The End of History

What a Pair

2012-02-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

It is rare to find a pair of vintage Italian cased glass candlesticks in such mint condition, especially considering the fact that this turquoise twosome have a separate Bobeche (AKA "wax-catchers" in layman's terms).
9.5"tall

Burnt Orange Raymor

2012-02-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

A prime example of pop-art perfection in high-gloss glaze. The single polka dot opening of this cylindrical vase, offset in an unpredictable way, makes this piece pure fun over function!
8"

Batik from Bornholm

2012-02-07T00:17:00.001-05:00

Lest we forget the 60s wasn't strictly modernist minimal, as flower power and bohemian grooviness abound on the island of Bornholm. It was here that ceramicist Noomi Backhausen created this large centerpiece bowl for Søholm - one of the the oldest pottery factories in Denmark (est. 1878). What impresses me most about this style of decoration is the close approximation to the look batik fabric... realized in stoneware. The sort of feathered effect on the lines gives a blurry softness to the design.
14"

Canary Keepsake

2012-02-06T00:08:00.002-05:00

Made mid-century in Murano - this most richly saturated yellow cased glass box...with gold plated fittings. A great place to store your equally treasured valuables.

Grey Gardens

2012-02-05T00:00:00.013-05:00

Although we are known as purveyors of fine vintage finds, occasionally we discover treasures of a contemporary nature, such as this Arzberg piece (not current, but certainly made within the last decade).

We love the grassy motif in greys and green found on this recent acquisition from a German dealer. What it lacks for in age it more than makes up for in design appeal.

16.5"

shot on location at Hudson River Flowers

http://www.hudsonriverflowers.com/main.html

Cleopatra's Casserole

2012-02-04T00:00:00.002-05:00

Every era seems to have its Egyptian-rival moment (and granted, we are playing a bit of free association here) but considering the fact that this piece of Bavarian porcelain by Prof. Lili Shultz for Hutschenreuther was created in the early 60s...as was the Elizabeth Taylor epic "Cleopatra"... might it be possible that we are discovering a design inspiration/connection?

13" across

Good Geodes

2012-02-03T18:44:00.001-05:00

Two geometrically aligned 'geode' bowls from IVIMA, Portugal, circa 1960. The 4" square has a layers of plum and white, while the 5" triangle's is lined in amber.

Gilding By Italy

2012-02-02T00:24:00.000-05:00

The amount of real gold decorating this terracotta cylinder from mid-century Italy is quite blinding. No camera-tricks or photoshopping was required to set this beauty ablaze with illumination.
12"

Cut to Perfection

2012-02-01T15:47:00.002-05:00

This cobalt vessel falls into the category of stunning beauty. The mind-boggling technique used to achieve the very art deco design above was perfected by skilled artisans at the German porcelain company Heinrich in the 50s. The pattern is literally etched through the glaze by hand, using a diamond cutting wheel, to reveal the porcelain body underneath.

10"

Vanity Fair

2012-01-31T00:00:00.003-05:00

Aqua and gold perfume bottles from Murano, 1950s...lovely for the powder room or dresser.

5", 6", 8"

It's Greek to Me

2012-01-30T00:00:00.003-05:00

The Greek Key motif as interpreted mid-50s in Bavarian porcelain.
Monumental at 22" tall

Giant German

2012-01-29T00:00:00.002-05:00

A monumental moment in West German pottery...this floor vase stands over 2' tall. A matte and mottled glaze in the most subtle shade of chartreuse. Karlsruher Majolika company from the 1950s.

Deadstock Discoveries

2012-01-28T00:00:00.031-05:00

One of the most striking things about shopping with us is the sheer number of choices at any one time. People often ask us just how we amass such collections. In most cases, it is a matter of searching high and low and piece by piece, but as in any business, sometimes it's who you know. One such valued source is a dealer we know who acquired, through auction, an entire storage facility filled with never before used (also known as "deadstock" to the trade) vintage Venetian glass. Lucky for us and convenient for the decorator! This grouping of tapered 1950s Italian cased glass vases are from a factory called Balboa.

