HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

My annual offering of a bloody good vase, this time from Gunnar Nylund for Nymølle

1960's, Denmark

7"

Murano Masterpiece

A particularly heavy (read substantial) piece of Murano glass. Dating from the 40s, in our estimation, for it has an end of the Deco-era look. The quality of the glass and intricacy of the design leads us to believe it is attributable to one of the better factories, likely Seguso or Venini.

Royal Pair

Two 1960s vessels from Nils Thorsson for Royal Copenhagen, Aluminia, commonly referred to as "Baca" or "Fajance". This is a part of a series of almost tribal-like reliefs in a rare teal colorway.
The square box in particular is a uncommon shape for us.

 

Box 5" in height, Vase, 7"

Pearl of a Find

Here's one you shouldn't mind shelling out a few clams for...an Abalone shaped ceramic box from Upsala Ekeby, Sweden, 1950s
7" in diameter, 3" in height

Autumnal Vessel

A mix of rutty matte pottery with a cork-like texture and abstract oh-so-60s floral design from Bitossi. The shiny 4-leaf motif seems applied, but on closer inspection they are the result of sgrafitto and a generous dollop of very thick glaze. The interior of the cylindrical shape is glazed with chocolate brown, making it safe for water and a perfect vessel for an Autumnal arrangement - foliage or mums perhaps.
Just under 12"  

Cross-Cultural Clay

Born in Sicily in 1876, Jean Gerbino made his name in Vallauris, France, perfecting his own technique inspired by the Chinese Neriage - pottery of the 7th Century Tang Dynasty. From his initial offerings in the 1930s, his complex mosaic-like works were appreciated and awarded many times for decades to come, culminating in his earning France's Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 1962.
Our collection here are small and precious pieces of historical pottery ranging from 4.5" to 6.5" in diameter. The vase is just under 5".

Glossy Glass

It's always intriguing to see how acclaimed decorators live. In a profile on the private residence of interior designer Sandra Nunnerley, New York Spaces magazine's current issue (October, 2013) features her serene setting accented by an eclectic mix of treasured items. Amid her mix we spotted a spectacular oversized Murano lamp she purchased from us over a decade ago...a testament to the lasting power of classic design.

Orange Fruit Stripe

Spectacular luxury in a triangular vase from another grand name in Murano  glass - Barbini

Both fluted and striped, the colors and textures are illuminated with a dusting of gold that makes this piece seem to flutter in the light. Classic 50s.
12"

Murano with a Twist

Kinetic fluidity encased in glass from Barovier & Toso.  The golden cords (in Italian 'Cordonato d'Oro') are further accentuated by the turn of the handles on this 1950s elegant emerald green vase.

12" high x 12" wide

Marble Spiral

Another amazing artist has been discovered. Incised "RRRagan" '83 on the bottom, this white marble tabletop sculpture feels like an obvious homage to the large site-specific works of Henry Moore. An artistic achievement of mind over (very hard) matter. UPDATE: Thanks to an informed reader (Thanks Katherine!) I now know that this piece is an early work by the now acclaimed master carver Bob Ragan of Texas. He is self-taught and has a company that creates ornamental carved works to this day.
Approximately 10" x 10"

Vanity Fair

A trio of "Rostrato" vessels for the vanity. Rostrato from the Italian for "beak" - as in that of a bird - the name given to this style of glass by Barovier & Toso . The line was originally designed by none other than Ercole Barovier in the 1930s and was produced into the 50s. 
Lidded box 5", Perfumes are 6"

Cased Collection

Many associate cased glass with Empoli, but the major factories in Murano also did they're own take on the opaque. The grouping above are all from the venerable vintage archives of Cenedese, circa 1960s.
6", 13", 16"

Unique Larson

Another venture into tribal abstraction from Sweden's grande dame of ceramics, Lisa Larson, created in her studio at the Gustavsberg factory. Notice the multi-layered glazing, incorporating many shades of green and blue. 
12"

Asian Illumination

An 18th Century Chinese Bronze Vase in an Archaic Style 

Found at auction in England already drilled for use as a lamp...so we happily completed its transformation into the gorgeous object of illumination you see above.
22" to the top of the linen shade

Sitting Pretty

Quan Yin - the Buddhist goddess of compassion - is realized in clay with a rutty antiqued orange glaze. Made in Italy in the '50s for the American market by Guido Gambone for importer Rosenthal Netter. More often seen in blue, this citrus version is quite a nice Quan Yin.
18" tall

Footed Find

From the very big to the small yet significant. We've discovered another really rare Gunnar Nylund for Rörstrand piece, and this one's got legs! The glaze is a classic 50s muted mint, mottled with dots of amber and rust. What makes it so unique are the 4 little feet. 
Just 4" x 2.5" 

Enormous Empoli

A delicious shade of grape and an impressive size for any piece of glass. This glittering tower of an apothecary, a form made popular by Gio Ponti, is attributable to one of the glass factories located in the town of Empoli, in the Tuscany region of Italy.
Monumental @ 28" high

Return to Nature

A divinely chic chunk of rare Black Quartz Crystal...Mother Nature will always be the most incredible creator of great decorative beauty. This is truly a piece of jewelry for the home!
Roughly 16" x 7"
NOTE: We are open for limited business hours on this Columbus Day holiday 12-6!

