a visit to james sansum fine and decorative art

i first became acquainted with james sansum after reading an interview with markham roberts over at stylebeat. marisa asked the question – What trade or retail store inspires you most? – to which he replied, "my boyfriend james’ gallery." knowing i was in for a real treat, i sought out his gallery online, and found treasure after treasure...like this pair of bergères in the louis xvi taste made by maison jansen (one of my all-time favorites).

a pair of louis xvi period side chairs with arcaded back rests.

 

a directoire style settee in the same painted beech wood and what appears to be the same beautiful blue shade of velvet.

an english edwardian period mirror in the taste of robert adam.

 

a napoleon III period carcel lamp – formerly an oil lamp, now electrified.

 

and these faceted colored glass victorian period paperweights. according to james' description, they were known to have been used "to catch the eye" in window shop displays by jewelers and apothecaries. that acid green color would definitely catch my eye.

there are also some photographs by nelson hancock…

and some lovely works on paper like this ernst heinrich platz watercolor and gouache over traces of graphite done some time between 1895-1900. this may have been painted en plein air. i can't imagine painting anything en plein air, let alone climbing to this altitude under these conditions.

 

thanks to marisa for introducing me to this incredible gallerist/antiquarian.

{image credits: james sansum}