Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Space-Age Accessory


A design no doubt influenced by the popular jewel tones of the day, this 1950's modernist compote incorporates a shiny glaze the tone of true turquoise and real 24k gold delicately painted along the rim and in each of the textured sgraffito details on the base.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Calling Kelly Wearstler

A big shout out to one of our "Superior Designers". Anyone who is equally enamored with color as we are, deserves a personal invite to come see us when you are in town. We love your work and just know you'll love our shop!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Curlicue Cutie

Crafted in Italy for importer Rosenthal-Netter in the 1950's. This matte black ceramic 8" tall vase features dozens of little hand-painted swirls in a gradation of citrus colors.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Another Lavender Lovely

I'm proud to offer this stoppered bottle from American factory, Rainbow, c. 1950.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Bulbous Beauty

Another special vessel to share. Measuring 13" across and 11.5" tall, this Scandinavian smoked grey glass vase is a grand, statement-making, piece of art.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Octa-Vase

When have you ever seen an 8-sided vase? This handmade ceramic vessel is Scandinavian from the 1960's. Brown on white contrasting circles...this is one dotty piece!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Put Up Your Duke

This unique sculpture is a recent acquisition from the country estate of one of America's most glamorous socialites of yore, Doris Duke. Her love of nature is certainly at play here. The sculpture consists of a gold plated base molded from an exotic fungus cupping an impressive chunk of semi-precious amethyst. The home's lavish greenhouse and gardens are the real draw at Duke Farm and in order to maintain its expensive grandeur, some decorative items from inside the home were brought to auction. This sculpture ended up with us!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

It's a Bird? It's a Plane?

Of course abstract art is in the eye of the beholder, but in my estimation the graphic on this 1950's Swiss plate clearly takes flight.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Golden Swirl

Most likely Barovier from the late 40's, this swirly golden bowl sits atop a footed base and measures 10.5" in diameter. An elegant illuminated centerpiece for your dining table or lovely on your rosewood credenza. 

Monday, June 21, 2010

Taupe? Yep!

In my opinion, in terms of neutral tones, the most sophisticated color of the bunch is "Taupe". This pair of cased glass italians are new acquisitions and great examples of that mushroomy color that is anything but beige.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Gone Fishin'

Happy Father's Day as represented here with a unique (as in one-of-a-kind) plate, hand-crafted by the innovative American artisan known as Maurice Heaton (1900-1990).  This mid-century vignette was created using his signature "fusing" technique, which involved the application and removal of powdered enamel resulting in a painterly etched effect all his own.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Checkered Past

This white piece of ceramic is entitled "Reptil" referring to its lizard-like patterned surface. Slightly right leaning in its design by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg, Sweden. 1950's.


Here's another great patterned vase designed by Kaarina Aho (as a member of the Kai Franck design team)  for a company called Arabia, Finland, 1960's.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Triangulation Sensation

A great little ceramic box from Italy, c. 1950's.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Oodles of Doodles


Raymor certainly had a sense of whimsy when they had this square plate made in Italy during the 50's. It's abstract squiggle pattern is delightfully bizarre! Tic-Tac-Totally.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Milky (Glass) Way

An emerald green hand-blown beauty which came to us from a dealer in Switzerland. Probably Italian or possibly Scandinavian. Regardless, we just love the unusual celestial pattern in the cased glass of this 1960's hanging pendant lamp.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Ooh La Light

Made in the 20's in the manner of René Lalique and Edgar Brandt. This iron and (molded) glass piece is marked by A. Neut. Classic French Deco lines for those who desire a hint of joie de vivre in their home design.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Square Deal

A wonderfully odd piece of German pottery that we just love for the great contrasting colors and abstract design in glaze. UPDATE: Thanks to a reader by the name of Kevin I have been informed this piece was made by a company called Carstens Tonnieshof around 1960/70 and designed by Gerda Heukeroth.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Well Hello DalĂ­

We take another look into the world of contemporary art with this one-of-a-kind bronze(c. 1990's) by San Francisco based sculptor BJ Las Poñas. We discovered his work with its stylistic nod to Salvador DalĂ­ and thought it would feel right at home among or mid-century collection. The artist was kind enough to fly to NYC and deliver it in person.

Friday, June 11, 2010

One Mo Bo

Another Bo Borgström for Åseda, Sweden in a particularly retro shade of avocado.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Triple Purple

Yet another lavender lovely in a triple-gourd shape. 1950's Italian and fun in a Fellini-esque fashion.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

You Go Swirl Again

Aubergine and Aventurine (read purple and copper) make this triangle shaped bowl so alluring, no? We love a swirl pattern as it always draws the eye in.

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Gold is at an All Time High

This is a rather illuminated example of what the Italians call 'Zanfirico'...the complex glass blowing process of twisted filigree or 'Filigrana a Retortoli'. This color combination of hot pink and deeply saturated gold leaf is particularly stunning and the pattern is virtually mesmerizing.

Monday, June 7, 2010

Cylindrical Ceramic

A terrific little box from the Danish studio of L. Hjorth with a matte luster to its glaze...giving it an almost leather-like look.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Once More into the Store

Another corner of our colorful world. Click on the photo above to expand image to its fullest size!

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Fun with Technology

Stephen gave me a new camera recently! The Sony Cybershot with iSweep Panorama technology which allows me shoot 280° pictures. A great way to give you an idea of just how much great stuff we have and the artful way it's displayed. Be sure to click on the photo above to expand image to its fullest size.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Nice Chest

Although we are best known for our decorative accessories, I would be remiss in not occasionally mentioning that we do have some extraordinary pieces of furniture...such as this simple small chest of drawers above (measures 31.5" wide, 14" deep, 29" tall). The chocolate brown Rosewood and distinctive hand carved handles are what gave the Danes the distinction of defining an era of furniture-making known as Danish Modern - a term synonymous with "mid-century".

Thursday, June 3, 2010

We're Bowled Over

This Seguso bowl is a perfect piece of divine minimalism. Quite heavy -at least five pounds. It measures nearly 10" in diameter, 1" thick and 3" tall. The lighting determines whether it reads blue, green, or grey or some combination therein.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

You Go Swirl

Another spectacular lamp from mid-century Murano. This beauty, likely from Barbini, comes newly rewired with our custom Lucite base. Plus...a matching small bowl is available to accessorize.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Sex and the History, 2


Carrie's apartment in the new "Sex and the City" flick is just chock-a-block with decorative items from The End of History as seen above.