Another Santa Fe Stunner

Another bold achievement from German American Iris Barna, who during her mid-century heyday made a name for herself in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We recently featured a large piece of Barna set in a iron stand. At 19" x 16", this lovely blue/green lava floor vase is so substantial that it easily stands on its own.

Sculptural Lamp

Or should I say Illuminated Sculpture. Made of thin brass strips that have been perforated and annealed, then welded vertically to create a brutalist tower. The sculpture features a hinged door that allows one to change the light bulb. 

The piece is 38" tall and mounted on an onyx base. Created in the USA and signed "Terry Spaulding 11/76".

Under The Sea

Cubist sgraffito "School of Fish" lamps, Italy, 1950s. Attributable to Bitossi. Traditional natural terracotta "painted" in an era-defining color palette with pastel glazes. I love the very deliberate guide-lines, and the multitude of fish decorated around the entire surface.  
38.5" (to top of the harp)

Awe Inspiring Apothecary

An oddity of the best variety...a clear apothecary from Alfredo Barbini, the man behind the Murano factory known for its patterned pieces. The controlled bubbles may be their signature, but the absence of opacity here came as a sweet surprise. We feel with certainly that this was a rarity...created for the luxury market. This based on the fact that in 16 years - this is the first we've seen!

In Publishing News

We love a little PR and Real Simple is great venue for editorial credit. This October we helped decorate their Halloween mantle with a spooky selection of smalls. There is warty German ceramic, a black & confetti patterned Bavarian porcelain, and an orange Cenedese scavo vase.

South American Modernism

A new discovery for us is in fact a very well known artist in South America - Ecuadorian Eduardo Vega (1938 - ). He studied for four years at the Real Academia de San Fernando in Spain and then went and furthered his studies in London and France at the Bourges School of Fine Arts. Based on the coloration, style, and techniques, this owl (yes, there is a bird of prey in there - look closely) seems to be from the late 60s/early 70s.

15" in diameter

 

Famous for his incredible public murals in Ecuador, as well as in other parts of South America, his studio in Cuenca also continues to create decorative items for the home. I am particularly enamoured by the glassblowing scene found in the mural above. It is permanently housed in the city hall of Ecuador's capital of Quito.

Tremendous Tansu

We are expanding our reach further yet - into the far past with this great find. This black lacquer cabinet has a phenomenal provenance. Dating from 1770 AD, the lotus flower design is actually the royal crest of the Sakakiwara family, one of Japan's regal clans during the Tokugawa period. This gentleman's chest features gilt silver hardware and is in very good condition, given its age and travel.
Dimensions: 39.25" w x 19.5" d x 49.5" h.

Happy Anniversary (To Us)!

Today marks our 16th year of operation! We are ever grateful to our many dedicated designers, vintage connoisseurs, and collecting curators of every nature. We are so pleased to be at your service for all these years. May we continue to bring color and joy to the world of decor for many more to come.

Poli Perfume

One of the most spectacular and unique perfume bottles we've ever acquired. Attributed to Flavio Poli with every hallmark of the maestro. From the clean geometric lines, to the particular jewel toned hues of the sommerso (layering of colors). I just love the mimicking of the base in the stopper's rectangular shape. The dip travels almost the entire length of the neck. Ahhh the sweet smell of Seguso!
Just a hair under 15"

Massive Masai

The Masai are an ancient African tribal people who maintain their roots and distinctive identity to this day in their homeland of Kenya, and northern Tanzania. The massive Masai Warrior sculpture above was carved in the mid-century from of a single ebony tree and stands as a testament to the lasting power of their cultural traditions. The costume and appearance they inhabit are much the same as their ancestors who emigrated to East Africa from The Sudan.
24" high, 14" wide, 14" deep
Because of the density of the wood, it weighs around 50lbs

Sensing a Theme?

Attributed to the German ceramic factory, Ruscha, comes another wine bottle still life, this time realized as a wall hanging in high gloss glazed pottery. There is a note attached to the back on yellowing parchment paper which indicates that this was purchased on May 21, 1966 in Cologne.
8.5" x 15.5"

Extraordinary Expressionism

We recently discovered a fantastic collection of the works of an undiscovered talent. All three are signed Louis Notarianni '61 Providence RI. We are of course partial to this color palette, not to mention the still life subject matter. Each has an array of bottles and vases in a slightly different abstract style. Perhaps Louis was studying art at RISD and trying his hand at painting? We've framed them in simple gilt and hope they sell as a set (although available individually). 

Top: 22.5" x 32.5"

Center: 26.2" x 22.5"

Bottom: 20.5" x 26.5"