Esoteric Survey

In 1933, Dora De Larios was born to immigrant parents in the Los Angles neighborhood of Boyle Heights. Her father, who was from Mexico City, took the family to the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City  where, at 6 years old, De Larios knew she wanted to be an artist.  Dora studied ceramics at USC with Vivika and Otto Heino (pictured here with Dora) and Susan Peterson. She graduated in 1957. Image:  doradelarios.com In the 1960s, from a referral from Susan Peterson, she was hired by Millard Sheets to design tiles for the Gladding McBean/Franciscan division,  Interpace (International Pipe and Ceramics). She joined a team which included other big names in ceramics, like Harrison McIntosh, Rupert Deese, Ken Price, Henry Takemoto and Jerry Rothman.  Image:  doradelarios.com In the 1960s Dora lived at Kings Road by R.M. Schindler. Image: doradelarios.com In 1968, she founded Irving Place Studio with her friend...

In October of 1992 LAMA had their first auction.  So on this, their 25th anniversary auction, it looks like they are offering up a little more of the modern classics than usual, including a lot of Eames!    It's safe to say that the Eames are a sentimental favorite for most modern dealers.  In the whole scheme of things it doesn't sell for all that much, but it truly is some of the greatest American Design. I love that LAMA keeps putting it in their sales.   The pair of 421 N  ESUs will most likely be the exception to the Eames not selling for a lot rule. These examples are as good as it gets. They are being sold individually, but it would be a shame if the same person doesn't buy both. Whatever they sell for, it will be a great deal because they should be worth double.  Now stuffed animal chairs on the other hand.... Funny things is the Campana Brothers chairs on the left are estimated at the exact same price as the ESUs above....

While a lot of people were gearing up to watch America's race to the bottom (AKA the presidential debate), a ton of great art and design was up for sale at  LAMA .   Wall of Gordon Onslow Ford Helen Frankenthaler George Nakashima DeWain Valentine R.M. Schindler chairs designed these chairs for  Sardi's Restaurant in 1933. The chars were manufactured by the  Warren McArthur Corporation.  The restaurant was demolished by a fire in 1936. These are rare! George Rickey Oskar Fischinger is so underrated. Classic hard edge modern Model no. T-3-C Heifetz Manufacturing Co. by James Harcey Crate This one came out of The Bailey House (Case Study House 20A) by Richard Neutra. See more on The Bailey House  here .  Eames Colouring Toy. I wonder why some of them use the British spelling? Mine doesn't have the "u". Anyway, i t was a gift from Ray Eames to Dale Bailey, who I assume lived in Case Study House 20...

Lovell Beach House (1926)    by R.M. Schindler USA and the rims match the trim. More on the house,  here .