Menalcas:
Mopsus, since we’ve met and we’re both skilled,
you at breathing through thin pipes, I at singing verses,
why not sit here amongst this mix of elms and hazels?

Mopsus:
You’re the elder, Menalcas: it’s right for me to obey you,
whether we walk beneath the shade, stirred by the breeze,
or enter the cave instead. See, how the wild vine,
with its wandering shoots, has spread about the cave.

(A) For the rest of the dialogue twixt these two, visit: http://wikilivres.info/wiki/Eclogues/V._The_Dialogue_of_Menalcas_and_Mopsus

And/or, buy this extraordinary bronze -- and what shall I call it, "compote?" Nah, let's stick with "centerpiece" -- for your dining table or buffet. It's French, of course, and measures about 19 inches wide and 6 high, giving it plenty of presence. It's about Virgil's dialogue between the two musicians Menalcas and Mopsus. Each handle features two wild, bearded heads of Bacchus, who is mentioned later in the poem. The artist's signature, F. Levillain, appears beneath the rendering of Menalcas and Mopsus, and on one outside edge appears the name Barbedienne, the foremost French bronze foundry. Levillain was a noted, award-winning French medalist and sculptor who died in 1905. DIED in 1905! Get it?! That means this was probably created anywhere between 1860 and 1905, and most likely in between those dates. That makes it a bonafide antique, (well) over a hundred years old! Sorry, you Deco fans -- as Deco(rative) as it is, it isn't Art Deco.

(e-mail Jack for a price; please submit your request in iambic pentameter)

(B) Hand-wrought, brilliantly and artistically executed, this iron fire screen doesn't need to languish in front of a fireplace, it's entirely worthy of a place on the right tabletop just as an art treasure. Standing about 26 high and 16 wide, it's initialed and dated 1936 (last photo). "F.F." are the initials, and there's what appears to be an "h" attached to the last "F." It's tempting to suggest that this might be the work of the acclaimed feronnier Henri Fournier, whose work is typically stamped "Fer Forge." Let's just say that the high level of accomplishment points us in such an elevated direction... (e-mail Jack for a price)

(C) Time was, decades ago, when Golden Gate Exposition plates and ashtrays were seemingly at every garage sale or flea market. Now, like honest politicians, they're needles in the haystack of life. Well, even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes, and yours truly has had his moment! And, as my bonus for being as good as I have been, I scored the '39 plate instead of the low-life '40, not to mention that it's mint, mint, mint! Don't delay, come and git it!!! (e-mail Jack for a price)

(D) Gee, now doesn't that table have a familiar look to it? Hmmmm... by one of the Hoffman boys? By, uh, Powell? No, Silly Goose, it's Howell! I've had this pair (pair? could he have two indeed?) in my "private collection" for quite some time, now I'm letting them go, but not for free. They're in extremely fine condition, stand about 19 tall, 13 across. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(E) And while we're talkin' Moderne, how about this French model? You like? Remind you a bit of Jacques Adnet, in all of its elegant simplicity?! Stands a bit taller than the Howell table. There's a bit of wrinkling to the base, where old Pierre rested his feet whilst perusing the newspaper, but I know just the guy who can improve on those marks! ME!!! (e-mail Jack for a price)

(F) Here's a photo from my last (and I mean LAST!!) show. Since it's my VERY LAST show I'm selling my French chromed display stand, which you see here showing off a few of the gems I exhibited at the show. The three glass shelves are custom-made, 48 inches long and about 1/2 inch thick (for that extra "rich look"). The hardware is all made out of solid brass and has its original chrome finish. Each shelf can be raised or lowered. I've got the unit screwed onto a standard six-foot long show table, and guess what -- I'm including it with the stand! That's because I've custom-drilled it just to serve the purpose here. And, I'm including the black table cover as well (fire retarded, it meets all the show specs). If it isn't already obvious to you, this display unit is about as eleganza as it gets! Pure French Modernist/Art Deco, fit for a king, queen or even prince of the trade. Or not! Why not have this unit in your home, showing off that collection of Tiffany, Longwy, or pre-Columbian pottery? You don't have to use it with the table, you just have to be able to anchor it in some device. (e-mail Jack for a price)

In this photo you can see how the stand sits on the table, with the back support providing stability.

