A Horse of a Different Color

Meet "Rusty" - Yet another unique iteration of the classic Bitossi horse. One of the thrills of enjoying longevity in the vintage goods market is the chance to happen across myriad variations on a theme. The never-ending reinterpretations of this iconic Italian take on an Ancient Chinese motif never ceases to amaze. This guy has a beautiful burnt terracotta orange and chalky matte finish.
10" x 10"

Multilayered Masterpice

In the manner of Flavio Poli for Seguso (unmarked). Given the known provenance and obvious age to the condition, we stand by our estimation that this is certainly vintage -although they still create similar designs in Murano today - a stunning sculptural example of the Somerso layered glass technique. The complex coloration ranges from emerald to olive to magenta...all encased in a faceted clear outer layer. Best shown near a bright light source for maximum spectral effect.
10" x 5"

Outrageous Orange

I'm not exaggerating when I say this glass is so florescent that it practically glows in the dark. Made in the 50s by Barbini.
7" in diameter

Mauve-elous Mancioli

A fantastic purple-ish pair of ceramic lidded boxes made in Italy by Mancioli for import to America by Raymor, circa 1960s. Great for a low coffee table or as a groovy desk set.
8.5" to the top of the finial pull

3-of-a-Kind

Creating a grouping of the same color and style, albeit in varying sizes, can really pack a great visual punch! These iconic Blenko "Minaret Decanters" were first designed by Wayne Husted in 1958. Cobalt is making a comeback and this group still looks modern today.
The tallest (or "architectural scale") measures 32", Medium is 24", Small 17"

Come Fly Away

Like an Murano hot air balloon is how we see this spectacular opalescent glass urn vase by Seguso circa 1960.
18" tall and 9.5" wide, another massive and masterful creatiion

Cone of Influence

Signed Cenedese and numbered "1/1" (as in one of a kind!) this monumental conical glass obelisk with controlled bubbles is a full 18" tall and 7.5" in diameter and weighs at least 25 lbs - it's quite an impressive feat of glass engineering and no surprise that no other like it exists.

Note: It sits atop another massive piece....a 22" diameter mid-century footed silver plate platter from Japan

Op-Art Opulence

Cobalt cut crystal circa the optically trippy 60s. Referred to as "Bohemian Glass"- a name that both describes the era and the German region from which it originated.
10.5", 8.5"

We've Got the Blues

Not, that we're unhappy...we are quite proud of our vast selection of all shades of the color blue. From robin's egg to turquoise, we carry the spectrum. As much as we approve of a monochromatic palette, we are firm believers in mixing variants of the same hue makes for a dynamic grouping. Above , two iconic 60's Holmegaard Gulvases are flanked by 50s Italian stopper bottles and a squat 1930s Czech vase.
Sizes range from 8" to 22"

Go Green

A refreshing collection in a zesty lime green coloration. All by Blenko, with the exception of the squat decanter at the very left, which is by another great American glass factory called Greenwich Flint Craft.
Heights range from 11" - 25"

Stunning Seating

We pride ourselves in presenting beauty from every era - today we reach back to the early part of the 19th Century. A pair of Adam style English fruit wood chairs, circa 1810, with two unique hand painted friezes in the manner of Pompeian murals. The caned seats are likely 20th century updates as they are in such mint condition, which makes them certainly suitable for sitting...but as decorative objects, these hold wonderful cross-cultural & historical appeal.
34" high, 20" wide

Poetic Pottery

A pair of exquisite and rare pieces from the hand of the much coveted Berndt Friberg. Incised with his signature studiohand mark and a "G" for Gustavsberg, Sweden. This pair can be dated to 1969.  The multi-layered glaze actually has an interesting pedigree. Named the "Aniara" glaze, it's an eggplant base color with layers of minty greens, and an ultra shiny finish to the surface. The glaze was famously dubbed Aniara by the Nobel laureate Harry Martinson (after one of his greatest epic poems) when he first beheld the pottery at the Stockholm Exhibition of 1964.
Height 10.63 ", 6"

Monumental Glass

A solid glass obelisk of great weight and equal importance. 

Original 1950s Cenedese factory sticker still (barely) attached.

19" and 25lbs!

Let's Do Lunch

An exquisite vintage Bento box from Japan, early 20th century. An art deco style Matsu tree motif in gold symbolizes longevity - and this mint condition lacquered artifact from a wealthy family in Japan has certainly stood the test of time.

