 6^th or 12 nights after Christmas and it’s our official date to kick off the Mardi Gras season.  Today is January 14^th, so I am a little late but who’s counting?

Style is such an intricate part of any celebration. If there were one thing in this entire gallery that I would love to have at my party it would be the George III Silver gilt Monteith. It screams style! For those of you who don’t know, a Monteith is an elaborately decorated vessel with notched rims allowing a wine glass to suspend inside the bowl which is filled with either ice or ice water.  Hence the chilled glass! The name monteith was derived from a very dapper dressing Scottsman, Monteith,  who wore a cloak of notched edges.

I can just imagine serving wine in chilled glasses from this magnificent silver gilt monteith elaborately decorated in repousse’ of huntsman, stag and hounds, flower garlands, winged figures and bearded satyr masks…stylish and great fun!

Whatever season you’re celebrating, do it with style. Make this Monteith your new centerpiece.

Measurements:

11” diameter x 15 1/2” high

Asking Price: $68,500

Wouldn’t this exquisite piece be perfect for your next festive occasion?

Happy New Year from all of us at M.S. Rau Antiques!  Having just completed 2011, our most successful year ever, the first quarter of 2012 promises to be even more exciting!  Beginning on January 18^th through the 22^nd, M.S. Rau will be present at the annual Los Angeles Fine Art Show, where we will be offering original works of art by Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet, Gauguin, Winston Churchill and many other great artists.  As our truck travels the I-10 corridor from New Orleans to L.A., we will be stopping at clients’ homes along the way, fulfilling their requests to see specific items amid the décor of their own homes.  If you happen to live anywhere between the two cities, please peruse our website, find those perfect pieces, call us and we will gladly bring it to your homes for you to see as well.

February is even more eventful as we visit those snow birds who headed south for the winter to both east and west coasts of sunny Florida.  The annual Naples Art, Antique and Jewelry show will run from February 9^th through the 13^th while the Palm Beach Jewelry, Art and Antique Show will follow February 17^th through the 21^st.  From our fine art to rare silver by Tiffany, Gorham, Paul Storr, Hester Bateman, Myer Myers and others, to porcelain, objets d’art and the finest antique furniture available, these two shows are not to be missed. Once again, we are pleased to show you items in your home should you be interested.

Additionally, M.S. Rau’s very own Rau for Art Foundation will be accepting submissions to its inaugural art scholarship competition through February 15^th. Find out more at www.rauforart.com.

The Grand Finale of the first quarter of 2012 will undoubtedly be the 100^th anniversary celebration of the gallery, owned by the Rau family throughout its duration. The weekend of March 9^th, 10^th and 11^th, we will be hosting several events in the gallery welcoming our clients to view our most magnificent collection ever.

For those familiar with our gallery, you can appreciate how incredible this event will be. To potential new clients I welcome you to visit and help us celebrate 100 years of selling the finest, rarest and most desirable collectables found anywhere.  Come help us as we celebrate 100 Years of Excitement throughout 2012.

–Lyndon Lasiter

This extremely rare and delightful carousel horse by Philadelphia Toboggan is one of the earliest made by the renowned company

There was a time when no amusement park or playground was complete without a carousel ride. Children and even adults could take pleasure in a whimsical ride atop an array of horses and other fanciful creatures carved by the most skilled artisans of the day. Though quality examples of these nostalgic masterpieces come few and far between on the market, that doesn’t seem to deter the demand for these magnificent figures.

The carousel reached its golden age in early 20th-century America, and lasted until the Great Depression of 1929. This roughly 25-year period saw the creation of carousel rides that rivaled, and in most cases surpassed, their European counterparts. With no money for life’s essentials, much less a carousel ride, many of these hand-carved wonders were abandoned and fell into disrepair, or were demolished. By the time the Depression ended and the public was ready to enjoy these treasured amusements once again, carousel figures had become mass-produced, cast metal versions of their former selves.

Renewed interest in the carousel art form began in the 1970s, when enthusiasts began uncovering these lost American treasures and appreciating the tremendous skill and imagination they embodied. This particular example from the renowned Philadelphia Toboggan Company is one of the rarest American carousel horses. The realism of the wind-swept mane, life-like musculature and expressive eyes, this “golden age” example is an outstanding example of American wood working at its highest. Many carousel figures were made into other imaginative creatures, like this Carousel Rabbit by Dentzel. Created by the company’s head carver, Salvatore Cernigliaro, this English hare worked perfectly with the popular “jumping” mechanisms that made the rider feel as if their figure had come to life. Such inventive forms by Dentzel are some of the most desired on the market.

