The exceptional results in the last couple of weeks of fine arts in the salesrooms and at the American International Fine Art Fair in Palm Beach put me in mind, not surprisingly, of exceptional paintings at Chappell & McCullar. Perhaps because I’m entering an introspective period in my own life, genre paintings have a particular appeal, and nothing more appealing than Emil Carlsen’s 1884 still life with roses and mandolin. Emigrating from Denmark to the United States in 1872, Carlsen frequently returned to Europe. This work, completed in Paris in 1884 effectively combines a variety of stylistic influences- Dutch still life, European and American academicism, and impressionism- with Carlsen’s own skillful draftsmanship. Personally, I find the inclusion of the mandolin particularly resonant, as it reminds me of the lute that is a prominent though abstruse iconographic feature in one of my own favorite pictures, Holbein’s The Ambassadors. It begs question whether Carlsen attached as much meaning to the elements of his own still life as Holbein presumably did in his pictures. No anamorphically projected memento mori here, glad to say, and really, that kind of consideration rather sidetracks a person from the aesthetic enjoyment of Carlsen’s work. No art historical logic chopping is required, because Carlsen’s still life is, prima facie, an exceptional picture.

Witness the success of ‘MadMen’ on television and the interest in Tom Ford’s ‘A Single Man’ and, no question, the early 60’s have moved into a place of legitimacy in popular 21st century culture. Camp? Hard to say- almost as hard as it is to define ‘camp.’ Frankly, though, camp has ever been a feature in interior design, with whimsy, either in wall color or furnishing fabrics, or furnishing themselves necessary to enliven any interior space.

Despite volumes in print about Gillows, in the world of English antiques, certainly as pertains to American collectors, this preeminent maker is surprisingly unknown. With its origins in the northwest of England in Lancaster, Gillows was able to forge excellent craftsmanship with the selection of some of the best timbers, given its proximity to Liverpool, a major port for the importation of exotic timbers. In our Jump Start sale, we have a Regency period small sideboard. Signed ‘GILLOWS LANCASTER’ the color and figuring of the mahogany and the craftsmanship in its execution make the maker’s stamp almost superfluous- the piece screams quality.

It is proceeding apace, the Jump start sale, that is. Not being a January white sale, necessary purchases have not been postponed by buyers eager to replace ragged sheets and toweling. No real obsolescence with our pieces, but low enough in price that it stimulates.

Fascinating, this notion of stimulation, begging questions about what makes the difference between passing interest to, as we say in retail, ‘pulling the trigger’? More pleasantly put, an affirmation of a desire to purchase is what everyone in retail is after, as it signals consumer confidence- be it a January white sale or our Jump Start sale of English antiques. My nephew and gallery colleague Jack Tremper tells me that our website hits are at nearly an all-time high for the month of January. Good news- interest has to start somewhere. Will this be followed by a wave of trigger pulling? We are optimistic, and optimism is the precursor of confidence- which, by the way, is contagious.

With apologies to the memory of Charles Dickens, internationally times are both good and bad, witness the indecision despite the good buys when it comes to the purchase of English antiques. Well, most durables, actually. Even from our vantage point, and I mean this quite literally, from our premises in the precincts of venerable Jackson Square, gallery traffic is very good and, moving to the virtual gallery, our website hits are better than ever. Times are, ostensibly, good.

And sales? Well, let me put it like this: we figured that our clients needed a bit of impetus, a jump start, as it were, hence the title of our first-ever January sale. An opportunity? I should say so, with all, and I do mean all, our furniture and decorative items from 20% to nearly 60% off.

For my readers that are not yet Chappell & McCullar clients, browse our site and let us know your interests. Shall we work together to make this, all around, the best of times?