Tall pieces are 14", Short pieces 11"

Woman of Steel

2012-01-27T00:32:00.001-05:00

An impressive lady hand wrought in the manner of Giacometti...she stands over 26" tall. An unsigned mid-century model of figurative art, constructed of a multitude of mini-metal rods.

Circular Stunner

2012-01-26T00:00:00.004-05:00

Attributed to Maison Jansen, the distinguished French interior design firm which produced fine furniture from 1880-1989. The famed firm's expertise was reinterpreting classical French designs with a decidedly modernist twist. Huge at 58" inches in diameter (and standing 19" tall), this is a statement making coffee table for a stately room. Gilt brass and steel, circa 1970s.

More Gilty Pleasures

2012-01-25T00:34:00.001-05:00

Swiss designer Hans Theo Baumann's career has been so prolific that his achievements merited a book to celebrate his work ( a gift to us from one of our best German dealers). Above is a great collection which he designed in the 50's and which remained in production at Rosenthal into the 60s.

Citrus-y Box

2012-01-24T01:32:00.001-05:00

Ceramic boxes are a mainstay of mid-century design and nobody did them better in the 50s than Aldo Londi for Bitossi. Orange with a mosaic pattern and a crackle glass glaze.
Box measures 2" tall, Top = 8" x 4"

Dotty Box

2012-01-23T00:12:00.001-05:00

American made glass from the 30s from a factory called Fenton, est. 1905 and still in operation in Williamstown, West Virginia. Clear glass topped with opalescent dots.
Box measures 2.5" tall, Top = 5" x 2.5"

Gilty Pleasure

2012-01-22T00:40:00.003-05:00

A cylindrical porcelain box in a particularly tribal pattern with a generous amount of 24k gold from the famous Fürstenberg factory, a company established in 1747! This modern departure came in the 1960s.
Just over 4" high

Beautiful Bullicante

2012-01-21T02:22:00.003-05:00

Encased bubbles by the millions makes this ruby red Murano paperweight from the 50s so spectacularly effervescent. As wide as it is tall at 4 x 4 inches.

Prized Piece

2012-01-20T00:00:00.003-05:00

To the serious collector of Italian pottery, one of the most coveted names is that of Guido Gambone. Prior to starting his own studio, Maestro Gambone worked for a factory called C.A.S. (Ceramica Artistica Solimene). This signed piece, circa 1950, features his signature crazed crystalline glass glaze over stoneware pottery. His shapes and motifs are often playful, if not animated in their design.

13" tall

Can You Handle These?

2012-01-19T00:46:00.002-05:00

An unlikely pairing resulted in this perfect pair. Famed German artist Walter Giers (known for electronic art - a sort of German Dan Flavin) designed these Bauhausian fruit bowls mid-century for a renown firm called Erhard & Söhne. They are another one of those 19th Century companies that prevailed and flourished in the 20th century, actually holding the world's original patent for brass inlay. By the late 60s or early 70s these smoked glass and brass creations were made for the stylish masses.
Bowls Diameters measure 8.5" and 6.5" repectively

Concave/Convex

2012-01-18T00:59:00.002-05:00

A rare piece from Wayne Husted for Blenko, USA, 1956. Sea Green glass with such odd proportions... making this, in my mind, more of a sculpture than a practical bowl. But, therein lies the intrigue and beauty.
3.5" high and 6" in diameter

Venini Funghi

2012-01-17T00:00:00.003-05:00

A staple we always strive to keep available in our shop is the 'Mushroom' lamp from Venini. A beautiful single piece of blown glass that forms the perfect ambient lamp for the shelf or for the bedside. What makes this version so rare is the lime green coloration. We've never seen this shape in this color before, making it that much more collectible.
11"tall

Red Hot Bowl

2012-01-16T00:00:00.004-05:00

Some glass is so vibrant in fluorescent color that it appears to be illuminated from within...such is the case with this classic bowl from the venerable Murano factory of Seguso, circa the 1950s. Fire engine red so saturated it seems to be still molten.
6.5" in diameter

