James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo by Matthew Dean.

Last week I attended the opening of the monumental Carlton Hobbs exhibition Inspired by Antiquity: Classical influences on 18th and 19th Century furniture and works of art. The exhibition highlights the largest collection of Thomas Hope furniture to be offered for sale in nearly a century. As some of you may know, the fabulously successful British banker, Thomas Hope, was a connoisseur, collector, and designer, whose classically inspired design ideas helped to form the Regency taste.

A visit to the Hobbs gallery is always an enlightening experience thanks to the exhaustive research they perform on all of the pieces they show; for this latest exhibition, Carlton Hobbs and Stefanie Rinza consulted with museum curators and highly regarded experts in the fields of antiquities and decorative arts to help identify the ancient design sources of the pieces and to interpret the symbolism of the decorative devices used.

Inspired by Antiquity: Classical influences on 18th and 19th Century furniture and works of art. is on view January 20th through February 18th, 2011. Do visit Carlton Hobbs to view this truly remarkable and historically significant collection.

I’ve included below just a glimpse of some of the most sensational pieces from the exhibition. Enjoy!

The Duchess Street Settee after a Design by Thomas Hope. English, Circa 1802.

Monumental White Alabaster Vase with Etruscan style painted decoration. Probably Rome, early 19th century.

The Harewood House Torchères. Pair of Carved Faux Bronze and Porphyry Torchères possibly by Thomas Chippendale the Younger. English, Circa 1815.

Dressed for the beyond fabulous opening at Carlton Hobbs, I’m sporting an aubergine silk velvet jacket, wool checked pants in browns and purples, python belt with silver double horsehead buckle and a purple silk paisley skinny scarf all by Gucci, Turnbull and Asser purple cotton shirt with contrast white collar and cuffs, vintage moon stone cuff links, Tom Ford saddle leather loafers and brown and lavender silk polka dot pocket square, my fragrance is Creed Imperial Millesime. Photo by Matthew Dean.

James Andrew at the Carlton Hobbs Gallery - photo Justin Williams.

There are a few ways to begin creating a room. For instance, one could build slowly, deliberating each step of the way – or, at the complete opposite end of the spectrum, one could simply incorporate an already existing room into one’s construction, or renovation. In fact this approach is not without precedent. But we of course are not suggesting a mass produced prefab — wouldn’t you be appalled if we did? What we are suggesting is something equally doable but infinitely more spectacular.

Fireplace.

A historically significant architectural masterpiece attributed to Jerome Marlet (1713-1810), this unaltered and perfectly proportioned volume boasts an outstanding provenance, having once belonged to JP Morgan, Jr., and subsequently the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

If you are looking to have the most supremely sublime office, private library — the bookcases have been likened to those of the Bibliotheque du Roi at Versailles — or you want to create a glorious retreat, one could positively not do better than to inquire at the Carlton Hobbs Gallery regarding this rarest of opportunities.

Library detail.

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo Lars Stephan.

We’re interupting our WIJW in Paris series to share with you a special announcement. My friends at the superlative Carlton Hobbs Gallery will be exhibiting in London at the Masterpiece Fair. Stefanie Rinza, managing director of Carlton Hobbs LLC, describes the exclusive showcase as a “… successor to the prestigious Grosvenor House Show, [which] has great promise to become one of the best in the world.” With only the finest treasures both traditional and contemporary, this sounds like our kind of thing, and we’re hurrying to the phone to get our room sorted at Claridges.

While you are in London to see the Masterpiece Fair, be sure to visit Carlton Hobbs’ London gallery at 16 Bloomfield Terrace, off of Pimlico Road as they’ve curated a special exhibition of recent acquisitions to coincide with the show.

Just to get you excited about your visit, I’m leaving you with an image of the grand focal point of Carlton Hobbs’ exhibition at the Masterpiece Fair – “…an extraordinary French 18th century parcel gilt and white painted Library from the Hotel Gaulin, Dijon.” Now this is something I would like to build someone’s home around!

French 18th century Library being offered by Carlton Hobbs at the Masterpiece Fair in London.

I’m pictured here (top) on the grand staircase of Carlton Hobbs’ spectacular New York gallery, in what was once the Vanderbilt mansion, sporting a smashing “Spencer” jacket in rose silk linen, black and white silk pocket square and black and saddle leather loafers all by Tom Ford, Richard James shirt in black and white striped cotton with french cuffs and contrast white collar, Seaman Schepps black pearl cufflinks, black and white silk hounds tooth pant and black patent leather belt with silver leather trim and grommets by Gucci, a Cartier vintage “tank Divan” watch from Raj Tolaram, and my fragrance is Creed Royal Water.

On our way to the AIFAF

James Andrew at the AIFAF Carlton Hobbs booth.

Our friends at Carlton Hobbs never cease to amaze. I was enthralled by this rare set of Chinese wallpapers which formerly hung in Colonial Williamsburg – and can’t wait to base the decoration of a room on these – I may have to include this Linton Park table as well! Oh, and you must have noticed the splendid parquet floor? It’s this kind of attention to detail that has me continually smitten by Carlton Hobbs!

James Andrew at the AIFAF Simon Capstick - Dale Fine Art booth.

I would would absolutely LOVE to see the above bold and colorful work, Zone 1 painted in 1965 by Larry Zox, mixed into a room with a super chic chintz and perhaps a Willy Rizzo cocktail table.

