INterior Decoration
1940s Jaeger LeCoultre 8 Days Mantel Clock
A fine Jaeger LeCoultre 8 Days Mantel Clock.
WHY IS THIS MANTEL CLOCK SPECIAL
This model was created and manufactured by Jaeger LeCoultre in the 1940s. This particular example houses a 8 days power reserve movement (Only one winding every 8 days) . This brass model is rare, especially in such well preserved condition.
THE STORY
Not all firms in the watchmaking field have been able to stand the test of time quite like Jaeger-leCoultre, also known as the "watchmaker's watchmaker". Founded in 1833 by Antoine LeCoultre and originally named only LeCoultre, the company provided watchmaking's top brands, such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin and Audemars Piguet, the high-grade, unfinished movements with which they completed their watches.
In the early 1900s, Cartier's watch supplier Edmond Jaeger sought out Antoine LeCoultre's help in creating the wotld's thinnest watches. The collaboration resulted in the manufacturing of Cartier's earliest Tank and Santos watches, all housed with LeCoultre movements. The team decided to merge in 1937, and the firm officially became the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand by which collectors know it today. Some of the firm's most significant and important timepieces include the Reverso, the Ados travel clock, the Memovox, the Atmos clock and, among modern watches, their Master Complications.
THE DATA
- Maker: Jaeger LeCoultre
- Model: 8 Days Mantel Clock
- Reference: N/A
- Case N°: N/A
- Year: 1940s
- Material: Brass
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 15x16x4cm
- Caliber: In House JLC 8 days power reserve
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This Mantel clock is in very good condition. The Brass case is extremely well preserved. The unrefinished dial with the brass indexes separated from the background is simply stunning. The 'Bréguet' hands are typical from the era. This is a great mantel/desk clock, elegant and rare with a very typical design, it has a nice size and personality, perfect for any elegant home or office.
1960s Sputnik Chandelier for Emil Stejnar by Val Saint Lambert
The most famous 'Space-Age' chandelier designed by Emil Stejnar.
WHY THIS CHANDELIER MATTERS
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Emil Stejnar designed several pendant lamps, ceiling lights and sconces. Starburst forms and delicate glass sprays are hallmarks os Stejnar's ceiling lights, the most famous being the Sputnik lamp. This particular pendant lamp was manufactured by one of the most famous, if not 'the' most famous' crystals manufacture from the era: Les Cristalleries du Val-Saint-Lambert in Belgium, you can find the prestigious history from this manufacture here: https://www.val-saint-lambert.com/en/content/7-ligne-du-temps
THE FULL STORY
Emil Stejnar is a designer famous for his space age era lightning design, however for Stejnar himself, his career in design came second to his passion for all things magic and mystical. Stejnar was born in Vienna, Austria in 1939 and trained as a gold and silversmith. The study of the stars and the occult occupied him fron an early age, and at the age of 18 he emigrated to Sweden to devote himself to his study. Stejnar was the head of the institute for Scientific Life Research for 20 years. The Sputnik lamp is one of the most celebrated ceiling lamp of the 20th century, it is immediately recognizable by its radiating glass flowers that create dancing shadows when lit. It inspired a generation of Space Age era designers to create their own futuristic lamps. Yet the golden brass stems and intricate glass details, remind us as much of Stejnar's devotion to the magic of the cosmos as it does to Space Age lightning design.
THE DATA
- Maker: Cristalleries du Val-Saint-Lambert
- Model: Sputnik
- Year: 1960s
- Material: Brass
- Dimentions (WxH): 38x42cm
- Power: 220/250 Volts
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This chandelier still in it's original finish is in extremely good condition for its age. The brass structure is very well preserved, and the light effects and reflections are stunning. No crystal is missing or broken, the whole chandelier was completely dismounted for cleaning, service and electric cables rewiring (about 400 pieces alltogether). This is a great Space-Age piece of art, elegant and eye-catching whether it is lit or not.
1960s Pair of Sputnik Sconces for Emil Stejnar by Val Saint Lambert
The most famous 'Space-Age' sconces designed by Emil Stejnar.
