Bench Prototype Design originally for the Louvre Museum

We are always getting items in that have fascinating stories behind them.  Sometimes we feel like Antique Detectives.  You pick up an interesting piece and then you do research to find the history behind that piece.  Recently we purchased a bench by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.  Lewis had seen that people such as Holly Hunt were promoting Jean-Michel Wilmottes pieces.  When he found this piece he was quick to purchase it.

It turned out that this bench was a prototype bench, designed by Jean-Michel Willmotte  for the Richelieu Wing of The Louvre Museum, Paris France.  It is on display in our large front window along side our 7 1/2 foot tall silvered plaster nude by Fernard Guigner, originally designed for Henri Bendel in New York City during the 1930's and 1940's.

 Another piece with a history behind it is a huge 4 feet across Venini Chandelier that came out of the world trade center in Boston. 

In fact we have three other Murano Glass chandeliers hanging in the same window.

Over the bench we hung Our James Yoko oil painting circa 1960's abstraction.  I blogged a while ago about Yoko.  We have enjoyed having two of his paintings in our shop.  Lewis worked at one time in the art world in New York City and really does a fabulous job on our windows.  Oh course he does a great job of finding wonderful items for our store too!

Found Work by James Yoko

Lewis is on the road again. This time to pick up an interesting piece he saw in Chicago and could not fit it into his van the last time he was there. I think this was an excuse to go back for the food in Chicago (see last blog on Chicago). On his way yesterday he picked up Two nice "Modern Paintings" form the 1960's by Dayton Ohio Artist, James Yoko, 1916-2004.

I did some research and found that he and his wife had donated work to Dayton Art Institute. He donated the bathers painted in 1946. This painting was representative of modern trends in the 1940's.


Another of his paintings given to the Art Institute was Called Slowdrift. This is a complete divergence from his art in the 40's.


Another work by James Yoko was found while searching the web. Media Man is a Collage this painting also shows another aspect of his work continually changing with the times.



We never know what treasures a trip will bring. Lewis has arrived in Chicago and we wait with great expectations.