Louis Vuitton Luggage Suite

The name Louis Vuitton denotes a distinct sophistication befitting what is considered the world’s first luxury brand. Louis Vuitton luggage and leather goods set the standard by which all others are measured, with a brilliant historical narrative adding to the value. M.S. Rau currently has two fantastic selections of vintage Louis Vuitton luggage, including a fascinating travel trunk. The unmistakable design, along with the intriguing biography, makes these travel trunks some of the most delightfully collectible pieces.

The history of European travel is closely linked with the travel trunk, as the lowly case for storing one’s goods during a journey became a style statement. As with many trends, the movement towards decorative luggage started with members of royalty. Trunks of the royals were elaborate and plentiful, with bespoke pieces designed to hold attire for any imaginable outing one might encounter, from fox-hunting to public appearances.

Finally, glamour had entered the once rough and tumble sphere of cross-country train travel. Journeys on lines like the famed Orient Express from Paris to Constantinople required equally sophisticated luggage, as much to impress fellow passengers as to hold one’s garments. The first to have flat tops, which meant they could be stacked easily in cargo, Louis’ son Georges also created the first designer logo, with the Monogram Canvas in 1896.Specially designed pieces– like rounded trunks meant to hold hats — began making appearances and led the way for specialized and innovative trunks.

Louis Vuitton Travel Trunk

Trunks for the turn of the 20^th century took on new meaning with their designs. A photographer’s trunk would include a space for a camera, lenses and gels. The genius bed trunk would unfold into a bed (complete with legs) and included a pillow. Even the “aero trunk,” designed for a trip via “air ship,” was designed to be extra light for the new and thrilling form of travel.

The need for the very basic (and best!) Louis Vuitton luggage remains in demand for the traveling elite, like our luggage suite and travel trunk. These 20^th century examples offer the quality expected from the brand, with the fascinating patina from a vintage piece. To own a piece of Louis Vuitton luggage has always meant to be one of the luckiest of travelers.

Click here to learn more about M.S. Rau’s Louis Vuitton items.

Egyptian Art Deco Chandelier

Art Deco Diamond and Rock Crystal Brooch

I just returned from the Art Deco World Congress 2013 held in Habana, Cuba and have been thoroughly inspired to present my very favorite Art Deco pieces to you.  I want to share a range of items that came out of this movement, because the way it transformed everything from sculpture to lighting is truly astounding.

Though the movement was an expression of the progressive and forward-thinking attitudes of the Machine Age, this eclectic style was greatly influenced by the so-called “primitive” arts of Africa and ancient Egypt.  The worldwide press coverage that the discovery of Tutankhamen’s tomb drew certainly popularized these elements.  Translating organic themes into streamlined, mathematical shapes is one of the most well-known signatures of this striking design aesthetic.  Take, for instance, this fabulous chandelier that displays a geometric Egyptian motif.

Mounted in luminous platinum and 18k gold, as well as featuring a link of the purest rock crystal, this Art Deco pin radiates the opulence associated with the movement.  Whether worn as a brooch or in place of a buckle at the waist, on a wide grosgrain ribbon as a bracelet, as a hair ornament, or glitzing up a classic black satin evening clutch this pin is as versatile an accessory now as it was during the heyday of Art Deco.

Bearing the telltale streamlined elegance of Art Deco, this Cartier clock is crafted from a plaque of exquisite jade set into a frame of enamel-accented silver. This wonderful 8-day clock would have been at home in the most stylish of offices or residences.

Cartier Art Deco Jade Clock

Art Deco Gold Box by Cartier, Paris

Also by Cartier, this gold box captures the essence of Art Deco sophistication. Crafted entirely of 18K yellow gold, this exceptional objet d’art bears a sleek geometric pattern accompanied by contrasting black champlevé enamel on all sides. The box was most likely used as a cosmetics compact and would have been an essential accessory for a well-heeled lady. Such diminutive works of art are found most often in prestigious collections throughout the world, representing a bygone “golden age” of luxury and style.

Even the fine arts were impacted by the new ideals of Art Deco. “Friends Forever” by Demetre Haralamb Chiparus is a charming figure of a young girl and her two borzoi, or Russian wolfhound companions, comprised of patinated, cold-painted bronze and intricately carved ivory, a combination known as chryselephantine. The combination of ivory and bronze was pioneered in Belgium at the turn of the 20th century. Sculptors of the Art Deco period embraced this technique, re-interpreting the classical style to create figures of subtle beauty. Chiparus was a champion and master of this technique and he is credited with both perfecting and giving this form its Art Deco flavor.