James Andrew at the AIFAF Buccellati Booth.

I’ve always admired the jewelry and decorative objet created by Buccellati. I’m holding an outrageous silver “cavolo” (above) – and it has me thinking that I may just have to replace my Dodie Thayer lettuce tureen with this fantastical piece.

James Andrew at the AIFAF Martin du Louvre booth.

We were delighted to chat with our new friends at Martin du Louvre and can’t wait to visit their gallery in Paris. I’m plotting where I might be able to place Sonia Delounay’s sublime 1954 “Mosaique” and Brad Howe’s delightful 1993 mobile, “Pursuit” pictured above.

James Andrew at the AIFAF Tomasso Brothers Fine Art booth.

I’m drawn to sculpture, especially busts on pedestals, and as such I absolutely couldn’t resist these grand works at Tomasso Brothers.

For our opening day at the fair I’m dressed Palm Beach style (with our trademark WIJW edge) – a mint green cotton suite by Gucci, a Tom Ford pale blue Glenn plaid cotton shirt with French cuffs, silver pearl and pale blue sapphire Seaman Schepps cuff links, retro print silk pocket square in pale blue and white silk, my lovely Lanvin taupe suede sneakers, Rolex Submariner watch, and a Gucci python belt to add that edge I mentioned.

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs - photo Lars Stephan.

WIJW is heading to the world class American International Fine Art Fair next week in Palm Beach – an exceptional source for museum quality paintings, sculpture, and antiques. This trendsetting fair caters to the uber chic and discerning collector, and gathers together renowned dealers from around the world to showcase only the best of the best.

My dear friend Stefanie Rinza, managing director of the esteemed Carlton Hobbs gallery, observes that a growing number of contemporary art collectors are snatching up top tier antiques – “We’re seeing younger collectors with contemporary art in their homes’ minimalist interiors now buying truly important antiques which they perceive as works of art” – a perspective we here at WIJW are happy to share! We look forward to bringing you the highlights from this fair which will include our friends at Carlton Hobbs and many others.

The vernissage preview evening, a highlight of the Palm Beach social season benefiting the Norton Museum, will open the fair February 2 from 6-10 p.m.

AIFAF, considered the “crown jewel” of fairs, opens to the public beginning Wednesday, February 3. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. through February 7 and noon to 6 p.m. on February 8.

A list of the stellar exhibitors is available on the AIFAF website.

We hope to see you there!

I’m photographed at the exquisite Carlton Hobbs Gallery enjoying the Jean-Luc Baroni collection of Master paintings and drawings being exhibited at the Gallery – Hobbs featured pieces from their collection that related to the time frame of the paintings and drawing being exhibited, creating a truly sublime synergy that absolutely must be seen!

Feeling a bit Captain Von Trapp, I’m wearing a Tyrolean charcoal wool tweed and leather jacket, black wool flannel pants, black sued and leather loafers, silver chain link belt and black silk tie all by Gucci, white and green stripe cotton shirt with french cuffs by Turnbull and Asser, black pearl Seaman Schepps cuff links, forest green leather gloves are Sermoneta, Rolex submariner watch. Photo – Lars Stephan.

James Andrew at Carlton Hobbs. photo by Lars Stephan.

I’m pictured here in a spectacular mansion designed by the legendary John Russell Pope for Virginia Graham Fair Vanderbilt in the early 1930′s, which now houses the iconic Carlton Hobbs‘ exceptional collection of 18th and 19th century British and Continental antiques and art. This splendid showcase was lovingly restored to its original historical splendor by Hobbs and his longtime business partner, Stefanie Rinza, with the help of a select group of imported master craftsmen and artisans from the UK.

At times Hobbs seems more a museum curator than an antiques and art dealer – in fact Hobbs has his own research department, and absolutely every acquisition has impeccable provenance and attribution. It’s no wonder that many of Hobbs’ fine pieces have been placed worldwide in some of the most prestigious museums and private collections.

Hobbs juxtaposes works from a wide range of periods yet manages to effortlessly integrate all quite seamlessly. Needless to say, a visit to his gallery is a deeply gratifying and unforgettable aesthetic experience.

Henry Moore table (1963) at Carlton Hobbs.

Moore table top.

(above and left) Of particular note is this stunning and rare dining table. Designed by Henry Moore in 1963 for the living room of his home in Forte dei Marmi, Italy, this is the only piece of furniture ever created by Moore!

Mond by Julius Grimm 1888 at Carlton Hobbs.

“Mond” by Julius Grimm 1888 – a remarkable depiction of the surface of the full moon which mirrors the Moore table quite poetically.

(left) An extremely Fine Bois satine and brass mounted library
cabinet by Alfred Porteneuve, 1935 – Porteneuve was a nephew of Rulhmann.

I can’t wait for my next visit to Carlton Hobbs!

(top) I’m sporting an aubergine silk/cotton peaked lapel jacket, wool/cotton checked pant in purple, camel and brown and a purple and white cotton stripe shirt with contrast white collar and French cuffs all by Gucci, vintage moonstone cuff links, brown wool tweed tie and purple alligator belt with sterling buckle from Ralph Lauren, vintage silk pocket square in brown and camel, brown suede cap toe shoes also by Gucci.