Another sort of jungle

Well certainly a contrast to yesterday's description of the poverty that exists in a concrete jungle. This Herend leopard measuring 17 inches is for sale at auction with an estimate of USD1-2,000. It is somewhat reminiscent of the diamond-encrusted Cartier panther, but as I'm making comparisons, a lot less expensive than that.

And also a bit more fragile, so not a good thing around the accident prone.

The reality of city life

"Bangkok, the City of Angels, is not meant for all. Amidst is high rise buildings and fancy lifestyles are rural newcomers who are drawn to the city and urbanization to escape grinding poverty.

Left behind are their ancestral ties and a simpler way of life as they attempt to acclimate themselves to a different jungle, a concrete one that requires different survival skills.

These newcomers are attired in new costumes, clothes that will let them blend into the city. They are all around; they stand beside us in front of big buildings, along the streets and in small alleys..."
Nattarudee Palalikit, Galerie N.


New Home 2, 2007. Acrylic on canvas 100 x 120 cm
From an exhibition of works by Jintana Piamsiri - Urbanized People - Reluctant Urban Dwellers.

Through glass, starkly

More reproduction chimneypieces from Jamb, with various neoclassical objets. To avoid a museum-like presentation, I wouldn't reproduce these rooms as they are shown, but rather use some of the elements, and add in something modern and very unfussy, to maintain the simplicity of Georgian style. http://www.jamblimited.com/

Playing with new toys

Apart from the obvious need to change the height, these are the two newly acquired Chinese School pictures. It's strange how pictures dramatically alter the feel of a room, and these two, in place of the C18th French architectural prints are no exception.

The oils, although in their original frames, will need to be re-framed, as I find the black too heavy, and too detracting from the simple gold bamboo frame around the Chinoiserie wallpaper fragment. (I will however not dispose of them, because I suspect they will have intrinsic value, and if they were ever put up for auction, would probably add to their value; interestingly I note other Chinese School pictures auctioned at Sotheby's had very similar frames - see below.)

My inclination is to go for something very simple in gold, but this decision making process is all part of the enjoyment of playing with new toys.

They were framed...

...by somebody else, in the C19th.

Tea with Jamb

This is part of a room set from the showroom of Jamb in London. Jamb sells antique and reproduction items, of neoclassical pieces, such as this chimneypiece, plinth with marble bust, and marble statuary. For me this is quintessentially my style, including the placement of the pieces, the stark impact of the wall colour, and the unvarnished, new and wide beam floor planks.

Did I mention I liked the neoclassical?

Going to see the collection of antiques requires a detour from the obvious - you enter a warehouse development next to some disused gas works, so not an endeavour best undertaken when it's dark. The complex also houses some other operations selling similar treasures, so an expedition is well worth it. And an expedition it was indeed, as the usually clued-up London cabbie dropped us kinda, sorta near the entrance.

But it was daylight, (and raining). Nothing the good British brolly couldn't cope with in July.

The cherry on the cake

This rare and magnificent set of of two armchairs in cherrywood can be interlocked to form a chaise longue; one of them has a high back and the other a low one. They are designed (and signed) by Andre Goult and dated 1921, and caught my eye in Vallois on the rue de Seine, in Paris.

But moving swiftly along.....they cost USD313,000 so the interest level didn't last too long. And I don't normally like furniture from the 20s, well certainly of the more obvious Deco variety, and that too was a good enough reason to justify not getting out my Visa card. Perhaps if they'd been in something a bit more seductive than the chocolate brown velvet.

Well, perhaps not even then.

The Pheasant Bedroom (2)

Detail of the 'lens' bedside table, designed by Thomas Pheasant

The Pheasant Bedroom

These are the remaining images from the Thomas Pheasant house that I threatened to show in the last post on Pheasant. I hope you will agree that his work is worthy of further exposure. There are two Biedermeier pieces, one to the left of the fireplace and one visible in the convex mirror. The two matching armchairs facing each other opposite the bed, are covered in a Donghia fabric.

The mushroom wall colour is sharpened significantly by the white cornice and skirting, and is perfect for the relaxed atmosphere required for a bedroom scheme.

With cream

If I needed an internet cafe right now it would have to look like this. When I need one it probably wont.

Let a thousand flowers blossom

"Burnt" Yellow orchids in a lacquer vase in the hallway.

Pink roses in a silver bucket on the newly named "bling" table, (formerly known as a "tablescape").

"Elephant ear" leaves in a Chinese yellow-glazed pot.

The quieter streets of Bangkok over this long Lent weekend have made trips to the flower market a bit of a breeze, and the market itself less of an obstacle course. Anyway, it provided the ideal opportunity to venture forth and see what is on offer.