(G) This set of two pillows and a throw probably were never used, they're in mint-mint condition. The pillows measrue about 14 x 5, and the throw, 28 square. Made of felt, with which appear to be airbrushed colorations on the petals. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(I) What a smashing centerpiece for your dining table or buffet! Splendidly plated in silver, stamped Sheffield Silver Company, Made in USA, in near-mint condition. Each vessel stands just under 5 inches tall, perfect for small flowers or some outrageous Ikebana extravaganza! You'll be the hit of the party circuit! (e-mail Jack for a price)

(J) Sexist and male chauvinist pigs get ready -- on the other side of this newspaper stand are the words "WIFE'S SIDE." At least this gives her something to focus on besides wiping the drool from the kid's face. It's about a foot tall, and all aluminum. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(K) You're wondering what this is doing here? It was my grandfather's, let's leave it at that! Signed Royal Doulton, of course, and with a sterling stopper. It's about 7 inches high, and that slightly loaded fellow on the front, I guess, is none other than John Barleycorn. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(L) This piece is worthy of Madison Avenue's toniest shops -- where, in fact, a mere thirty years ago, I first saw an identical box -- I think it was Muriel Karasak's (sp?), now history but at the top of the then-heap. The box, not to digress too far afield, is a virtual American Art Deco icon, made by the Grammes Company of Allentown, PA, home of belching steel factories and apparently at least one gifted designer and manufacturer. Inside the lid is a most fetching Art Deco lady's "head shot." It's about 9 inches wide, four high, and 8 deep, made of solid brass with enamel paint in the recessed areas. This one is in very fine condition (it's velvet lined, as well).

Sorry, lads and lassies, Sanford's snapped up the Grammes box! SOLD!!

(M) Over three pounds of solid brass/bronze each, these candelabra were originally electrified. Alas, not even the nimble fingers and wits of your host can restore them to function electrically. It's a long story, and somewhat (ha-ha) technical, you don't even want to know. Besides, what would you do for shades? Well, let's move along to something more concrete: design. As in "stellar." I mean, excuse me, but have you seen anything comparable anywhere but Paris? I'm quite sure they're the work of a major designer, but the French will never tell me; meanwhile I'll just scour the few relevant books for clues. Leleu? The rather organic base brings to mind his Art Nouveau table lamps. The formal elements, including the subtle Greek key pattern, suggest his work as well. Ah, but it's all speculation at this point! They're 10 1/2 inches tall and the base is about 6 inches across. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(N) One of two matching aluminum and nickel-plated brass towel bars. 23 inches wide, they project 9 inches. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(O) Oh, boy, we're gonna have us a tea (or coffee) party! And as usual, we're going to pull out all the "style stops" by trotting out this boldly handsome set. You and your guests will delight to the ample heft of each piece; and the mechanics, if one may employ such a term in the description of a coffee and tea set, are stellar. Which means, Dear Reader, that the three handled pieces just "beg to be poured." The finish on the exterior is a bit compromised, but not greatly; but the interiors, which are silver-plated to disallow any metallic taste, are in near-mint condition. The four serving pieces are here shown with an antique solid rosewood Chinese tray, which didn't come with the set but could, if you like, accompany it to your home. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(Q) Years ago I had the electric version of this design lion, and here it is in manual form, just in time for our global energy meltdown! Toooo perfect! So buy it and be ahead of the curve once again, you wily dog. The brown bakelite is in mint condition, and how gloriously it contrasts with the green buttons and levers. Some esthetics to take your mind off those dull numbers! (e-mail Jack for a price)

(R) Ashtray be stylin' -- a judicious combo plate of arts and crafts and deco, eh? The best elements of each, perhaps? The ash receiver itself is hand-hammered copper, and it's surrounded by hand-wrought iron, itself decoratively hammered. The balls add a whimsical touch, not to mention that explosive geometric sunburst design on the base (which, by the way, I've renickeled and patinated). It stands around 28 inches tall, ready to receive your finest Cuban cigars and their ashes. (e-mail Jack for a price)

(S) "S" as we all know, is only for sexy, and depending on your "orientation" I suppose this could be seen in that light. It's pretty much an abstraction, an idealization, perhaps even a forerunner to Barbie. I should probably just shut up, I'll be getting myself in trouble any second now. Anyway, I don't normally go for the kitschy side of life, but here I am showing my multi-sided personality. She's American, of course, probably knocked out by the thousands around 1928. Probably thrown out by the thousands from 1950 to 1980. This one's special, not just from the standpoint that she survived, but her patina is near-flawless, perhaps even improved upon by Father Time. Whether she's Frankart, or Nuart, or one of the other statue hash-houses of the time, you might know better than I! (e-mail Jack for a price)