Smoky Stems

2012-01-15T02:00:00.001-05:00

A terrific trio of smoked glass stemmed vases from Italy in the 60s. Stunning in their simplicity and quite contemporary for their minimalism. They feel very Armani Casa or Calvin Klein Home...but the vintage equivalent, of course.
Heights range from 11" to 13" to 15"

Funky Cool Mdina

2012-01-14T00:00:00.008-05:00

This axe-shaped vase (actually called a 'Fish-Vase') is the design of Michael Harris but likely executed by his first apprentice and the company's eventual heir apparent Joseph Said. Michael was an ingenious British glass blower who moved to Malta in the late 60's in order to start the Mdina Glass Studio, but eventually returned home to The Ilse of Wight to start his own studio. This wild-colored amalgam of abstract expressionism is signed and dated 1978. Could Harris have been the Jackson Pollock of glass? Well, this is certainly a museum quality piece.

9" x 7.5"

Return to Pompeii

2012-01-13T14:55:00.003-05:00

Our collection of Bavarian porcelain from the German factory Hutschenreuther has increased exponentially. This surreal line called "Pompeji" was designed by Fabius von Gugel in1964. There is a distinct link to the works of Italy's Fornasetti that we just love. The box has a hidden treasure inside, another small Pompeii-style "fresco" decorates its interior.

Deluxe Details

2012-01-12T00:00:00.002-05:00

A unique Bavarian beauty from the storied porcelain company Fürstenberg. In existence since 1747, this is an example of a modernist departure for the traditional company, circa early 1960s.
14.5"tall

Germanic Ceramics

2012-01-11T01:18:00.006-05:00

One of the most celebrated names in German Pottery is that of Richard Uhlemeyer (1900-1954), whose work enjoyed a 6 month retrospective at the Keramik-Museum-Berlin just last year. These pieces were likely from the 40s given their coloration. This type of glaze is called a "copper reduction" as it gives the clay a patinated metallic look. The purposefully crazed surface is termed "variegated", which lends the pieces an antiqued appeal.
17" and 10" tall

Concentric Compote

2012-01-10T00:16:00.003-05:00

A mind bending achievement in Italian glass blowing, this signed vintage Cenedese centerpiece demands attention. Wafer-thin and feather light, even its survival is miraculous. Notice the fine striations, of which there seem to be millions.
5" tall and 14.5" in diameter!

Lavender Lovely

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

All the heralded hallmarks of Barbini...beautiful fluting, a smattering of gold specks, and a touch of the Baroque in the scrolled details. Four feet tall and about 12" at its base, a great scale rarely seen.

Another Stud...

2012-01-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

...This time of the West German variety. This yummy ceramic cylindrical vase literally looks like sections of an imported chocolate bar...with the added bonus of a teal interior.
Just over 9"

Stunning Studs

2012-01-07T00:00:00.006-05:00

Milk Glass is admittedly not a typical category for us. Most times it reads more "Granny" than grand, but, as is often the case, we do make exceptions. This grouping of 3 have such geometric interest that they feel somehow Modern and Gothic at once. American-made mid-century.

15.5", 9.5", 5.5"

Foal in Repose

2012-01-06T00:24:00.001-05:00

A precious equine figurine from Michael Andersen & Son, made on the island of Bornholm, Denmark, circa 1950s.
Just 3" x 5"

Latest Disc-Covery

2012-01-05T00:52:00.004-05:00

A rare example of a "Disc" floor lamp by Carl Fagerlund for Orrefors, Sweden, circa 1960.

Hand blown crystal discs seem to float along the brass fitting. Even the base is made of crystal.

5' tall

Hot Lava

2012-01-04T00:05:00.003-05:00

This grouping of streamlined German pottery by Siegfried Gramann for Töpferhof Gramann Römhild Studio features surfaces still within the category of Lava glazes, but are in a more sophisticated muted color palette and subtler texture than most of their ilk.

