"Mystery Suitor" by Tishbein

It’s hard to believe, but this year marks my 10^th year at Rau Antiques. 10 years of pieces coming and going, buying and selling, setting up and breaking down. It’s been an eventful decade to say the least, and all this recollection of it has me thinking of some important consistencies I’ve encountered-that in my opinion, affect YOU as the buyer directly!

Looking back, way back, from my first day of work here, I ask myself “What has increased the most in value over the run of 10 years?” The answer: Fine Art. Paintings that sold for $200,000 are now $600,000, which is an exceptional increase in value!  From my view, the Dow Jones can’t compete with that, and you have another benefit in your favor; a beautiful work of art in your favorite room, not some burly, chatty stock broker on the phone.

Now, I tend to be bullish when it comes to art, and this is strictly opinion, but I can only see this trend of art performance in the market as repeating in the upcoming decade. Again, I’m no economic financier, but over and over art has proved to retain and gain in value, and the payoff is in more than cash, it’s in beauty! Time and time again I’ve found that when you buy great paintings, by great artists, it more than pays for itself and keeps the buyer happy on many, many levels.

Have I convinced you? Then check out our extensive art collection here!

When people talk about piano history, they usually say that the piano originated around the year 1700 in Florence, Italy.

Florence is the capital city of Tuscany, a central region of Italy, and the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.

Since its inception, the instrument we know today as the piano has had many innovators over the past 300 years who have shaped its functionality, appearance and sound.

There have been many high points during this time in the development of the piano and many innovations. In my opinion, this Weber & Co. piano represents a tremendous high point in the evolution of the piano. It represents two elements brought together to present a command performance in your home. It was the first time that a great piano and a great performer were able to play in your home.

Besides the impeccable sound, this model is one of beauty in that you can watch and listen to it, while a song begins to play but the piano bench is empty. It’s a bit ghostly and mysterious but also tranquil and melodic. It’s truly a spectacle both in sight and sound.

M.S. Rau Antiques has recently expanded our gallery space, opening the new 4,500-square-foot Le Salon just steps away from our main gallery on Royal Street. The addition, which is located at 610 Toulouse Street, boasts two stories of museum-like gallery space, showcasing exceptional fine art and antiques offered by M.S. Rau.

We invite guests and customers to visit Le Salon, where four large rooms exhibit items such as an elaborately-carved bedroom suite owned by Benito Mussolini, a Charles X billards table made by Chevillotte of Orleans, France, an outstanding 24-light Baccarat crystal chandelier, and several tester beds.

Owner Bill Rau is very excited about expanding the business and increasing Rau’s presence in the French Quarter. “The addition of Le Salon allows us the unique opportunity to display some of our finest antiques in a more home-like setting, something we think our customers will really respond to,” says Bill. “We see the Salon as a great step forward in our company’s progress.”

Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Guests can view the exquisite pieces at Le Salon by entering the main gallery, 630 Royal Street.

Le Salon First Floor Gallery

Le Salon Second Floor Gallery

I’m Mary, the sales coordinator at Rau Antiques. I wanted to take 10 minutes out of Bill Rau’s busy schedule (my boss and owner of the gallery)  to get to know him  a little better and for some reason, he agreed. So to see a third generation Rau in a different light, here is our 10 question Q and A session.

1. How long have you been married?

Almost 25 years.

2. Favorite New Orleans Cuisine:

Chargrilled oysters from Acme Oyster house.

3. Best business advice you’ve ever gotten?

Buy the best and only cry once.

4. Favorite word:

I don’t know, but probably an adjective.

5. What do you do to relax?

Get a massage.

6. What do you attribute the Saints Success to this season?

Divine Will.

7. Biggest Pet Peeve?

When my computer fails…

8. Do you have any phobias?

If I did, I wouldn’t share them with you and the world.

9. What are you most proud of?

The team I work with.

10. Favorite piece in the gallery right now?

The Godward Painting. It’s the best painting by one of the best artists. I’d bring it home if I could.

The coolest table ever is our “Monumental Specimen Table”. It speaks to my Italian side.  I love it, from the hand carved oak winged lions on the base, to the two inch thick inlayed marble top with its plethora of Italian marble varieties.  It is a tribute to the maker’s ingenuity, creativity, and master artistry.

The previous owner used it for a conference table for his business, but in my mind’s eye, I can see it as a center table in a large entrance or library or even a great dining table, but most of all, I see it in my house.  If there is anyone out there that is willing to buy this for me, I will graciously accept.

One other thing I would like to mention, but we have to keep in on the QT, if anyone ever asks me if I really did what I am about to tell you, I will deny it.

I am a gardening addict.  One Sunday, I decided to move some plants around; big  plants.  Anyway, I pulled something in my lower back, but also being the slave to duty that I am, I came into the gallery.  Every step was painful, sitting was painful, standing was painful.  As I said earlier, the table is very cool.  I started thinking about the cool marble of my specimen table.  I sneaked into the back gallery where the table now stands, climbed on top, laid down on my back and pressed my lower back into the cool, cool marble. I stayed in that position for 10 minutes or so, praying the entire time that no one would walk in and see me lying on the table.  When I got up, my back felt 100% better!  I bent down and kissed the table then patted it lovingly.

Not only does the Monumental Marble Specimen table speak to my Italian side, it also speaks to my backside.