Here are the treasures we are eyeing at Saffron Art’s Design Sale

Mumbai was once, rather poetically, described as the “forgotten Art-Deco capital of the world” by a design blog. The turn of phrase may seem a tad too dramatic but there is truth to it;the city does have the second largest number of surviving Art Deco buildings in the world after Miami. The internet had a part to play to revive the world’s interest in ‘Bombay-Deco’ and rather fittingly Saffron Art’s Design Sale takes this heritage into account and highlights it through carefully curated cabinets, tables, seats, and lights.

We had told you about the rare canvases on the block atPundole’s Fine Art Sale, this too is an online auction (registration as well as proxy bidding is open now). The lots featuring furniture, unique carpets, and books on design are on view at their website, or you can book an appointment for a viewing at the Saffronart Gallery in Mumbai.

We have longingly gazed at these objects online and here are the ones that caught our eye:

An Art-Deco Writing Desk In Rosewood

This beautiful piece emulates the soft curves that are a well-recognised fixture of Art Deco design. The piece with brass hardware is estimated to fetch between Rs 70,000-90,000·

A Curved Chest Of Drawers

Made of teak and chrome, this lot is reminiscent of drawers used by cinema halls for storing movie reels. It is estimated to fetch between Rs 80,000 – 1 lakh.

An Apothecary Cabinet With Casters

Made of iron, brass, glass and mirror, this vintage cabinet stands atop four casters, was once used for storing pharmaceutical products, and bears a plaque with the engraving “Adair, Dutt & Co., Ltd. London, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras”.It is estimated to fetch between Rs2 – 2.5 lakhs.

A Torchère By F&C Osler

This cut-glass torchère with twelve lights featuring hurricane shades is an excellent example of the detailed and fine work done by F & C Osler, the Birmingham-based glassmaking company celebrated for their extravagant glass chandeliers.It is estimated to fetch between Rs7– 9 lakh.

A Set Of Art Deco Chairs

The curved contours of this set of two teak chairs are typically noted in furniture made in the period. The set is estimated to fetch between Rs 1– 1.5 lakh.

A Refurbished Surgical Light

This vintage surgical light, made of steel, tempered glass lenses and reflectors, has been repurposed and refurbished to suit modern interiors, design, and usage. It is estimated to fetch between 2.5 – 3.5 lakhs.

一种罕见的阿尔罕布拉宫的建筑调查、Spain

This book, Owen Jones and Jules Goury, Plans, Elevations, Sections, and Details of the Alhambra, is a detailed survey of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain and is noted for being an important historical record of the architectural structures in the 19^thcentury, decades before it was photographed in detail for the first time.It is estimated to fetch between Rs 6– 7 lakh.