The temptation is always to buy far more than is required without turning the place into a flower shop, or at worst a chapel of rest, so as in many elements of design, less is better. I'm reminded of the advice given by mothers to their young daughters before going out on a first date, "now take one thing off". (It's important to remember the suggestion of the article to be removed is usually jewellery, lest you think a mother is accused of encouraging her virginal daughter to be provocative in her dress sense.)

Trading places

This pair of C19th China Trade pictures are the latest acquisition to my growing collection of art, from an auction in Chicago. Having lived for many years in Hong Kong these are a period and style that I have coveted for many years. In a previous life I worked for a financial institution which owns one of the largest collections of George Chinnery (1774-1852) oils, some of which are not dissimilar to these.

I have not yet taken delivery of these beauties, but I shall be searching them to see if that name, (or indeed any) is penned in the bottom corner of the canvas. With or without a signature, these are truly evocative of my early life, (not that I lived in the C19th), but seeing pictures of this genre, and I anticipate their arrival with a great deal of excitement, not least because of my experience with two potential shipping companies.

It would be reassuring if the shipping company could understand that Thailand is 12 hours ahead of Chicago, so that the telephone call from them at 2.30 this morning had not taken place. Funnily enough it is the third middle-of-the-night call I've had from a business in the United States, so the lack of knowledge of geography and time differences is a little worrying. Still I suppose at least this shipper, (unlike UPS), didn't think that Thailand and Bangkok were two different countries.

Khao Pansa (Lent)

Tomorrow is the start of the Buddhist Lent, so Bangkok is enjoying a period of relative calm, as many residents have taken the opportunity of the long weekend, (which starts today with Asalha Puja - the commemoration of the Buddha's first sermon in the Deer Park), to depart the capital and visit family in other parts of the kingdom.

These three depictions of the Buddha are also from the Passion of Thai Modern Art exhibition, and represent the transformation from reality into a meditative state, which I think is possible to see as a move from the harsh realism of life, to the beauty of calmness.

This extensive exhibition is a precursor to the opening of a new gallery of modern art at the intersection of Rama I and Phya Thai roads, which will be a very welcome addition to the lively art and cultural scene that is deeply rooted in Thailand.

Like many cultures, art evolved from that used for religious and court purposes, and came under Western influences during the Ratanakosin era (C18th), when King Rama I established Bangkok as the new capital of Siam.

Cornucopia of talent

The cat that got the cream, or at least half of the head of the sculpture next door, (Monday's incomplete head).

An artist's struggle I.

An artist's struggle II.

Screw love

Well that would have worked if they weren't nails. Back to the light-headed scenario.

Feeling a bit light-headed

An exhibition currently running at one of the top shopping malls in Bangkok is entitled "Passion of Thai Modern Art" and includes a number of sculptures in the forecourt. There is a variety of media, and all of it of extremely high quality.

When I am less under the influence of influenza, I will show more and say more. Incomplete heads seem to be quite the rage - I counted several - which is rather appropriate in the circumstances.

An elephant in the room

This Art Nouveau style elephant and mahout (bronze c. 1906) was sold at auction recently for USD2,000 - well above its estimate of USD1,200 - proving the enduring popularity of these delightful creatures. Now some might claim I have a prejudice, having decried the recent animal sculptures that I featured, but obviously as well as admiring the craftsmanship, the scale of this piece (23.5" high), versus those of the reptiles is a lot more forgiving.

Well, the mind boggles if this had been made on the same scale as the crocodile and the snake.

Although by his headress the mahout is obviously Indian, elephants are obviously popular creatures here in Thailand, as they are a native species, and include the rare white elephant; such is the esteem of these that one of the royal honours bestowed on the deserving few is a class of the Order of the White Elephant, established by King Rama IV in 1861. (The Order of the Elephant is also the highest order of chivalry in Denmark.)

Neo classical elements

After the recent assault on the senses, I think it's time to revert to items that appeal to me, (and I hope you too). These are both from the same house in London, and I think the painted fireboard (by Alan Dodd) is worthy of comment.

Many flatted properties in Britain no longer allow "living flame" fires, (which are run on gas), because of stricter controls for these things, and the obvious pain-in-the-derriere features of burning wood, which has to be stored and often carried up a number of stairs, has virtually eliminated this style of heating (you simply can't get the staff these days, my dear). So rather than look at a black hole, this creative alternative solution is one that I think would find many a taker.

The convex mirror (giltwood girandole) is a favourite of mine, with its added decoration of the eagle on top and the carving beneath, to say nothing of the candle holders, makes this a truly worthy piece.

Reptiles anyone?

Receiving these would be living a nightmare. How do you respond? Would it be possible to feign pleasure with these? Well, actually there are sites for reptile lovers, but I think they're for the real deal. And it's not as though you could hide them quietly away; the crocodile is 129 cm high, and the snake 267 cm, so I dare say they cost a penny or two.

