The End of History: August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

Sur la Côte d'Azur 1960

A beautiful ceramic mosaic cubist figural group in a natural wood frame. Based on the signature, "Bezouin", style and general look of this strong piece, we are going with an attribution of 1960s, Vallauris, on the French Riviera next to Antibes. This is a town famous since the 19th Century for it's many small ceramic studios with a strong link to fine arts, most famously this is where Pablo Picasso created his ceramic pieces. The frame is original and plays an important role in the artwork as a whole. 26 by 20 inches.

Sunday, August 30, 2015

Rome in the 1st Century AD

An exceptionally fine two thousand year old medium sized Roman deep footed bronze bowl with molded rim, set on three lion paw legs, and two oval swing bale handles, 7 inches diameter.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

Timeless Barovier Beauties

When you're talking about Murano lamps they don't come any better than this super-chic pair of ribbon twist Barovier & Toso show stoppers. Golden and as glamorous as the day they were made 60 years ago, they'll fit seamlessly into any 21st Century decor. Just under 40 inches to the top of the shades.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Japanese Minimalism

Once again we return to a place we've visited many times before, Japan in the 19th Century and really what's not to like? Here we have an exquisite pair of bronze candlesticks from the late Edo period, 1850s. Clean minimal and strongly modern. At just under 20 inches tall the perfect pair for your Florence Knoll credenza.

Monday, August 24, 2015

60s Does Art Nouveau

One of our favorite decade-mashing styles is that gorgeous mix of swinging 60s and Art Nouveau. The look was perfected no better than by the famous London High Street shopping mecca called Biba. We think these Bavarian porcelain vases were part of the same design trend at that moment - yet timeless in their beauty.
Top: 11", Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal
Center: 7.5", Rosenthal Studio
Bottom: 11", Hutschenruether
http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/07/07/londons-lost-department-store-of-the-swinging-sixties/

Saturday, August 22, 2015

Big on The Isle of Wight

A large and beautifully executed piece of Isle of Wight Glass signed by it's founder Michael Harris and one of a hundred. This is a large and luminous example.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Big in Germany

A large and beautiful example of one of our favorite German mid century ceramic studios, Wilhelm & Elly Kuch. Wilhelm Kuch opened his studio in Burgthann, near Nuremberg, in 1948 and after marrying Elly in 1953 they worked together producing fine ceramics that won them awards all over Europe. Our example is a unique and large piece, at just over 20 inches tall and dates to the 1960s.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Roman Remains

At 2000 years old this Roman 1st Century glass is the second oldest object in the shop right now.
A perfect example of some of the earliest glass blowing in history, our vase shows typical iridization and patination from two thousand years of burial, 6.75 inches tall.

Körting Collection

We have discovered an East German artisan by the name of Hans Körting and began collecting an impressive selection. They exhibit a wide range of ceramic techniques, while adhering to a arrestingly contrasting color palette - this earthy yet modern beige and brown look is his bold signature style.
Sizes range from 3"- 11"

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Seta Set

We love an instant collection and this is a great 3-of-a-kind find. Purchased together in the 50s and should remain as a set. Designed by Aldo Londi for Bitossi - a fine textured trio of mid-century Italian pottery in a pleasing light teal tone.
l to r: 12", 9.5", 6"

Monday, August 17, 2015

Flights of Fancy

A birds nest of spun blown glass - an extraordinary item to find in perfect condition. This Murano bowl with attached figural birds is attributable to the house of Seguso, 1950s

The original label indicates that it was made expressly for sale at Gump's (est. 1861) - the jewel of San Francisco retail best known for luxury housewares.

Approximately 14 inches wide, 9 inches tall

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Germany goes Pop

A dramatic pair of 1960s Rosenthal Studio-Line vases in an Op art style attributed to Victor Vasarely (1906-1997). The largest vase is 10 inches tall and they are sold as a pair.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Black is Beautiful

An idealized female form of an African beauty, made in the 50s in Germany by a firm called Cortendorf. This ceramic sculpture represents an artistic fascination for exotica that captured the imagination during the mid-century.
14.5"

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Surreal Ceramics

A lovely pair of Italian ceramic face vases by American designer Ed Langbein from the 1950s, 15 and 12 inches tall. Sold as apair.
American industrial designer Ed E. Langbein was a designer who produced his own lines of ceramic and glass decorative items and tableware through his company, Edward E. Langbein Giftware in Brooklyn, NY. He operated between the late 1930's and early 60's. He did no manufacturing of his own but had his designs produced in Europe, mostly Italy and Germany.

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Stålhane Statement

Another giant and rare example of a Carl-Harry Stålhane design for Rörstrand of Sweden from the 1950s. This vase stands 25 inches tall and is one of the best pieces of his work we've ever offered for sale.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Reaching New Heights

We are thrilled to have found this miraculously monumental piece of Murano glass. Found in mint condition in Belgium, this hand blown masterpiece has never been on the market - until now. Standing at no less than 43 inches tall, it is by far the tallest piece we've ever offered in our nearly 18 years of operation. The classic white bottle with a stretched neck is accented with striations of purple.
This is one plum piece for the serious glass collector.

Sunday, August 2, 2015

China in the 1920s

An outstanding pair of hand carved yellow Peking Glass vases from the 1920s. Each 10 inches tall and sold as a pair.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

18th Century France

Recently acquired from the auction of a prominent English country house we present to you these magnificent neoclassical beauties by noted French sculptor, Claude Michel Clodion (1738-1814). A pair of patinated bronze campagna urns depicting classical figures in relief and standing on turned rouge marble bases with gilt interiors. Each signed, 13" tall.