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Preview Party Gala – Benefiting CalArts’ Community Arts Partnership – April 30th 6pm – 9pm
Show & Sale – Saturday, May 1st 11am – 7pm, Sunday, May 2nd 11am – 5pm
Featuring American and European Furniture & Accessories
April 9th & 10th 10am – 5pm
Online Auction Hosted by iGavelAuctions.com, featuring property from various Florida Estates
Auction from April 8th – April 22nd, 2010
Live Exhibitions – April 20th 12pm – 7:30pm, April 21st 12pm – 4:30pm
Catalog Now Online
Made in California: Contemporary Art
May 3, 2010
San Francisco
Catalog Now Online
April SoMa Estate Auction
Featuring 20th Century and Contemporary Designer Furnishings
April 18, 2010 10am
San Francisco
It’s preview party time for the Detroit Area Art Deco Society as the mid-century enthusiasts open up the Michigan Modernism Exposition on April 23, 7 – 10 p.m. The annual art deco affair allows guests first dibs on some of the best 20th century antiques and fine arts from the international market while enjoying live music by Sarah Grogan and the SG Ensemble. This year Macy’s Lakeshore Grill will be presenting a delicious variety of passed hors d’oeuvres along with select wines.
For the second year, the show features a special exhibition featuring student photography of some of the most famous Art Deco structures in Metropolitan Detroit. The exhibition, which is a collaborative effort with Oakland Community College, was coordinated by DAADS Board Members Gary Spondike and historic preservation consultant Rebecca Binno Savage.
The Michigan Modernism Exposition is located at the Southfield Pavilion.
Preview party tickets are $50 in advance and can be purchased now at www.daads.org,
at select retailers listed on the Web site or by calling 248-582-3326.
Jean Mahie has been a global influence in the jewelry and design industries since the late 1960’s. The principals got their big break when their creations were exhibited at both Van Cleef and Arpels and Cartier in Paris. The work was extremely well received; so much so that it influenced the artistic direction at both major jewelers. A great example of this is the hand hammered cuffs that Van Cleef and Arpels still shows on its web site and which First Lady Jackie Kennedy owned. A photo of Jackie and her Jean Mahie inspired VCA bracelet is featured above on the left.
Fast forward a few years, Jean-Marie and Jacline’s designs were noticed by retail luxury tycoon Stanley Marcus and his director of fine jewelry, Dudley Ramsden. Eventually the line was brought to the United States under an exclusive contract to the upscale Neiman-Marcus store chain. In reference to Jean Mahie designs, Stanley Marcus once wrote: “This jewelry is not for the timid.” By the late 1970s, the artists immigrated to the US and their jewelry was, and continues to be, produced piece by piece here in the US.
This Steifflife column, hopefully! Pandas have always been a beloved and in-demand species, despite their relatively late introduction and infrequent appearances in the line over the years. Let’s make up for lost time and review the history of Steiff panda bears, then highlight a few popular mohair models produced from the 1950’s onward.
The first Panda Baer or Panda Bear made his Steiff debut in 1938. He was made from shaggy black and white mohair, five ways jointed and had felt paws. His feet were flat, made from a shorter nap mohair, and really resembled the “toddler feet” of Teddy Baby, another very popular Steiff design of the time. His face was detailed with glass pupil eyes that were highlighted with black airbrushing and a sweet open mouth lined in light pink felt. He was produced in 15 and 30 cm from 1938 through 1942. The picture on the left is this delightful, highly collectible Panda, taken at the Spielzeugmuseum Museum in Munich, Germany.
The success of this first early panda inspired Steiff to produce more pandas in the line as soon as the factory reopened for business after World War II. Steiff started making the pre-war Panda design again, but only in 30 cm through 1950. Then, in 1951, Steiff updated their original panda design slightly and started producing this bi-colored bear in 15, 22, 28, 35, 43, and 50 cm. The company used a suede-like grey rubber material in the place of felt on this panda’s paws and soles from 1956 onward. This newer panda pattern, also a collector’s favorite, was in the line until 1961. Moving forward, pandas made on and off again appearances in the Steiff catalog through the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s. From the early 1980’s onward, Steiff has almost continuously had a soft plush panda in the line.
So now it’s time to stir up a little panda-monium and look at some of the more interesting Steiff pandas from the early 1950’s onward.
No need to sleep on this one. Here we have Steiff’s Floppy Panda, one of Steiff’s delightful, classic “sleeping” style animals from the 1950’s and 60’s. This particularly soft panda is unjointed, made from black and white mohair and is in a prone, sleeping position. He has an open felt lined mouth and stitched black “sleeping” style eyes. Floppy Panda was produced in 17 and 28 cm and appeared in the line from 1954 to 1961.
