Toomey & Co. Auctioneers

Arthur Mathews, along with his equally talented wife Lucia and businessman John Zeile, played a significant role in establishing the California Decorative Style during the early 20th century, blending elements of European Art Nouveau, American Arts & Crafts, and Classical antiquity with California's natural beauty. Their partnership led to the creation of the Furniture Shop, which produced intricately carved and painted furniture, frames, and decorative objects, with an underlying utopian impetus.

Mathews, born in Wisconsin and trained in Paris, returned to San Francisco in 1889 to teach at the California School of Design. After the devastating 1906 earthquake destroyed the school, Arthur and Lucia Mathews teamed up with Zeile to establish the Furniture Shop, ultimately employing up to fifty craftspeople. Lucia supervised decoration and carving, while Arthur designed furniture and often collaborated with her on various works.

Inspired by English Arts & Crafts pioneer William Morris, but focusing more on Classical antiquity, the Mathewses infused their designs with elements such as columns, friezes, and ancient figures, often adorned with California flora and locales. Their output also extended to intricate carvings and vibrant paintings. Despite their significant contributions to art and design, the Mathewses' work remained relatively unknown outside California until recent years. Harvey Jones' comprehensive book on the Furniture Shop and exhibitions like California as Muse at the Akron Art Museum in Ohio have helped to shed light on the joint career of the Mathewses, emphasizing their commitment to uniting the fine and decorative arts.

Today, the Furniture Shop legacy lives on through the Mathewses' distinctively eclectic style, which amalgamated classical references, disparate early 20th century approaches, and California's natural beauty. The rediscovery of the Mathewses by the broader art and design community underscores how effectively and elegantly they synthesized various traditions in America and beyond.