Whether horse or hare, there is no denying the charm of the carousel. Each majestic figure embodies not only the skill of its craftsman, but also the most innocent and carefree moments of our lives, when a break from the real world was just a spin away. With incredible examples like the above emerging from private collections, the desire for these once-lost childhood memories is greater now than ever.

To view M.S. Rau Antiques’ selection of carousel figures, click here.

The only limit to antique carousel forms was the carver's imagination. This lively rabbit by Dentzel exhibits magnificent craftsmanship

This stunning pony with real horse hair tail was crafted by Charles W. Dare, one of the first American carousel makers. To find such an early example is truly exceptional. Circa 1800

There are but a few names synonymous with exceptional quality; Tiffany & Company being one of them. Since opening its doors in 1837, Tiffany and Co. has been a uniquely American brand representing glamour, sophistication and creative design. The company has successfully held its designs to the standard of the finest art – and to own a piece of antique Tiffany jewelry is akin to owning the best work by the greatest painter.  The four pieces I have the privilege of offering to you this holiday season are classic Tiffany.  They make a statement; they are playful; they are utterly chic.

The first piece, a stunning 18K gold bangle bracelet by Tiffany designer Jean Schlumberger, is a study in pure design. Teal green enamel is the back drop for a series of applied gold bands and cross hatches.

The second piece is also by Jean Schlumberger and is of the same nature but features royal blue enamel with 1.50 carats of diamonds around it. There are 19 larger diamonds and 38 smaller ones making it utterly eye-catching from every angle.

Jean Schlumberger is one of the most respected jewelry designers in history. Born in France, he created costume jewelry for Elsa Schiaparelli before moving to New York after World War II. Hired by Tiffany in the 1950s, Schlumberger’s work quickly became the talk of the town, attracting collectors such as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and the Duchess of Windsor.

The other two pieces I am presenting to you are bold brooches that will instantly transform any outfit – from a gorgeous gown to a wool blazer – you will be noticed. The stunning reclining cat pin features emerald eyes and numerous diamonds covering the platinum base. It’s truly a charming piece that any cat-lover would be enthralled by. The emerald eyes are the perfect complement to the shining diamonds.

The second piece, the catfish brooch with sapphires, emeralds, and enamel is one of the most unique pieces of jeweled ornament I have ever seen. It’s excellently crafted and pictures truly do not do its charm justice.

Any one of these pieces would make a lovely addition to your collection. Please let me know which of these entice you most!

A Woman on a Path by a Cottage by John Atkinson Grimshaw

Of all the items in my home, paintings truly give me the most pleasure. I am amazed by the fact that you can look at paintings thousands of times without noticing every detail. There is always something fresh to be found in a great painting. I have sold several paintings by John Atkinson Grimshaw over the years, whose paintings always intrigue me. As one of the prominent Victorian painters, he produced spectacular moonlit scenes. Well, I found a Grimshaw-inspired painting of ships at night with a full moon shining on the waves to hang in my home, and it brings me great joy.

It is fun to build collections of paintings for clients, and since I see so many works from various artists, I can really separate the great ones from the good ones. Because artists painted to make a living, there are, in the trade, paintings considered “commercial grade” that they cranked out. Then there are the really spectacular ones that jump out at you that you fall immediately in love with. Take for instance, A Woman on a Path by a Cottage by Grimshaw, a glowing nocturne, or Village sous la neige by Maurice de Vlaminck, a wonderfully expressive Fauvist landscape. Let’s not forget A Young Girl Crocheting by Alexi Harlamoff, a charming portrait of a young peasant girl fully concentrated on her crocheting project. The list goes on and on, and I’m certain that we have paintings to fit every taste.

I would love to share my passion for great art with you and help you find pieces that you will enjoy and love forever.  Please send me an email or call me to let me know what subject matter, artists or period of paintings that you would like to collect.

Village sous la neige by Maurice de Vlaminck

A Young Girl Crocheting by Alexei Alexeievich Harlamoff