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THBPair of Venetian Molded Glass and Ebonized Mirrors
About Seller
549 Warren St
Hudson, NY 12534
United States
With a focus on curated sales of modern and traditional furniture, decorations and fine art, Stair has been selling interesting things from interesting people with a unique, sophisticated twist for over twenty years. We are innovative in our approach to marketing and online services, providing a hig...Read more
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About Auction
LiveJun 17, 2025
River Ranch: The Collection of Carole Harris represents over three decades of thoughtful collecting, a passion for interior design and a lifelong pursuit of beauty and self-expression. STAIR internetrequests@stairgalleries.com
View Full Catalog (238)
- Lot Description
40 1/2 x 33 3/4 in.
41 1/2 x 33 1/2 in.
Literature: J. Cornforth, The Inspiration of the Past, London, 1985, plate XVI (shown in situ); C. Jones, Colefax & Fowler: The Best in English Interior Decoration, London and New York, 1989, p. 41 (shown in situ); R. Becker, Nancy Lancaster: Her Life, Her World, Her Art, New York, 1996, color plate preceding p. 367 (shown in situ); M. Wood, Nancy Lancaster, English Country House Style, London, 2005, p.120 (shown in situ).
Note, supplied by Sotheby's New York, January 23, 2020 Catalog:
"The 1950s were a difficult time financially for Colefax & Fowler, so in an effort to economize Nancy Lancaster gave up her Mayfair flat in Charles Street in 1957 and moved into part of the firm's premises in Brook Street, a group of rooms at 22 Avery Row that had formerly been stables, and included a large upper floor room that had been the architect Sir Jeffrey Wyattville's studio in the early 19th century. The space was 46 feet long by 16 feet wide, with an elegant barrel-vaulted ceiling, but was not intrinsically light, so Nancy made the bold decision to paint the walls a rich egg-yolk yellow that Fowler then had covered with several layers of rich glazes, creating a glossy finish that has proved impossible to replicate. It became known as the Butter Yellow room, or colloquially 'buttah yellah' in Lancaster's Virginia drawl, and instantly created a sensation. Nancy called it her 'bedsit' or 'maisonette flat', but as the Duchess of Westminster observed, 'to call where Mrs. Nancy Lancaster lives in London a "flat" is like calling the Queen Mary a boat'.
The room was eclectically furnished with items from Lancaster's previous residences and included French and Italian armchairs, a pair of neoclassical Russian girandoles, a pair of full-length portraits of Elizabethan sisters from Ditchley, a Boulle bureau Mazarin, modern upholstered sofas and armchairs, a yellow Savonnerie carpet and two Venetian chandeliers copied after a pair from Charles de Bestegui's palazzo. The offered mirrors, their form inspired by English George III models, were originally a set of four and formed a perfect two-dimensional complement to the pair of chandeliers. They were hung flanking the doors either side of the room above tall narrow white and parcel-gilt bookcases that had created by dividing up a large breakfront acquired at the Ashburnham sale, with a pair of large red stoneware vases on one side and a pair of white and gold Chinese vases on the other. The result perfectly encapsulated Lancaster's famous dictum that 'a gentle mixture of furniture expresses life and continuity, but it must be a judicious mixture that flows and mixes well. It is a bit like mixing a salad (I am better at rooms than salads.)'
The Yellow Room would be regarded as one of the finest interiors of postwar London and served as a living showroom for Colefax & Fowler; it also sealed Nancy Lancaster's reputation as one of the 20th century's most important designers. As John Cornforth observed, Lancaster was the last representative of the 'Henry James' tradition in England of a deep appreciation of the romantic quality of old architecture and objects, 'but with a completely un-Jamesian lightness and sparkle.'"
Condition
Both with scattered losses, repairs, and replaced rosettes, and with minor nicks and age splits throughout. Oxidized epoxy repairs on both. Will require some attention. Of good scale.
Notwithstanding this report or any discussion concerning condition of a lot, all lots are offered and sold "as is" in accordance with our conditions of sale.
- Provenance
Nancy Lancaster, The Yellow Room, Colefax and Fowler, 22 Avery Row, London (originally a set of four).
Sold Sotheby's, New York, Mario Buatta: Prince of Interiors, January 23, 2020, Lot 497, a pair.
The Collection of Carole Harris.
- Shipping Info
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COLLECTION FROM STAIR: We suggest requesting a quote for packing and shipping prior to bidding on an item, as you will be responsible for collection or shipping if you are the successful bidder. We are open for pickups Monday through Friday, from 9:30am to 12pm and again from 1pm to 4:30pm. Please call us at 518.751.1000 to schedule collection. We ask that you collect your items or make collection arrangements within 10 days of your purchase. Below is a list of shippers our clients use on a regular basis, but feel free to use your shipper of choice. For smaller items that can be boxed and shipped: UPS Store #4541 230 Kings Mall Court Kingston, New York 12401 T: 845.336.4877 F: 845.336.3832 E: store4541@theupsstore.com UPS Store #5539 160 Fairview Avenue Hudson, New York 12534 T: 518.828.8777 F: 518.822.8727 E: store5539@theupsstore.com UPS Store #4861 6565 Springbrook Avenue Rhinebeck, New York 12572 T: 845.876.3357 F: 845.876.3524 E: store4861@theupsstore.com For furniture and other large items: Meticulous Inc. T: 845.256.7047 F: 845.256.7039 E: meticulousmovers@live.com Sure Express 1-800-335-9996 judy@sureexpress.com Worldwide Shipping: James Bourlet, Inc. T: 718.392.9770 F: 718.392.2470 www.bourlet.org Cadogan Tate Fine Art Worldwide Fine Art Logistics T: 718.706.7999 F: 718.707.2847 E: fineartny@cadogantate.com www.cadogantate.com. When arranging collection with your shipper, please ask them to email BOL@stairgalleries.com to submit a Bill of Lading and request a pickup time 48-hours in advance.
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