Equally unique and modern in appearance, the Aqua Table is one of the most sought after products in the Established and Sons furniture collection. Created by world-renowned designer, Zaha Hadid, the limited-edition Aqua Table has a retail price of £19,500.

While fulfilling its intended functions as a dining or conference table, the product can truly be perceived as a fine art sculpture. Although stoic by nature, its innovative design eludes the perception of motion. Using silicon for a surface and laminated polyurothene resin for its body, Hadid’s Aqua Table, which measures 4000 mm by 750 mm, makes a bold and powerful statement.

The fluid-like fashion of the piece has caused international excitement and caught the attention and appeal of numerous high art establishments and collectors. In fact, Phillips de Pury’s Auction House sold one of the two edition prototypes for $269.000. The piece was also sold for $150,000 at the Guggenheim International Gala Auction.

For further information or purchasing inquiries, contact Established and Sons at +44 (0)20 7608 0990 or email at info@establishedandsons.com.

-Affluent Page

[Established and Sons]

Specializing in custom made interior and exterior design, International Design & Manufacturing’s (IDM) superior products are great examples of how old world skills can mesh with today’s technology.

This New Jersey-based manufacturing firm goes through a rigorous process to ensure that only the finest gauges and types of metal like aluminum, iron, and brass. They have produced wrought iron railings, stairways, balconies, gates, and fences. The hand forging and computer numerical control machinery allows for infinite possibilities.

President Abel Bravo, along with his wife and co-president Heidi, share a wealth of knowledge in both the artistic and technological field.

A graduate of London’s Cambridge University, Abel studied machine tooling, and computer-aided drafting. He also studied carpentry at his father’s machine shop in Ecuador. Heidi, who attended the Parsons School of Design in New York, is an architectural designer and has won numerous awards at the Rhode Island School of Design.

IDM’s ability to adapt the methods of old world artisans produces examples that honor the history of design. Combining quality materials and today’s finest technology, IDM products stand alone.

With their ability to meld excellent furniture design with competitive game play, Mars Made has carved its niche as a premier brand for game room furniture.

Founders Andy Marsella and Justin Sirotin stick the their philosophy of developing games that make a statement. With their selection of billiard and fooseball tables and dart boards, this Boston-based company pushes the boundaries of design to create structures that are completely unique.

Marsella and Sirotin are not content with ordinary. Taking ideas from architecture, modern interiors, automotive, and even aerospace, Mars-Made designs are truly one in a million. Hand-crafted by the best artisans, each piece is made at a championship caliber level. Ardent on providing customers with unparalleled service, they are hands-on from the moment the pencil touches the paper up until its delivered and installed in the homes.

To further satisfy their growing customer base, in 2010 this company will put their mark on two new items, a hockey and poker table.

[View Site]

Beginning March 31 and continuing through May 26, Heritage Auctions will be selling off the Dorothy Factor Collection in a series of four unique auctions.

Dorothy, daughter-in-law of makeup icon Max Factor Sr., was known for her and her husband Sidney’s philanthropic ways; these sales will go to benefit various charities the family supported. The first auction will take place March 31 – “Fine Silver & Vertu” – in Dallas, where each of the sales will be held. Highlights from that sale include an enormous 20th century German Silver Flatware set that was crafted by H. Meyen & Co. Estimated at $40,000+, this set was purchased by the couple to celebrate their 25th anniversary. Two round and two oval Benjamin Smith serving dishes, circa 1830, are available at $12,000+ for the whole set.

The second series will take place on April 22. Heritage Auctions’ “Modern and Contemporary Art” sale will feature a plethora of pieces from Max Factor III’s (Dorothy’s son) personal collection. A bronze by Arman, Accumulation Colombienne, is on the block for $20,000-30,000 and Tom Wesselmann’s Nude with Bouquet and Stockings, $10,000-$15,000. Edouard-Leon Cortès painting, Porte St. Martin, which was purchased by Sidney at a Chicago Gallery, is also on sale for $20,000-40,000.

Next in the Factor Collection sales commences in the opening weekend of May. Beginning on the 3rd and ending the 5th, the “Fine Jewelry Auction” offers up the most stunning piece from the collection. A platinum, pear-shaped 13.75 carat diamond ring that was a surprise gift from Sidney is estimated at over $125,000. Also, for $25,000 a matching diamond and platinum bracelet is featured in the penultimate edition of this sale.

Heritage Auctions’ finale of the Factor Collection auction series convenes on May 26. The “Decorative Arts & Design” highlights are a set a eight Royal Vienna plates for $5,000, and a beautiful Lalique hexagonal “Bellecour” vase that is estimated at $15,000.

This unique series of auctions stands a testament to the affection Dorothy and her late husband shared; each of these items would be a valuable asset to your home. Before the first sale, on March 16th Heritage Beverly Hills will host a gala honoring Mrs. Factor. The charities that stand to benefit from these auctions are the Norris Cancer Center, the Julia Ann Singer Center and Baron School for Exceptional Children, the Beverly Hills Education Foundation, the Beverly Hills Rotary Charity Fund, and the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles.

