Exteta Re-Releases the Colorful, Irreverent Pieces of Gae Aulenti's 1964 Locus Solus Collection

The article details an appraisal session where Ann Marie Rasmussen presented a sculpture inherited from her husband's family to appraiser Brian Thomczek at a 'Trash or Treasure' event held at the Michigan Design Center in Troy. Rasmussen initially believed the sculpture to be bronze and an antique, possibly functioning as a newel post light, noting its Art Nouveau style and the signature 'L Alliob?' or 'Allion?' on its base. She also mentioned it reminded her of Alphonse Mucha's work and that it was made in Paris. Thomczek identified the artist as Lucien Alliot, a Parisian sculptor born in 1877, known for his sculptures of women and various seals. Alliot, son of sculptor Napoleon Alliot and a pupil of Barrias and Coutan, exhibited at the Paris Salon from 1905 to 1939 and was a jury member from 1934 until his death in 1967. His bronze works are displayed in museums globally. However, Thomczek clarified that Rasmussen's 28-inch high by 9.5-inch wide piece was not bronze but spelter, a less expensive metal alloy, which he confirmed by its hollow sound. Spelter was commonly used to mimic bronze, and many would not discern the difference. The appraiser deduced that the sculpture likely originated as a lamp and had lost some components over time. He dated the piece to the early 20th century, confirming its Art Nouveau style. Thomczek estimated the sculpture's auction value to be between $800 and $1,200, noting that a complete piece would command a higher price. Rasmussen indicated that the sculpture's style did not align with her home's mid-century modern aesthetic, leading her to store it and consider downsizing. Thomczek assured her that selling it would not be an issue, as there would be interested buyers. The article concludes by inviting readers to submit their own objects for appraisal by sending a photo and description to [email protected] or The Detroit News, with a chance to be featured in the column after bringing the item to a free appraisal session. #ArtAppraisal #AntiqueSculpture #SpelterArt #LucienAlliot #ArtNouveau #HomeDecoration #VintageCollectibles

This article, presented by T Magazine, highlights a curated selection of recommendations spanning various luxury goods and experiences, including artisanal rugs, a Michelin-starred restaurant, modernist-inspired cement tiles, a romantic tarot deck, and a unique hotel spa. Each section delves into the origin, craftsmanship, and distinctive qualities of these items or locations, often featuring interviews with their creators or founders. The first recommendation, "Covet This: Rugs That Conjure an Ancient Garden in Kabul," introduces a collaboration between French illustrator Louis Barthélemy and Ishkar, a London-based company supporting artisans in war-affected regions. Barthélemy, known for his elegant approach to textiles, worked remotely with women weavers in Afghanistan to create a capsule collection of three hand-knotted Ghazni wool rugs. The patterns for these rugs were inspired by the weavers' drawings of Bagh-e Babur (Babur’s Garden) in Kabul, a place symbolizing beauty to them, combined with one of Barthélemy's own designs. Each rug took approximately six months to complete and is described as a "collective dream of an ancient paradise." These rugs will be exhibited in London in April and September 2024. Next, "Eat Here: A Newly Michelin-Starred Restaurant in France’s Dordogne Valley" focuses on Cueillette, a restaurant housed in a reconstructed 19th-century manor in Altillac, France. Owned by the Gervoson-Chapoulart family (behind Bonne Maman jam), Cueillette features chef Oscar Garcia, who, at 25, was France's youngest Michelin-starred chef. A decade later, Garcia continues to deliver hyperlocal haute cuisine, sourcing ingredients like trout, sturgeon, game, Limousin beef, and produce from the property's own orchards and gardens. The restaurant recently earned its first Michelin star, noted for its innovative dishes and an astonishingly affordable multicourse lunch option. The third section, "Consider This: Artisanal Cement Tiles Inspired by Modernist Homes," spotlights Zia Tile, a Los Angeles-based company founded by Mike Leflore and Danny Mitchell. Their new "Case Study" collection of cement tiles draws inspiration from the iconic Case Study Houses in Southern California, known for their affordable, forward-thinking design. The collection features solid tiles and geometric patterns, each poured and pressed by hand, resulting in nuanced variations due to the artisanal process. Zia Tile boasts a palette of 64 colors, with the Case Study line introducing four new shades: Pompeii, Dune, Rust, and Elemental Blue. Unlike glazed tiles, cement tiles are designed to patinate over time, acquiring an aged character reminiscent of European cafes or old hotel lobbies. "Gift This: A Parisian Illustrator’s Romantic Take on the Tarot Deck" presents Marin Montagut’s Le Tarot Divinatoire. Montagut, a French illustrator, has been fascinated by tarot since childhood. His 22-card reinterpretation of the Major Arcana features playful watercolor illustrations, designed in his Normandy studio and produced by Parisian artisans who hand-gilded the edges using traditional techniques. The collection also includes silk scarves and cushions, reflecting a renewed modern interest in tarot. Montagut emphasizes the desire for a bit of magic in people's lives as a reason for tarot's growing popularity. Finally, "Go Here: In Venice, a Hotel Spa Filled With Fragrant Art" introduces the newly launched spa at The Venice Venice hotel, a 44-room establishment within a thousand-year-old palazzo on the Grand Canal. Owned by Alessandro Gallo and Francesca Rinaldo, founders of Golden Goose, the hotel is designed as an art destination. The spa, conceived as an art installation, features sculptural works by Romanian artist Victoria Zidaru. In the treatment room, linen tubes filled with dried grasses, flowers, and herbs from Zidaru’s garden line the walls, creating an enveloping fragrance. A similar textile work covers the ceiling over the indoor pool. The spa offers deep-tissue massages and facials using medicinal plants, with Zidaru also developing custom teas and treatment oils for the hotel. #LuxuryGoods #ArtisanalCrafts #InteriorDesign #ArchitecturalInspiration #TravelRecommendations #MichelinStar #TextileArt #CementTiles #TarotDeck #HotelSpa