What’s old is new again with this charming Steiff panda. This dapper 29 cm fellow is Steiff’s replica of its original debut panda bear from 1938. Like the pre-war original, he is five ways jointed and made from white and black mohair. He has an open felt lined mouth, pupil eyes, and flat felt lined feet. His nose is hand embroidered with black floss. Even his chest tag is a replica of the one that would have been worn by the original – a classic tag with an angular Teddy bear face on the bottom. This particular edition, which was produced in 29 and 35 cm in 1984 through 1985, is a United States exclusive.
Finallly, take a look at this Steiff panda and friend who just happen to have personal significance to Steiffgal. This dynamic duo none other than Foo, the Happy Panda, and Little Foo. Both are North American limited editions from 2004; Big Foo was produced in an edition of 1,500 pieces while Little Foo was produced in an edition size of 3,500. Big Foo is 25 cm, made from long wavy black and white mohair, five ways jointed, and very chubby. He has brown pupil eyes, a black mohair insert nose, and tan felt paw pads. Little Foo, the first ever Steiff panda key chain, is 10 cm and is modeled after Foo. He is five ways jointed and made from short black and white mohair. Little Foo has tiny black bead eyes, a hand-stitched nose and mouth, and a sturdy key loop on the top of his head.
So what’s so special about this perfect panda pair? Pandas are native to China, and one of the Chinese word for “luck” is “fu”. About the time that the Steiff team was naming these items and getting ready to introduce them to the world, one of Steiffgal’s good friends was in the process of adopting a baby girl from China. Steiffgal – who worked at Steiff at the time – gave these pandas the name “Foo”, a version of the word “Fu”, to honor this blessed Chinese arrival!
Steiffgal hopes this overview of Steiff pandas over the years has given you a new respect for this Steiff – and real life – “endangered species.”
Have a question about one of your Steiff treasures, rare or otherwise? Let’s talk! Click here to learn more.
In the words of Julie Andrews…”These are a few of my favorite things…”
I’m always looking at the latest and greatest. What new gadget is there to replace the one I bought 3 months ago; what colors and styles are in this season, what the hottest new accessories are on the market, etc. My eyes are often bigger than my pocketbook, so while I see plenty of things to fall in love with, my budget only allows me to acquire them one thing at a time (instead of everything at once!)
Not everyone can afford (or justify) a new $2500 purse each season, or a colorful Picasso for the new home. Does that mean we shouldn’t have said items?
Of course not!
In my search for the next best thing, each week I’ll talk about what all the fashion and style magazines are reporting as “must haves” and show YOU how to find something similar, for less.
This weeks “Favorite Things” finds…
FASHION:
Oversize bags are still in. What girl can travel without one?
Hilary Duff was seen carrying her Hermes Birkin Bag recently:
If you don’t have multiple thousands to shell out, have you considered buying a pre-owned Birkin?
There are numerous legitimate dealers of vintage and gentle used accessories that can have you hooked up and looking like a celeb overnight.
Visit our friends at “Strictly Pursonal” to see their great selection of pre-owned AUTHENTIC designer bags: http://www.strictlypursonal.com/
JEWELRY:
A common question asked on the red carpet is not only who are you wearing, but what jewelry designer are you wearing as well. Many names come to mind such as Yurman, Van Cleefs, Tiffany, Cartier, etc.
Have you considered rockin some vintage Chanel to make a bold, yet affordable statement?
Try visiting Very Vintage: http://www.veryvintage.com for an assortment of yummy things.
Finally, I’ve seen numerous fashion magazines lately with photos and advertisements of necklaces sporting vintage looking key’s hanging from them like the one seen on the neck of Kate Moss here:
Naomi Watts was seen wearing one in 18kt gold valued at $800 in the latest issue of InStyle.
Certainly you can hit your local antique shop and find numerous authentic Victorian keys for a few dollars and hit your local jewelry store for a great necklace to hang it on. If that’s too much trouble, why not visit Etsy.com – they offer numerous artists selling them for under $100.
I’d love to hear how you take the “old” and make it new again. Write me here!
Happy Hunting!
Reyne
“Reyne Gauge” is a monthly syndicated column written by Reyne Haines. Purchase Reyne’s new book “Vintage Watches” by clicking Here
Twentieth Century Decorative Arts expert, Reyne Haines, has penned another great book, Vintage Watches. This book was designed with something for everyone. Not merely a catalog of various styles and makers of fine watches, this work contains over a thousand high quality photographs that will appeal to the new collector, seasoned expert and everyone in between.
Beautifully designed, this hard cover, coffee table styled work contains information on how to collect, the backstory of American and Swiss watchmakers, a dictionary of wristwatch lingo and more. It gives you a real look into the design and artistry that went into creating these fine timepieces.
Additionally, the collectable watches in this book are quite varied in price scale. Whether you collect watches, appreciate the history or simply enjoy the beauty, artistry and craftsmanship behind them, you will find Vintage Watches a very enjoyable book.
Michael Sausley
Purchase Reynes new book “Vintage Watches” by clicking Here