Left: 12" tall

Center: 15.5" tall

Right: 10"

Fish Story

2012-01-03T00:00:00.005-05:00

There are 3 sides to this story...although I'm not aware of any actual literary allusion it might represent. Perhaps its origins are mythical in nature or perhaps a Danish Moby Dick equivalent. The fish is neither a swordfish nor a whale, but some sort of mystical sea creature. In addition we have sailors on a Danish vessel and a classic dessert island...all captured in genuine 24k gold inlay. This is an Art Deco treasure from Royal Copenhagen, circa the 1930s.

Caged Heat

2012-01-02T00:00:00.010-05:00

An interesting niche in lamp design can be found in these vintage Italian cage blown glass lights by Barovier & Toso, circa 1950s. (both examples above are 1 of 2 available)

A sort of modernist version of a Moroccan motif made in Murano.

The most intricate example in our collection is this single spectacular table lamp.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

Fab Flora

2011-12-31T00:00:00.003-05:00

What a wonderfully unexpected pattern from Rosenthal. 1950s German porcelain, so heavily decorated in black and gold transfer that the original white china surface just barely peeks through the leafy motif. The pattern is named Malvacea - after a variety of wild poppy of the Hibiscus family.

Matching pair = 13" tall
Above = 11" & 6.5"

Important Imports

2011-12-30T13:34:00.002-05:00

Delicate pieces in my favorite tone of blue, that rich saturated color of ultra-glossy glaze, somewhere between cobalt and turquoise. Created by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, Sweden. 1950's

8" and 4"

Vases shot atop our vintage Italian garden stool

Obscure Obelisk

2011-12-29T00:06:00.002-05:00

Renown clothing designer Emilio Pucci was one of the first fashion names to know the value of expanding into all forms of style, aside from his famous clothing line, and enter into a creative collaboration with companies outside of the garment trade. One famous commission came in the form of a porcelain line for Rosenthal, started in 1961. Our Obelisk shaped vase is a rare piece, and at over 18", one of the tallest Rosenthal's we have ever seen.

A Container for...

2011-12-28T16:44:00.007-05:00

The Bitter Tears of Petra von Kant!

This over-the-top cobalt blue and gold lidded box with an Austrian crystal knob by the noted Bavarian porcelain manufacturer Hutschenreuther reminded us immediately of the Fassbinder cult classic of 1972. This embodies the same unexpected mix of Mod/Baroque/Deco opulence as evidenced in the clip below.

Snooty Ceramic

2011-12-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

Oh...how I love the aristocratic attitude this figurine seems to exhibit. Italian, 1950s.
13"

Happy Boxing Day!

2011-12-26T12:40:00.002-05:00

Another classic mid century Italian beauty by Aldo Londi for Bitossi.

Merry Murano Christmas

2011-12-25T00:00:00.003-05:00

Let it Snow!

2011-12-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

On Christmas Eve I just had to share a snow flake remeniscent design found on another Bavarian beauty.

10" tall, square shaped vase

Greek Key to Our Hearts

2011-12-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

A coffee klatch of drink sets as designed in 1965 by Susan Williams-Ellis at her own self-purchased pottery company called Portmeirion in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The "Greek Key", while obviously an ancient motif, perhaps because her great design, became ubiquitous with mid-century high style. Shown here in partial sets and in three color-ways, a full set offers six cups and saucers. The extra tall carafe (14") became another signature of her work.

Duo by Barbini

2011-12-22T00:00:00.002-05:00

These fabulously fluted vases are classic 50s by Barbini. The pink is a blush confection not unlike cotton candy while the other leans more lavender.
Both around 17"

Isn't She Lovely

2011-12-21T00:00:00.003-05:00

Named Mademoiselle Pogany when it was first cast by Constantin Brancusi in Bronze around 1913, this almost otherworldly female form is found only in museums or the homes of the ultra rich. An original was said to be worth, at the height of the art market, over $100 Million. We were lucky to come across a beautiful vintage homage made of plaster. Our best educated guess would be that this scale (17" tall) reproduction was made for sale at a museum shop during a retrospective of his work.

