Buying Interesting Things

Sometimes we buy things just because they are interesting. We found a porcelain bust of a man’s head with fish coming out of it, signed Sergio Bustamante that we were crazy for.  Our best guess was a 80s or 90s piece, certainly newer with a different look and feel from what we usually buy.  We had never owned a piece by Bustamante and were unsure of the age and scarcity of the piece.  Regardless, it was a buy-now, ask-later situation. After a while we contacted the company and learned that this is a 1980s piece that is unique in that others were made, but each is painted differently. The interesting factor paid off and the piece never fails to create conversation being such an eccentric example of modern decorative art.

Porcelain figure by Sergio Bustamante



Each piece unique, no two painted the same


 


Come Visit Us!

In addition to our online ArtDecoModern shop at Ruby Lane, we are now dispaying at Gannon's Antiques in Ft. Myers, FL on Rt. 41. From Art Deco to Modern, our inventory is a sampling of the different genres that capture our interest.  We offer Louis Icart etchings, Frankart, fine deco porcelain and interesting modern sculpture. Gannon’s is a well-established antique destination in southwest Florida and we hope you visit!

Collection at Gannon's Antiques



Icart, Rosenthal, modern sculpture



Frankart, Marianna von Allesh lamps, sculpture by Milton Hebald and other artists

F r a n k a r t ! !

The 1935 Frankart catalog supplement reads “Frankart Products are cast metal creations of original design and rare excellence in workmanship.  Aluminum alloys, Britannia and white metals are employed in their manufacture. “ 

The available finishes are listed as as:

• Gunmetal: A dull gray, of iridescence luster.
• Pearl Green: A highly polished pale iridescent green.
• Pearl Ivory: Ivory color with iridescent surface.
• Bronze: A coppery bronze of highly polished surface.
• Roman Green: A dull light green, finely tuned.
• Jap: A mahogany brown of high polish
• French: Brown with green in the crevices
• Red: A dull Chinese red, relieved by black toning down

We have also owned them in original black, chrome and once in pure bronze.

One thing we do know from collecting them that you should know too is that even though they are metal, they are made of "pot metal" so they are fragile; if you drop one it will likely break.  Frankart collectors soon learn they have to be well packed to be shipped. 

Even with their humble beginnings as pot metal Frankart lamps remain highly collectible, functional Art Deco period pieces that hold their own in the company of other modern décor.



Frankart shows its colors in our display at an Atlantic City Show in 2005



Starting a Collection

We were attracted to modern sculpture for many years before purchasing our first piece; we always felt a bit intimidated about what to buy.  Looking back, the most difficult piece of sculpture to decide on was the first one.  It was an unsigned studio piece that started us on our way.  Nothing gives the incentive to research and learn more than actually buying a piece.  That little voice saying “I’m afraid I will buy the wrong piece, pay too much, etc.” is either your subconscious telling you that you really don’t want to collect or is simply a natural thought pattern of a new collector.  While I agree there can be some buyer’s remorse on anything you buy, not just artwork, I can guarantee that once you purchase a piece you have taken the 1st step in becoming a knowledgeable collector.  Rule #1 always is to buy something that you truly like. Another tip is to buy from a reputable dealer that you know or are referred to and outright express your concerns.  

When we display a numer of Frankart lamps and figures at a show, a new collector can be overwhelmed with choices.  Generally we would recommend what we would call a “starter piece,” that being a well recognized piece and one where we would know that the buyer would be happy with their purchase. This one piece, once sitting in their home, will generate the enthusiasm to learn more about Frankart, just by having purchased it, and a collection is born. 

Our first sculpture was this bronze studio piece purchased at the Lambertville, NJ flea market.

How Online Shopping Changed Collecting – For the Better!

Since the late 90’s, how we shop as well as the specter of places available to shop for antiques and collectibles has changed forever.  We have heard comments at shows about how “the Internet and in particular online auctions ruined everything,”  referring of course to the resulting reduced number of brick and mortar antique shops as well as a decrease in dealers at antiques shows.  Really?  Didn’t it make things better by ultimately broadening the audiences of buyers and sellers and in some cases connecting them socially?  While we agree there is nothing quite like touch and feel shopping, there are still plenty of quality shows were you can still do this. Our view - of course we still enjoy doing shows both as dealer and buyer, but there are many fabulous pieces we would never have had the opportunity to buy without the enormous selection now available via surfing rather than driving.  The Internet also provides us with a worldwide customer base.  It allows us increased freedom to purchase the niche specialty item, because we have a greater chance of someday finding a niche buyer.  The past 10 – 15 years has morphed collecting into a wonderful new world and you reading this blog is a perfect example of how we can all connect much more easily and we say “Thanks for that!” 

Porcelain figures we dispayed at the NY Pier Show in 2011
Galle, Goldscheider and Essevi
More porcelain from our collection

F r a n k a r t !

Off the collections we have accumulated, Frankart is probably our all-time favorite.  Frankart was sold in select venues mainly in New York in the 1920s and early 1930’s and continues to gain popularity with collectors as it inches closer to being 100 years old. So many lamps and figures, such variety yet similar look and feel.  At one point years ago we had about 175 different Frankart pieces in our home.  Oops. Got a little carried away.

From the 1930-31 Frankart catalog, “Particular emphasis has been stressed on the artistic conceptions of streamline designs expressing the modern vogue.  Inventive ingenuity has been happily combined with artistic ability to create objects d’art of practicality.” 

 “Frankart products are original works of art conceived and designed in the Frankart studio by Arthur von Frankenberg, President and Art Director of Frankart, Inc.  They are manufactured by skilled workmen in the Frankart Factory under the direct supervision of George Murad…” who was also a partner.

The Frankart studio was located in New York at 33 West 67^th St. in the heart of (then) “America’s exclusive studio colony.” The factory was located at 542-548 Casanova St., and the Frankart showroom was at 225 Fifth Ave.  where Henry Underberg was responsible for general sales and advertising as Vice-President and General Manger. We were delighted when Henry’s son Neil introduced himself to us at the New York Pier Show a couple of years ago and related many stories about Frankart Inc.  So very entertaining when history comes alive with first hand anecdotes. 

We continue to buy, sell and love Frankart and probably always will. 




Thom at New York Pier Show with Neil Underberg, son of Harry Underberg of Frankart, Inc. 

 


Frankart lamps along side other art deco objects

  

Collecting 20th Century Decorative Objects

Collecting design objects from the 20th century is rewarding in so many ways - the thrill of the hunt, the special deal because of your subject knowledge, the pride of ownership. You have something tangible that you enjoy owning and it can be a profitable experience to boot. One aspect that somewhat evens the playing field (don't forget that ultimately you are competing with others for who gets the best pieces!) is that new items come onto the market constantly as attics are emptied and estates are sold. Here's a good example of three modern sculptures that we were able to pick up for reasonable prices. We enjoyed owning them and have sold 2 of them; that part was enjoyable too. Needless to say we immediately bought more (and to us, better) objects to upgrade the collection. Rinse. Repeat. Fun never ends!

Constructivist face by Nat Werner

Bronze figure by Alfred Burlini

Sergie Gritsay steel maquette

See more modern sculpture from our collection