Interior visions

Franz Heinrich

Interior View of the Colonna Palace, Rome

Estimate USD10,000-15,000. Sold for USD9,000.

Watercolour and graphite on paper.

26 1/2"x39 3/4"

Franz (Francis H.) Heinrich was a painter of genre scenes, architecture, and interiors, born in Nachod, Bohemia, in 1802. He studied at the Academy of Vienna from 1819 to 1830. Heinrich traveled to Italy, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and the United States, before establishing himself in Vienna. He was a gifted watercolorist and is best known for his elaborate interiors of palaces and churches and for his street views of European cities. The Museum of Vienna holds several of his watercolors, including his portrait and views of Rome and Venice.

Franz Heinrich

Palazzo Interior, 1850s. Watercolour. USD2,090.

 
 

Gustav Wegzner (German 20th Century) 

Interior of a Palatial Drawing Room, oil on canvas. Estimated USD750-1,000, sold for USD2,300.

Walter Gay (American, 1856-1937)

La Porte Ouverte, Chateau du Breau. Watercolour and graphite on paper. Estimated USD4000,-6000, sold for USD8,000.

Walter J. Sherwood (American, b. 1865)

The Workroom of the Henri Dore Studio, Cheapside Building, Providence, Rhode Island, c. 1927. Oil on canvas. Estimated at USD400-600, sold for USD3,750.

These exquisite pictures of interiors have been on sale recently, and caught my attention. I was particularly enthused by the first Franz Heinrich, and whilst I thought in future I would need a room this size to accommodate any more pictures, the magnificence and grandeur of the building were enthralling. In doing my research about Heinrich I discovered the lower picture for sale as well, and at considerably less than the starting price of USD5,000. As much as I liked it I couldn't bring myself to bid at this level, and I would have been reluctant to part with the achieved USD9,000. As a watercolour, and three of the five depicted are, I had additional hesitation, but quite unjustified.

Litter bugs me

When we lived in the beautiful Georgian New Town of Edinburgh, (in the centre house of the double crescent pictured in the lower picture), my daily routine, come rain or shine was to walk to the local newsagent to buy the paper, before returning to eat breakfast, and begin the day's activities. This was partly to enjoy the pretty surroundings of the architecture, our enormous communal gardens, and a way of defying the weather, when it was being particularly tiresome.

The one feature that disheartened me was encountering litter in these beautiful streets, so I began the habit of carrying a plastic bag, and a disposable cellophane glove, (supplied by the local petrol station), and picking up the detritus, and depositing it in the one and only bin on my route, (near to the newsagents).

One day I encountered a neighbour who remarked that he thought it was an excellent idea, and he wished more people would do the same. It seemed an odd remark as I was just in the process of picking up something from the pavement outside of his house; I wondered why he didn't think it was something he could do himself.

Clearly some people think these things are beneath them, and clearly some, whether they are a prince, do not. We all have our bit to play, and when there is such beauty around us, surely we can help maintain it.

Oranges and lemons

My penchant for architectural models, in varying forms appears partially sated by this architectural mahogany floor lamp, in the form of a spiraling bannistered staircase, raised on a stepped octagonal base, with a conforming leather shade, h. 70", and is for sale at auction by New Orleans Galleries Inc on Saturday, with a starting price of USD1,500 and an estimate of USD1,800 to USD2,500.

My post title is from the nursery rhyme Oranges and Lemons: "here comes a candle to light you to bed, and here comes a chopper to chop off your head". But you knew that. Obscure I know, but I refer to the candle (light) used to guide you upstairs, (the spiral), to bed. On researching the origins there is a suggestion that the rhyme is highly sexual in its connotation. Perhaps this explanation is a little less tawdry.

Mahogany Architectural Model of a Spiral Staircase, with spindled banister, h. 41", dia. 17". Sold for USD1,700.

