Friday, March 4, 2011

Tony Duquette Tag Sale Not to be Missed!!

Tony Duquette collectibles will be on sale tomorrow morning at 11:00 a.m. EST on One King's Lane. Show up early and stay late. Tony is the most famous unknown person in the design world. I mention his name all the time, and unless you are "in the know," eyes glaze over. So let me begin. Bullocks Department Stores hired young Tony to create seasonal displays in their California stores, in a locale that had no seasons.


Tony was one of the great creators of The Hollywood Regency Style, defined by the New York Times as: "Synthesized 19th-century French, Greek Revival and Modernist touches into a heady mixture that has since been christened Hollywood Regency, which foreshadowed aspects of postmodernism." Elsie de Wolfe, Billy Haines, Dorothy Draper, and Frances Elkins, among many Victorian reactionaries, created shimmering, sophisticated light refractive interiors. Elsie de Wolfe saw Duquette's work in Bullock's department stores, launching his broad and eclectic career with this iconic commission.  

Elsie de Wolfe

Elsie de Wolfe's commision 

This is "The Meuble." Voila le grand piece, catapulting Tony into the stratosphere of design legend, extending from interiors to costume design, furniture, jewelry, set design, and gardens to spectacular event stagings. His eclectic talent and energy was recognized by the Louvre, as their first American solo artistic exhibit, and the Academy (awards for costumes for Camelot).  My friend Hutton Wilkinson, went to work for Tony at the age of 18 and preserves his legacy. Our mothers were in boarding school together, and I came to know Hutton and Tony in my late 20's. The first time I met Hutton was at a dinner party, when he became instantly fascinating to me as the grandson of the last dictator of Bolivia. Now, of course the dictator had some monarchy in him, so Hutton traced his royal blood back through time. 


Just so you know, Hutton chased off the interlopers who seized his title and is The Ninth Count of Alastaya.  Take home a souvenir of the great collaborative legacy at One King's Road. 


Palazzo Brandolini with Dodie Rosekrans

Hutton decorating the ballroom at Palazzo Brandolini
Don't Miss the Magic!!!


We'll talk tomorrow about the sale. 
It can't get better. 

Link
https://www.onekingslane.com/sales/10158

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Posted by Dovecote Decor at 10:02 PM

15 comments:

  1. Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid SassMarch 4, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    Hope you have a great weekend planned. Looks like you are off to a great start.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Teresa
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. The enchanted homeMarch 4, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Nice way to begin a Saturday..thanks for the heads up, will check it out and see what bargains I can snatch up!

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  3. AnonymousMarch 4, 2011 at 10:52 PM

    DEAR LIZ... YOU ARE THE BEST... THANKS FOR THE WONDERFUL WRITE UP ON TONY DUQUETTE AND MY ONE KINGS LANE SALE WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW MORNING!!! LOVE... HUTTON

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  4. Dovecote DecorMarch 4, 2011 at 10:53 PM

    Collectibles of a lifetime are still accessible. I will be on point in the morning. There is no hubris here. These moments don't happen everyday. Pay attention to this sale!!
    Best,
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  5. KarenaMarch 4, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    Liz, what an exciting post and so interesting to know more of Tony's background!!

    Do come and enter my Artful Offering!

    xoxo
    Karena
    Art by Karena

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dovecote DecorMarch 4, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    I was Tony's most boring dinner partner, much to my humiliation.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Brillante InteriorsMarch 5, 2011 at 12:05 AM

    I am fascinated by all these stories and images. It will be a fabulous sale and I will follow it closely.

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  8. La Vie QuotidienneMarch 5, 2011 at 12:25 AM

    How wonderful...how much I would love to be there.

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  9. quintessenceMarch 5, 2011 at 8:40 AM

    Love the wonderful little intro!! And btw - I can't imagine your ever being a boring dinner partner!! This sale is going to be amazing!! You will have to be clicking fast to get in on it. So interesting about Hutton - and of course Duquette was one of the most talented ever!!

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  10. maryMarch 5, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    Tony Duquette--nothing more needs to be said as he cannot be equaled; but can always be relied on for inspiration. Thanks for the amazing photos. Mary

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  11. UnknownMarch 5, 2011 at 4:53 PM

    I heard it was a sell out from the moment it opened. I don't even dare see what's left!

    Hope you're having a terrific weekend!!!
    xo Elizabeth

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  12. Renée FinbergMarch 5, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    amazing post
    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  13. KathyMarch 6, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Liz & gang....visited the sale....my fav pieces were out of my $$$$ range...but enjoyed the show.(especially those sofas!) I have the beautiful Goodman/Wilkinson book in my living room and refer to it when I'm in a self-doubt frame of mind (often!)...he was FEARLESS! k

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  14. Luciane at HomeBunch.comMarch 10, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    Liz,

    Just drop by to say "hello". How are you doing today, my friend?

    Have a great day, sweetie.

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. DovecotesJuly 29, 2011 at 6:05 AM

    Hutton decorating the ballroom at Palazzo Brandolini is really absolute magic.

    ReplyDelete

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