Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Show Stopper

Designed for Blenko by Joel Myers in 1967 and commonly called the "Air Twist Decanter" after the beautiful paperweight-like stopper. Shown here in smoky grey and measuring 16" high and around 12" wide. It is my understanding that this is among the most collectable of the Blenkos.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Horses with No Name

A ceramic plate of unknown origin, but Italy is our best educated guess. The playful illustrative quality just says 1950s Italian to us. Used here as a wall hanging, this equine decoration measures 8" X 12".

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Fab Floor Vase

Clearly made for import given its "Foreign" mark on the bottom and likely from the factory Scheurich, given its stippled 'fat lava' glaze, 20" tall. West Germany, 1950s.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Silver Salt Cellars

Petite Mexican Sterling Silver Salt Cellars and little Silver Spoons, set in Rosewood, circa 1950s. Approximately 1.5" in diameter ¡Preciosos!

Friday, May 27, 2011

The Allure of Amber

This pair of vintage Seguso lamps are such an authentic shade of Amber as to remind me of the natural artifact itself (as in actual fossilized tree resin)! The rich toned glass captures the light with a mellow glow and the thickness of the glass is a testament to the quality one would expect from the heralded house of Seguso.
Lamps measure 30" to top of shade

Thursday, May 26, 2011

A Boxtop Worth Saving

This Italian box from the 50s features hues reminiscent of Todd Oldham's signature "mosaic" fabric from the early 90's. The sophisticated gemstone color palette that tops this ceramic makes it the perfect box for stashing your own jewels.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Italy by Way of Germany

Bavarian porcelain from the venerable German factory Hutschenreuther Selb. Our 14" tall oval shaped vase is an obvious homage to the iconic black & white works of Fornasetti...right down to the hand painted gold details. This surreal piece is from a line called "Pompeji" and was designed by Fabius von Gugel in 1964.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Gilty Pleasures

Italian illuminated ceramics from the 50's...a bright idea indeed. 
top: cornflower blue and gold striped vase measures 7"
bottom two: 8" for the vase and 4" for the covered bowl

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Golden Bowl

A beautifully realized Barbini compote of bright white glass and a generous amount of real gold dappled throughout. Wonderful proportions at 11.5" in diameter and 7.5 inches high. A major centerpiece for the midcentury home designer.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Olive This Piece

Lovely olive colored lidded Jar, Italian from the 50s with crystal clear spherical details. 12" tall.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Drinky Things

An array of artifacts from the age of aperitifs.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Our Latest Hang-up

Sunrise/Sunset...depending on how you look at it. German handmade ceramic tiles connected by blackened metal links. Beyond groovy! 32" long.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

At Home with The New York Times

In a feature in today's Home and Garden section of The New York Times titled "Curves Preferred", Wayne Burgess, the chief designer of the 2012 Jaguar XF cites midcentury design as one of his main inspirations. On his visit to our shop for the story he was most impressed by the many items we offer.
The modern lines of this 1960s Venini lamp were intriguing to the designer.
Architectural models of 60s German Radio Towers spoke to design world's fascination with the 'space race'

LINK to whole article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/garden/midcentury-modern-shopping-with-wayne-burgess.html

Top photo by Andrea Mohin/The New York Times

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Gourd-geous Glass

A classic Murano piece from Alfredo Barbini, circa 1950. A rich coral/salmon color and plenty of 24k gold. Measuring a substantial 9" high and around 20" in circumference. This is the kind of important piece we come across only occasionally.

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Mideval Modern

Like some sort or "Game of Thrones" prop, this gravity defying cut glass piece is an art deco decanter, likely from Czechoslovakia. 11.5" high.

Monday, May 16, 2011

You Go Swirl

A whirlwind of hand blown copper and teal glass from mid-century Murano, Italy. 8" in height.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Momma and Baby Blenko

Designed by Wayne Husted for Blenko in 1959 and commonly referred to as the 'Balustrade' or 'Profile' Decanter. The taller of the two cobalt beauties is 38" tall and the smaller stunner measures in at 22".

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Bavarian Beauty

German porcelain from the 60s tends to surprise the eye, but this one takes the cake. Most unique in form with its spherical base and scalloped crown, made by Heinrich & Co.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Rubik-like

Two terrific pieces of Italian pottery with their original Raymor importer stickers intact from the 50's. The cube is likely a planter, while the box is perfect for keepsakes.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

You Say Tomato...

I say Murano Heirloom Beauty!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fruitful Find

American-made from the late 50s, walnut and black laminate with a mosaic of Italian tiles in a cloisonne style. It measures 4' X 1' with the kind of elegant lines so evocative of the era.
Make sure to 'select' the above image for best viewing 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Warholian Italian

The decoration on this Italian ceramic from the 50s has an illustrative quality that reminds me of Andy Warhol's drawing style of the same period. We are in awe of its pristine condition.

Monday, May 9, 2011

A is for Apple

Our latest selection of vintage Murano-made glass fruit for your ...consumption.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day

Familial forms from Archimede Seguso, Murano, circa the 1950s. These ultra-feminine perfume bottles would have graced many a mother's vanity during the golden era of glass.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

We're All For Alsterfors


A nice collection of Sweden's great P.O. Ström for Alsterfors, where he designed from 1968-1972.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Futurist Porcelain

A favorite category of collectible is Porcelain made in West Germany in the 60s . The patterns are great bits of gilded Op-Art. From Left to Right: AK Kaiser 10", Rosenthal 8", Thomas 11"

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Another Pair of Deuces

A pair of pairs from Gunnar Ander for Lindshammer, Sweden, 1950s.
Top two measure 13" and 10.5"
Bottom two, 13" and 9.5" respectively

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Two of a Kind

Twin 60s Italian dowel vases in a rare charcoal gray color-way
Both measure 8"

Monday, May 2, 2011

Donuts Anyone?

This delicious duo was made mid-century in Italy, likely Empoli.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sound The Trumpet

Wayne Husted for Blenko, 1960
This crackle glass floor vase with its trumpet shaped base and elongated stopper is a rather tall example of this design measuring in at 32" high! Shown here in a particular color yellow referred to as "Jonquil".