My Porch with The Corinthian Column

The erudite and interesting Thomas at My Porch came to visit Bangkok as part of his South East Asian odyssey, and through the wonders of the blogosphere we managed to get together for drinks chez nous, and to go and have a bite at a nearby eatery, which he and his partner very kindly paid for. As well as that generous gesture, Thomas brought a fascinating book about three skyscrapers in Manhattan - The Empire State Building, The Seagram Building and The World Trade Center, written by a friend of his, Benjamin Flowers, which I'm dipping in to, and enjoying very much.

As Thomas notes in his blog, the meeting of four strangers in a far off place, (for them), did not result in any terrifying or unhappy ending. Read the other posts about Thomas's visit to Siem Reap to Angkor, Bangkok landmarks, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, and places in between, with his excellent photographs.

Asian roar

Thai Giltwood and Mirrored Figure of a Winged Dragon, the elongated figure in a crouching position with raised head, open mouth, raised wings and feathered tail, the body applied with mirrors representing scales,

l. 27-1/2". ESTIMATE USD50 - 100

Large Japanese Cast-Bronze Figure of a Lion, by Genryusai Seiya Sei, Meiji Period (1868-1911), the figure standing foursquare with head slightly thrown back with mouth open in a roar, the details realistically rendered and the patina dark brown, presented on a freeform wooden stand, h. 15-1/2", l. 26". ESTIMATE USD6000 - 9000

I'm not entirely sure if a dragon roars, but whatever the correct term, this Thai version of the mythical creature is attractive because of its stylised depiction, and a lot of objets in gold and with shiny bits, look attractive. There is a profusion of them here, so I'm less wowed by the piece, but it's worthy of comment.

The Japanese lion is however in a different class, and this is reflected in its price. Both items are for sale on 31 January, at New Orleans Galleries Inc. 

Roar art

Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827-1901) was the creator of these two bronzes of a lion, and lioness, below. They were recently sold at auction, but their prices probably reflect that they are more in the manner of than the real McCoy.

I have a genuine copy of the lioness, without her uphill plinth, and she patrols the entrance hall of my apartment. I am quite unashamedly declaring her duplicate status, as I believe good copies of famous artifacts work just as well as the real deal, which would probably run to many thousands of dollars.

The design of this area was kept very uncluttered, but nevertheless dramatic by its simplicity and starkness. The Japanese woodblock prints in rounded corner blackwood frames are C19th by Toyokuni III.

 

The white urns, vaguely reflected in the sandblasted glass, behind which is the office, provide a neoclassical contrast, paired as they are with two of the red lacquer Regency style chairs.

The front door directly faces the yellow lacquered square-within-a-square console. Symmetrical perfection.

A walk in the park

The cooler winter weather in Bangkok allows for a more pleasant usage of the green lung that is Lumpinee Park, a fifteen minute stroll from our condominium. The 142 acre space was created in the 1920s by by King Rama VI on royal property. A statue of the king stands at the southwestern entrance to the park. It was named after Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha in Nepal, and at the time of its creation stood on the outskirts of the city.

The park is a mixture of open spaces, lakes and pavilions, such as this Chinese one in white marble.

Clusters of skyscrapers, such as these, which include our residence, overlook a welcome area of greenery, in an otherwise concrete jungle. The spring blossom has left a pretty trail amongst the dark bark of an avenue of trees.

Inspired by

One of  a Si Saket series of rural farming in northern Thailand, by Mitree Parahom, this picture dominates the sitting area of the principal bedroom, drawing as it does from the influence of

Diego Rivera. Above is a print of Rivera's Emilano Zapata and his horse, 1932. Zapata was murdered in 1919 for his opposition to landowners and advocacy of agrarian reform. Here he is shown dressed in white peasant clothes, leading a white horse, and standing over the body of a Spanish conquistador.

This series has been exhibited in Bangkok and in New York, at H Gallery.

Eye trick

Domenico Remps, Scarabattolo, c.1675

Another one of those strange coincidences, following as it does the trompe l'oeil in Friday's post. This image and an accompanying article from House & Garden, Artful Deception came into my reading sphere yesterday, highlighting an exhibition in Florence until 24 January 2010 - Art and Illusions: Masterpieces of trompe l'oeil from antiquity to the present, (my, how that trips off the tongue), at the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi.

