George Michel’s works can be found in some of the world’s most famous museums – the Louvre, the Met, the National Gallery, the Hermitage, and many other storied institutions, yet he’s relatively unknown. His landscapes of the French countryside, painted in the late 18th century and early 19th century, particularly the windmills of Montmartre are striking, but what I like best are the dark, stormy tone he captures, rather than sunny fields of peasant workers common of the time. I suppose there is something sad about a picture of a storm, but as long as you don’t hang it over your bed you’ll be fine.

These particular works are coming up for auction March 18th at Sotheby’s in Paris as part of the Collection Violette de Talleyrand, Duchesse de Sagan, Former collection Gaston Palewski, in addition to a handful of others by Michel. A great reason to hop on a plane to the City of Lights, as if one really needed an excuse.

Paysage Au Moulin – Lot 90

George Michel Village Au Pied D’Une Colline Aux Environs des Paris – Lot 92

Available through Nazmiyal Collection

After the last two days, some of you may be tiring of 18th Century British Furniture, so this is the last one on that subject for awhile, I promise!  This was just one more item I couldn’t pass up covering.  The wood patina on this is rather entrancing I think – the coloration is very interesting and it seems like it has been well used over the years, but not abused.  It almost appears as though there’s some kind of subtle inlay happening around the drawer edges, and then your eye is drawn down by those beautifully carved cabriole legs.  It must be quite something to see in person.  I imagine this is the sort of item that you could stare at for hours.  Available until March 25th as Lot 18 in the Three Woods: A Passion for Walnut, Oak & Yew The John Parry Collection at Christie’s King Street Office in London.

What a find – this George II period Walnut Stool is a tour de force of the style.  The floral embroidery and masterful carving show an attention to detail across every square centimeter on this piece that is rare to see even in antiques.  It breaks my heart reading the auction notes to know that there was a matching armchair (gasp!) that went along with the stool at one point and now they’re separated.  Like two soul mates ripped apart by a foolish collector. Available until March 25th as Lot 17 in the Three Woods: A Passion for Walnut, Oak & Yew The John Parry Collection at Christie’s King Street Office in London.

I’ve made no secret of my love for Regency period furniture, and these quartetto tables are just one more reason to be excited about the style.  They’re absolutely brilliant.  The proportions are particularly appealing on these tables, they seem to fit together with such precision.  The arched support near the legs is also very nice, but the most exciting aspect is clearly the burl or burr yew tabletop.  Burl is essentially the grain from a diseased, bulbous growth on a tree and while it isn’t healthy for the tree, it results in quite beautiful wood.  It is rare in all cases, but exceedingly difficult to find in yew trees, so quite a luxury indeed.   Be sure to use a coaster while resting your glass of Armagnac on top.  Available until March 25th as Lot 103 in the Three Woods: A Passion for Walnut, Oak & Yew The John Parry Collection at Christie’s King Street Office in London.  The entire auction is actually quite exciting and I’ll be featuring a number of lots coming on the block over the next few days.  Those who have the time should look through the entire catalogue.