Superb, Early 20th Century Crane and Flowers Standing Light

As an auctioneer and chairman of Sotheby’s, I have had the privilege of studying and selling some of the most beautiful pieces of furniture in the world. Through their materials, surprising details, exotic fragments, or the skillfulness of their construction, these pieces have taught me a great deal about history—both the most creative periods of mankind and the history of the centuries and continents from which they came.

At the beginning of the 16th century, when the first craftsmen began experimenting with ornamentation, the materials they used had a profound influence on style. The use of simple elements of organic origin, such as mother-of-pearl or ivory, as well as the recycling of ornamental objects—as was the case with the use of jade, agate, and brass—became widespread and reached its height during the 17th century, with the dominance of the Baroque style at the court of Versailles, always inclined toward opulence. This pomp and splendor can be seen, for example, in the chests of drawers by Boulle, enriched with luxurious inlays of tortoiseshell and gilt bronze.

In the 18th century, the design and decoration of furniture continued to reflect the influences of the royal court, while a few delicate pieces of marquetry or parquetry were based on tiny incrustations of mother-of-pearl or lacquer. Then, in the 19th century, invention and imagination took precedence over luxury as craftsmen sought to make use of the smallest scraps left from production, which were then employed as decorative or structural elements. Around the world, furniture design was shaped by nations making use of exotic materials—such as horn and antler in Scandinavia, lacewood in Europe, and hardwoods in America—as well as pine marquetry in France and Great Britain.

The spirit of each period has always been reflected in its choice of styles and materials. I hope that, as you turn the following pages, you will share my enthusiasm for this selection.

John L. Marion

RIGHT AND OPPOSITE PAGE:

This unusual crane, made of copper and patinated bronze, stands amid the winding tendrils of a wild grapevine. This lighting fixture, which can be dated to the very beginning of the 20th century, was created in Europe, although it is not possible to determine its precise place of origin.

Here “luminaire” means a lighting fixture/lamp, so the bronze sculpture shown was designed to function as a decorative light.

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