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THE COLLECTION OF TOM AND RUTH JONES
The evolution from aerospace to winemaking may not seem like a natural one, yet for Thomas V. Jones, former Chairman and CEO of defense giant Northrop Corporation, the transition to vineyard life at his unique Bel-Air estate called upon the same bold thinking and creativity that had secured his status as an industry legend. For nearly 30 years, Jones built Northrop into a technological innovator that changed national defense strategies around the world. During the same time, he and his wife Ruth built reputations as gracious connoisseurs of fine art, wine and the California landscape.
Tom Jones was born in Pomona, California, in July 1920. After graduating magna cum laude from Stanford University, he began work as an engineer at Douglas Aircraft, already one of America's largest aerospace firms. During World War II, his engineering prowess led to better designs and more effective fighter planes. He developed a philosophy that would serve him throughout his career: employ groundbreaking technologies to create the best aircraft at an affordable cost. After the war, he spent several years in Brazil, where he advised the country's air ministry and established the Aeronautical Institute of Technology of Brazil. Jones soon moved on to the influential RAND Corporation, where his research facilitated the development of wide-body jet propelled aircraft, including Boeing's first commercial jetliner - the legendary 707.
In 1953, Tom Jones joined Northrop Corporation as an assistant to the chief engineer. The company had been a major supplier during the war and continued to forge its reputation as an industry innovator. Jones became President of Northrop at age 39 and just two years later was featured on the cover of Time magazine as a "brilliant young star" in aerospace. Under Jones's direction, Northrop developed such aircraft as the T-38 Talon, F-5 Freedom Fighter, the F/A-18 Hornet, F-20 Tiger Shark, culminating with the revolutionary B-2 Stealth Bomber before retiring in 1989.
At his estate in the idyllic Bel-Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tom Jones's life as a winemaker appeared far removed from his time at one of the world's largest aerospace firms. Yet business travels to winemaking countries such as France and Italy nurtured what would become a lifelong passion. In 1959, Jones purchased his family's home and the property that would evolve into Moraga Vineyards. The house and surrounding acreage had originally been developed by Victor Fleming, the legendary director of, among many other classics, two films recognized among the top ten in motion picture history: Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Tom and Ruth Jones were dedicated to maintaining the rural beauty of the property, which featured wild roses and hills reminiscent of the picturesque Tuscan countryside.
Moraga Vineyards remains a testament to rural preservation and has become a critically acclaimed winemaking landmark in the heart of Los Angeles. From spearheading innovations in aircraft technology and manufacturing to producing two of the most sought-after wines in the world, Tom Jones's diverse life speaks to a thirst he and wife Ruth have shared for surrounding themselves with beauty in all forms. Their extraordinary art collection reflects a keen eye and a level of curatorial excellence developed over more than fifty years of following their creative passion.
AN IRISH GEORGE II GILTWOOD MIRROR
CIRCA 1755
Details
AN IRISH GEORGE II GILTWOOD MIRROR
CIRCA 1755
The later plate with fruit-basket cresting flanked by squirrels, the frame carved with a garland of plums and pomegranates, the basket and some peripheral carving replaced
54 in. (137 cm.) high, 30¼ in. (77 cm.) deep
CIRCA 1755
The later plate with fruit-basket cresting flanked by squirrels, the frame carved with a garland of plums and pomegranates, the basket and some peripheral carving replaced
54 in. (137 cm.) high, 30¼ in. (77 cm.) deep
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