This bergère has seen better days, in fact, you could say that it’s been thoroughly beat to hell.  Some people find that appealing, but I am not one of them.  This is appealing to me from a fixer-upper point of view, and probably a bargain in its current form.  I would have it restored immediately, though it would be very difficult to part with that fantastic upholstery pattern.  Still, the shape and form and very nice and I would certainly find another bold pattern to switch out with the existing fabric, which almost reminds me of the artwork you see in the tile work on many mosques.

Available as Lot 251 in the Hanham Court – Pastoral Idyll Auction until April 14th at Christie’s London – South Kensington.

As you all well know, I’m all about Regency period furniture, and I think this table is a very fine example of the style.  Lean, embellished, formal, regal.  It isn’t for everyone, sure, but there’s something quite appealing about the feel of this piece to me.  One of the things I really love about looking at antiques is that I rarely just see the piece itself, I can often picture the entire room around it.  I think that’s actually why I like this table so much – it isn’t really about the table, it’s about the pleasure I get from thinking about the space it fits in and the sort of person it fits with, if that makes sense at all.  Imagining what I could do at this desk, the kinds of things I would read and write, the trips I could plan, the sort of life I would lead if this table were in my house – that’s perhaps the most appealing aspect for me.

Available as until April 1st, Lot 70 in the Fine European Furniture Including Tapestries, Silver, Ceramics and Carpet Auction at Sotheby’s New York office.