Base is 9.5" square and the height is 12.5" tall

Venus Rises From Our Window

Another art deco discovery from the hand of Giovani Ronzan for the Lenci company (see eagle from late last week). This classic version of the legend of "Venus Rising from the Sea" has a distinctive 1930s quality to the form. Arms upstretched make our girl not nearly as modest as Botticelli's.
Venus reaches up to just about 20" 

Egyptian Revivalism

The stylized golden details on this bowl by Josef Ekberg for Gustavsberg remind me of the asp motif found on many Pharaoh's head pieces - a fair deduction would find Egyptian Revivalism at play here. Created around 1930 in Sweden, the style would coincide with the Egyptomania design trend that was still raging post King Tut's discovery in the 20s. A beautiful aspect of this piece is the "petrol" finish to the glaze which lends the surface its glowing opalescence.
13.5" in diameter, 3" to the top of the cobra-like handles

Brilliant Box

A striped confection of cornflower blue, indigo, off-white, and an illuminating amount of gold decorate this classic sgraffito box...almost certainly by Bitossi, 1950s
8" x 3.5" x 2"

Italian Kremlin

A pair of fancy stoppered vessels that hearken the Kremlin architectural style by the Murano factory of La Murrina. Known primarily for their elaborate Murano chandeliers, the company was formed by a collaboration of several Venetian master glass blowers in 1968. The coloration and decorative style point to early 70s in our estimation.
13.5", 11"

The Eagle Has Landed

A fiercely dramatic Italian ceramic bird of prey created in Turin in the 1930s by Giovani Ronzan for the Lenci company.

Almost life-size: 15" high and 20 plus inches from beak to tail feathers

Choose Chartreuse

A favorite color found in nature, but rarely in vintage Bavarian porcelain! This stunning vase comes from the prolific German porcelain company Heinrich... however this is the first time we've seen this vibrant green crackle vase.
12.5"

The Supremacy of Salto

Considered the most important name in 20th Century Danish ceramics, it came as no surprise to me that this is the first acquisition of an Axel Salto to grace our shop. Small but rare and precious is this bowl made mid-century during his residency at Royal Copenhagen. In recent years his larger works have fetched record high numbers at international auction - the most important works have sold in excess of half a million dollars. His work is a celebration of nature and often refers to his interests in Asian art and mythology.
2" x 3"

Minimalism Maximus

So chic and modern is this shape that it belies the form's true origin. This type of broad dish-like vessel is called a "Kylix" and its shape dates back thousands of years to Ancient Greece. This particularly grand version (26" in diameter!) was made in Florence, Italy by the Bianchini Firenze factory, est 1953.

Spectacular Spiral

Another example of tipping the scale! Ingrid Atterberg designed this series appropriately called "Spiral" in 1950 for the Swedish studio Upsala-Ekeby. My best guess is that the taller piece was an unusually rare large size - at 33" it literally towers over its common partner measuring in at 14".

Head Trip

Arguably one of the most important artists of the late 20th century is paid homage in this fantastic woven wool tapestry after Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960 - 1988). Named after his oil painting "Cabeza," this would have been created post-1984. Perfect for the avid appreciator of pop-art...this is meant to be hung not to be tread on!
Quite large at 77" x 58"

NOTE: In February of this year a print from the 1985 printing of "Cabeza" sold at auction for $27,600 (unsigned)

Crowning Achievement

A prince among Italian ceramic bowls...another great piece made by Alvino Bagni. Besides the telltale design hallmarks, the correct markings and incising tell us so. Circa 1950s, in a vibrant canary yellow high gloss glaze over a black undercoat. Regal and whimsical at once.
10" in diameter and 5" high
NOTE: We are closed this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm

Volcano Italiano

Groovy lava glazed pottery from Italy, attributable to Alvino Bagni, 1960s
16.5", 12"
NOTE: We are closed this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm

In the Manner of Moore

The influence of Henry Moore is unmistakable with this small and playful bronze sculpture. And playful it truly is, as it is intended to be played with...the figures turn on their axis to create various configurations. Marked 1972, however we know nothing of the artist (other than our assumption of his admiration for Moore).
Approximately 8" x 5"
NOTE: We are closed this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm

Happy 4th of July!

Clearly a floral, but for today reminds us of fireworks - Bavarian porcelain, hand carved and gilded by the artisans at Heinrich. This special technique is trademarked "Gemmo", 1950s
6.5"

NOTE: We are closed today, tomorrow and this weekend...resuming regular hours MONDAY at 12pm

Good Dog

The Chinese refer to this classic critter as a "Foo Dog" while the Japanese call him "Komainu". This wonderfully detailed example sits atop a genuine censor (incense burner) and is from Japan circa the late 1800s. The style of pottery is Satsuma.
9"

Worldly Whites

Just arrived from Scandinavia...a comprehensive collection of supremely simple off-white ceramics by Gunnar Nylund for Rorstrand, Sweden 1950s. The smallest measures just 2.5". The tallest of this group measures in at 13.5". Although they seem consistent in coloration, there are the subtlest differences in glaze hues, best appreciated in person.

Modigliani-alike

In Paris, June 2010, a similar sculpture by Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani fetched $52.6 million at a Christie's auction sale. A record for the artist and the highest price paid for a work of art sold in France at the time. Ours, of course a reproduction - and a fraction of the cost!
13.5"