WHY THIS PAIR OF WALL LIGHTS MATTERS
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Emil Stejnar designed several pendant lamps, ceiling lights and sconces. Pairs of Sputnik sconces are much more scarce than the chandeliers. Starburst forms and delicate glass sprays are hallmarks os Stejnar's ceiling lights, the most famous being the Sputnik lamp. This particular pair of sconces was manufactured by one of the most famous, if not 'the' most famous, crystals manufacture from the era: Les Cristalleries du Val-Saint-Lambert in Belgium, you can find the prestigious history from this manufacture here: https://www.val-saint-lambert.com/en/content/7-ligne-du-temps
THE FULL STORY
Emil Stejnar is a designer famous for his space age era lightning design, however for Stejnar himself, his career in design came second to his passion for all things magic and mystical. Stejnar was born in Vienna, Austria in 1939 and trained as a gold and silversmith. The study of the stars and the occult occupied him fron an early age, and at the age of 18 he emigrated to Sweden to devote himself to his study. Stejnar was the head of the institute for Scientific Life Research for 20 years. The Sputnik lamp is one of the most celebrated design lamp of the 20th century, it is immediately recognizable by its radiating glass flowers that create dancing shadows when lit. It inspired a generation of Space Age era designers to create their own futuristic lamps. Yet the golden brass stems and intricate glass details, remind us as much of Stejnar's devotion to the magic of the cosmos as it does to Space Age lightning design.
THE DATA
- Maker: Cristalleries Royales du Val-Saint-Lambert
- Model: Sputnik
- Year: 1960s
- Material: Brass
- Dimentions (WxH): 48x23cm
- Power: 220/250 Volts
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
These sconces still in it's original finish are in extremely good condition for their age. The brass structure is very well preserved, and the light effects and reflections are stunning. No crystal is missing or broken, both scounces were completely dismounted for cleaning, service and electric cables rewiring (more than 400 pieces alltogether). These are great Space-Age pieces of art, elegant and eye-catching whether they are lit or not.
20 Century Jean Puiforcat 'Epsilon' Sterling Silver Tea/Coffee Art Deco Service
WHY IS THIS SERVICE SPECIAL
Jean Elysée Puiforcat (Aug 5, 1897 - Oct 20, 1945) was a French silversmith, sculptor and designer. Miller's Antiques Encyclopedia calls Puiforcat the'Most important French Art Deco silversmith'. This particular service comprising tea/coffeepot and a sugar basin is made of sterling silver and sycamore wood, the condition is perfect without any scratches or tarnish. This very elegant Art Deco design 'Epsilon' was created in 1937.
THE STORY
Puiforcat's name is synonymous with Art Deco glamour; even in his day, the important French silversmith was renowned for the elegant, often mathematical simplicity of his geometric forms and the unexpected combination of flawless metalwork with precious wood or other exclusive materials. Puiforcat served in WW I, After the war, he apprenticed as a silversmith and a designer in Paris and designed the Art Deco style. His silver work has smooth surfaces and was based on the geometric series. Jean Puiforcat moved to Saint-Jean-de-Luz around 1927, the next year he co-founded the 'Union des Artistes Modernes' and designed tableware. In 1941 he moved to Mexico and started exhibiting in the United States.
Andy Warhol collected Puitforcat silverware, which he acquired while visiting Paris in the 1970'. His Puitforcat collection was sold by Sotheby's for $451.000. Work by Puitforcat is held in the collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Since 1992 Puitforcat is a part of the Hermès group.
THE DATA
- Maker: Jean Puitforcat
- Model: Epsilon
- Year: 20 Century
- Material: Sterling Silver & Sycamore wood
- Dimentions (WxHxT): x x cm
- Box/Papers: Box
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This service is in new condition. The Sterling silver and sycamore wood handles are flawless without any stains, or scratches. The Tea/Coffee pot and sugar basin are coming with their original boxes. Witness of an era, this service will find it's place in any elegant home or office.
1938 Cigarette Box Custom Made for the Famous Writer Paul Claudel - Solid Silver
WHY IS THIS CIGARETTE BOX SPECIAL
This concave cigarette box is a work of art, the beautiful engraving represent the chinese rural life in the 1930'. The overall condition is great, without scratches or deformation. It was custom made for the famous french writer and diplomar Paul Claudel, nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in six different years, and youngest brother of the renowned french sculptress Camille Claudel.