Missoni Home Heritage

2011-12-19T00:00:00.001-05:00

I'm just saying...if Missoni was producing ceramics for the home in the 50s - these would have certainly fit right in. All three are marked "Italy" in hand painted script on the base.
l to r: 10", 16", 8"

Barbini Genie

2011-12-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

A supremely rare version of the Barbini flame stoppered bottle in sea blue/green colored glass, translucent, but for a generous amount of gold.
23" tall

Flame On

2011-12-17T00:00:00.004-05:00

A dramatic pair of Italian obelisks of faceted crystal with swirls of red/orange flames embedded within...all I can say is h-o-t!
Original Murano foil stickers from the 60s still intact.
14"

Magnificent Opalescence

2011-12-16T11:54:00.000-05:00

A display of glass techniques we don't ever see combined in one piece. Attributable to Fratelli Toso, this stoppered bottle of opalescent glass has been cage-blown for a quilted effect. Impressive in its complexity. The tone is a dreamy mother-of-pearl with a hint of my favorite accent color - turquoise.
14"

Serving Sugestion

2011-12-15T00:00:00.002-05:00

A great gift set for the holidays or an off-the-registry wedding present...a 50s Bavarian porcelain espresso set in a kaleidoscopic array of color with a touch of gilt.

Sexy Saxbo

2011-12-14T17:44:00.000-05:00

What really turns us on about this little mid-century Danish beauty from Saxbo is the unusual tiny fitted lid. The glaze is subtle with the faintest hint of celadon green.

Ice Ice Baby

2011-12-13T00:00:00.001-05:00

Mod goes the Ice Bucket with these swinging 60s stunners from Baron Alessandro Albrizzi! Lucite with swivel tops. Great optical effects make these visually stunning for the coffee table or on the bar of your groovy bachelor pad.

The tallest is 7" by 10"

Welcome Winter

2011-12-12T12:05:00.002-05:00

A series by Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen, circa mid-60s. This group captures this very moment in the seasons where we are about to transition from autumn to winter. Modern and earthy meet at once.

Tray: 11.5" x 8.5", Pair of Pheasants 7", Oval 12", Butterflies 9", Smalls 3-3.5"

Tray Chic

2011-12-10T17:30:00.000-05:00

An amazing little 50s artifact from Ingrid Atterberg for Upsala-Ekeby. This signed ceramic tray seems like a studio piece, as in unique. There is a great juxtaposition of the earthy rough texture and stark cubist design. The color palette is very mid-century...pale blues, yellow, and a couple shots of red.
12" X 4.5"

Germany Does Chinoiserie

2011-12-09T15:40:00.001-05:00

Created in the 60s, this large (21" tall) piece of Bavarian porcelain is a decidedly Pop Art take on a classic Chinese motif, continuing a long tradition of Germany looking to the Asian Empire for inspiration. In fact it was in the early 18th century that the Germans were among the first in Europe to crack the code for fine porcelain production that was for centuries a tightly held secret dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Mini-Moore

2011-12-08T20:37:00.000-05:00

Another example of a 'maquette' or model for a public sculpture in the manner of Henry Moore...that may or may not have been realized at the time. This was purchased from a dealer in Miami where this type of sculpture would look right at home along South Beach. The stucco sculptural forms are set in a speckled travertine base.
8" X 8"

Massive Glass

2011-12-05T19:25:00.001-05:00

It's important to stress the very impressive size of this opalescent vase. At 27", this floor vase is among the tallest pieces from American glass manufacturer Pilgrim, circa 1960s. Wonderful winter white and rare indeed.

Elegant Elightenment

2011-12-05T12:27:00.003-05:00

This beautiful and unusual example of French mid-century industrial chic comes to us from Zurich and was manufactured by the Mazda lamp company in France circa 1950.

Window Shopping

2011-12-03T00:00:00.007-05:00

I happened to capture an incredibly chic New York woman as she took a moment to appreciate our elegant Christmas window. She was dressed to the nines for an early evening stroll and had to stop to take in the vintage ornamentation.

