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?  

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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"

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.

Effervescent Glass

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

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! 

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.

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.

Power to the Purple

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

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.

Bavarian Beauty

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

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.

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.

Terracotta Trio

Ronbo, Denmark

OSA, Denmark 

OSA, Denmark 

Three Danish smalls in a cream and earthenware color palette. All circa 1950s

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.

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.

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!

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

Old Spool

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

Whirlpool Pottery

Knabstrup Atelier, Denmark, 1950s.

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.

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!