THE STORY
Paul Claudel (6 August 1868 – 23 February 1955) was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptress Camille Claudel . He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism. Claudel was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in six different years
He was born in Villeneuve-sur-Frère, into a family of farmers and government officials. His father, Louis-Prosper, dealt in mortgages and bank transactions. His mother, the former Louise Cerveaux, came from a Champagne family of Catholic farmers and priests. Having spent his first years in Champagne, he studied at the lycée of Bar-le-Duc and at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in 1881, when his parents moved to Paris. An unbeliever in his teenage years, he experienced a sudden conversion at the age of eighteen on Christmas Day 1886 while listening to a choir sing Vespers in the cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris: "In an instant, my heart was touched, and I believed." He would remain an active Catholic for the rest of his life. He studied at the Paris Institute of Political Studies (better known as Sciences Po).
The young Claudel seriously considered entering a Benedictine monastery, but in the end began a career in the French diplomatic corps, in which he would serve from 1893 to 1936. He was first vice-consul in New York (April 1893), and later in Boston (December 1893). He was French consul in China (1895–1909), including consul in Shanghai (June 1895), and vice-consul in Fuzhou (October 1900), consul in Tianjin (Tientsin) (1906–1909), in Prague (December 1909), Frankfurt am Main (October 1911), Hamburg (October 1913), ministre plénipotentiaire in Rio de Janeiro (1916), Copenhagen (1920), ambassador in Tokyo (1922–1928), Washington, D.C. (1928–1933) and Brussels (1933–1936). While he served in Brazil during the First World War he supervised the continued provision of food supplies from South America to France. (His secretaries during the Brazil mission included Darius Milhaud, later world-famous as a composer, who wrote incidental music to a number of Claudel's plays.)
In his youth Claudel was heavily influenced by the poetry of Arthurd Rimbaud and the Symbolists. Like them, he was horrified by modern materialist views of life. Unlike most of them, his response was to embrace Catholicism. All his writings are passionate rejections of the idea of a mechanical or random universe, instead proclaiming the deep spiritual meaning of the human life founded on God's all-governing grace and love.
Claudel wrote in a unique verse style. He rejected traditional metrics in favour of long, luxuriant, unrhymed lines of free verse, the so-called verset claudelien, influenced by the Latin psalms of the Vulgate. His language and imagery was often lush, mystical, exhilarating, consciously 'poetical'; the settings of his plays tended to be romantically distant, medieval France or sixteenth-century Spanish South America, yet spiritually all-encompassing, transcending the level of material realism. He used scenes of passionate, obsessive human love to convey with great power God's infinite love for humanity. His plays were often extraordinarily long, sometimes stretching to eleven hours, and pressed the realities of material staging to their limits. Yet they were physically staged, at least in part, to rapturous acclaim, and are not merely closet dramas. The most famous of his plays are Le Partage de Midi ("The Break of Noon", 1906), L'Annonce faite à Marie ("The Tidings Brought to Mary", 1910) focusing on the themes of sacrifice, oblation and sanctification through the tale of a young medieval French peasant woman who contracts leprosy, and Le Soulier de Satin ("The Satin Slipper", 1931), his deepest exploration of human and divine love and longing set in the Spanish empire of the siglo de oro, which was staged at the Comédie-Française in 1943. In later years he wrote texts to be set to music, most notably Jeanne d'Arc au Bûcher ("Joan of Arc at the Stake", 1939), an "opera-oratorio" with music by Arthur Honegger.
As well as his verse dramas, Claudel also wrote much lyric poetry, for example the Cinq Grandes Odes (Five Great Odes, 1907).
THE DATA
- Maker: N/A
- Model: N/A
- Year: 1938
- Material: Solid Silver
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 12,7x8,2x9cm
- Box/Papers: Box
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This cigarette box is in mint condition. The solid silver case is flawless without any stains, or scratches. The case comes with its original box. Witness of an era and the life of a famous and talented family, this cigarette box will enchant any elegant and refined person.
1928 ATO 'Skyscraper' Art Deco Marble Mantel Clock
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WHY IS THIS MANTEL CLOCK SPECIAL
This model was created and manufactured in France by Léon Hatot. This particular example houses an original 1928 ATO electric movement movement (Powered with a replacable modern 1,5 volt battery). As a visionary Léon Hatot manufactured the very first electric movements in the horological history. The featured 'Skycraper' model made out of green and amber marble is rare not only because of its design but also in regard of the exceptional original condition.
