1940's James Mont (attrib.), Silvered Wood Sideboard with Painted Interior

Description

Circa. 1940s, a silver-leafed sideboard with a lilac painted interior. This piece has antiqued metal pulls, a two shelf superstructure … more Circa. 1940s, a silver-leafed sideboard with a lilac painted interior. This piece has antiqued metal pulls, a two shelf superstructure with upper plate rail over a two door cabinet above a long lower drawer, raised on cabriole legs, and unmarked.

A gem of a piece, the lovely sideboard has an almost magical or fantasy quality. I could almost imagine this being a featured character in Beauty and the Beast.

One of the most dazzling and notorious figures in twentieth century American design, James Mont burst onto the modern furnishing scene in the most unusual of ways. From relatively humble beginnings as the son of the owner of a Brooklyn electrical supply shop, Mont was able to transform himself into the go-to interior designer of both the New York underworld and of Hollywood royalty. Drawing on eastern influences and his own unpredictable personality, Mont’s designs and life make him one of the most intriguing figures of the American midcentury.

Today, the painstaking skill in the execution of his lacquers makes his work more desirable than ever. Mont was known to be an obsessive perfectionist. He would paint over his woods umpteen times before applying lacquer to them. Mont would then instruct his workers to rub the varnishes with chalk to distress them thus allowing the painted colors to come through. Mont’s designs were also notable for their unique use of metal leaf, especially silver.

This piece came from an estate with a James Mont signed gilt and silvered double dresser, king sized bed and carved wall mirror. less