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"
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Important Imports
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
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Obscure Obelisk
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.
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
A Container for...
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.
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Let it Snow!
On Christmas Eve I just had to share a snow flake remeniscent design found on another Bavarian beauty.
10" tall, square shaped vase
Friday, December 23, 2011
Greek Key to Our Hearts
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.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Duo by Barbini
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"
Both around 17"
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Isn't She Lovely
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. Marked 1961, 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.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Missoni Home Heritage
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"
l to r: 10", 16", 8"
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Barbini Genie
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
23" tall
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Flame On
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"
Original Murano foil stickers from the 60s still intact.
14"
Friday, December 16, 2011
Magnificent Opalescence
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"
14"
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Serving Sugestion
A great gift set for the holidays or an off-the-registry wedding present...a 50s German porcelain espresso set in a kaleidoscopic array of color with a touch of gilt.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Sexy Saxbo
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.
4"
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Ice Ice Baby
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"
The tallest is 7" by 10"
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tray Chic
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"
12" X 4.5"
Friday, December 9, 2011
Germany Does Chinoiserie
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).
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Mini-Moore
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"
8" X 8"
Monday, December 5, 2011
Massive Glass
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
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.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Window Shopping
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.
Friday, December 2, 2011
What a Stud
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.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Couture Candelabras
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
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
New Ye Olde Map
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.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Jack Frost Ceramics
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"
Heights:
Large vessels l to r: 16", 12", 12"
Shell: 3"
Box: 2"
Monday, November 28, 2011
O Tannenbaum
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
From 3" and up
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Copper Keeper
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
"Bird" Image from a 17" Rosenthal porcelain vase. Germany, 1950s
Please note we are closed for the Holiday today and tomorrow...open this weekend!
Please note we are closed for the Holiday today and tomorrow...open this weekend!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Metalliferous and Marvelous
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.
Boxtop measures 4.5" X 3.5" , shown here on a 10.5" Square tray.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
White Light
A matte white cylindrical porcelain lamp in a mesmerizing thumbprint pattern, West Germany, circa 1960s.
14"
14"
Monday, November 21, 2011
Dimpled Deluxe
Another big blue Empoli continues the theme...this is the tallest stopper bottle (of this shape) we've seen at 33" tall!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Mod Couple
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"
27.5"(w/ stopper), 25"
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Double Bubble Bottle
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.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Another Cut Above
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 Heinrich 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"
Massive and important at 10' by 10"
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Nailed It!
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.
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