Shoppers with a discriminating eye, boundless energy, and a determination to find the perfect hard- to-come-by object, need look no further than a one stop shopping mecca right in the heart of midtown Manhattan. Center 44, open to the trade and public, represents seventy-five international dealers who offer period antiques through the 19th Century and a vast collection of mid-20th Century design from Art Deco, Modernism, and Futurism.
Conveniently located on East 44th Street between Second and Third Avenues in the prestigious Creative Arts Building (home also to the legendary production company EUE Screen Gems and The Rachael Ray Show), Center 44 occupies a jaw-dropping 25,000 sq. ft. space that has been turned into a block-long showroom. Featuring furnishings for every room, lighting of every type, a splendid collection of fine art, and one-of-a-kind decorative accessories, Center 44 displays offerings in an open setting with wide aisles for easy, relaxing shopping. Turnover is rapid with new items arriving daily, prompting a dedicated shopper to make frequent (happily so) return visits. Prices are wide ranging reflecting the variety in the inventory.
Presenters Paul Plumadore and Jim Tindel are charming, lively, and informative professionals who offer an enthusiastic, warm greeting to visitors. Paul’s familiarity with the thousands of items in stock and his obvious enjoyment in working with fine objects made him a congenial and expert guide.
“Center 44 is well-known for its lighting, especially Italian chandeliers which continue to be bestsellers,” remarked Paul in presenting his overview. “Our mid-20th Century modernist furniture, too, is a favorite and includes such sought after icons as Gilbert Rhode, a pioneer who helped define Modernism, Harry Probber originator of modular furniture, Paul McCobb noted for Mid-Century tables, and French Modernist decorator, architect and interior designer Jacques Adnet, among others. The rarest pieces on the market now are well-known French designers of which Adnet tops the list.”
In perusing the booths, I immediately focused on objects and furnishings that could be categorized as “out-of-the-box” or “eye-catching,” either for originality or intrinsic beauty.
The selection of chandeliers from Deco, 1940′s Hollywood Regency, 1950′s Modern, 1970′s chrome, brass and glass, French silver crystal, Swedish crystal is dazzling. One particularly striking chandelier (above) is a contemporary, solid white Murano Glass with curved lines that go back to a much earlier period.
Table lamps also abound, including a 1950′s chartreuse ribbed ceramic lamp with a triple leaf fin shape cut out that allows light to flow through from two openings. The lamp’s top cylinder and sides are unusual for their color and intricate design.
Hollywood glamour of the 30′s and 40′s is represented by a stunning vanity with popular bookmatched veneers (c. 1940′s) designed by famed German-born designer Tommi Parzinger.
A jazzy late 1950′s bar (above) with a wrought iron and mesh interior and an enamel ceramic tile exterior, complete with two barstools (not shown), signed by J. Belarti, an Italian ceramicist, is stylishly informal.
Art ranks high with superb paintings and drawings shown throughout the showroom, but two pieces are standouts. Riveting and edgy, Freudian Childhood, a 1990 three-dimensional construction by Michael Wimmer, juxtapositions an ideal childhood as seen in the work’s sketch to the suffering and despair of the world’s children.
In direct contrast to this artwork’s complexity are sculptural pieces from the Niger River Delta. Shown above, three Djeene Terra Cotta figures (c. 1912-1920) are reproductions of earlier primitive pieces (date unknown).
Some notable mentions: a Bamboo English Tea Table with four adjustable shelves and Nouveau green ceramatic tiles (c. 1890); a faux stone Miro dining table by Silas Seandell (c. 1970′s); an acid green vase (second photo from the top) from the famed glassmaker Veteria Archimede Seguso (c.1948-55); and a delicate pair of club floor lamps by Pierre Ramella for Arteluce/Flos (c.1970′s).
A good introduction to the inventory is on the interactive web site where you can submit questions, shop online, sign-up for “Shout Out,” and take a look at the lovely decorated rooms in” The Portfolio Project.” A trip to Center 44, however, is a not-to-be-missed experience and a must for those who are looking for that one magnificent art object or furnishing to complete an almost perfect home.
Center 44
222 East 44 St
Phone 212-450-7988
Fax 212-450-7975
www.center44.com
E-mail staff@center44.com