Just looking

Trompe l'oeil with malachite obelisk and other objets, oil on panel, signed and dated "William Ward Beecher (1921-2006) - '51", lower right, 27" x 22.5" (image/panel). Sold for USD800.

Whilst I'm constantly on the lookout for paintings through online auction houses, I do have other items that appeal to me, such as silver, glass and furniture. However, I'm very unlikely to buy the latter, as I have more silver than I need, or indeed use on a daily basis, and certainly more glass, (mostly of the Waterford variety), which borders on the obsessive. And furniture is just prohibitively expensive to ship.

But this doesn't stop me looking, and indeed checking subsequently to see what the items that interested me fetched at auction. The better auction houses give good details about the pieces for sale, and it's interesting to supplement that with one's own research. Because it interests me, it's fun to learn. I realise it's not everyone's cup of tea; I remember a friend telling me she felt physically sick every time she went near a fabric shop. Something I found hard to understand, but different interests have different effects on people.

I suppose it helps to have a curious mind. I was trying to think of something that would have the same effect on me, but I couldn't.

But I find the interest in antiques partly assuaged by the ability to trawl through auction house websites. It's the same as going to an antique shop, but better, because you can see the item more clearly, (although admittedly not in the flesh); you know approximately the price, or can bid what you think it's worth; and you don't have that embarrassing feeling of obligation to buy, and of hurting the shop owners' sensitivities if you don't.

And it beats doing an inventory of light bulbs. (But not even that makes me have the same reaction that my friend has to fabric.)

Housekeeping

Whilst the computer man was here giving my machine a good hoovering for bugs and other undesirables which seem to have slowed down its performance in recent weeks, (an exercise always fraught with irritants such as having to reinstall the programmes, passwords etc that we take for granted), I used the opportunity to audit the household's supply of light bulbs.

Not because I haven't anything better to do, but when one of the many bulb variations that lamps seem to require expired a few days ago, I tried in vain to replace it, only to discover to my horror that these are no longer provided in Thailand, and there seems to be a general trend here, (and in EU countries oddly enough) where all bulbs will be replaced by the so-called "green" variety, that take time to "warm up" to produce their very unattractive light.

I have discovered a company in Britain that can still supply the type of bulbs I like, (and require, without having to have fittings on several lamps changed), but unfortunately they don't ship outside of UK, so will have to be delivered to an address there, and be forwarded, or brought personally after my next visit.

I ask you: what next? To use Aesthete's Laments's question, "why aren't these still made?"

Inquisitive acquisitor

Attributed to JOHN JOSEPH HUGHES (British 1820-1909) Venetian Canal Scene Oil on canvas Verso with Frost and Reed label assigning the work to 'J.J. Hughes' 29 inches x 44 inches (73.5 x 111.7 cm), contained in an attractive carved and giltwood frame Estimate $1,200-$1,800. SOLD for USD22,000.

Framed Flemish oil painting on canvas, 19th c., a village in winter with many ice skating and sledding figures, signed lower right 'AM', overall craquelure, some small areas of paint loss, sight: 23"h, 30"w; overall: 29"h, 37"w. Estimate USD200-400. SOLD for USD8,000.

These two rather charming pictures were for sale and I bookmarked them in my "Potential bid" file. I am a little wary of pictures of Venice, as there is such a profusion, (ditto Paris), by there was a Canaletto-esq quality to this one, although only attributed to J J Hughes. The realised price is rather startling.

Similarly the Flemish winter scene, very attractive and with a vague Breugel-esq quality. The unknown signature has again produced an extraordinary premium on the estimate.

Both of these examples demonstrate to me the tenet that you should always like what you want to buy, but I would certainly not have left limits this high, based on the estimates. The art market is throwing up some very curious returns.

