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Collection by Amanda Dameron

Mid-Century Finds by Sam Kaufman

Too much time has passed since we last checked in with mid-century furniture aficianado Sam Kaufman, whose diminutive gallery on Beverly Boulevard is always stocked with the most wonderful things. Here he shares hia considerable knowledge to give us a bit of back story to a few of his most recent acquisitions.

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Ceramic Tiles by Gio Ponti Italy, 1961 "In planning the pair of Parco dei Principi hotels (one in Rome, the other in Sorrento), Gio Ponti designed several different patterns for use on ceramic floor tiles. These tiles were manufactured by D'Agostino (Salerno) in two different colors. The Rome hotel, situated near the Villa Borghese park, used tiles that were glazed green; the Sorrento hotel's tiles are blue, as the hotel overlooks the Mediterranean."
Ceramic Tiles by Gio Ponti Italy, 1961 "In planning the pair of Parco dei Principi hotels (one in Rome, the other in Sorrento), Gio Ponti designed several different patterns for use on ceramic floor tiles. These tiles were manufactured by D'Agostino (Salerno) in two different colors. The Rome hotel, situated near the Villa Borghese park, used tiles that were glazed green; the Sorrento hotel's tiles are blue, as the hotel overlooks the Mediterranean."
Walter Gropius Door Handles Germany, 1920s/1930s "The famous door-handle designed in 1923 by Bauhaus master Walter Gropius is one of the great icons of modernism."
Walter Gropius Door Handles Germany, 1920s/1930s "The famous door-handle designed in 1923 by Bauhaus master Walter Gropius is one of the great icons of modernism."
Tapestry by Evelyn Ackerman U.S.A., 1962 "Evelyn Ackerman and her husband Jerry were important exponents of the post-war Southern California design scene. Evelyn's work was largely figurative, while Jerry's was more usually abstract. Together they produced a wide variety of exquisitely designed and crafted objects which represent the best of modern California design. This hand-woven, wool wallhanging is a fine example of Evelyn's exuberance with color and composition."
Tapestry by Evelyn Ackerman U.S.A., 1962 "Evelyn Ackerman and her husband Jerry were important exponents of the post-war Southern California design scene. Evelyn's work was largely figurative, while Jerry's was more usually abstract. Together they produced a wide variety of exquisitely designed and crafted objects which represent the best of modern California design. This hand-woven, wool wallhanging is a fine example of Evelyn's exuberance with color and composition."
Warren Platner Lounge Chair U.S.A., late 1970s "Designed by Warren Platner for Steelcase, this swivel lounge chair is as luxurious as it is substantial. There were a few versions of this basic design produced: this is the rarely seen and very rakish "low and wide" model. Heavily made of polished solid stainless steel, with brand new leather upholstery. Super comfortable."
Warren Platner Lounge Chair U.S.A., late 1970s "Designed by Warren Platner for Steelcase, this swivel lounge chair is as luxurious as it is substantial. There were a few versions of this basic design produced: this is the rarely seen and very rakish "low and wide" model. Heavily made of polished solid stainless steel, with brand new leather upholstery. Super comfortable."
Very Early Charles Eames "LAX" Lounge Chairs U.S.A., 1950 "These Eames fibreglass lounge chairs are from the very first year of production, 1950. They are distinguished by their hand-made "rope-edge" Zenith shells and early lounge-height x-bases. These are museum-quality examples of one of the most important chair designs of the last century. Each chair retains its original, early 1950s vintage "Charles Eames / Zenith Plastics Co. / Herman Miller" label."
Very Early Charles Eames "LAX" Lounge Chairs U.S.A., 1950 "These Eames fibreglass lounge chairs are from the very first year of production, 1950. They are distinguished by their hand-made "rope-edge" Zenith shells and early lounge-height x-bases. These are museum-quality examples of one of the most important chair designs of the last century. Each chair retains its original, early 1950s vintage "Charles Eames / Zenith Plastics Co. / Herman Miller" label."
Rare Prototype "Easy Edges" Chairs by Frank Gehry U.S.A., 1969 "The "Easy Edges" furniture designed by Frank Gehry over forty years ago was breathtakingly inventive, and represented such an impressive debut for Gehry as a furniture designer that the architect is said to have worried that his career as a designer of buildings might become eclipsed by the success of his chairs. These museum-quality nesting chairs are pre-production protoypes, distinguished by their light-colored cardboard and white Masonite sides. They were purchased directly from Mr. Gehry in 1974."
Rare Prototype "Easy Edges" Chairs by Frank Gehry U.S.A., 1969 "The "Easy Edges" furniture designed by Frank Gehry over forty years ago was breathtakingly inventive, and represented such an impressive debut for Gehry as a furniture designer that the architect is said to have worried that his career as a designer of buildings might become eclipsed by the success of his chairs. These museum-quality nesting chairs are pre-production protoypes, distinguished by their light-colored cardboard and white Masonite sides. They were purchased directly from Mr. Gehry in 1974."