Tuesday, November 30, 2010

X-Mas Glass

A spectacular sommerso by Seguso in a particularly Christmas-sy color combo. Simple. Stunning. Ask Santa!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Special Spirals

One of the most iconic patterns to be found in Scandinavian pottery was created by Ingrid Atterberg for Upsala-Ekeby. Yellow and white stripes alternating over a matte brown ceramic are the hallmarks of the "Spiral" design.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

A Million Different Pieces

This large panel would look great hanging above a credenza in the dining room given its fruit and wine theme. The last time we had this same design, in slightly different colors, we sold it to one of our favorite customers- Wendy Waxman, the chief set decorator at Food Network, where it has since been spotted many-a-time on TV. I always marvel at the labor intensity of this particular Murano glass art form. Less campy than classic and so 1950s in its design. Be sure to "select" the above image for a closer look.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Horses of a Different Color

All by Bitossi in a variety of sizes and colors

Friday, November 26, 2010

Lovely Leftovers

How about a tasty side of early 20th Century Artichoke vases from Denmark? Both from Michael Andersen and Son, the turquoise is from the 30s and the white is from the 40s.

Let the Shopping Begin!

Come see the store's transformation overnight into a vintage winter wonderland. Included in our extensive holiday collection are these whimsical "diorama" ornaments made in Japan in the 50s...a great piece of Kawaii - The Japanese term for cute!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

At Home with The New York Times

We are so pleased to make it to the pages of The New York Times Home & Garden section today in an article featuring well known event designer David Monn and his recommendations for creating a festive party. The photo above, by Dierdre Schoo, was shot in our shop. On the same page and included on the interactive feature for the article online includes one of my photos culled from this very blog (see below).
Read the full article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/25/garden/25shop.html?_r=1&ref=garden

Happy Thanksgiving!

These vintage Italian birds are Bitossi by Aldo Londi in a rare white

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Vistosi X 3

A set of lidded jars from the renown Murano factory Vistosi. This classic cylindrical bottle shape is shown here in the darkest blue as to appear almost black,

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

The Big Bang

One of the greatest names in Danish ceramics is Arne Bang...and as of late, we've got the goods. Recently arrived from Copenhagen are these wonderful examples of stoneware from his own studio made in the 1930s and 40s.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Cityscape Vase

An Italian ceramic from the 50s painted with city scenes, likely of Florence, including its famous Duomo (see top photo).

Cityscape Plates

Italian architectural ceramics, c. 1950s

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Norway? Yes way!

Typically a category of collectable one might expect from Italy, however our mid-century ceramic box actually hales from Norway. Great Op Art design makes this piece a real trip.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Black Forest Vase

Like a scene from "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" this tall 1960s West German vase features stark black and white branches and a lava-like nubby texture. UPDATE: Just discovered more info on this fab piece. It is from a company called  Scheurich and was designed by Alex Marx

Friday, November 19, 2010

Another Special Swede

Rare Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, 1950s

Oh So Swede!

All made by the precise hand of Swede Sven Hofverberg, circa 1950s. These wafer thin ceramics are light as air, yet heavily decorated with the most beautiful opalescent mother-of-pearl glazes. They are a wonder to hold and behold!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Mottled Marvles

Two vessels by Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand, Sweden, 1950's. What an intriguing approach to glazing. It seems as if the color is bleached away giving the surface a cool speckled effect.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

What a Bust

We've seen her before, but not quite like this. Made in Denmark by the family owned ceramic company Michael Andersen & Son, this little lady is mostly white and features their signature 'Persian' glaze on its base and hair. We've met her in a moody matte black, but this version is serene and angelic.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

There's Something Fishy Going On

Designed by Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen, 1960s
Titled 'Poisson d'Avril' by Rabiusla, France 1960s
Although the photo betrays its enormity, this fish dish is a huge 25.5" long!

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Future of Magazines

We are proudly part of the premiere issue! Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (full disclosure...my sometime employer) has just this week launched the 1rst issue of a magazine expressly for view on your iPad! It contains exclusive content not available anywhere else and is truly an immersive experience. Multi-media in nature, the pages literally come to life with moving images and interactive videos and myriad ways to delve deeper into articles with interactive recipes and photo galleries. Our merchandise is found in the feature on collecting, where you will see some of our beautiful all white German Porcelain that we gladly lent for editorial use.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

The European Runway

Although I love to highlight individual pieces, I need to step back every once in a while to show you just how many items we actually have in one place. Out of necessity, Stephen had to create this chrome and glass 'Runway' display in order to accommodate the sheer number of new pieces recently shipped in from Scandinavia.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Flavio of the Week

 Flavio Poli for Seguso, circa 1950's. An indigo and pink sommerso and an impressive 26" to the tip of the stretched stopper.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Joy of Saxbo

Created in Denmark by Eva Staehr Nielsen for Saxbo, in a very 1940s blue/green glaze. The design is an elegant raindrop motif... or at least that's how I see it.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Two from Toft

There is no Danish master of the ceramic craft more adept at graphic appeal than Thomas Toft. As shown so beautifully in stark brown and white above, these 50s vases are prime examples of the modern-primitive aesthetic.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Mutual ADLER-ation Society

Two stylish tomes confirm what we already know...Being happy will always be chic!
Jonathan Adler's "Happy Chic -Colors"and "Happy Chic -Accessorizing" both contain many an item either lent to or purchased by the maestro of mass market mid-century himself. We are so proud to be featured in these books and our large turquoise vessel even made the cover! Inside, we get an official "Shout Out" where it's the first time my photos have been published outside of our own blog!
The clown face collection was made possible by years of dedicated searching from our own Stephen Saunders.
A mixed array of our vintage glass helps illustrate the beauty of decorating by using all the colors of the rainbow.