The End of History: May 2015

Friday, May 29, 2015

Kips Bay 2015

Once again we had the great honor to lend our deluxe mid-century accessories to the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.

An enchanting room dubbed Midnight Manhattan Lounge was created by the acclaimed designers of Pavarini Design. The serene blue/green and gold decor is punctuated by many of our rare French and Scandinavian ceramics and an array of handblown glass objects.

The stunning mansion at 58 East 66th Street has room after room of inspiring decorating ideas - and don't forget this annual outing is a charity event...
You can help raise money for the #KipsBayBoysandGirlsClub from the comfort of your own home. Simply re-post or share a photo, hashtag #‎KIPSBAYDONATION and @FarrowandBall will donate $1- or better yet, come visit through June 11th and your entry fee will benefit the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Abstract Early 60s

Here we have a great painting - an abstraction of a New Orleans street scene.
Signed and dated 1962, abstract oil painting.51 x 37 inches.

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Underwater Wonder

One of our favorite 50s glaze techniques comes from the creative maestro Alvino Bagni - the Italian series, called Sea Garden, incorporates a painterly mix of teal, turquoise, green, rust and charcoal. The look, although abstract, captures so elegantly the look and feel of coral reef plant life.

Quite tall at 14"

Friday, May 22, 2015

Stupendous Stålhane

A tall and delicate stoneware vase by Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand, circa 1955 18.5 inches tall.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Mod American Lighting

A great example of a Robert Sonneman lamp from 1970, a heavy chrome base and white cased glass shade make this a timeless modern American classic. 20 inches tall.

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Violet Venini

A beautiful deep purple cased glass mid-century centerpiece bowl by the most famous Murano glass maker of all, Venini, 12 inches diameter.

Chicago Style

A wonderful example of Chicago Arts & Crafts Sterling silver from the T.C. Shop circa 1910-1915. The T.C. Shop,1910-1923 was founded by Emery W. Todd & Clemencia C. Cosio. 8.75 inches wide.
Arts & Crafts makers in Chicago had their own distinct identity. The Art Institute of Chicago noted in its Windows on the West exhibition: "As craftsmen on the East Coast found inspiration in medieval examples of furniture and colonial silver, the Arts and Crafts community of Chicago looked to nature for artistic inspiration -- the prairie landscape and its grasses and flowers. After the 1893 World’s Fair, these artists also incorporated the earth colors, organic designs, and abstracted linear compositions of Native American art." Today those Eastern colonial and medieval pieces can look dated while many Chicago designs seem timeless and classic.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Candy Colored Decanter

A marvelous Murano pink and orange confection from Fratelli Toso. Attributable to Ermanno Toso given the technique employed here. Referred to as Pezzato, from the Italian for "patchwork" - a complex process which incorporates the melding of vintage Murano murrines (rod segments) into a colorful new work.
19"

Monday, May 18, 2015

Carl-Harry Stålhane Again

Sometimes small is beautiful and this exquisite mid-century unique stoneware vase from the atelier of Carl-Harry Stålhane for Rörstrand proves the point. At only 4 inches tall this is a masterpiece of glaze and form in miniature. Hand signed by the master on the base.

https://soundcloud.com/history-glass/sets/on-hudson-street

Sunday, May 17, 2015

Deluxe Dutch Art Deco

Here we have 4 original massive bronze sconces from one of the most luxurious ocean liners to make the transatlanic crossings before the jet age. Originally part of the interior decoration of the First Class lounge on the S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam built in 1937.
The Nieuw Amsterdam was the Netherlands' "ship of state", just as the Normandie was France's, the Queen Mary was Britain's and United States was America's, numerous Dutch artists vied for the honor of creating furniture and interior fittings for the ship.
Each sconce is 22 inches tall and we are selling them as 2 pairs.

Saturday, May 16, 2015

Gold Gold Gold

A large and beautiful mid 20th Century Murano bowl with layers of gold leaf, attributed to Archimede Seguso (1909-1999). Oval and 19 inches wide, this is a rare and spectacular piece.

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

More Mid Century Marble

A beautiful mid century pink marble sculpture attributed to American artist Rhoda Lipoff (1925-2010), 19inches tall.

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Power of Towers

Architectural models of German Radio/TV towers from the mid-century. Hand lathed and made from a mix of materials, from bronze to copper to stainless steel - a few which incorporate plastic or Lucite elements to replicate the look of windows. The top group even features our first ever lamp version. Creating these were a prerequisite for graduating architecture school in Germany and some of these models went on to be realized as genuine structures throughout Germany.
Sizes here range from 5.5" to 20"

Sunday, May 10, 2015

Stunning Stig

People often ask 'What's your favorite piece in the shop'? With thousands of beautiful items, it is certainly hard to narrow down - with the exception of a stand out example of craftsmanship such as this vase from the hand of Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg. One of the most collectible names in Swedish ceramics, and for good reason, this vase is extra special. From the ombré effect in the brown and lavender glaze to the tiny purple glass in-lay decorations at the neck. This is a treasure among jewels.
Dated and signed 1956.
7 inches in height

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Mid Century Marble

A mid 20th Century abstract marble sculpture on a revolving base. Unsigned, 14 inches tall.

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Massive Murano

What makes today's piece so magnificent is its proportions. This glass bowl is a vast 14 inches at its greatest diameter. Attributable to Seguso - they are known for the use of silver foil, as opposed to the more common gold leaf.

Monday, May 4, 2015

Multi-Faceted Murano

Goedes of this quality don't come around every day. This Murano masterpiece is a gorgeous example of the incredible hand-cut and polished work of mid-century Italy artisans. The prismatic tones of aquamarine invoke the sparkling waters of Venice.

An impressive size and weight - 71/2 inches in diameter, 3 inches in height