I LOVE LUCITE
So I went to the International Fine Art & Antique Dealers Show this week, and my absolute favorite things were… made of acrylics… in the 1970s.
I found that interesting, considering this fair showcases everything from antiquities to Fabergé, to rare books, to lovely bronzes, to 18th century furniture, to mid-century Modern chairs, to fabulous Art Deco room screens, to vintage Cartier jewels, to botanical prints, to scrimshaw, to some pretty incredible porcelain. Because every year I attend, I seem to spend most of my time much farther in the past - closely examining the inlaid gems on 17th century casegoods, admiring 18th century shell figurines, or at the very latest (1920s), wishing I owned a Bauhaus tea set.
But to me, these super sexy seventies objects stood out the most. In my perfect design fantasy land, these pieces are what I’d take home:
Charles Hollis Jones
Pair of Lucite chairs
California, 1970
H: 30.25” L: 26.75” W: 21”
Tambaran Gallery
If you are unfamiliar with the work of Charles Hollis Jones, this page will show you everything you need to know. I want an Edison lamp. What would you pick? A daybed on a lighted base? I thought so.
Marie-Claude de Fouquières
Amber-colored fractal resin oval dining table above a pair of X-form steel supports
France, 1970
H: 29.75” W: 98” D: 50.5”
H.M. Luther
“This table is illustrated in the October, 2008 French Edition of Architectual Digest in the dining room of Yves Gastou. Marie-Claude de Fouquières’ career making stylish pieces sought after by clients ranging from royalty to top designers began in 1969 and ceased in 1977. The wife of an industrial plastics producer, de Fouquières made her first table out of necessity - she was unable to find any tables that suited her tastes. Experimenting with polyester resins, her designs became renowned for their distinctive colors and textures. De Fouquières created pieces for among others the Emir of Qatar, David de Rothschild, and David Hicks.” [source]
THIS. PIECE. This piece! Photos do not do it justice. I actually went back to look at it again a few days after I first saw it. What a showstopper. There was a constant flux of people hovering over it. I had never heard of the designer before, though I’m fairly certain I’ve had fleeting glances of her work in shelter magazines before. You can view more of de Fouquières work at 1stDibs. I was fortunate to chat with an H.M. Luther representative at the show, and he informed me of an article (excerpted below) on de Fouquières and another French designer I hadn’t known of, Maria Pergay. Lady designers kick ass (it’s true). And super sexy seventies furniture is back in a big way. I’m ready for a full on revival, but I don’t think my budget is. Prices and demand for sophisticated, one-of-a-kind pieces like these are definitely on the rise.
From W Magazine, April 2006
So there you have it. Basically, I want to live in a very expensive plastic house one day. Also, I’m going to need whoever to invent that time machine soonest.
Happy weekend. Love, E
Dining table images courtesy H.M. Luther and ArtNet
