M.S. Rau Antiques

Rare Dressoir Dates Back Over 400 Years

The striking piece above comes with an equally striking price tag. M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans is selling this amazing dressoir or sideboard which was created over 425 years ago during the Francis-I period.

The 16th-century sideboard is similar to one that is in the Frick Collection. In a blog post Bill Rau of M.S. Rau Antiques says that Henry Clay Frick bought the mate to this piece in 1917 paying $110,000 for it at the time, an astronomical sum at the time. This beautifully carved piece is walnut with an oak interior and is comparable to other pieces that are in museums around the world. Four ornately carved chimeras stand sentinel on the edges of the sideboard. A piece like this would be used in a dining hall to display and store the silver, linen and other items used in formal dinner services. It measures 71 3/4" wide x 23 1/2" deep x 65 3/8" high and is priced at $985,000.

Tags: antique furniture, M.S. Rau Antiques

Vintage Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk for $22,500

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

Vintage Louis Vuitton Steamer Trunk for $22,500

A rare vintage Louis Vuitton steamer trunk from the 1900s, embodying the elegance and sophistication of a bygone era when traveling in style meant taking along every item of clothing you could possibly need, is being offered for sale via M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans for $22,500. Straight out of our favorite luxury book of the year, Louis Vuitton: 100 Legendary Trunks, the amazing piece of luxe luggage features the famed Vuitton monogram on its canvas-upholstered frame, one of the earliest examples of a now iconic style. Nearly 3.5 ft. wide and 2.5 ft. tall to facilitate the most meticulous packing, it features all original trim, including the marked metal latches, leather tags, beechwood slats and brass rivets. Vintage luxury hotel stickers from around the globe attest to its fascinating past and travels far and wide.

Tags: 1900s, antiques, Louis Vuitton, luggage, M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans, travel, trunk

Blockbuster Pink Diamonds For Sale At M.S. Rau Antiques

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Jewelry

There's no question that pink diamonds are hotter than hot lately. Last month a modified rectangular-cut fancy vivid purple-pink diamond of 6.89 carats sold for $6.91 million at Christie's New York Jewels auction on December 7. You won't have to pay quite that much to make the Cassel Pink Diamond yours. The Cassel Pink Diamond was once owned by the famous English banker and royal financial advisor, Sir Ernest Cassel and is a 4.71 carat purplish-pink diamond. It is GIA certified Fancy Purple-Pink with SI2 clarity. The center stone is set in 18K rose gold with .79 carats of pink diamonds. It is for sale at M.S. Rau Antiques in New Orleans for $1.4 million.

A lighter stone, a 10.02 carat, cushion-cut, "Natural Fancy Light Pink" diamond ring is also for sale. This one is also set in 18K rose gold and surrounded by 1.00 total carat of round brilliant pink diamonds. It sells for $1.3 million.

Tags: diamond ring, diamond rings, diamonds, M.S. Rau Antiques, pink diamond, pink diamondsd

Antique English Picnic & Games Chest for $34,500

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

A stunning expanding English mahogany picnic chest and games table is being offered for sale by M.S. Rau Antiques of New Orleans for $34,500. The exquisite piece, made circa 1920, resembles a simple wooden trunk at first glance; with its four legs unfolded however, the top and sides open out to reveal a complete luncheon service for eight, including Sheffield silverplate utensils, bone-handled cutlery, plates and saucers, cups and glasses, kettles and burners for hot water and soup, single and stacked enamel containers, wicker-wrapped glass bottles, ceramic butter pots, silver plated tins, a corkscrew and matchbox.

When the meal is over, the table folds and unfolds again, transforming into a felt-topped card table, perfect for a game with the deck of playing cards which are also included in the fitted compartments. No doubt designed for a wealthy British army officer or aristocrat on safari who wished to sacrifice none of the comforts of home, the impressive example of British Colonial campaign furniture would have been custom crafted to the owner's specifications and transported about by a retinue of servants – the brass fittings highly polished, of course.

Tags: 1920s, antiques, aristocrat, decor, England, furniture, games, luggage, M.S. Rau Antiques, mahogany, New Orleans, picnic, safari, silver, trunk