Friends Forever Bronze and Ivory by Chiparus

All of these pieces express the various wondrous qualities of Art Deco.  My time in Cuba certainly reinvigorated my love of Art Deco, and I hope this selection has piqued your curiosity. Which item interests you the most?

This rare English 18th-century agate and gold étui exhibits a graceful Rococo style. Adorned with exceptional carving and gold mounts, this charming étui opens with the push of a button. Circa, 1770.

Flawlessly crafted in the neoclassical style, this container is made of various shades of gold and is distinguished by panels of peaked guilloche engraving. Borders of foliate, floral and ribbon chasing complete the design. Circa, 1760.

About a year ago, M.S. Rau purchased a collection of étuis – the jewel-like decorative cases used in the 18^th century to store small items or to discreetly pass notes between members of nobility. Within weeks, we had sold them all, delighted to learn that in the current age of technology, people still appreciate the possibility of a handwritten note. We recently acquired another set of étuis, each one distinctive and utterly collectible. What makes these gems of history so special is not just their beauty, but their fascinating biography as well.

Étuis take their name from the Old French word “estuier,” meaning “to keep or hold.”  Although we now associate them with secret written exchanges of the European elite, an étui is a very versatile item. These ornamental cases could be made of any material, from precious metals like gold or silver, to exotic materials such as tortoiseshell or shagreen. Though many were used for more clandestine reasons, some also served the more practical purpose of holding small items such as scissors, thimbles, needles, or even a doctor’s lancet. To maintain the security of the more confidential notes contained within these items, sometimes the exteriors would be sealed with wax.

I cannot think of a more elegant way to give a small gift, or make a note special, than tucked into one of these pieces, can you?  View all of our available étuis here.

Globes, such as this pair of 18″ examples from J.& W. Cary, afforded their owner a wealth of information right at their fingertip.

Arguably the most valuable tool in business today is the computer. Within seconds, an entrepreneur can answer any question, accessing information from around the world. For the 19th-century businessman, the globe often served that same role.

In matters of commerce, especially shipping, geography and exploration, the globe was an invaluable asset when determining the best and most cost effective ways to get your goods from one point to another. Accuracy and timely information meant everything, and firms such as John Newton & Son, John and William Cary, and Dudley Adams excelled at crafting globes that were as technically precise as they were beautiful.

A good cartographer encompassed the qualities of an artist, engraver, geographer and even an astronomer. Bodies of water, mountain ranges, major land routes, islands, constellations, planets and a host of other topographical and celestial elements necessary for navigation were rendered with incredible precision, based upon the findings of such notable explorers as Captain George Vancouver and Captain James Cook. This stunning pair of Rare 18-Inch Cary Globes are a perfect example of the craftsmanship and meticulousness afforded to these elegant spheres. Such superior globes were also outfitted with additional navigational instruments. For instance, the terrestrial globe features an analemma, which provided a scale of the Sun’s daily declination, while brass meridian and horizon rings on each globe notate monthly and astrological calendars. Their handsome mahogany bases even have integrated working compasses.

To own a globe was to have a bounty of information at your fingertips. Though our computers and smart phones may have the advantage of speed, none of our clever electronic devices can be referred to as a true work of art.

Chinese Silver Tea Set

Collecting silver is a passionate dedication for many, and with sets like this rare Chinese export service, it is easy to see why. Chinese silver is considered a “hidden treasure” among silver collectors – more difficult to find and with one-of-a-kind patterns made bespoke for original owners. Our three-piece Chinese tea set features an exceptional flora motif, with stylized bamboo handles and gilt interior on the creamer and sugar vessels. A set like this would have been an exotic acquisition to the 19^th century collector, possessing all the desired qualities a European tourist would have preferred.

Chinese silver production has a fascinating history, born out of the boon of wealthy visitors to China starting in the 18^th century. Rather than emulate the staid designs of European silver houses, Chinese silver makers relied on the popularity of exoticized patterns that captured only certain elements of the Chinese aesthetic. Designs with dragons, flowers and birds appealed to Western tastes and the resulting pieces were hand crafted by highly skilled artisans.

Later, in the 20^th century, silver makers in China began to mass produce their pieces. The aesthetic preferred by the Western tourists had long been established, so the demand for hand crafted, specialized pieces was lost. Our set was created in the 19^th century, making the chrysanthemums, irises, plums, and unmistakable Chinese shape particularly special.

Beautiful, ornate, and exceptional, this Chinese silver tea set will be treasured for many generations to come. Click here to visit our website and to view more of our spectacular silver collection.