Monday, November 30, 2009

Citrus Christmas?


Does someone you love live for all things ORANGE? Here's some juicy options for orange gift giving!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Go Green!


Today our selection is mostly Italian hand blown glass from Empoli 1930-50's.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

We've Got The Blues


Over the next few days, in order to share the extent of our vast collection, I'll feature various color stories...beginning with BLUE.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Silver Suggestions


How about something shiny on this Black Friday? For those reading this outside of the US, that ominous term refers to the day after Thanksgiving and the official start to the shopping spree that is the American Christmas season. Here I offer two 1950's geometric Mexican silver trays (the triangle shaped one has cute little legs) and a Sterling Silver box- by Vera Ferngren, Sweden, c. 1960. I'm thinking it's possibly a humidor, since it's interior has some sort of wood lining. Great gift ideas all.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Giving Thanks...


Thank You to all our customers & blog readers! Here's the artwork featured in an ad dated 1955 for Douglas Airline's DC-7. The tagline was "Whatever your reason for getting there faster...you go faster by far in a DC-7".

Thanks also to http://www.plan59.com/, the website which gets credit for originally housing this image, not to mention an amazing source for hi-quality vintage repros and prints.

Thanks A Lot


Can you even Cope-ia with these Barovier book-ends?!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

One Strange Bird


Continuing my birdy theme I give you this oh-so-odd hybrid. Why this Murano Rooster has a Pheasant tail-feather is a mystery, but very funny indeed!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Bird Call...




While we all have bird on the brain, I serve up these two 1950's Italian Bird Boxes by Bitossi. Very FLAVIA-ful!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

How Swede It Is


Called the 'Peacock' pattern, this is a classic vase from the Swedish company Elme Glasbruk, circa 1960's. A fine feathered friend for someone who loves these fall colors.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Back To Square One



That's not to say there is anything simple about this centerpiece. No less than 12" square and autumnal in its saturated burnt orange color, this is a statement-making masterwork from Barbini. You can get lost in the spiral effect of the controlled bubble pattern. The gold leaf adds that extra layer of richness.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Big Bang Theory



These green and brown spotted glazed pieces are from the workshop of Arne Bang circa 1940's. The tall floor vase measures 15" and is a prime example of his distinctive look which marries machine age with organic flair. The companion bowl is 15" in diameter. These are among the most desired of Danish ceramics with prices to match.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

CinCin-Sational


With a neck like Audrey Hepburn...this hi-glaze minty blue vase comes from the most venerable American pottery company, the Ohio based Rookwood, est. 1880. This piece dates from 1940, just before the company filed bankruptcy due to The Great Depression. In 1941 the company was saved by Walter Schott allowing Rookwood to stay in business and its artists and employees to keep making beautiful American icons such as this.

http://www.rookwood.com/

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Reunited


...and it feels so good! I was informed that these two Barbini bottles used to be sold as a set! Lovely in in the powder room or a ladies boudoir. One customer tells the tale of her long ago purchase of this very style and at the time it had to be put on layaway for the shorter of the two cost the equivalent of one month's rent on her Park Avenue apartment...this in 1950.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Grey Matters


And now the absence of color...from one extreme to another is how I like to keep 'em guessing. Just goes to show how we have something for every designer taste bud. This smokey glass bowl by Seguso, c. 1950's, is just so moody and marvelous in it's opalescence.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Color-Full Collectible


Never have I seen a single piece that incorporated more levels of color in one small bowl. I count 4 distinct layers with color combinations creating infinite mixes and hybrids of spectral light. Red, Blue, Green, and a hint of Acid Yellow make this piece one of the most wonderfully complex works I've laid eyes upon. UPDATE: I now feel this is quite possibly by Cenedese.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

More Drinky Things


Crystal Ice Buckets from Strömberg.

Friday, November 13, 2009

For Serious Drinker's Only


Just in from Scandinavia are these simply stunning crystal decanters & shakers with sterling silver details. Most are from Strömberg (the full name is actually Strömbergshyttan) from the 1940's through 1960. The glass is created in Sweden (possibly designed by Gerda Strömberg herself) while the silver is crafted in Denmark. Thirsty yet?

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Glossy Glass



We are featured in Town & Country's current issue, December 2009. On page 155 you will find a collection of glass bottles, most of which are from our shop. The spread features an ingenious showhouse created by decorator Richard Mishaan. In it he pays homage to the classic 1933 film by George Cukor, "Dinner at Eight". Our pieces help evoke a time when the powder room was a place of glamour.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Pale Shelter


This is our top shelf...literally. A mix of pale pink, sky blue, and opalescent lavender glass. The Buddha is not for sale, as he has always watched over our shop and brought us much luck over the years.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Seeing Things in BLACK & WHITE


Just a smattering of sublime striped ceramics from Upsala-Ekeby, SWEDEN c.1950's

Monday, November 9, 2009

Hold a Candle to These



Another entertaining idea for your Thanksgiving...these 7" tall Bitossi candle sticks in appropriately autumnal colors would look fantastic on your fall dining table. The shape of the opening allows for any size candle from a taper to a 3.5" wide pillar.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

A Horse of a Different Color


We are accustomed to finding the Bitossi horse in the common "Rimini Blue", but were thrilled to come across this version in various shades of green.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Be STILL My Heart


We still love a still life. This 1950's cubist style decorated ceramic bowl would make Picasso proud.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Entertain This Idea


With the upcoming holidays approaching, it's time to start thinking about party planning. What could be more chic than a set of classic vintage Fornasetti coasters to place those festive cocktails upon!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Limonata Vase


Italian pottery from the '60's. What a great fizzy lemon colored glaze!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Pyramid Scheme


Can you believe that this solid Italian obelisk in pitch black glass has survived 4 decades without even a chip...right to the pointy 9'' tippy top. This is so future-modern, representing what mid-century visionaries imagined the future might look like.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Boxing Day


Two lightweight keepsake boxes from Italy. The yellow is a classic Bitossi with its signature embossed motif on the lid, while the orange pinstripe is from a company called Baldelli.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Eye Color


Eye can see you'll like this one. This amber colored elliptical shaped bowl was made in Murano Italy in the 1960's.

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Fall Back


We may be called The End of History, but time keeps on tickin'. As we turn back our clocks and welcome a new season, I offer a Danish piece of off-white pottery adorned with leaf in relief design. The surface has a nice subtle crackle due to the passage of many an autumn before.