THE STORY
Born on the 22nd April 1883 at Châtillon Sur Seine, died on the 11th September 1953, Léon Hatot was a student at the School of Horology in Besançon between 1895 and 1898, then at the École des Beaux-Arts in Besançon. In 1905, at an early age, he set up his own business specialising in engraving watch cases which grew rapidly into a workshop employing artisans making high quality clocks in precious metals and jewels. He later established himself in Paris where, in 1911, he move in with the firm "Bredillard", while keeping his workshop in Besançon. He was then, and for a while afterwards, one of several creators of artistic clocks and jewellery, supplying the main dealers in the rue de la Paix.
In "La France Horlogère" in 1920 the Council includes, under specialist contributors, «Hatot Industriel et Artiste Bijoutier» or "Hatot, Industrial and Artistic Jeweller".
A questioning and visionary spirit, Léon Hatot interested himself very early on in the subject of electrical horology and, in 1920, founded a separate division for research and development of clocks and watches powered by electric cells. In the same year, his businesses both in Paris and in Besançon were amalgamated as a single company: "Société des Etablissements Léon Hatot". To assist in the research and development of electrical horology, in 1923 he collaborated with Marius Lavet, an engineer in Arts and Crafts at the Ecole Supérieure d'Electricité and who, like himself, was passionately interested in the applications of electricity in horology.
Trading under the name "ATO" from 1923, electric clocks were produced in Besançon in a partially rebuilt factory in the rue de la Rotonde. They were an immediate unprecedented success in the market place. At the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs in 1925, Léon Hatot won a Grand Prix for a whole range of electric clocks, housed in marble, chrome, marquetry and fine wood cases, even in some instances in cases of moulded glass from the famous Lalique factories. Léon Hatot was decorated with the Legion of Honour and nominated as a judge in the commercial tribunal in the Seine as well as being a consultant in foreign trade.
In 1929, Léon Hatot made a significant invention with the automatic winding watch "ROLLS". In this device, the movement is wound by the motion of an arm sliding inside the case, guided by balls between two runners. This mechanism had the advantage of working with the minimum of friction and permitted the manufacture of movements of extremely small size, perfectly adapted to rectangular watches which were in fashion at the time - particularly for ladies watches. A contract dated 23rd September 1930 was drawn up between the Hatot company and a Monsieur Blancpain giving exclusive manufacturing rights and sole distribution right within France and Belgium for the autowinding "ROLLS" watches. Despite this invention, crowned by a Medal of Honour by the Société d'Encouragement pour l'Industrie Nationale, it did not yield the success it deserved as its commercial exploitation was affected by the world economic crisis of 1929.
Throughout this time, Léon Hatot maintained his workshop for jewellery and highly decorated watch cases in Paris which, in 1926, he put under the control of Edouard Dietsch who became engaged to his daughter.
The works then found a new period of growth which, helped by the sales of ATO electric clocks, financed the very expensive research into electrical horology which Léon Hatot pursued with his friend Marius Lavet - research which was spectacularly rewarded by the invention of the electric clock "ATO-RADIOLA" which received correcting time signals by radio waves.
In 1929, by extending his export activities into Italy, Belgium and Germany, where he established agreements with Haller & Benzing and HAC (a company eventually taken over by Junghans) for the manufacture and distribution of ATO clocks, Léon Hatot not only saved his business but succeeded in developing it.
His great artistic qualities always made him want to make special pieces. As at the beginning of his career he conceived and realised with his own hands, on behalf of the town of Besançon, a very fine pocket watch which was presented to the French President, Armand Fallières.
Later, he designed and modelled the glass trophy presented each year to the horologist who obtained the best results in the annual competition the "Concours de Chronométrie". He was also a founder member of the French Horological Society.
At the Colonial Exhibition of 1931, Léon Hatot displayed electric clocks of very small proportions which were the origin of a new generation of decorative clocks. In particular, he created a new model, the concept and presentation of which were revolutionary, in which he dispensed with traditional decorated cases and made the movement itself the sole decorative element. This paved the way for a whole new fashion which swept along most makers who adopted this "avant garde" using glass and chrome which blended perfectly with the furniture of the day. His fertile imagination also launched onto the market other original creations such at the "Aquatora" in which the time was shown on the circumference of an illuminated aquarium and the "Maplux" where the time anywhere in the world was shown along the equator of a terrestrial globe.