[Heritage Auctions]

This lavishly adorned clock stands at 11 feet 8 inches tall, 36 inches wide and 20 inches deep, and dates back to the late 1800’s. It was designed by Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener, a Germanic designer, who worked and resided in Paris. After setting up shop around 1880, Zwiener’s name was soon known around Paris where he was commissioned by wealthy families. During this time Zwiener developed his own style of luxury furnishings through a unique adaptation of the 18th century Louis XV Rococo style.

The Louis XV Tulipwood Marquetry clock perfectly portrays Zwiener’s style. The outside is intricately decorated with his signature gilt-bronze foliate scrolled molding, fine quality Marquetry and ‘Vernis Martin’ panels. At the top of the clock sits a reclining woman atop a cascading bed of fabric and foliage. She is wearing Cupid’s helmet. This image in not only one that Zwiener incorporated in much of his work, it is also symbolic of abundance. In several places, the clock is stamped with Zwiener’s initial “Z.”

This masterpiece is timeless as it combines tradition and luxury with a modern take on extravagance. In Jan’s and Company’s 30,000 foot showroom of 18th, 19th and 20th century European furnishings, fine art and décor it will certainly stand out.

[Jan's Antiques]

Priced at $25,000, these limited-edition chairs are highly exclusive and truly innovative. Using the same material they used to design automobiles, the Mansory office chairs are made of carbon fibre.

Coming in five color variations, there is a wide variety to choose from. Mansory office chairs come in: red leather padding with black wide carbon fibre and red colored wood inlays; black leather padding with chestnut wood and black piano lacquer inlays; white leather padding with black piano lacquer inlays; orange leather padding with black piano lacquer and silver carbon fibre inlays; and gold leather padding with black piano lacquer inlays.

Padded with the finest leather, the Mansory office chair is a truly worthwhile investment. Now it is possible to take the suave design from the road and bring it to the office.

[Mansory]

Julien’s Auctions’ will offer a selection of twenty-two exquisite furniture lots commissioned by Michael Jackson for his planned residence in Kent, England.

Originally conceptualized during the “This Is It” concert, Jackson adorned the potential estate with opulent handmade Italian furniture from Colombostile Artisans. As an ornament of countless embassies, palaces, and historical homes, Colombostile Artisans will donate a generous portion of the proceeds to benefit MusiCares and Joshua’s Heart.

The three day auction will highlight such Jackson items as the awe-inspiring 17th century style parcel gilt ebonized wood writing desk from the “II ‘600” collection, (Est. $115,000/$120,000) and from the “Esmeralda” collection, a Baroque/eclectic style red velvet & parcel gilt sofa (Est. $130,000/$150,000).

This auction will also offer focal points from the “Haute Couture” collection, such as a seashell encrusted silk upholstered “Shells” bergere (Est. $16,500/$18,500), a Swarovski crystal embellished bergere finished in platinum-gold leafs (Est. $16,500/$18,500), and a breathtaking faux leopard and Ostrich feather trimmed bergere ($16,500/$18,500)

In addition to Colombostile collection, the auction will include more than 200 items from Jackson’s life and career, as well as other music icons. Featured in the latter portion of the auction, the career collection will include signed “Beat It” jacket (Est. $8,000/$12,000), a White Swarovski Crystal Glove (Est. $20,000/$30,000), a lock of Elvis Presley’s hair ($6,000/$8,000), and a Jimi Hnedrix stage played Fender guitar (Est. $150,000/$200,000).

Hosted by Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, the “Music Icons” auction will take place on June 25th.

-Affluent Page

[Julien's Auctions]

On March 23^rd, Sotheby’s is set to auction off a rare imperial ‘zitan’ stand and base, at a projected $180,000 to $250,000.

Highly regarded as one of the most luxurious materials, zitan was only reserved for the upper ranks of the Imperial court. On this specific item, the artwork is nearly identical to one of the Qint Court Collection, in the Summer Palace, Bejing. However, this particular piece features the enhanced use of ‘zitan’ timber, and labyrinthine carving. This intricate form of design carving was purely regarded for imperial purposes. In representing the very best of Qing dynasty furniture craftsmanship, the stand was distinctly meant to hold only jardinières or censers.

Aside from the ‘zitan’ stand and base, Sotheby’s auction will also feature the Rare Imperial Tribute Guangzhou Ivory Fan. One of only a handful of such fans to survive, the item is estimated to auction between $100,000 and $150,000. In addition to this historical highlight, the auction will offer three highly impressive rhinoceros horns. Although each horn is regarded with the highest prestige, it is the Large & Rare Rhinoceros Horn Cup which is receiving the utmost regard.

As in years past, this season will feature classical and modern ink paintings. Among the selected items, Sotheby will auction off “Two Mynas on a Rock”, “Zhang Le Tie”, and “Scholar.”

-Affluent Page

[Sothebys]