What a Stud

2011-12-02T00:00:00.002-05:00

Upon hearing the term "Rostrato", the name given to this line by legendary factory Barovier & Toso, one might assume this would be a reference to the thorn of a rose, but the translation from Italian is literally "Beak", as in that of a bird. While the line was originally designed by Ercole Barovier in the late 30s, this lidded jar was made in the 40s or 50s when accessories for the vanity were in still very much in vogue.

Couture Candelabras

2011-12-01T00:00:00.005-05:00

Blackamoor figurines created mid-century from one of the grand old family run glass houses still in operation in Murano, Ballarin - a factory that literally dates back hundreds of years...established in the late 1400's. Baroque in its intricacy, this pair is a master-study of glass techniques.

The taller candlestick is around 16" in height

New Ye Olde Map

2011-11-30T00:00:00.004-05:00

We are so pleased to be a part of the great West Village community that gave rise to this homespun guide! Created by Kimo Jung (of the fabulous shop "Leo Design") and Brad Soucy, whose illustrations adorn the fold-out map. This is an invaluable resource for those who cherish the indie shop culture that seems to be be dwindling in Manhattan with each passing year. Come by and pick up a copy and enjoy a walking tour of the neighborhood we adore.

Jack Frost Ceramics

2011-11-29T00:00:00.002-05:00

Founded in 1901, the Majolica factory of Karlsruhe is one of the only ceramic factories in Germany which has survived every political and economical crisis of the last century and is still running today. This group of mid-century Karlsruhe Majolica has a distinctive crackle glaze commonly employed by the Bauhaus trained designers at the time.

Heights:
Large vessels l to r: 16", 12", 12"
Shell: 3"
Box: 2"

O Tannenbaum

2011-11-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

We also have a great selection of vintage Mini-X-Mas trees...all hand made and flocked in glitter and snow.
From 3" and up

Suddenly Tis the Season

2011-11-27T00:50:00.002-05:00

Just one of many incredible vintage Christmas ornaments to be found at The End of History.

Copper Keeper

2011-11-26T00:46:00.001-05:00

A substantial piece of ceramic from Danish pottery company Hyllested Keramik. Made by Holger Jensen, this piece has a luminescent copper luster glaze that depending on the light looks rusty or rosy. Just gorgeous! Great size at 16" tall and 14" wide and quite weighty at around 15lbs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T00:00:00.006-05:00

"Bird" Image from a 17" Rosenthal porcelain vase. Germany, 1950s

Please note we are closed for the Holiday today and tomorrow...open this weekend!

Metalliferous and Marvelous

2011-11-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

This little lucite and metal box sits atop an equally ornate silver plated tray. Both by WMF, a company which dates back to the mid-1800s in Germany and is still in operation. Established for industrial metalworking in the early days, WMF quickly evolved to become a manufacturer of decorative home goods from the high-end to the well designed utilitarian goods it is known for today.

Boxtop measures 4.5" X 3.5" , shown here on a 10.5" Square tray.

White Light

2011-11-22T00:09:00.002-05:00

A matte white cylindrical porcelain lamp in a mesmerizing thumbprint pattern, West Germany, circa 1960s.
14"

Dimpled Deluxe

2011-11-21T12:37:00.002-05:00

Another big blue Empoli continues the theme...this is the tallest stopper bottle (of this shape) we've seen at 33" tall!

Mod Couple

2011-11-20T00:23:00.008-05:00

Likely the same era and also from Empoli like yesterday's rare purple beauty this equally groovy pair is a color so saturated I can only describe it as Blood Orange. We purchased the decanter from a source in England and one interesting thing to note is that this kind of stopper is only found on decanters that were made for the British market. It also has a sticker on it that reads "Opalino", most likely an importer of Italian glass in the UK.
27.5"(w/ stopper), 25"

Double Bubble Bottle

2011-11-19T00:00:00.003-05:00

This Italian bottle with a great big ball stopper, likely from Empoli, is just the most delicious shade of grape...24" of purple perfection. Very 1960s.

