Danish is Modern

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We are thrilled to have so many excellent examples of fine Danish Modern Furniture. These are all recognizable for their simple, elegant, and airy forms.  This furniture is traditionally very high quality and has stood the test of time. The development of modern Danish furniture owes much to the collaboration between architects and cabinetmakers. Cabinetmaker A. J. Iversen, who had successfully exhibited furniture from designs by architect Kay Gottlob at the Paris World Exhibition in 1925, was instrumental in fostering further partnerships. In 1927, with a view to encouraging innovation and stimulating public interest, the Danish Cabinetmakers Guild organized a furniture exhibition in Copenhagen which was to be held every year until 1967. In the postwar years, Danish designers and architects believed that design could be used to improve people's lives. Particular attention was given to creating affordable furniture and household objects that were both functional and elegant. Niels Otto Moller, 1920-1981, one of the designers of our chairs, completed his apprenticeship as a cabinetmaker in 1939, and continued his education at the Danish design school in Aarhus. In 1944 he founded J.L. Møllers MøbelfabrikA/S and worked as an independent furniture designer and producer. Under his careful tutelage and creative direction, the company has received many awards including the Danish Furniture Prize awards in 1974 and 1981. http://www.danish-modern.co.uk is one of my favorite new sites as they have categories and actual advertisements to help you identify your favorite designers and furniture.

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

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All-Clad Inspires Cooking

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All-Clad does inspire cooking! The company was founded by John Ulam. He is a metallurgist who developed many patents in bonding steel to aluminum. All Clad combines American products and excellent craftsmanship to form wonderful high end cookware. It happens to be headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. How cool is that? The best recommendation is that I love mine. :)

Our current auction features All-Clad items! see: All Clad Category

There are wonderful recipes on the All-Clad website. Because Thomas Keller is celebrating 20 years at the French Laundry Restaurant, and he cooks using All-Clad, here is his recipe for a classic I hope you will enjoy.

                                                                           

Oven Roasted Tomatoes by chef Thomas Keller For this recipe we only partially dry the tomatoes because we still want to keep some of the juices, but they can be cooked longer for a drier tomato. Be sure to use the highest quality tomatoes. Use the tomatoes as a garnish in soups, on salads, sandwiches, pastas, as an accompaniment to meat or fish or chopped and spread on a baguette.

• 10 Roma (plum) tomatoes, peeled and halved lengthways

• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 2 teaspoons minced thyme

Preheat the oven to 250°F.

Arrange the tomato halves, cut side up, in a 6 quart Copper-Core buffet casserole. Drizzle the tomatoes with the olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper and thyme.

Place the pan in the oven and cook for 3 1/2 hours to partially dry the tomatoes. They will shrink in size but should still be moist. Remove from the oven and let them cool in the pan.

If the tomatoes will be stored, layer them in a storage container and pour the oil remaining in the pan over the top. If the tomatoes are to be used in a dish, such as pasta, they can be cut into the desired shaped and added cold to the dish. As an accompaniment to another dish, the tomatoes can be re-warmed in a 325°F oven before serving. - See more at: http://www.all-clad.com

Cooking for a crowd this summer? All-Clad’s Fabulous Stockpot is great for large-scale entertaining and family meals, whether it is boiling lobsters, making a Louisiana seafood boil or blanching a large batch of vegetables. see: item 138  

                                      What would you make in this stockpot?

Here’s your chance to cook with an American original – and bring legendary performance to your kitchen and every meal. Don’t forget the tomatoes!

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

www.ayptoday.com

We've been Framed! Thank you Linda!

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Five delightful Jeweled Picture Frames are featured in our current auction. Please take a look and you will know why we are thanking Linda Levinson, Berebi and Swarovski, for their fine work.  see Picture Frame Category.

Linda Levinson’s background in fine jewelry and her love of antiquities were the foundations for her business. In 1986, at the urging of store buyers Linda started Linda Levinson Designs, Inc. The business began in her parent’s suburban basement with a small sample line of hair accessories and costume jewelry. After five successful years in business and a move into a Chicago studio space,  Linda began a line of jeweled picture frames and other assorted items for the home using American made products.

                                      

Each piece is developed by Linda in Chicago. She then sends her drawings to model makers in Rhode Island. These craftsmen take the design and carve by hand a wax or metal model. After the prototype is complete all pieces are hand cast then plated in Rhode Island and sent back to the Chicago Studio for hand setting of stones and finishing. Each picture frame is handmade to order. Once you take a closer look it is easy to understand why these frames are so expensive and so collectible. Please check our her website at http://www.lindalevinsonjewelry.com

                                                                 

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

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Here comes the Sun (Glasses)!

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Our current auction features some wonderful items to help you look great this summer.  I am talking about our wonderful collection of designer sunglasses in nearly every shape and color.

Thank you Beatles and especially George Harrison, for writing the that wonderful song, “Here comes the Sun”.  This blog is a tribute to the Beatles who took sunglasses to a new level. You might already know July 7th was Ringo Starr’s Birthday.

