You can imagine my heart skipped a beat when I first heard about this upcoming sale. "Simmer down," my in-the-know friend told me. "It's not the Important Stuff." As I'm not in the market for a BVRB III lacquer commode or Marie Antoinette's letter opener, this information did nothing to dampen my anticipation.
Don't miss the 18th century dog bed in front of the fireplaceFor as you all know, Jayne - whom most of us have already fetishized for her exquisite eye - worked with the illustrious decorating firm Jansen, who in its day was pretty much synonymous with "impeccable taste". The collaboration of these powerhouse aesthetes is unquestionably one that deserves to be studied and one that yields many lessons and ideas, from furniture plans to passementerie.
Like an ormolu-mounted Blue John urn brimming with peacock feathers, a look that could be replicated albeit with a more humble receptacle...
While the house itself has been emptied and the contents warehoused stateside, these lovely photographs by Fritz von der Schulenberg give us a peek into the Jayne-Jansen magic.
And for my china-smitten friends....
If we were invited over chez Jayne to fete some visiting dignitary, Meissen "Fliegender Hund", lot 195 $20-30,000, might enliven our place setting for dinner...
with less is so much more Sevres white and gilt porcelain for dessert, lot 199, $2 - 3,000But for an intimate ladies lunch with just you, Jayne and Jackie,
your coq au vin might be served on these charming Dior plates, lot 202 $1,500-2000Click here to browse Sotheby's e-catalogue or purchase the print version to see more delectable interior images.
Box pleat chair skirts. I'd forgotten I like them.
ReplyDeleteI'll happily take Mrs. Wrightsman's cast-offs, thank you.
Wonderful post. You might enjoy this link (if you haven't already) ..
ReplyDeleteOf it all, and the place is pretty darn stunning, my favorite is the blue john vase. Blue john is something I've coveted for years and for the same number of years have been unable to afford it. It's a magical stone, to me at least.
ReplyDeleteHi Emily-
ReplyDeleteYour caution is prudent.
Suddenly these pieces do not look incredibly compelling. Is there anything you must have.
You don't feel that she got the best out of the designers. Her style was--looking at it from this distance--rather held back. I think she was perhaps overly admired--a woman who did not go 'too far' and was thus seen as a style-maker. Not so.
In the meantime--I love the cover of your new MADELEINE CASTAING BOOK...can't wait to see it.
cheers, DIANE
www.thestylesaloniste.com
Reggie WANTS! Seeing these photos and considering that such beauty can be had by such as one fills him with nasty, covetous cravings, and flights of fancy that could only result in his financial ruin, if pursued...
ReplyDeleteChina smitten over here. Anything Meissen works for me. Not sure my husband would be in to my getting into this but thanks for the great post. Looking forward to your book in the fall.
ReplyDeleteThe colour combinations are interesting: that deep dark red upholstery with those eggshell walls, those light salmon walls with the dark blue bed - soft and strong colours being combined. Is that a Jansen signature, I wonder?
ReplyDeleteWhat is the world coming to, dear EEE?
ReplyDeleteIn the past week we've seen Jayne Wrightsman's soon
to be auctioned London flat, Susan Gutfreund's Paris
house on the market, and, last but not least, Patricia
Kluge's grand country house being sold by Sotheby's with all the good stuff inside it. Makes my head spin~
I find myself with feelings of pity for the very rich, which cannot be right.
Toby Worthington
Mr. Worthington's closing sentence had me chuckling...
ReplyDeleteI really like the rooms. But that may be because "restraint" isn't a word that would spring to mind should you step across the threshold of the manse. And so it is that something which I lack to which I am attracted.
Wouldn't those Dior plates be perfect for an alfresco luncheon (my latest obsession -- eating out of doors once the pollen counts have subsided and before the real heat sets in)?
I do rather like that Meissen....
ReplyDeleteLove the Dior China. Can see snippets I am in awe of the Blue John Urn....The color palette does work quite well!
ReplyDeleteKarena
Art by Karena
Those are wonderful items.I love those porcelain plates.
ReplyDeleteQuite like the idea of a pair of chairs flanking the bed.
ReplyDeleteI suppose those were for visitors or for reading?
Now that china is brimming with charm.
pve
wonderful post, i like the Meissen " Fliegender Hund" so much, thank you for the pictures regards jürgen
ReplyDeleteDid you get a load of the prices realized at this sale? Those Dior plates went for $10,000. That's right, you read it correctly.
ReplyDeleteI love a good sale and then to see the results is the best fun.
ReplyDelete