ABOUT Me and This Site
Hello I am George de la Guardia and welcome to my site. In the late 1980s I moved to Europe and became exposed to the ART DECO movement; it immediately became a passion that continues today. Since retirement in France my interest has evolved to include ART NOUVEAU and MID CENTURY MODERN items. It is my pleasure to propose you my taste in 20th Century lighting and decorative arts here.
MY DIFFERENT PURCHASE PROCEDURE WILL SAVE YOU MONEY
I sell worldwide in three currencies US$, Euro, GBP via bank accounts in the USA, France and the UK. By paying direct into these accounts I incur no third party fees, commissions, charges or exchange losses and none are included in your price quote.
HOW to buy? Simple 2 step process
First, note the item number(s) you are interested in (in the item title). Go to the CONTACT page and send an email with the item number(s), your ship to country, preferred currency (US$, Euro, GBP) and whether via direct payment or credit card. I will email a quote usually within a few hours.
Second, email your order confirmation. I will then advise the payment instructions. Direct deposits or online transfers to my bank account incur no charges. Credit cards accepted only via Paypal and their fee will be in your price.
MY 90 DAY INTEREST FREE LAY AWAY PLAN
My items are unique one off items. If you see something you really love but don’t have the cash right now and don’t want to lose the item to someone else — use our Lay Away Plan.
Heres how it works:
Reserve an item by paying a 5% deposit (first time buyers 20%). This non-refundable, non-exchangeable payment will reserve your item for 90 days.
You then fix the payment amounts and dates over the next 90 days. You can even accumulate the funds in your own bank account and pay off the full balance on the 90th day if you want. Each payment generates an email receipt and order balance.
Once an item is paid in full it is shipped.
SHIPPING TIPS AND POLICIES
I have 20 years experience with over 2000 international shipments. It is in our mutual interest that an item arrives safely and you have my commitment that it will be packed as carefully and safely as possible.
Shipping is via the French Post typically 3 - 5 days to Europe (EU) and 7 - 10 days for the Rest of the World (ROW). What is important to note is their pricing is based solely on the packed shipment rate and there are 3 main weight thresholds i.e. under 2kg, under 5kg and under 10kg. For example: ROW rate for 5kg is 63 Euro and 10kg is 119 Euro; big jump so it is important to keep the shipment weight below its threshold.
Unfortunately, 95% of my shipments are single items (even savvy dealers do not consolidate shipments). Because of this more often than I would like I pass on an item because its packed weight will just slightly go over a threshold making it uneconomic to sell to ROW.
TIP: If a second item will keep the shipment weight under the threshold it ships FOR FREE.
Important: The shipper requires that any package received damaged (crushed, punctured, dented) be REFUSED and returned otherwise they will not honour the insurance. Why? because legally they consider that if you take possession any damage found will be your responsibility. For reimbursement to you I need to collect the insurance so you must refuse and return the package. Not accepting and returning a package costs you nothing as you will be reimbursed by me.
RETURNS
Returns are accepted if shipped within 14 days of receipt at your cost. If the item is received in the same condition as when sent a full refund, less shipping, will be paid. If not returned in the same condition reimbursement is at my sole discretion.
ANTIQUE, VINTAGE, COLLECTIBLE, REPRODUCTIONS and Value
What you need to know
ANTIQUE Defined by the trade an item needs to be over 100 years old (pre 1921) to be classified as an antique. In addition to its condition other factors that influence the antique’s value: was it made in the period; is it in its original configuration; how many were made (rarity); has it been restored with real antique parts or reproductions; has it been repaired, if so, how much. All these influence the value of the item for purchase, hold or sale.
VINTAGE Arbitrarily I consider a vintage designation to be over 30 years old and less than 100 and is no longer produced. The same influencers as antiques above apply for its valuation for purchase, hold or sale.
COLLECTIBLE This classification means the item has withstood the test of time and is a winner — people like it and want to own it. Hence there is a demand and market and the item has value. The collectible classification is an important influencer to your purchase, hold or sell decision.
REPRODUCTION or COPY This may sound obvious but easy to overlook. If not made by the original producer it has little or no value when compared to an original antique, vintage or collectible item.
TIPS FRENCH NEGOTIATION CODE In France serious professional dealers observe this negotiation “code”. Simple really — the seller offers his real best price and the buyer accepts or rejects. There is mutual respect and trust between the parties. For the buyer he trusts that the seller is offering his real best price and the seller trusts that his offer is not treated as a start point for time wasting negotiation and gamesmanship etc. I have and still use this code in all of my negotiations and it is surprising how the respect changes when I don’t negotiate down the first price offer. Once I have shown the seller I am not going to negotiate, I may then give him a second chance to give his real best price; which I accept or reject.
The prices on this site are my best dealer price.