Happy Halloween

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

Op-Art Opulence

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

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?

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

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"

Have a Ball

A ball-stopper tops this obvious nod to the Seguso standard, but this is a more populist piece for the masses in the 60s from a factory in Empoli, Italy. The swirls are a free flowing mix of orange, black and cobalt blue.

The Tall and Short of It

Mandruzzatto made these cut glass vases in both the very tall 12" version and the more bud-sized 6" you see here in a dark roasted amber color.

Bowled Over

A duo of stunning sommerso bowls. Murano, circa 1950s. What appeals to me is the stark geometric shapes and the deeply saturated and sophisticated color combinations. 

Each are approximately 6.5" in diameter 

British Baubles

Suddenly the 70s have returned to fashion...and when it comes to accessorizing, the home is no exception. Introducing Liskeard Glass designed by Jim Dyer in Cornwall, England. Known for their molten look and knobbly details, these two purple bud vases are impressed with the signature "LG" mark stamped on their base.

A Slice Above

Glassworks from Mid-Century West Germany, by Friedrich.  The process to produce this dotty duo would have been three-fold - handblown, sliced, and frosted. The epitome of the Op-Art sensibility.
Teal = 10.5"
Smokey Amber = 9.5"

Grand Opening!

We have a long and proud history with one of our favorite stores, the great fashion establishment known as Barney's New York. Creative Director Simon Doonan utilized our wares for in-store display from the start, and in 2006 we had a temporary Pop-up Shop in the home goods department. And now we are thrilled to announce...our very own section of Chelsea Passage is a retail reality. Just opened on the 9th floor of the flagship Madison Avenue address is this colorful slice of The End of History...now uptown!

The Birds

French Art Deco birds at play (or is this a mating ritual?) Bronze from the 20s, measures approximately 15.5" in height.

Bavarian Floral

The "Melanie" line of porcelain was created during the late 60s at one of the leading Bavarian companies, Alboth & Kaiser. Coral in color and intensely decorated with stunning floral details and gilding. Obviously hand-painted as you can see the strokes of the artisan's hand in each pedal. This is a monumental example of a vase from the line at 18" tall.

Harlequin Novelty

A whimsical & pyramidal shaped bud vase from the equally wonderful Ingrid Atterberg for Upsala, Ekeby. One of our favorite women of a company known for great female potters, she had created this pattern called "Pepita" in the 1950s.
This little Swede measures just 3" tall and about 4.5" wide.

Porcelain Heaven

According to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe "God is in the details", and these vases are pure heaven. Lush and intricate transferware from West Germany. The left vessel is from Hutschenreuther Selb while the right vase is classic Rosenthal. 1960s

l: 14" 

r: 10"

Flavio of the Week

Flavio Poli for Seguso, circa 1950s. This 10.5" sommerso stoppered bottle is a large scale perfume with a citrusy lemon/lime coloration.

Bravo!

Any regular reader knows that not only is Andy Cohen a friend, but he's also a fan of the shop. As I was catching up on this week's DVR, I was delighted to see the lime green glass mushroom set Andy purchased from us prominently displayed in every single shot of A-list guest Sarah Jessica Parker who's own West Village house has a collection of our glass.

You've Urned It

Tall and turquoise and oh-so-Italian is this Bitossi urn vase. Heavy in weight and the great generous opening means it would make a terrific vessel for substantial flower arrangements!
15.5" tall

18th Century Meets Mid-Century

Rarely do we get this excited about a new category of collectable. Discovered through our contacts in Germany comes this 50s Bavarian porcelain with decoration no doubt inspired by the botanical illustrations that date back the 1700s to the works of famous Swede Carl Linnaeu. Just look at the fine detail and elegant lines of this botanical beauty!
12"

Come Sail Away

Arriving from France is this Art Deco Boat, made of Rosewood with Brass rivets and shiny Copper sails, circa 1930.

Simplicity Rules

One of my favorite shapes from the Murano house of Seguso - a simply perfect circle, clear with a spattering of real gold leaf embedded throughout.
Circa 1960s
8" in diameter and 3" tall

Pass the Basalt

From the venerable British company Wedgwood comes a 20th century modern vase. The firm actually first introduced Black Basalt Ware in the 1790s as perfected by no other than Josiah Wedgwood. Inspired by Egyptian stoneware which gained its pitch black color from the volcanic mineral, Basalt. The 1960s line took on an unexpected modern turn in form, as shown above.
6" X 6"

Monkeying Around

An adorably diminutive Simian sculpture by Knud Kyhn for Royal Copenhagen. This 3.5" stoneware monkey is in the typical Sung glaze finish from this era, designed in 1929. A great collectible to add to your coterie.

Patination Fascination

Japanese "cold-painted" patina on a traditional shaped bronze vase, circa 1950s. Swirls of hand worked texture give the surface an "aged" oxidized feel.
9" tall

Open Wide

A great find ( likely by Bo Borgström) for Åseda, Sweden in a particularly retro shade of Rust with an interior color verging on Chartreuse.
9" tall and a top-heavy 5" wide!

I Came, I Saw, I Blogged

Great Cesar's Bust! Italian from the 50s, Terracotta and gold leaf.
17" tall

A Toast

Like an absentminded husband, I am shamefully late to wishing us a Happy Anniversary! Every year I know it's coming and this year October 5th crept up and just passed me by...I wish I could blame champagne, but the fact is Stephen called to remind me and 1am the following day is as soon as I could let the occasion be recognized. Above is one of my favorite images from our beloved golden era. Did you know this illustration is actually of Grace Kelly (before she married the Prince) and was used by Taittingers for many years to emphasize the style and preciosity of the bubbly brand? Yesterday marked 14 years since The End of History opened shop and we are still going strong. Cheers!

Let There Be Light(s)

A pair of super-chic (attributable to) Fontana Arte arched Italian lamps circa 1970. Beige frosted cased glass shades held aloft by gold plated arms set in patterned clear glass domed bases.
Approximately 20" X 20"

Water Works

An "Akva Bla" (or Aqua Blue) bowl, signed Per Lutkin for Holmegaard, etched 1959. The name perfectly describes the sort of liquid effect captured in the glass. 
8" wide, 3" tall

Reflecting on the Past

According to our knowledgeable source, a dealer in Austria from whom we acquired it, this major mirror is most likely French and was made somewhere in the 1947-55 date range. The nicely aged glass has a brass frame surrounded by a combination of wrote iron rings linked by brass fittings.
Approximately 17" across

A Good Egg

A Mid-Century Modern Murano Egg Sculpture in the manner of Fratelli Toso, very large at 12" tall.

Brutal Beauty

Let's try to shed some light on this fantastic anonymous table lamp whose base is a clear nod to the Brutalist sculpture movement. Best guess is that it was created in the 60s

Our opinion is that the lines are likely influenced by the work of the great sculptress from Great Britain...Barbara Hepworth.

Table Measures 19.5" Tall to the top of the glass and around 21" in diameter, but reaches to 55" to the top of the shade.