December 30, 2014
1930s ITALIAN DESIGN
Giò Ponti upholstered lounge chair, 1936,
offered by Nicholas Kilner
“I see on the horizon a new appreciation for Italian furniture of the 1930s. The rich colors and streamlined forms are eternally gorgeous. Plus, the Musée d’Orsay is planning a spring exhibition on the topic.”
— Victoria Shaw-Williamson, furniture specialist
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COCKTAIL RINGS
Art Deco diamond-and-platinum cocktail ring, 1940s,
offered by Lang
“For any woman whose resolution is to have a bolder look in 2015, may I suggest a big, beautiful cocktail ring. There’s nothing shy, subtle or remotely retiring about this piece of jewelry. It unabashedly expresses a woman’s sense of style.”
— Clive Kandel, jewelry specialist
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ASIAN INFLECTIONS
Yves Saint Laurent butterfly-print dress and handbag, 1977,
offered by Torso Vintages
“This year’s big show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, “China: Through the Looking Glass,” will surely spark an interest in clothes and design with Asian influences. This stylized cheongsam by Yves Saint Laurent is perfectly on trend.”
— Clair Watson, fashion specialist
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EARLY-20TH-CENTURY DRAWINGS
Girl with Bent Head, 1901, by Gustav Klimt,
offered by Galerie bei der Albertina Zetter
“The year 2014 closed out with Miami madness and all eyes on contemporary art. As a palate cleanser, I’m focusing my attention in 2015 on drawings and works on paper from the start of the 20th century. They quietly and elegantly show the hand of the artist.”
— Anthony Barzilay Freund, director of fine art
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CHRONOGRAPH WATCHES
Universal stainless-steel 24-hour chronograph, 1960s,
offered by Matthew Bain Inc.
“In a year that will see the release of the iWatch, it’s nice to revisit some classic timepiece styles. Vintage chronographs — like this 1960s Universal stainless steel wristwatch — have a gorgeous, aged look as well as plenty of gadgets with techie appeal.”
— Aaron Rich, watch specialist
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BRAZILIAN DESIGN
Campana Brothers Sushi cabinet, 2013,
offered by Friedman Benda
“Brazilian design will continue to flourish and expand its reach in 2015. The country’s furniture makers convey a sense of joy and ingenuity like no one else. Brazil has produced so many innovative creators with global appeal, including the Campana Brothers. Their Sushi cabinet is fresh, humorous and happy.”
— Alexander Jakowec, furniture specialist
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OSCAR DE LA RENTA
Oscar de la Renta silk-faille ballgown, 2009,
offered by Evolution
“In 2014, the world lost an iconic talent in Oscar de la Renta. The sophistication and sheer beauty of his garments will be missed. I look forward to collecting de la Renta pieces and someday passing them on to my daughter.”
— Cristina Miller, head of North American dealer relations
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SAPPHIRE JEWELRY
Sapphire-and-Diamond drop earrings, 21st century,
offered by Fourtané
“I am so inspired by the vibrant palette at MoMA’s exhibition of Henri Matisse’s cut-outs. In 2015, I’d love to channel that same intensity of color with a new piece of sapphire jewelry. The brilliant blue stones are my favorites, but I’m also intrigued by colored stones in complementary shades of green, pink and yellow — they’re all chic.”
— Sarah Ross, senior graphic designer
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SLIM AARONS
Penthouse Pool, 1961, by Slim Aarons,
offered by Undercurrent Projects
“Slim Aarons’s mastery of color and composition is a perennial inspiration for my work at 1stdibs. Even though the majority of his photos are more than 40 years old, their sense of candid fun and casual glamour feels very contemporary. I especially love this poolside shot — its square format would have been perfect for Instagram!”
— Kate Klobe, head of social media
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GUSTAVIAN FURNITURE
Ephraim Stahl armchair, ca. 1810,
offered by Laserow
“No doubt our collective interest in Scandinavian design will continue in 2015. But this year, I’m looking back further in time, to the Gustavian period, Sweden’s pared-down take on neoclassical Louis XVI style in the late-18th and early-19th centuries. Surfaces finished in gilt or painted white, pale blue or gray, elegantly tapered legs — and plenty of stripes. Who can resist?”
— Becca Bergman Bull, senior editor of Introspective
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BARWARE
Carl Auböck brass wine-holder, ca. 1900,
offered by WYETH
“In 2015, I’ll be adding to my collection of vintage barware — I appreciate that the objects are functional and beautiful. This wine-holder by Carl Auböck is a current favorite. His brass and cane pieces have an appealing warmth that’s countered by their economical approach to form.”
— Emilia Vincent, head of events
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DESK ACCESSORIES
Ettore Sottsass Valentine typewriter, 1969,
offered by Mass Modern Design
“I love this typewriter. It’s proof that decorative objects can be aesthetically pleasing, useful and inspiring. It’s a joy to see pre-digital objects being deployed alongside technology: You can use Google to research your novel and then take pleasure in writing it on this retro Ettore Sottsass creation.”
— Laura Mittendorfer, classification manager
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CERAMICS
Jean Cacheleux black-and-gold vase, 2014,
offered by Galerie Silbereis
“Since antiquity, ceramics have straddled the line between form and function, playing a central role in domestic life. An era’s aesthetic and technological sophistication are reflected in these everyday objects. I spend my days analyzing the items on 1stdibs, and it’s been staggering to see how popular ceramics are becoming with collectors. I’m looking forward to watching this develop further in 2015.”
— Tim Rich, data scientist
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NEON ARTWORKS
#farenheit451, 2014, by Esmeralda Kosmatopoulos,
offered by IFAC
“This piece is a throwback to when I was young and neon was everywhere — a time when most of my cherished interactions were face-to-face. Today, though, we spend so much time on social media that we rarely connect with each other in person. Kosmatopoulos’s piece inspired my own resolution for 2015: Spend more time with friends looking at art and less at the glow of my phone.”
— Jenelle Patrick, private client services
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STILNOVO LIGHTING
Stilnovo teak-and-copper lamp, 1950s,
offered by Império dos Sentidos
