Old Objects

[SDNR]

A while ago I started a "New Objects" thread, so I thought it was a good idea to make an "Old Objects" thread too.

I would love to be a collector ...but unfortunately I am only interested in "real" museum-quality objects ...reproductions do not interest me in the least. The problem is, I cannot afford them

Over the past couple of years, I have become a great admire of Chinese antiquities ....I am absolutely in awe of some of these objects. It is also a good time to buy them I think, while the China's new rich are currently obsessed with everything western ...Once they rediscover their own heritage and decide to "buy it back", the prices for Chinese antiquities and antique objects is going to go crazy.

I am totally astounded by these objects ..the enormous variety of shapes and colours is truly amazing ...some of these things are extremely rare and valuable but all are beautiful.

I have so many pictures of exquisite objects on my hard drive ...I can only post a small selection.

Ancient Chinese bronze objects. I am sorry, I can't remember but I think these are from the Shang Dynasty (12th century).



More bronze objects



Chinese Jade objects. These objects are so beautifully made and relatively under-valued -- many can be acquired for under 10,000 US dollars ..but really important examples are more expensive.












I absolutely love these jade bowls -- such beautiful shapes, The Chinese had such a great sensitivity for elegance and subtlety.





Chinese Ceramics.






















You could buy a very nice Bugatti Veyron for the price of this camel -- but unlike the Veyron, the ceramic camel will hold it's value.


And here is one of my favourites (I used it as my avatar a while ago) ..God I would love to own this bowl.


Chinese Furniture




Carved Chinese objects.







Chinese Glass Objects.




Chinese Clocks.



This is something quite extraordinary. AN IMPORTANT AND REMARKABLE FLAWLESS ROCK CRYSTAL SPHERE.



There are so many more objects I really want to post ..but I know this thread will likely not get much interest ....but I hope some of you guys enjoy these things as much as I love them

[SDNR]

Some things not as old as the Chinese ones above.

Early 20th Century lamps.

This French table lamp by Daum (from the 1920's)


1930s table lamp by Jean Michel Frank


Lights by the American designer Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Tiffany was a prolific producer of glass objects and lamps in the first two decades of the twentieth century. Prices can vary enormously from around $5000US for a simple glass vase to literally millions of dollars for a rare lamp design. These are iconic examples of the Art Nouveau style.

[Mr. M]

I'm not into Chinese antiquities... To me, their design is complicated and unsophisticated. I prefer European design by far, but to give credit the Chinese did make their stuff a long time ago, way before any else.

[SDNR]

It's not often I disagree with you James ..and being from Chinese extraction yourself, I would have thought you would have more appreciation for such beautiful objects ...but we all have different taste I guess.

I think Chinese objects are some of the most beautiful ever created and influenced European furniture and ceramics in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Dutch and English often copied the style of Chinese porcelain.

[notic]

Roberto, you would love the museums they have in Shanghai. They have huge buidlings filled with traditional chinese designs and details of their origins, as well as the materials that went into making them. i'll see if i can dig up some pics later.

however on my last trip to shanghai. few locals -mostly the older crowd- there actually like the traditional designs that have been around for centuries, most of the newly wealthy residents there seemed to prefer the latest designs from europe and japan. i had one encounter with a self proclaimed "investment guru" who decided to decorate his entire house in Armani Casa. when i asked him why, his rough translation was: with the name Armani, how can you go wrong?

[dOmInIX]

Very nice vases! I like it!

[SDNR]

Originally Posted by notic

most of the newly wealthy residents there seemed to prefer the latest designs from Europe and japan.

Yes, I suspected this was the case notic. A similar thing happened when Communism fell in the Soviet Union. The Russians in particular became obsessed with everything western. They filled their vast new mansions with bold Italian design objects or inaccurate reproductions of French 18th century furniture. After they got over their conspicuous consumption of everything loud, crass, and [most importantly] western, and acquired a bit of taste, they turned their attention to Russian objets d'art ....suddenly the prices of everything by Peter Carl Fabergé went through the roof. I suspect similar things will happen with Chinese objects.

Objects by Carl Fabergé, the court jeweller to Czar Nicholas II.

[SDNR]

A quiet day around here ...so I will indulge myself some more.

Here is something that came up for auction a couple of years ago ....the base is French in the Louis XIV style (which along with the Régence is my favourite French furniture period) the intricate marble-inlay top is Italian and is absolutely exquisite ...this is a truly splendid object for a very serious collector.


Some very fine porcelain plates made by Sèvres -- the best French porcelain maker.


I really liked these ...they are French obviously, Charles X. 16th-17th century,.


These are really beautiful ...they are Dutch tulip vases, 18TH or 19TH Century.


And three much more modern things to share.

A really great vase from the 1930's designed by Maurice Paul Chevallier.


A fantastic Art Deco light from the 1920's designed by Edgar Brandt.


Staying with the snake theme, a light designed in the early 1980's by the well known architect Frank O. Gehry.