More "Power To The PURPLE"

Another lavender lovely to satisfy your palate for purple.

Color Combo

What a bold color choice. The juxtaposition of Yellow and Purple is something I have seen often in fashion (above from Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture - Spring Summer 2009)...but it is a combo rarely seen in vintage glass. This a great piece for the daring decorator.

Murano-Bowl-A-Rama

All this week I'll focus attention on Murano ashtrays and heavy glass bowls. This one may be Venini, given the usual penchant for swirls and the particular color combination of emerald green, purple and blue.

Beauty Squared

The gold dust just looks so deluxe pooled in the bottom of this fabulous fifties Murano bowl.

The color combination of the gold, deep teal and turquoise is simply stunning.

Drink Trinkets

There is a surprise encased in this simple teak box...

Made in Japan in the 60's with the lines of Danish Modern design in mind. This bar tool set is for the serious drinker with space-age style. Cocktail Culture defined! I can just hear the musical strains of Esquivel punctuated by the clinking of fresh ice cubes in a hand blown Italian tumbler.

Drink up!

VINE DECOR

In terms of scale, at 51" X 41", this gold leaf wall sculpture makes a GRAND impression! Gold leafed leaves...leaves me breathless!

Top Brass

This candle stick set is danish modern HOT!

STEEL my SUNSHINE

This shape is an iconic Mid Century motif...the Sunburst. Keeping with this week's focus on metal, I offer this Iron beauty. The rays are detailed nicely with cute little Brass tips. I was watching the gloriously art directed 1960's version of Ocean's Eleven last night while I couldn't sleep at 4am ...and this mirror would fit perfectly with the golden-era Vegas sets.

More METAL

Swede Sculptor Rolf Denman welded this handsome piece of art in 1969. It stands just about a foot tall. It is fabricated from "acid resistant Stainless Steel" as marked on the bottom. We have the original Art Gallery stamp as well which shows that it sold for 800 Krona back in 1969...a lot of money for that time. I tried to do some research and if I am correct, this artist has some 25 public sculptures around Sweden. If I am wrong, well, I apologize to the other Rolf Denman for the mix up!

Heavy METAL

This 1960's table sculpture is unsigned, but seems to be influenced equally by the abstract forms of Calder and the surface quality of the works of Giacometti or the Brutalists such as Paul Evans. It stands about 20" tall by 12" wide.

Mexicana Mama

This surrealist image captured in glass tile on brass was created by renowned Mexican artist Salvador Teran, c.1950's. He was a master silversmith and his vintage works including jewelry are highly collectible and sought after.

Time Out is once again IN!

We are at the head of the class for The Best Indie Shops (this week's cover story in Time Out New York)

See Link Below:

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/shopping/73605/best-shopping-in-the-west-village

Glam-More

These two busts are the very essence of glamour. Created by Danish sculptor Michael Andersen, Circa 1950's, they evoke a certain Art Deco haughtiness and would be brilliant in a swanky Hollywood Regency style interior. I'm also really into the two "atomic age" shelves upon which they sit!

Marvelous Mollusks

These dreamy Murano glass bowls might set you back more than a couple clams...

Architectural Inspiration

This little vignette reminds me of the famous architecture found in one of the most modern places on Earth...the capitol city of Brasilia. There is a sense of utopian idealism in these futuristic shapes. Happy Easter!

The Metalic Trend Continues

WOW is what we said when we saw this trippy, drippy surface. We are guessing that this is a studio piece from Germany. The deep earthy tones juxtapose nicely with the shiny top coat.

Yummy

I shot this in silhouette in order to best capture the elegant shape and highlight the lines within. It also amuses me when a bud vase looks as if it's actually thirsty.

What a TEAL!

I love a pair of vases that were made to be shown as companions. These two were produced for Finish glass manufacturer Riihimäen (don't ask me the pronunciation). This shape is commonly referred to as a dowel.

Great Dane Found!

One of the great treasures discovered in our storage area recently is this lamp of enamelled metal designed by Louis Weisdorf for the now defunct lighting manufacturer Lyfa, Denmark. We came across this never assembled masterwork and realized just what this box of puzzle pieces was meant to be. Our lighting expert John painstakingly put this spiral of a lamp together for us. The effort paid off... as it is now a mint beauty.


Here's a vintage shot of the designer with his creation.

Sunrise/Sunset

There is something about certain types of cased glass where they give off an extra touch of shine. It may be a three layer process wherein the top is clear...adding that little hint of luster. The pieces flanking the light are Orrefors (small dish) and Kosta Boda (solid orange vase) and are from Sweden. The yellow/orange combos are Italian.

Good Morning SUNSHINE

The yellow/orange/red gradation effect employed by the glass artisans of Blenko is often referred to as "Amborina". Definitely a collectible category. Pictured here, a mix of very large vessels that tower above shoppers in an awe inspiring display.

FIERCE!

Argenta series lidded jar with silver inlay lion by Wilhelm Kage for Gustavsberg, Sweden, c. 1950's.

One more, like before...

This is another plate, similar to the aforementioned service featured in Gourmet. Thought you would appreciated seeing it sans les haricots vert.

You've Been SERVED

From the April edition of Gourmet...a service suggestion for celebrating the Easter holiday. Green beans on a stunning green plate...courtesy of The End of History, of course. As I've stated before, the editor's of Gourmet have great taste (pun fully intended).

LEAF it to us

This GIANT ceramic leaf bowl was designed by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden. Probably 1950's. His work in stoneware is known for the gorgeous matte glazes. Look closely for the subtle variations in the white on white patterns.