Another Cut Above

2011-11-18T00:27:00.003-05:00

A technique we can't get enough of, quite literally, since it is rare and hard to find. The flowers you see are not painted, but hand-carved into the porcelain. Created for Heirich as part of their Gemmo line designed by Karl Leutner in 1954. This turquoise beauty started off as a simple blue glazed porcelain vase and then after firing was carved and cut to reveal the white below the surface. The vessel's shape and design motif is likely an homage to the art of the Japanese Meiji period.
Massive and important at 10' by 10"

Nailed It!

2011-11-17T00:00:00.002-05:00

At 52 inches in diameter, this has to be the most massive nail sculpture we have ever had. Made anonymously mid-century using a fantastic collection of what looks like 18th-19th century railroad nails. The welding is meticulous and the starburst effect is a great treat for the eye.

Awning Announcement

2011-11-16T10:59:00.002-05:00

For years we have been obscured by the dreaded scaffolding necessary for building renovations. Well, those days are over. At long last we were able to upgrade to a preservation society friendly awning... with our name up there is glorious black and white!

Frosty The Porcelain

2011-11-15T00:56:00.002-05:00

A matching pair of Rosenthal porcelain pieces from the 50s in a pattern called "Frost", an ironic name given its "Sun Print" look.
Vase = 8"
Plate = 11.5" in diameter

Buddha as a Girl

2011-11-14T00:00:00.004-05:00

Here's a bit of enlightenment on one of our favorite forms...Her name is Kwan Yin and she is often referred to as the female Buddha. Created by Bitossi in the 60s, we are inclined to believe she was made almost exclusively for the famed Copenhagen department store called Illums Bolighus, as it has on occasion had the store label still attached and is found for auction primarily in Scandinavia. It seems that few if any were sold even in Italy (where it was made) and we rarely acquire them stateside.
14" tall

Sassy Glass

2011-11-13T01:20:00.006-05:00

Is it just us, or does this lidded jar have attitude!? It seems to be saying "Well, I Never!" ...but that would be false, since we've seen her here once before in a light blue. This Empoli lidded jar is an awesome olive green. Miss Thing (of beauty) stands just about 12" tall.

Exquisite Equus

2011-11-12T09:51:00.003-05:00

A rare and very large 17" tall modern primitive chartreuse, yellow and black Spanish ceramic horse sculpture from the 60's by a ceramic company called Alfaraz made under the direction of Spain's foremost ceramic artists Miquel Duran-Lorgia & Jesus Martitegui, both who won the gold medal at a design exposition in Munich, Germany in 1960.
Very tall @ 17"

A Shroom for Your Room

2011-11-10T00:32:00.001-05:00

We love a mushroom lamp! So 60s and a great source of ambient light to help illuminate a bookshelf or just to add a pop of color and whimsy. This one is from Sweden.

The Big Bang

2011-11-09T00:00:00.004-05:00

One of the most heralded names in Scandinavian pottery is that of Danish ceramicist Arne Bang. This taupe colored fluted bowl is dappled with a naturalistic touch of rust. It is one of his rarest shapes...and therefore quite collectible. The fluidity of the form belies its heavy stoneware weight. Created in the 1940's, this bowl is an earlier work by a prolific artisan. Marked with his AB monogram and a nice size measuring 10" in diameter and 4" in height.

Wicked Lynx

2011-11-08T00:38:00.003-05:00

Created by the noted Swedish sculptor Georg Gunmar (1915-1976) this piece is actually a study, or 'maquette', for what would eventually be cast in bronze or cut in stone. His subjects were almost always animals in motion and a dozen or so public works are found all over Sweden, many in Stockholm. The Lynx was his favorite form and we have a great example here from 1955.

I Feel Blue

2011-11-07T01:23:00.004-05:00

Never has a single color been more closely associated with a particular artist than an indigo hue known as Yves Klein Blue...and deservedly so, given the fact that it was he who basically invented the process in which to achieve it (along with some rather clever chemists). His ability to capture the vibrancy of a perfect blue powdered pigment and the way he incorporated it into a variety of mediums gave him such notoriety within the art world that his influence must have been at play with the creation of the four West German 'Fat Lava' ceramic pieces you see above.