Vintage style sunglasses have been growing in popularity, and the biggest names in designer eyewear have been re-inventing and perfecting these styles in order to make them relevant in the current fashion atmosphere. Some of the names included in our current auction: Armani, Oakley, Fred Lunettes, Maui Jim, and Kieselsysin-Cord .

Aviator sunglasses were developed by Ray-Ban in 1936 for pilots who needed to protect their eyes while flying.

They became popular with the public a year after they were released and continued to gain popularity because they were worn by rock stars and cultural icons like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.

The rise of the hipster, the revival of retro, and postmodern approaches to fashion have made vintage retro sunglasses and eyewear designs must-have accessories.  Designer eyewear brands have helped bring these vintage styles back to life. From the aviator and Wayfarer to frames with round “John Lennon” lenses and 1960s-inspired plastic brows, vintage style sunglasses are hot. Now they can be yours. see Sunglasses Category.

Here is a tribute to John and item 98

“It’s all right.”

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

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Versace is Timeless

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Our current auction features many designer labels and a fabulous selection of men’s wear.  We want to direct your attention to our amazing collection of Versace.

Versace is the epitome of glamor– as well as being the symbol of Italian luxury. The company designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including Atelier (haute couture), prêt-à-porter (ready to wear), bags, shoes, accessories, jewelry, watches, eyewear, fragrances, and home furnishings all bearing the distinctive Medusa logo.

Gianni Versace, one of the most talented fashion designers of the 20th century, presented his first collection under his own name in 1978.

This marked the founding of the famous Italian fashion house. It quickly became one of the leading fashion design brands worldwide. Celebrities and connoisseurs everywhere adored the brand for its uncompromising design, its rich and ultra-sensual style and its impeccable craftsmanship and quality.

After the death of her brother in 1997, Donatella Versace became Creative Director for the Versace Group.  Today Donatella Versace directs all lines and product categories for the house.

Donatella Versace underlines the heritage elements of the house while continually modernizing and refreshing the brand’s style with her creative and energetic attitude. Along with the items in our auction,  You can discover the timeless universe of Versace at VERSACE.COM

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

www.ayptoday.com

The Power of Art

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In our current auction you will be impressed with the excellent quality and interesting variety of all of the items that have been lovingly gathered from years of world travel. While every auction seems to bring new knowledge, this one enhanced my appreciation for the Power of Art with these thirty four treasures.

We can really see the expression of the talent and creative force of each artist in very different ways. They manipulate their own materials and tools to transcend time to reach us.  Isn’t it amazing that feelings can be generated, people can be touched, and spaces can be changed just by bringing art into a room?

The Chinese work in this auction demonstrates the talent and creative force of nature.  We know that these artists train under a master’s supervision for years.  They must practice each brush stroke thousands of times to make the work appear effortlessly.  There can be no mistake or the entire piece would be ruined. See item 15

        

The watercolor of the Arab Mother and Child returning from the market evokes feelings of tenderness and care for the tasks at hand as well as the child in hand. Just a few lines and color and we are there. See item 9.

The oil on wood of the Rain in Paris allows us to experience a glimpse of that romantic city.  For those who have experienced that Paris in person these memories are as fresh as summer rain. See item 7.

    

Traditional methods of paint and brush are cast aside for scissors in the wonderful examples of Polish Wycinanki.  See items 10 and 11.

Susan W. Reynolds in her book, Room for Change, reminds us that the word atmosphere is the “dominant mood or emotional tone of a work of art”. p 51. “Hanging a collection of artwork or photos is an ideal way to create a new focal point for the room and heighten the beauty of an existing piece of furniture.” p 77.

Imagine what any one of these fine pieces from around the world would do to elevate your mood and transform your space.  That is the power of art!  Happy choosing!                 

see Art Work Category

Happy Bidding!

Liz

www.ayptoday.com

George II Wonderful Sterling by Birks

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There is sterling and then there is Sterling!  In this current auction we are thrilled to have George II Plain wonderful Sterling from Birks Silver Company see all Sterling Flatware.

The weight, construction and details of this pattern are amazing on the front and on the back as you can see. We have pieces that were made in England and Canada.

Any royal or commoner would be pleased to use this fine pattern.

Birks is a Canadian silver maker that has been in business since 1879. Currently it has 33 locations across Canada. The company has made gold and silver jewelry, timepieces, and silver hollowware and flatware. It was founded by Henry Birks, who opened a jewelry store in Montreal in 1879. The name of the company became Henry Birks & Sons after Henry’s three sons joined the business in 1893.

Birks bought up several smaller silver manufacturers over a period of years. Although other marks were used, the word "Birks" is always included as one of the marks. Pieces of our George II have been made in England and Canada as seen on the markings on the back.

The latest news is they are changing their name to Maison Birks.  It  is one of the retail arms of Birks Group Inc. which is traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Jean-Christophe Bedos is the new head of Maison Birks Jewelry empire. The name change is an attempt to give Birks the cache of Chanel and Dior which also use Maison (the house of) in their names.

George II has been manufactured since 1914 and is still an active pattern with all of the individual serving pieces that are so fun to collect.

We know you will agree - it is wonderful!

Happy Bidding!                              

Liz

www.ayptoday.com