Monday, December 13, 2010

California Cubsit modernist mid century mosaic

Well after much patience and being told this was not for sale, was for sale, was not for sale, will be for sale, cannot find the keys, cannot find the keys again,  etc and 2 very patient and reasonable movers.  I finally have this stunning mosaic. I bought it sight unseen. The mosaic work is a bit rougher than I had anticipated but in a strange good way that does not matter. At parts there are actual crystals sticking out.

Many of the small tiles ( in excess of 300,000) are  sticking up on their side to create visual effects like clothing fringe and an argyle pattern.

Ok of all these thousands of tiles one is placed incorrectly. There is a tile around the central figures nose area that should run horizontally not vertically. It makes him look as if his nose is a bit beakish from certain angles. I am so tempted to gouge it out and perfect it? should I?   Does anyone know who this may have been made by?

It came from a mid century home in Beverly Hills by architect William  Stephenson.  IT is slated for demo. Actually the house is not really all that, and I was surprised to find once I entered it I was not that outraged that it was being torn down.


http://www.redfin.com/CA/Beverly-Hills/1705-Angelo-Dr-90210/home/6822604




I do not think this is an Evelyn and Jerome Ackerman or Millard Sheets mosaic.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Ok now how do we hang this puppy 103" x 46"

9 comments:

  1. I'm THRILLED that at least this one element was salvaged. Whatever its provenance, I think it's something of a minor masterpiece. Then again, I kinda loved the majority of the house, myself... HEY, any chance you got the drawer pulls on the Dining Room cabinets as well? I thought those were also stellar.

    ENJOY! And I hope the mural turns out to be a major find!!!

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  2. I make and hang large scale - heavy - ceramic and glass pieces. What I've found to be a simple, inexpensive and effective method is to take a 8 inch strip of approx 3/4 inch plywood the length of the piece to be hung and cut a 45 degree saw cut down its length... one side is attached to the wall and the other to the artwork. The art work is then dropped into the 45 degree channel that is created by the strip on the wall...did I describe this in a way that makes any sense at all...

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  3. Blake that does make sense. This is piece is actually quite deep and my esteemed handyman Oscar used an aluminum 45 degree channel that worked out perfectly. Do you have a website your works sounds so interesting

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  4. I did not they were not that practical and they could never come up with a price. but they were pretty amazing.I wish I had. Did you see the house when it was still furnished? It felt kinda cold and depressing unfurnished

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  5. Turned up a mosaic that appears to by the same artist, and concur that it's not by Ackerman or Sheets, but possibly Italian in origin. The 3D style, shapes, and design are identical as well as the period artwork.

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    Replies
    1. HI I would love to see pics and find out a bit more - did you find it in California

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    2. I found this site by doing some research on a John Smith tapestry huge 5 feet x 33 in.that I found at an estate in Montery Ca.If you want to see pics my email is arthunter@live.com,Andy

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  6. hi find Fab... and zentiques, please contact me through my wesbite, I'm interested in learning more about your murals. thanks! Lillian Sizemore

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  7. Came here via your comment on the NPR radion interview with Lillian Sizemore about the John Smith Mosaic--this is a great site!

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