Map Nav

Unframed Japanese woodblock color printed folding map, Meiji Period (1868-1911), entitled Kyoto fu-ku kumiwake saizu, a detailed map of the old capital and its environs, dated Meiji 18.7 (=1885 July), publisher notation lower left (some wear), 28'' x 19'' [unfolded]

Unframed Japanese woodblock printed map, Edo Period (1615-1868), depicting the capital (old designation for Kyoto), a reissue dated Tempo 14 (=1843.6), the city and surrounding famous places and temples each labeled, published by Okuda (some wear), 14'' x 18.5''

Unframed Japanese woodblock printed map, Edo Period (1615-1868), entitled Washu Nara no zu (Diagram of Nara, Wakayama [prefecture]), dated Tempo 15 (=1844.5), featuring the eight scenic spots, together with various other notable places, publisher notation lower left (some wear), 17'' x 22.25''

Having developed a taste for city maps, such as that much discussed in these posts, here and here, I was inclined towards these maps of Kyoto and its neighbour Nara, especially as Pigtown Design had found a copy of the Paris map on Kyoto University's website, and with my Japanese family connection, this seemed a natural progression. Sadly, I wasn't paying enough attention to deadlines and the sale has passed. In retrospect however, the condition of the maps is quite poor, although given their age, this is to be expected, and quite charming. I am particularly drawn to the coloured map of Kyoto, (top picture), which has a cubist/modernist quality to it.

Natural adornment

Whether outside on our balcony, such as these white orchids with their delicate pink tinges, or the bougainvillea in my favourite purple-pink,

or pink roses stripped of their leaves and cut down to fit

tightly into a silver bucket, 

or these deep purple orchids placed in a glass vase, giving an unusual surprise to the red lacquer chairs in the dining room,

flowers do make a wonderful accessory, and when they are so very inexpensive, (especially the orchids), it's madness not to have them around. Everywhere.

Princelings

Nicky Philipps's portrait of Princes William and Harry has been widely reported, and presumably she took inspiration from their balcony appearance in 2008, below. Like many, I think her rendering is excellent,

and worthy of the praise it is generally being given, for its informality, reflecting what is clearly becoming a hallmark of the way these two young men operate in their hereditary roles in life, which contrasts strongly to the reception given to their grandmother, and indeed to their father. How this will change as they move up the rankings, until the older one succeeds his father and he, their grandmother, will be interesting but perhaps not something that I will experience.

Behind my drinks tray in the kitchen, where all paraphernalia relating thereto resides, I have two Spy and Vanity Fair sketches of their forebears, (first picture), left is Prince George, later King George V, (who became the Heir Apparent after the death of his elder brother, Prince Albert Victor), and right George's father, Prince Albert, "Bertie", later King Edward VII.

Under the weather

Being under the weather will mean different things to those living in the tundra that is currently the United Kingdom, as clearly demonstrated by this satellite photograph. Many other parts of the world are as badly affected with unusually harsh weather, including our northern neighbour China. My own "under the weather" scenario is the usual common cold, which happily is nearing its end.

It has meant retreating to my monastic cell, to loll around on the daybed, and to catch up on some reading. Thankfully, as I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have completed the magum opus that required a fork lift truck to hold and read.

The retreat of a spartanly-decorated room is a soothing mixture of moody blues, (and greys) in silk, from Jim Thompson, interspersed with a black and white squiggle of a daybed, (fabric also from Jim Thompson), and black and gold Thai silk cushions from Shinawatra Silks.

On either side of the bed, above the blue and white porcelain lamps, are pair of antique blue and white bowls and lids, resting on a pair of gilded wall brackets, which I had made here, as copies from an original. Antique, because I wont hazard a guess on the actual age, but they were left to me by an old banking colleague. If they turn out to be more important than I truly believe, then that will be an added bonus, if that pension plan needs to kick-in one day. The white granite floor tiles are partially covered in an assortment of Oriental rugs. 

In the bookshelves opposite the bed an African carved zebra sits and takes duty as a book monitor. The picture behind the daybed is 1920s, of a forest scene, from an estate sale in Paris, and which I wrote about here.