Monday, January 31, 2011

Another Bitossi Most Unique

A nice size at 10.5" in diameter and about 4.5" deep, this mid-century Italian ceramic might make a great fruit-bowl filled with...I don't know...Oranges perhaps?  

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Be Still My Heart

How I love a still life...especially on a 1950s Italian ceramic bowl! So surreal in its subject matter - a tabletop object featuring objects atop a table.

9" in diameter and 3.5" deep

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Monkeying Around

John Skeaping was born in Essex in l90l and studied at Blackheath School of Art.  Eventually he became a scholar at the Royal Academy School and in l924 he won the Prix de Rome.  On his return to England in l926 he was introduced to Frank Wedgwood, wherein Skeaping was commissioned to model a series of animal studies for the venerable Wedgwood company. Among the designs, the "Sleeping Monkeys" figurine seen here. Made in 1927, glaze is a subtle celadon green & measures 7" X 7"


Information from Wedgwood's official website.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Winter White Porcelain

Another look at white porcelain from Germany, this time from the renown factory of Rosenthal and the famed artist Cuno Fischer. His 60s work often incorporated a modernist spin on archaic symbolism, as seen above.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Match "Made in Italy"

A vase and a box, reunited and it feels so good. Both by ceramicist Alvino Bagni and imported from Italy by Raymor, likely made the same year (sometime in the 50s) and brought back together for your viewing pleasure. Who doesn't enjoy a matching set?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

A bronze beauty from the fabulous French 40's, reflecting a design period defined by parallel lines and fluid scrolls.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Mum's The Word

Sent to us from our dealer in Japan, these mid-century Bronze candlesticks carry the Imperial Seal of Japan in the form of the symbolic 16 petal chrysanthemum. Under the Meiji Constitution, no one was allowed to use the symbol other than the Emperor of Japan, a law honored until 2005, which leads us to believe these vintage finds could very well be Royal commissions.

Monday, January 24, 2011

Roman Influence

Created for Ekeby, Sweden, 1954, the pattern on this small ceramic tray by Ingrid Atterberg is titled "Corso". This is likely in reference to the main road in Rome, Italy. I imagine the name refers to Ancient Roman tile work. It seems the pattern represents the start of an incomplete mosaic. That's just my arm-chair art historian opinion, of course.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Lavender Lovelies

A bud vase made in Murano in the manner of Napoleone Martinuzzi - see the serpentine arms and heavily gilded glass with a subtle hint of purple peeking through. 


Our star is flanked here by a grouping of swirly Empoli bottles.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Bitossi Most Unique

 We are accustomed to seeing this incised pattern from Italian ceramic company Bitossi in the blues and greens of the Rimini coast, and are delighted to discover this vintage pattern more reminiscent of the rusty orange soil synonymous with Sienna.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Ready for Our Close-up

One style we tend to gravitate towards is Hollywood Regency. This lamp from the renown Barovier & Toso factory in Murano, c.1950s, has all the hallmarks of that gilded age of glamourous decorating. Notice the signature use of what the Italians refer to as "Cordonato Oro" or "Golden Rope" mixed with a purple zebra-like stripe throughout.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

A Horse is a Horse, of Course...

Of course...unless it's a mid-century modern Italian decorative hanging ceramic plaque. 12.5" X 16"

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Deco-Rate

A French Deco occasional table, nickel-plated with just the right amount of tarnish to show age. This charming little surface features a scallop edged, solid granite top and scrolled legs for that 20s/30s flair.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Effervescent Glass

Classic Barbini with a wonderful array of oversized bubbles trapped in gilded glass.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Silver Stunner

Sitting atop a 1920s Japanese Rosewood and silver tray is this sparkling example of sterling silver created expressly for one of the most prominent department stores in Japan called Wako, which was famously attacked by Godzilla in 1954...around the time this lovely vase was made! 

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Polar Bear Expression

Save the polar bears! Once again a chic design motif, this one dates back to the Art Deco era in that frosty green glaze popular at the time. From Danish master crafters Michael Andersen & Son.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Nailed It!

While most mid-century nail sculptures are unattributable, there are a few artists that became superstars of the medium. One such name was William Bowie,  a New York City based sculptor whose work was even featured at the '64 World's Fair. Highly collectable, ours is signed and is an impressive size at 4' 2" across.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Power to the Purple

Two feet tall and a delicious shade of grape. Made in the 50s by West Virginian glass factory Rainbow.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Back to Bavaria

I'm obsessing over these Op Art graphic pieces we've been discovering as of late. You can just get lost in the trippy repetitive pattern found on this piece of matte white porcelain.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Bavarian Beauty

A plum piece of West German porcelain in a groovy 60s-Does-Deco pattern.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Two of a Kind

Cased glass twins from Italy. They are the very definition of 1960s cool... given their playful pop-art colors and oversized ball stoppers atop cylindrical vases.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Simple Stunner

A spectacular little sommerso vase of clear and black cut glass, gorgeous in its simplicity. 
Designed by Vicke Lindstrand for Orrefors, Sweden, 1960s.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

Terracotta Trio

Ronbo, Denmark
OSA, Denmark 
OSA, Denmark 
Three Danish smalls in a cream and earthenware color palette. All circa 1950s

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Heavy Metal

A multi-metal masterpiece by an unknown American sculptor. Several layers of texture are what defines this "Brutalist" style. Someone's 3-D vision captured in ore. Also of note...it is unexpected to see such work as a tabletop sculpture rather than a wall-hanging. Roughly 30" X 30"and set in a black marble base.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Super Sweet

It's hard to say what color this Barbini is closest to..."Butterscotch" or "Caramel". Either way this 12" bowl is one big piece of eye candy.

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Cross-Cultural Curiosity

This is one of the most intriguing pieces of vintage Asian decoration we've discovered to date. Designed in the Archaic Chinese Bronze style, and likely based on an actual antiquity found in the National Palace Museum of Taiwan (its country of origin). 
But, there is humorous surprise to behold. It's an ice bucket! Somehow I don't think Chang Kai-Shek would have used such a bar accessory while mixing his exotic cocktails, but it sure is an amazing piece of mid-century mixed media!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

This One's for The Bird

A Bitossi Penguin in a pattern I have never seen...a rare bird indigenous to Rimini, Italy, circa 1950s

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Old Spool

A small (15.5 inches) light purple version of the "Spool" stoppered bottle by designer Wayne Husted for Blenko, 1950's.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Whirlpool Pottery

Knabstrup Atelier, Denmark, 1950s.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

More Bang for Your Buck

Rare ceramics from great Dane Arne Bang. Wonderful studio stoneware with outstanding  organic details crafted by his own hand, Denmark, 30s/40s.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Italian cased glass from the 50's. The Ginger Jar is a traditional symbol of happiness and prosperity and a perfect sentiment for New Year's Day!