Raymond Subes (1893-1970), France.
Coffee table, circa 1935.
Wrought iron, beige, ecru, and dark brown Afghanistan jasper top.
Related work illustrated: R. Subes, Ferronnerie Moderne (Paris: Editions Vincent, Fréal et Cie., n.d. [c. 1937]).
For more information see: Art Deco, Victor Arwas, (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1980) p. 305; Encyclopedia of Art Deco, ed. Alastair Duncan, (New York: E.P. Dutton, 1988.) p. 152, 167.
H: 19 1/3” x D: 35 1/2”
Price: $38,000
During the 1930s, Raymond Subes became one of the foremost designers of wrought iron in his native Paris. Subes studied at the Ecole Boulle and the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs before going to work for Emile Robert, a leading ironwork designer. He later became the artistic director of Borderel et Robert. At this venerable firm he created iron grills and doors for architectural commissions, many of which may still be seen all over Paris. His work was exhibited at the Paris 1925 Exhibition of Decorative Arts and he designed the wrought ironwork for the ill-fated ocean liner the Normandie. Subes’ early work was ornate and naturalistic, but gradually became more geometric and linear. This Art Deco table is a particularly lyrical example of his mature style, with its gracefully scrolling iron legs.
TOMMI PARZINGER (1903-1981) Germany/USA
PARZINGER, INC. New York
Coffee table c.1939
Carved and ceruse oak with an incised diamond pattern pewter top
Illustrated: Arts and Decoration, June 1940
***This table was originally priced at $80 during the period, as it appears in the Arts and Decoration vintage illustration from 1940.
For other examples of Parzinger’s work see: Town & Country, Vol. 54, “Counter Points”, December 1939, p. 31; Town & Country, Vol. 95, “Counter Points”, June 1940, p. 19; The Studio, 1938, “For the Table”, p.107-09; The Studio, 1942, “Tommi Parzinger, Designer of Modern Interiors and Silver”, p.37; Decorative Art, Studio Yearbook (London & New York: The Studio Publications, 1952-53), p. 98; Craft in the Machine Age, ed. Janet Kardon (New York: American Craft Museum, 1995) p.128, 134, 183, 241.
H: 12” x L: 42” x D: 14”
Price: $34,500
This is a wonderful and rare coffee table by Tommi Parzinger in beautifully detailed ceruse oak with a diamond pattern pewter inset top. This table was
completely handmade and dates from 1940, shortly after Parzinger opened his first eponymous gallery on East 57th Street. It is low and lean with exquisite Neoclassical Revival carved details and a silhouette that calls to mind an American take on Jean Michel Frank’s sober and refined elegance of the same time period. The cross-hatch carving with tassels on the two long sides and the related top corner details also have a charm reminiscent of Parzinger’s affable personality and effervescent design sensibility.
ALDO TURA Italy
Coffee table with furled edges c. 1950
Vellum-covered birch with mahogany lacquered cherry legs
Illustrated: Mid-Century Modern, Furniture of the 1950s, Cara Greenberg
(New York: Harmony Books, 1984) p. 160.
H: 18 1/2” x D: 21” x 37”
Price: $14,500