Something old
i Credenza
George Katsutoshi Nakashima
Born in Spokane, Washington, to Japanese parents, George Katsutoshi Nakashima (1905-1990) went on to become one of the leading innovators of what has collectively become known as “mid-century modern” furniture. Underpinning the desirability of Nakashima’s pieces is his exploitation of the intrinsic decorative qualities of wood – its knots, burls, figuring and grain. Equally important, however, is the superb craftsmanship employed in his use of traditional Japanese joinery techniques – evident in this streamlined credenza, with its dovetailed carcass and three sliding grill doors backed with padanus cloth, enclosing four drawers and four adjustable shelves. $40,000.
ii Chest
Italian
The mahogany frame of this three-drawer chest was designed by the architect and designer Gio Ponti (1891-1979) and its black and white Palladian decoration is by the painter, designer and engraver Piero Fornasetti (1913-1988). It is from a line of furniture known as “Architettura”, which is characterised by the use of classical and renaissance architectural forms and by dramatic contrasts of scale (huge buildings are reduced to the size of domestic artefacts). It was influenced by contemporary metaphysical painters and the result is a unique style in which the eye of the onlooker floats in the geometry of illusion. $10,000.
iii Work cabinet on stand
English
Rare and of exceptional quality, this work cabinet was made in England during the reign of Charles II (1660-1685). Raised on a matching stand with a frieze drawer, barley-twist legs, wavy stretchers and bun feet, the piece is decorated with oyster-veneered olive wood and foliate marquetry work. Behind its doors and hinged lid are multiple drawers and cupboards (some “secret”). Originally designed for sewing and embroidery paraphernalia, but equally useful for letters and documents, they are exquisitely fronted with metal purl appliqué and polychrome raised embroidery work depicting royal, biblical, allegorical and pastoral imagery. £195,000.
iv Folio cabinet
English
This cabinet dates to circa 1825, during the reign of George IV (1820-1830), and is fashioned in the late regency style. It is made from the South American hardwood Gonçala Alves, which is better known as “zebrawood” because of its distinctive figuring and its development of a characteristically lustrous, mellow patina. Flanking three rows of polychrome leather book spines and, at the rear, vertical document dividers, are four superbly turned and carved columns – all reeded and tapered with lotus leaf capitals. These support an adjustable top that, when raised, also serves as a writing slope. £85,000.
v Commode
Pierre Roussel I
This superb rococo-style commode was made circa 1745 during the reign of Louis XV (1715-1774) and is by the eminent French cabinetmaker Pierre Roussel I. Under a serpentine-edged marble top, the bombé-shaped carcass incorporates two drawers and is panelled in highly expensive black lacquer work decorated with finely detailed chinoiserie scenes in shades of green, red, brown, silver and gold. These are framed by finely chased ormolu mounts, mostly in the form of acanthus and other foliate and floral forms, which terminate on the out-swept legs in scrolling shell and foliage sabots. £295,000.
Judith Miller is the author of annual antiques and collectables guides for Millers
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Something new
1 Fractal 23
Takeshi Miyakawa
This modular drawer system was shown in New York this May at BklynDesigns, a special design fair organised by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Takeshi Miyakawa graduated in architecture from Tokyo Science University, moved to New York in 1989 and set up his own practice in 2001 after working as an architectural modelmaker. Fractal 23 is made to order, constructed in oil-painted plywood. When coming up with the design Miyakawa started dividing up the front, then the back, with drawers and went on to fill the remaining space by using fractal geometry. Great fun can be had deciding what to put where, and then remembering where you placed what. $20,000.
2 A pile of suitcases
Maarten De Ceulaer
This charming cupboard is by Maarten De Ceulaer, a graduate of Design Academy Eindhoven, the Netherlands’ leading design school. It was presented by Casamania at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan this year, where it caused something of a stir. As its name suggests, the piece comprises six separate modules or “suitcases”, each covered in a differently coloured leather. The individual units allow owners to sort before they store and a structure at the back allows them to be moved around to make a customised combination. De Ceulaer speaks of “landscapes of beautiful leather boxes”. €5,500.
3 Chevet Insomnie
Hervé Van der Straeten
As part of a collection of 25 new works presented in January at his Paris gallery during Maison et Objet, Hervé Van der Straeten designed two pieces to work as a pair of bedside tables
. On their own they are equally good as side tables. A 45° edge to the top drawer and a discreet recess underneath to pull them open means the storage is almost hidden from view. Finished in natural parchment (made from superfine goatskin) and lined in sycamore wood, they are typical Van der Straeten, with the various volumes piled on top of each other in a haphazard way. €18,400 for the pair.
4 Aperture Cabinet
Viable London
Viable London is a design studio established in 2005 by Magnus Long, Charles Trevelyan and Gala Wright, after the trio of designers met in Milan at the Salone del Mobile. A year later they showed together at Salone Satellite, the furniture fair’s platform for new talent. Aperture is one of their most outstanding pieces, shown here in white lacquer and oak with its clever cut-out circular handle placed off-centre.
All Viable’s work is made to order and the studio is happy and able to accommodate customers’ individual specifications with respect to size and finish. £2,200-£2,500.
5 Soho
Pedro Sousa
Boca do Lobo, based in Rio Tinto, Portugal, was set up by Pedro Sousa, Amândio Pereira and Ricardo Magalhães with an aim of combining the best of Portugese artisan skills with the latest advanced technology. Their pieces, such as this sideboard, Soho, have plenty of personality. Framed within a glass carcass, on white lacquered legs, is a patchwork effect of drawers in different sizes and finishes topped off with a mix of handles. The drawers are finished in white and coloured lacquer, black glass, wood, mirror and gold leaf. For the less adventurous, there is an all-white or all-black version. €8,880.
Nick Vinson is special projects director at Wallpaper* magazine