In parallel with his production of electric clocks, in 1933 Léon Hatot opened a new department for time distribution systems by means of a "master clock" which controlled several "slave clocks". This was done by taking over the business of Paul Garnier, founded in 1825 which specialised in time distribution at railway stations and public buildings. The transference of the factory at Besançon was at last decided upon, and the different services of the company were regrouped in the premises of Paul Garnier at 9, rue Beudan in Paris.
In 1939, from the beginning of the Second World War, the Hatot company was requisitioned for the production of Sperry gyrocompasses and other instruments for aviation as well as various navigational aids for the French Navy. The surrender in 1940 put an end to these activities as Léon Hatot refused any form of collaboration with the Germans.
The Hatot Company was among the first to embody in their instruments important improvements made possible by the application of transistors in horology. Their first patents were filed on 16th September 1953, but the Hatot Company did not have sufficient funds to exploit their numerous patents worldwide, so they granted licences to several of the principal horological producers in the industrialised countries which is why there exist throughout the world millions of watches and clocks signed L. Leroy & Cie., Ebauches S.A., Junghans, Westclox, Smith & Son, Bulova, Jaz et General Time, all carrying the words "Lic. ATO".
It was the same for the Chronostats I, II and III, electronic marine chronometers which were supplied by L. Leroy & Co. to the French Navy, the Ecole Normale Supérieure, la Compagnie Générale Transatlantique and the Institut de Physique du Globe. Chronostat III in particular was used for polar expeditions and was installed in Navy buildings and on the most prestigious vessels including the aircraft carriers "Clémenceau" and "Foch, the helicopter carrier "Jeanne d'Arc", and various submarines of the "Daphné" class. Eventually, following a decision by the Secretary General of the Merchant Navy dated 31st July 1959, the Chronostat III was derestricted and made available for use on liners and merchant ships, not only on the prestigious liner "France" and the splendid "Sovereign of the Sea" but also on numerous oil carriers and container ships of the Shell company.
Léon Hatot died on the 11th September 1953 at the age of 70, following a long illness after a life overflowing with activities in art, where he distinguished himself in the field of horology as one of the Masters of the Art-Deco period, and in science where his creative and visionary spirit gave birth to several inventions which heralded the development of horology in the third quarter of the 20th Century.
THE DATA
- Maker: ATO
- Model: Skyscraper
- Reference: N/A
- Case N°: N/A
- Year: 1928
- Material: Marble and brass
- Dimentions (WxHxT): 49x31x9,5cm
- Caliber: In House ATO 'Type 120' 1,5 Volts electric movement
- Box/Papers: N/A
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This mantel clock is in extraordinary condition. The marble structure is extremely well preserved without chips or scratches. The unrefinished Two-Tone dial with the impressive art deco numbers is simply stunning. This is a great mantel clock, elegant and rare with a very art deco design, it has a nice size and personality, perfect for any 'design interior' home or office.
1937 Tea/Coffee 'Sphere' Art Deco Service in Solid Silver
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A fine and rare Tea/Coffee 'Spherical' Art Deco Swedish service
WHY IS THIS SERVICE SPECIAL
Karl Anderson was a Swedish silversmith working in Stockholm from 1913 to the beginning of WW II. We all know the talent of the Swedish designers, this particular solid silver four-pieces service is a perfect illustration of line purity and Art Deco perfection. The tea/coffeepot, creamer, sugar basin and tray are in perfect condition without any scratch or tarnish.
THE DATA
- Maker: Karl Anderson
- Model: Sphere Art Deco
- Year: 1937 (Hallmark 'L8')
- Material: .830 Solid Silver (Hallmark 'S')
- Dimensions:
- Total weight: 714 Grams
- Plate diameter: 24 Centimeters
- Tea-pot: 12 Centimeters
- Box/Papers: Box
THE IMPORTANT DETAILS
This service is in almost new condition and complete. The solid .830 silver and removable wood handle are flawless without any stains, or scratches (just a few very small scratches under the tray). Witness of an era, this service will find it's place in any elegant home or office.