Even though I don’t own any birds, I’m certain I could find a creative use for these magnificent cages.  The twisted bars and gilded finials are the highlights for me; frankly I could do without the strange design work on the base, which looks cheap and out of place in my opinion.  The cage doors are also quite good – almost Gothic in style, like the window to some grand cathedral, but in miniature.  All in all a very stylish home for an exotic pet or whatever your imagination likes.

Available until April 1st, as Lot 249 in the Fine European Furniture Including Tapestries, Silver, Ceramics and Carpets Auction at Sotheby’s New York office.

Aside from being an antique-aholic, I’m completely obsessed with magazines, so this phenomenal magazine rack speaks a few loves.  How wonderful this would look next to my sofa, loaded down with Aperture, Monocle, Gastronomica, National Geographic, Wallpaper, and whatever else made it into my arms this week at the bookstore.  I can’t say this really says, “1940s” to me, but I suppose on a close inspection it seems to be more reproduction quality than an original.  That’s fine with me, I’m not allergic to reproductions provided I know what I’m getting into upfront.  For anyone else looking for their magazine fix, may I suggest you start reading MagCulture?  It’s a brilliant take on the state of printed design and independent magazines.  Has anyone out there any favorite magazines I need to pick up on my next run?

Available at AreaID Inc., in New York.

This Murano chandelier has a certain va-va-voom about it, don’t you think? With those long glass feathers it could easily be in a vaudeville show, surrounded by dancing ladies. It would also be rather brilliant in a grand Miami art deco mansion or a sumptuous place in Palm Beach. Murano’s over the top styling isn’t always my cup of tea, they’re fairly loud if you don’t have them in the atrium of a Venetian palace, but I think they’ve made something special with this particular piece. Available through Palm Beach Antique and Design Center.

There are fireplaces and then there are fireplaces.  This is the latter.  This particular piece is especially notable because it was commissioned for the Habsbourg-Lorraine family in the 19th Century, the royal family of Austria at the time.  While the Habsbourg-Lorraines weren’t the same family as the more famous and influential Habsbourgs , they took over control of Austria after the true Habsbourgs died out and took on the name.   This fireplace features three coats of arms – the Habsbourg-Lorraines on the left, the House of Austria in the center and the House of Bavière (a region of Germany just to the north of Austria) on the right.   Spectacular in its construction in detail, it has the far rarer appeal of historical significance that pushes the price up somewhat considerably.  I’ll tell you though, if I owned a sprawling castle in Austria, this would be just the thing to keep me warm après-ski.  Available until April 1st as Lot 256 in the Origines, Architecture, & Heritage, Decoration and Garden Sanctuary Auction at Sotheby’s in Paris.

Available through Nazmiyal Collection