Olive Object D'art

2011-11-06T14:00:00.002-05:00

Another Bavarian beauty in olive and cobalt with a generous amount of genuine gold detailing
13"

Abstractly Fabulous

2011-11-05T00:23:00.002-04:00

Sometimes a piece from an unknown artist can be even more intriguing to the eye given the mystery behind its maker. An Abstract Expressionist Oil on Masonite signed Audrey E. Harvey dated 1967 shows great skill with the brush and captures the era with an evocative use of color and style. I welcome input if anyone can shed light on this talented painter, or perhaps the beauty lies in the possible "outsider" appeal.
In its original frame, measures 18.5" X 22.5"

Required Reading

2011-11-04T01:06:00.013-04:00

A marvelous new tome has just arrived from one of our very favorite interior designers: Expressive Modern...The Interiors of Amy Lau is all about vivid color, so when she needed to pull some accessories for a window display at her book launch party at Archivia Books last night, she came to The End of History. We were honored to offer our goods for loan - not too mention pleased to see our wares in the pages of her beautiful book. We couldn't be happier for her continued success in the world of design.

Come see the display in person and pick up a copy at Archiva Books, 993 Lexington Ave., between 72 and 71st Streets. www.archiviabooks.com

Bavarian Bounty

2011-11-03T00:00:00.007-04:00

Our assemblage of German porcelain with gilded details is quickly growing as shipments arrive from Europe with exciting regularity. We are concentrating on amassing enough similar styles from renowned factories such as Rosenthal, Alboth & Kaiser, Heinrich, Hutschenreuther (to name a few) in order to reunite like patterns and themes...thus making it possible to create 'instant collections' that decorators love.

Sizes range from small to monumental.

Deco-Rate

2011-11-02T08:49:00.003-04:00

Make no mistake, this French 1920s Art Deco male is one major figure...28" in length and nearly 16" tall, the sculpture weighs 40lbs! The antiqued bronze look was achieved through a patination technique of cold painting over a metal-mix called "spelter". This is a perfect example of male perfection... and considering its age, it's in amazing condition. By "Bezin".

Hollywood Legacy

2011-11-01T12:06:00.002-04:00

Mary Preminger, ex-wife of Hollywood legend Otto Preminger, was an accomplished artist in her own right. The painting above was created in 1964. 23" X 27"

Mary was an ex-model who forwent an obvious acting career and instead mastered most modernist mediums including the oil paintings seen above, but she was also a celebrated sculptor and had several serious exhibitions - even at The Museum of Modern Art.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T00:12:00.001-04:00

A vintage West German ceramic vase that proves creepy can be chic...warts and all!

Op-Art Opulence

2011-10-30T00:57:00.001-04:00

Bohemian Crystal cut for maximum optical effect. More modern than fussy - this is gorgeous kaleidoscopic glass from Germany made at the very height of the trippy 60s.
Red = 10.5"
Amber = 8"

London by Way of Denmark

2011-10-29T00:00:00.005-04:00

The "Carnaby" collection from Kastrup-Holmegaard was credited mostly by the famous Per Lütken...but a lesser known designer was behind this particular shape - Christer Holmgren. Shown here in canary yellow, this group was designed in 1968.
The sizes range from 8.5" to 10" and 12" respectively

Isn't She Lovely?

2011-10-28T00:35:00.009-04:00

Isn't She Wunderbar? Created for German company Karlsruher Majolika and made by female potter Lore Friedrich-Gronau in the early 1960s. She is a delicious shade of milk-chocolate clay with only a subtle frosting of light blue glaze as highlighting on the fabric and light blonde glaze in the hair.
18" tall

Moorish is More

2011-10-27T01:44:00.001-04:00

More Bavarian beauties which seem to have a Moorish motif as seen through rose colored psychedelic glasses...60s Germany does Arabian Nights in hot pink and gold. The smaller vase has intricate relief work on a matte surface while the monumental piece is all about the hot pink transfer. This porcelain duo is courtesy of a company called Krautheim.
Tall is 20", Short is 8.5"