Late Nite Snake Auction Observer 061: France France France Rochester France France

Rare Memphis, two cheap as crap Joe Colombo chairs, Pierre Chapo, Pierre Legrain, Javale McGee

Special essay tomorrow, no housekeeping this week—straight to the auctions, baby.

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Auctions

Pierre Legrain deco table 500 ship, Cali, ending Tuesday: Another argument for the never-ending borders of design and furniture, this one a French art deco table designed not especially by anyone specific but which the auctioneer says has a “hint of Pierre Legrain.” Legrain (french for The Groin) was one of the more direct and upscale French designers of the 20s, with an especially edifying body of work, even by French standards. There’s a short piece on this gallery website that lists a handful of his pieces, has some staging and shows a few (strong) reissues from 2015; it’s informative and refreshing. No real price information, as always, on similar-to designer tables, but this thing is nearly 7’ long, and at only $1,425, that’s much less than what you’d pay at, I don’t know, Crate&Barrel for something similar. Flat shipping—not sure how they can ship it for $500; they are taking a loss here. Worth a buy if you have space and some cash.

Chapo style chair, Cali flat ship, ending Tuesday: The sweet spot of advanced furniture (and clothing, and, frankly, everything else) is items that look a bit ill-conceived and even ugly; this thing, with its… ski lodge? stripes and lack of flourish is very much that, at first sight. But there’s a hint of luxe here with the pattern, it’s similar to other French upholstered furniture I’ve seen, and similar in shape to Pierre Chapo’s S11… though several standard deviations behind. I don’t think I’ve mentioned Chapo once here. He worked mostly with wood, made among the best tables of all time—the t14c especially. He died young (60) of Lou Gehrig’s Disease, which over there they call Charcot’s disease; Charcot was a French neurologist. Crazy. Anyways, $2,200 for eight, seller also has Mategot chairs, and other knockoffs in the style of Maxime Old, auctioned a few weeks back but not sold.

Giancarlo Mattioli for Artemide-style lamp, Cali., flat shipping, ending Tuesday: A very big week for alleged items; this one has a creative description… they’re saying Mattioli either created or inspired the lamp. The one Mattioli is known for is the orange one that’s very much like this one, from 1967, which has been ripped off to within an inch of its life, but mostly lately; the knockoffs are on Amazon