Striation Sensation

I often talk to clients about form over function. So many of our pieces are objects of great beauty with decoration as their main purpose. Then there are those that serve a duel design role, such as this vintage Cenedese vessel circa 1960. It is lovely to look at, with its subtle golden striations, yet as useful a vase as one might desire. Tall enough at 13.5" for long stems and with a 6.5" square shaped opening...great for a generous display of flowers.

Square Deal

A rather rare pair of square shaped glass bowls from the renowned Murano factory, Seguso, circa 1960s. The opaque piece is reminiscent of granite and the clear is rusty in color.
7.5" square and 5.5"square

Pear Shaped

What a Pear! This is a rather large glass fruit from the 50s. What I find most intriguing is the hand-typed label "Made in Italy" for Ethan Allen (of all companies)!
9"

Stephen Sells Sea Shells...

... & Seahorses for that matter. It is Memorial Day after all - and we are hoping you are enjoying the unofficial start to the summer season! This trio of porcelain vessels would look fantastic in your seaside home. Made by Bareuther & Co., Bavaria, 1960s
8.5", 7" (center)

Historical Glaze

The importance of this piece can not be underestimated. Created by Patrick Nordstrom in 1925 in his own studio. The glaze with its multi-layered, drippy, textural quality was quite advanced for that period.  He brought this technique with him to other Scandinavian companies such as Royal Copenhagen and it became the basis for the "Sung" glaze - a trend towards Scandinavian design reinterpreting Asian techniques- followed by many of his contemporaries.
4.5"

Muted Masterpiece

An early work of A. Wolfsen for Bing & Grøndahl, Denmark, 1920s, features a gorgeous motif of horse chestnuts and leaves. The design and coloration is indicative of the "Arts and Crafts" movement.
9"

Technicolor Tower of Pisa

This cheerful Italian ceramic reminds me of the famous tower, albeit without the "leaning". Orange and  turquoise - the classic color combination so evocative of the 1950s
11"

Sterling Stripes

It never ceases to amaze when we see a style vase so unique...Purple glass with sterling silver overlay. 1950s, Germany.
7"

Have a Ball (or Two)

This sweet emerald green bottle has a playful ball stopper that mimics the shape of the equally spherical base. Made in Italy, 1950s
14.5"

Silver Service

Don't let the line's "Denmark" name confuse the fact that this complete 6-piece silver plated coffe/tea service is from the esteemed American company Reed and Barton. Designed by John Prip in 1958.

RE: Blogged

One of biggest fans is the accomplished Architect, Decorator, and Furniture Designer, Barry Goralnick. He is always so complimentary when in the shop and took his fandom to the web with today's entry on his own design blog.

See Link Below:

http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/node/1909192

http://barrygoralnick.com/blog/2012/05/look-at-that-vase-just-look-at-it/

Sticking Our Neck Out

Cute is the new chic with this Italian ceramic Giraffe from the 50s. She (yes, we gave it a gender - just look at those lashes) sits pretty at 11" tall.
UPDATE: I am humbled and amused that an expert has corrected me...This is in fact a MALE. Thanks to reader "Ellamennopee" for the insight.

Modernism Meets Ancient Rome

From Naples, Italy, comes this Capodimonte compote in gilded porcelain. Like a scene out of a Roman historical drama...this covered dish depicts all sorts of townsfolk interacting in tiny tableaux. This is one of those decorative pieces that is so over-the-top as to be utterly fabulous.
9" wide and 7" high

Exquisite Equine

An Italian ceramic lidded box with a handsome horse motif from the 50s. How unusual it is to see the square design. The modern/primitive style and rough surface suggests ancient cave drawings.
9"

Saturn Stunner

Another one of our like-new vintage Cenedese finds. This design reminds me of the rings of Saturn, in a pleasing plum hue.
13" in diameter, and 6" high

Giant Achievement

This gilded goodie comes for Hutschenreuther, one of our latest obsessions, when it comes to Bavarian porcelain. There is a slightly Egyptian feel to the design. A great statement...as tall as it is wide @ 17"!

Copper Keeper

At 9.5" tall this piece is immense in scale. So heavy with copper dust, this Barbini lidded jar is blindingly shiny.

Spring Gala Glass

We were thrilled to be asked by the prominent florist and event planner, Botanica, to contribute our vintage glass to help illuminate the tabletops for a luncheon event held yesterday at the very tony Morgan Library. The theme was Venetian, so our Italian blown glass was only too appropriate.

photos: courtesy of Botanica

link:
http://www.botanicainc.com/

Look What We Dug Up

The term "Scavo" literally means "unearthed" in Italian. It also describes the complicated process employed in glass blowing to create the look of an artifact dug up after centuries. This ruby red vintage vessel is from Venice by V. Nason & Co.
15"

French 101

This map was created by a company called Sermap in 1973 for the classroom to teach French school children about the various sections of Paris (or arrondissements). We thought the design so artistic and the colors so magnifique that it deserved a custom frame.Talk about "Old School"!
50" x 42"

Faux Bois Vase

Another like-new beauty from Cenedese (original foil sticker attached). Clear with a subtle smokey feathered detail that gives it the look of wood grain. 
9"

Massive Murano

Another great treasure from never-been-used vintage stock just in from Europe. Hand blown at the venerable Cenedese factory in Venice. A beautiful shade of pale blue made almost opalescent by an iridescent layer.
Measuring an amazing 14" in diameter

Orange You Glad

Hutschenreuther in triplicate! A great collection in mint condition from the company well known for porcelain, however, they also created wonderful pottery. While Hutschenreuther was established in 1814, this group is from the 1970s and was designed by Renee Neue who was the Creative Director of the company at the time. 
9", 6.5", 4" tall

Bavarian Bordeaux

A pair of German porcelain mid century vases both gilt and blush with a lovely shade of wine red from one of our favorite companies Hutschenreuther.
11", 7.5"

Bowled Over, Yet Again

There is a lot of intrigue surrounding this magnificent bowl. Clearly signed and dated Elena Scavini for Lenci, 1937. To dive deeper is is to discover a company, based in Turin, Italy, originally known for highly collectible dolls (Candy Spelling was a huge collector - one of her prized dolls sold for $19,000 at auction)! This piece was created by the company's co-founder, and is completely incongruous to the style of fine porcelain figurines the factory eventually became known for - their features so expressive that they were admittedly inspirations to Walt Disney himself. So, how this modernist lava-like bowl came to be is a mystery to me.
16" in diameter!

Evil Eye Goes Groovy

Another example of an ancient motif reinterpreted with a modernist twist... 3 by Kaiser, West German Porcelain, 1960s
9.5', 12" & 6.5" tall

Brutal Beauties

Just arrived (and freshly rewired) are this pair of American icons in the Brutalist style. Dating to the  1970's and by the Italian designer Maurizio Tempestini for the Laurel Lighting Co. They are in an aged gold finish over a white metal base and are quite reminiscent of the Paul Evans aesthetic making such a huge come-back in interior design.
Monumental @ 49" to the top of the shade.

More Glossy Glass

A gorgeous grouping of teal glass is featured next to one of our cobalt blue lamps in the April 2012 issue of New York Spaces magazine.  Interior designer Damon Liss decorated this beautiful Tribeca loft adding a pop of color with our wonderful wares.

Color Story

An unexpected combination of red and teal is a chic throwback that feels so modern. The cross-hatch patterned vase in the center is West German from the 60s, while the two drip-patterned pieces in the back are Italian.
l to r: 10", 12", 10.5"