A matter of taste

This somewhat unsavoury postcard came through my letter box yesterday, depicting a rattan handbag with gold chicken feet and mother of pearl claws, and a ring made of ebony, with 18k gold chicken feet and diamonds, inside a dim sum basket with real chicken feet. (Please tell me how this piece of advertising helps to sell the product?)

Call me old fashioned, but I'm not seeing the beauty here. The company that makes these also produces some other rather "unusual" interiors pieces. I bet you can't wait until tomorrow's instalment, so I thought you'd enjoy this "taster" to whet your appetite.

Feeling angelic

I'm not quite sure what you'd do with these angel wings, up for auction at an estimate of USD300-600. I suppose they could be used as a rather virtuous wall hanging, or with fabric as a pelmet for a bed canopy; the latter would certainly remind you to say your prayers before going to sleep.

They are described as being probably pine, with gilding, Continental and measuring 16"x 60 1/2" x 3". That's quite a wide wingspan, but I wouldn't advocate Icarus-like imitations, as we all know what his fate was; a fallen angel wouldn't be very pretty at all.

Same same, but worth it

In Thailand there is an expression, "Same same, but different", and hence today's post title; this is the same Pheasant-designed interior that I've been writing about for three days, so if this makes you think that I'm quite keen on it, you'd be right. Today's pictures are of the dining room, with the second one showing a glimpse of the hallway.

The subdued colouring and the classical setting are offset by the modern art piece resting on the chimneypiece, demonstrating once again the ease of mixing classical with modern, and the effectiveness of the image in the modern art repeated in the circular shape of one of a pair of convex gilt mirrors.

There is a further room from this tear out from House & Garden, but it has literally been torn out, so it may not be scanable, (do I hear relief?) I think you'd find it worthy of being reproduced too. Promise.

More Pheasant

These are two further images of the interiors of the house designed by Thomas Pheasant, of the drawing room. The cream and muted tones provide a sense of tranquility. The two screens, (my current fad), either side of the chimneypiece create an interesting "texture" to the otherwise bland walls.

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm all for subdued wall colours, and the entire effect is magnified by the similar hues in the furnishings. Masterful in my view.

Chocolate

This small sitting room, in a scheme devised by Thomas Pheasant, uses rich chocolate for the walls and the leather armchairs. The mirror is also framed in brown and designed by Pheasant. The overall ambiance is conducive to a relaxed sitting room for a quiet drink, or to read. The classical elements captured in sepia coloured photographs, and in the urn atop a plinth in the next door sitting room, add to the overall sense of order, which is repeated throughout the house.

My own inclination is to shy away from such bold colours for walls, but this demonstrates admirably how effective boldness can be. I think the key however, is that it is used in a limited space, which enhances the impact, but also reduces the likelihood of getting too carried away. Also, this colour hardly screams at you, which is certainly something I would find unsettling.

By contrast, it implies richness, and I'm all for that.

They're so vane...

...they probably think this blog is about them. These three weather vanes were sold at auction recently with surprisingly different results:

Top: Running Horse. USD450 (Late C19th, half-body form with flowing mane and tail, the gilded surface on copper and zinc, still covers approximately 90% of the entire surface, horse measures 30" L x 16" H x 2-3/4")

Middle: Running Horse. USD900 (Late C19th copper with gilt, with flowing mane and tail, horse measures 25" L x 13" H x 1-3/4" D. There are 2 soldered bullet holes on the body that are through-and-through, there is a crease on the knee area, there is a small crease on the rear leg and the gilded surface has been weathered to approximately only 15%, showing off yellow / light green base color.)

Bottom: Grasshopper. USD2,000 (Early C20th full bodied copper, applied antenna, wings and legs, with inset glass eyes along with directional lettering mounted on pastel painted contemporary form fitted base, 54"H x 24"W x 19"D.)

Whether you prefer horses to grasshoppers, these also make for interesting decorative objects within the house, and the bullet holes for a more exciting story behind one of the pieces.

Classically simple

These are two further images from the house shown in yesterday's post. The top is of the entrance hall, with a mirror made from a mansard window, with C19th French iron urns on the chimneypiece. The reproduction bas-relief depicts pugilists.

The lower picture shows an Empire-style chimneypiece, with a wooden pig on the shelf.

OK, ok: mansard window - one which is set in a sloping roof, ("dormer" in today's parlance); pugilist - no surprise here, given the image - a boxer, usually professional.

All these images are a tear out from House & Garden, and are from a house in Madrid, in an early nineteenth century building in an afrancesado style, so it is appropriate that the decoration pays homage to historical elements of French design.