The Duncan Phyfe exhibit is now on view at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Previously at the Met in New York, MFAH is the second stop for the exhibit. Most of what was on view in New York is available in Houston, but there are a few changes. Most notably the comparison of Phyfe … Continue reading Duncan Phyfe Up at MFA Houston
Tag: Duncan Phyfe
Duncan Phyfe at the Met
Duncan Phyfe: Master Cabinetmaker in New York—the first retrospective on Phyfe in 90 years was long over-due. It was postponed so long due to the financial situation that at one time I thought it would never materialize. The first retrospective show of Phyfe’s furniture, also at the Met, curated by Charles Over Cornelius in 1922, … Continue reading Duncan Phyfe at the Met
Americana and Its New York Home
The primitive roots of much of what we think of as Americana makes New York City seem an odd place for it. Yet each January thousands of visitors descend on the city to take in the best in the category. Things have changed somewhat this year, gone is The American Antiques Show (TAAS), the once … Continue reading Americana and Its New York Home
Phyfe Sideboard at Auction
With all the brouhaha over the Duncan Phyfe show at the Met, you don't expect you could find a attributed Phyfe sideboard for sale in the price range of a ten year old used car. If you're visited the show, or even if you haven't, you may want to watch this auction. Thomaston Place is offering a New … Continue reading Phyfe Sideboard at Auction
Into Americana Week
Americana Week has begun. Yesterday perhaps the first event of the week was a gallery talk at Keno Auctions ”American Still Life Painting in the 19th Century,” with Dr. William H. Gerdts. There’s a good deal of excitement and enthusiasm around Americana Week this year. The American Wing Galleries are re-opening at the Met and … Continue reading Into Americana Week
What’s Up and On in New York City
Three paintings by George Inness traveled to Philadelphia before I did. I met them on the 20th Floor of a building in Rockefeller Center during an American Art preview at Christie's. Normally they would have been in the ground floor showrooms, but those were taken. Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry is moving in. It will be available … Continue reading What’s Up and On in New York City
Brown Furniture Takes the Stage at the Dallas Museum of Art
Furniture maker Duncan Phyfe can't seem to secure a special exhibition at the Met (a show which had been scheduled for January, 2010 got the recession axe), but Gustauv Stickley has taken the stage at the Dallas Museum of Art. The show opened February 13th and on my initial visit a few days ago seems … Continue reading Brown Furniture Takes the Stage at the Dallas Museum of Art
Current Slump in Furniture Prices Not the First
Moderating a presentation at the Heart of Country Antiques Show in Nashville, veteran painting, and furniture dealer Woody Straub commented the slump in the current market was actually the third such dramatic decline in his lifetime. If you walked over to a table along a side wall and picked up a complimentary issue of Maine … Continue reading Current Slump in Furniture Prices Not the First
If Only the Best
The three days Francis D "Skeeter" McNairy Estate sale at Charlton Hall culminated last Sunday. The result is clear: There is no absolute "in" and "out" style in decorative art. The buyers are there, trying hard for the best. Sorry for the struggling middle market. A month ago, Geo spotted an empire sofa sold at … Continue reading If Only the Best
Rush Limbaugh Asks “Why is it Important?”
This is an important Posting. Really it is. Why? Because we’re pausing here to take a look at the use of the word important. Rush Limbaugh was criticizing the use of the word by an antique dealer on his show December 1. I posted this fact on the Urban Art & Antiques Facebook page and … Continue reading Rush Limbaugh Asks “Why is it Important?”
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