Sunday, May 31, 2009

My Latest Hang Up(s)


Attributed to Vistosi (notice the detail of the metallic painted band)


Tri-colored hanging lamps by Venini

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Fantastic Fantoni




Fantoni is one of those names you look for in Italian pottery. This pair of lamps has a playful and elegant classical motif of female nudes in pose.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Coffe, Tea, or Me?


From the venerable American company Reed & Barton, est. 1824. This distinctly modern high sixties service is silver-plated, making it fine for everyday use...that is if your every day is fabulous.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Bottle Shaped Lamps Part 2


Many a decorator have asked the measurements of these lamps. FYI...the pair stand at a rather tall 45"(shade included) and are Murano cased glass with brass & marble bases. The long neck gives these lights an elegant line. Deep saturated sky blue matched here with red glass...super-chic!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Golden Era


1950's Italian, bulbous bottle shaped gilded crackle ceramic lamp...that's a mouth full.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Just Another Day at the Beach


Hope everyone had a fabulous loooong weekend, and some made it to the shore. Here's a little Murano shell for your sweet (unofficial start to)Summer memories.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Feeling Clammy


This vaguely shell-fishy bowl is HUGE. At just about 12" in width, and weighing what I estimate to be at least 15 lbs., it would make a substantial statement as the centerpiece on your Mid Century modern dining table. The color is a lovely mix of purple and amber.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

How Swede it Is!


This Kosta Boda glass by Erik Hoglund has a certain opalescent quality. The deep turquoise color hits me in all the right places. This is a beautiful selection for someone who wants to build an instant collection.

Friday, May 22, 2009

My Latest Hang-Up


This wall hanging falls into the catagory of Groovy! Made in the 1970's in West Germany (when there was still a distinction).

...and then I saw a white light.



This Murano lamp reminds me of a Christian Lacroix wedding dress.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

This may be a long shot...


With this blog, I spend a lot of time concentrating on individual items or collections, that I am remiss in pulling back and showing the context of our surroundings. The shop is stunning at first sight. For those of you who know us just from the web...when in New York, please pay us an in-person visit. We love to hear that you discovered us via the internet, but we want to meet you too!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Introducing MODERN


From Brant Publications, the same company behind "Interview" and "Antiques" magazines, comes a new glossy quarterly. MODERN is a periodical for the serious collector and fans of modernist designs alike. I just flipped through the premier issue, and it's a welcome addition to my reading list!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Africa by way of Sweden



A tall vase by Ingrid Atterberg for Upsala Ekeby, circa 1950's. This ceramic piece is from her "Africa" line. By the way, it stands at 15"...nowhere near as large as the one pictured here with the celebrated ceramacist. I wonder where that piece ended up!

Monday, May 18, 2009

EnSconced


These wall sconces are the epitomy of glamour. Dripping in tear-drop crystals, they evoke the high-society setting of a penthouse apartment on Park Avenue in the 60's. Add a couple of white taper candles and set them aflame for your next cocktail party.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

FRUITS of our labor


Glass fruit could be viewed as rather "Grandma", but peared with a brightly painted Italian bowl, they juxtapose nicely. The mixed motif gives this tableau a more modern (lemon?) twist. Pardon the puns, but I'm feeling a little fruity.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Artisanal Pottery


Sometimes we come across examples of ceramics that can be attributed to a particular potter, but whose work we have not seen prior. Such is the case with this odd triplet from the Swedish studio of Curt M. Addin. The hand-made quality tells me that it is the work of a sort of free form craftsman, not shy about experimentation with texture and non-traditional shapes. I'm pleased that the grouping remained together and was not separated by time and travel.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Recommended Reading


From Taschen, the greatest publisher of coffee table books, comes this tome that makes us feel right at home! Now, we don't sell books at our lovely shop, we just covet them. This is one title to add to your reading list.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Show STOPPERS!




Sometimes with genie bottles, the greatest interest is in the stoppers themselves. These Blenko bottles' stoppers are practically paperweights. You know how I love the bubbles!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Daum It!


We are attributing this vase to Daum , Nancy France. Organic in shape and positively effervescent with bubbles (the Italians refer to this look as Pelugoso). This Art Deco artifact is heavy and important and pure decadence.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day


One category we only dabble in is fine Crystal. These bud vases appeal to us for their simplicity in design. The taller Swedish piece is signed Stromberg 1960's. The shorter one may very well be from the same country of origin if not the same factory.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Family Affair


Thrown by the hand of Nils Kahler, born into a venerable Danish ceramic family led by his father Herman August Kahler. These pieces are incised with the family mark HAK and signed by Nils himself. They are 6" tall and are best when grouped together to show the variation in form. These were created in the 1950's just before the factory ceased operations.

Friday, May 8, 2009

The Birds

Jørgen Mogensen, 1950's
Michael Andersen and Sons, 1950's
Jørgen Mogensen, 1950's

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Meet The Beetles!


Famed Danish potter Jørgen Mogensen created this heavy, earthy stoneware dish in the 1960's. Designed with repetitive rows of Scarabs, perhaps he was making a nod to Egyptian revivalism in design that was all the rage during the Art Deco period.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Contradiction in Terms




A motif you often see in decorative works from the 50's and 60's is MODERN/PRIMITIVE. This vase is the prime example with a very literal reference to cave drawings. I love the joyful stick-man hunting his prey. This piece produced in the 50's is called "Hedenhös" and was designed by Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Our First Print Ad


This print ad was created especially for Antiques Magazine. The print date is still TBD, but I couldn't resist sharing with you now. The stunning photo is of a grouping of Scandinavian pottery-our latest obsession. Enjoy.

Monday, May 4, 2009

I Dream of Genie Bottles


Two of the rarest Stopper Bottles we have are classic Barbini. Notice the aforementioned ostrich pattern that is signature to the Italian glass manufacturer. They are both 25.5" tall and about 8" wide. Spectacular-Spectacular!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Mutual ADLER-ation



This month's House Beautiful (May 2009) features a spread of Jonathan Adler's recent interior design project for Fashion Designer Liz Lange's Westchester home. Over the years our relationship with Adler has been one of mutual respect and synchronistic inspiration. His work is a complimentary mirror to our aesthetic and he comes to us for additional accessories when working with clients who, like us, want to collect the original vintage pieces that inform today's ultra-modern look. You'll notice our teal lidded Jar in the forground and yellow vessels on the bookshelf in the first photo. In the second shot, the giant tourquois vase (already sold) was lent from our shop for this fabulous shoot. Thanks and congratz Jonathan!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Bubbles Bubbles

This ashtray incorporates several signature qualities of the finer Murano factories. The gold dust is mixed with a spattering of controlled bubbles, giving it a sort of ostrich pattern. This look is most often associated with the works of Barbini.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Ribbons in the Sky

This piece makes my teeth ache for that Ribbon Candy you get around Christmas. I can't imagine the complex technique involved with achieving this design effect.