I Think We're Turning Japanese...

A category of collectible in which we dabble is mid-century Japanese enamel trays from a company called Tutanka. The subject matter might appeal to those of us who can't wait for beautiful little blossoms which indicate better weather than we are experiencing at the moment. An early New Year's daydream.

Secondo Illumination

Another great iconic lamp from the likes of Venini...so very 60s in its grooviness. The classic "Onion" shape, often seen as a hanging lamp, made here as a tabletop. Brings a tear to one's eye.

Venetian Illumination

A rarity in the realm of Mushroom lamps by Venini, given its spattering of real silver leaf throughout.

Paris Painting

A particularly pleasing Paris painting from the 50s by an unknown (at least to me) artist named Michaux. Much more visually appealing than your typical scene by the Seine. There is a geometric balance in the tableau that elevates the image from 'postcard' to higher art, and a color palette classic to the era. 36" X 31" framed.

Grey Winter Day

Sorry for the late delay in blog entry...travel continues to be a challenge in and out of snowy New York City! Here are two oyster colored stopper bottles from the 50s , Italy.

Dark Amber

A swirly Seguso stoppered bottle, Murano, 1950s. What strikes me about this stunner is the very heavy weight of it. In impeccable condition due to its origin story...found in a batch of items that never made it out of the warehouse after import!

Winter Whites

Vintage 60s Bavarian Porcelain from Germany in the most intriguing patterns imaginable.

Marks-a-Plenty

I'm guessing Ingrid Atterberg created this textured surface by laboriously removing the top layer of glaze with a small sharp tool prior to final kiln. It never ceases to amaze me that an artist could manage such intricacy and uniformity all by hand. 11" tall. The "Dori" patterned vase was made in Sweden for Upsala Ekeby in the 50s.

Danish Duo

Studio ceramics in matte brown with a vibrant burnt orange glaze...delicious, no?

An Ornament Like No Other

Italian from the 50's...Don't you just love the snail?

Asymmetrical Collectable

Just in from Scandinavia, this 1950s Kosta vase by legendary Swedish glass artist Vicke Lindstrand. It's 9.5 inches tall with a milky layer a color I can best describe as Lemon Meringue.

Fruitful Find

Miraculously intact and shown here as it would have been presented originally as a complete fruit and bowl collection from Barbini, 1950s.

Giacometti-a-like

We are not sure who created this classically mid-century female sculpture, but the inspiration is clearly Alberto Giacometti. At 26 inches tall, she is one lean and lovely nail lady. 

Notice in the close-up, the surface color is actually a chocolate brown with spots of orange highlights.

Vase Extravaganza

An elegant twist of vintage crystal (or "kristall" as they spell it in Swedish) vase from Kosta, 1950s. Stunning in subtle smoky grey.

Now That's Venetian

We knew we had a really chic piece when we found this over-the-top Murano lamp (likely Seguso or Barovier, 1940s) in the shape of a Venetian gondola post, but what confirmed our eclectic sensibilities was this feature in this month's The World of Interiors magazine.

Inside you will notice the same lamp as found in celebrated artist John Currin's surrealist apartment in Manhattan. 

Hey John...interested in a pair? 

Going Back to Cali

This 3 inch piece of pottery may be diminutive in size, but it is huge in terms of importance. Created by Los Angeles based African American artist Doyle Lane in the early 60s. Along with the works of his contemporaries, his pottery came to define the American Movement. Rarely found on the east coast, we are thrilled to acquire one of his works.

Modern/Classic

Here's a terrific example of great design as passed through the ages. This form which looks so perfectly modern is actually from the 1950s, made in Italy...but the story goes further back to the ancient Chinese where the double gourde shape first originated centuries earlier.

Barbini Genie Bottle

Blue/Green fluted glass with lovely fluid lines...Barbini, Murano, Italy, circa 1950s

Flavio of the Week

Sometimes a vase is so iconic it becomes signature. Such is the case with this 1950s Flavio Poli piece for Seguso Vetri d'Arte. Its lines are unmistakably Poli. What makes this one so rare and unusual is its dense color saturation. One usually finds this piece as clear sommerso (featuring two colors), whereas here the cobalt blue is almost opaque with a good amount of gold leaf design embedded in the glass. I always loved the sassy attitude this shape seems to evoke. 

Go Rococo

The very best kind of vintage find is that which has never been used, known among dealers and collectors alike as "dead stock". We acquired a pair of these good-as-new hanging lamps that were made in Italy at the Barovier & Toso factory...found in a warehouse in the US...and untouched until now. Gorgeously gold plated and massive at 2 feet high. Designed in a "Spanish Galleon" deco style...not unlike the top of New York's Con Edison building. 

More Murano Trees

As promised...a further selection of Christmas trees made in Venice in the 50s and 60s. But, hurry up, we have only a few left in time for the holidays!

Back to Square One

Gold, bubbles, and opalescence all in one! This Murano glass bowl from the 50s is a flashy piece of home decor and a great gift idea for the holidays.

Winning Scratch Off

The Italians perfected the technique known as Sgraffito, where a sharp tool is used to scratch away the clay's surface to achieve a textured look like you see above. This great 50s example is also gilt for illumination. In other words a real winner!

Deco-Rate

Lidded Art Deco ceramic vase by artist Ewald Dahlskog for Bo Fajans. Made in Sweden circa 1930's. This polka-dotted piece features a patinated pewter and copper lid with lines that practically define the deco era.

The North Pole?

This is a great example of a piece with its original sticker...helping to identify and authenticate origin. This piece was designed by Carlo Moretti on the Island of Murano in the 60s. The base in a milk white cased glass and the lid is super-reflective mercury glass.

6-Sided Stunner

The famed Danish company Bing & Grøndahl (founded 1853) made this heavy stoneware bowl in Copenhagen a century later in the 1950s. Large and statement making at 10.5" in diameter.

Artisanal Pottery

This spectacular hanging platter is an impressive size at around 17" in diameter and hefty weight (the wire it hangs on was literally affixed with cement). Its gorgeous textured surface has an almost terrain-like quality. This earthy type of ceramic is unique and clearly made by the hand of a true artisan in Sweden, late 60s or early 70s.

Vintage Christmas Finds

The Tops!

Hand Blown Glass Bulbs from Murano, c 1960s

Glass From X-Mas Past

Murano X-mas Tree in clear glass. X-pect more X-amples in the very near future.

Christmas Windows Our Way

No mechanical elves for us...Stephen created this fantasy forestry for the holidays featuring hundreds of handpicked vintage ornaments. Up close is another example of a Japanese diorama ornament from the 50s

X-Mas Glass

A spectacular sommerso by Seguso in a particularly Christmas-sy color combo. Simple. Stunning. Ask Santa!

Special Spirals

One of the most iconic patterns to be found in Scandinavian pottery was created by Ingrid Atterberg for Upsala-Ekeby. Yellow and white stripes alternating over a matte brown ceramic are the hallmarks of the "Spiral" design.

A Million Different Pieces

This large panel would look great hanging above a credenza in the dining room given its fruit and wine theme. The last time we had this same design, in slightly different colors, we sold it to one of our favorite customers- Wendy Waxman, the chief set decorator at Food Network, where it has since been spotted many-a-time on TV. I always marvel at the labor intensity of this particular Murano glass art form. Less campy than classic and so 1950s in its design. Be sure to "select" the above image for a closer look.