EnSconced

These wall sconces are the epitomy of glamour. Dripping in tear-drop crystals, they evoke the high-society setting of a penthouse apartment on Park Avenue in the 60's. Add a couple of white taper candles and set them aflame for your next cocktail party.

FRUITS of our labor

Glass fruit could be viewed as rather "Grandma", but peared with a brightly painted Italian bowl, they juxtapose nicely. The mixed motif gives this tableau a more modern (lemon?) twist. Pardon the puns, but I'm feeling a little fruity.

Artisanal Pottery

Sometimes we come across examples of ceramics that can be attributed to a particular potter, but whose work we have not seen prior. Such is the case with this odd triplet from the Swedish studio of Curt M. Addin. The hand-made quality tells me that it is the work of a sort of free form craftsman, not shy about experimentation with texture and non-traditional shapes. I'm pleased that the grouping remained together and was not separated by time and travel.

Recommended Reading

From Taschen, the greatest publisher of coffee table books, comes this tome that makes us feel right at home! Now, we don't sell books at our lovely shop, we just covet them. This is one title to add to your reading list.

Show STOPPERS!

Sometimes with genie bottles, the greatest interest is in the stoppers themselves. These Blenko bottles' stoppers are practically paperweights. You know how I love the bubbles!

Daum It!

We are attributing this vase to Daum , Nancy France. Organic in shape and positively effervescent with bubbles (the Italians refer to this look as Pelugoso). This Art Deco artifact is heavy and important and pure decadence.

Happy Mother's Day

One category we only dabble in is fine Crystal. These bud vases appeal to us for their simplicity in design. The taller Swedish piece is signed Stromberg 1960's. The shorter one may very well be from the same country of origin if not the same factory.

Family Affair

Thrown by the hand of Nils Kahler, born into a venerable Danish ceramic family led by his father Herman August Kahler. These pieces are incised with the family mark HAK and signed by Nils himself. They are 6" tall and are best when grouped together to show the variation in form. These were created in the 1950's just before the factory ceased operations.

The Birds

Jørgen Mogensen, 1950's
Michael Andersen and Sons, 1950's
Jørgen Mogensen, 1950's

Meet The Beetles!

Famed Danish potter Jørgen Mogensen created this heavy, earthy stoneware dish in the 1960's. Designed with repetitive rows of Scarabs, perhaps he was making a nod to Egyptian revivalism in design that was all the rage during the Art Deco period.

Contradiction in Terms

A motif you often see in decorative works from the 50's and 60's is MODERN/PRIMITIVE. This vase is the prime example with a very literal reference to cave drawings. I love the joyful stick-man hunting his prey. This piece produced in the 50's is called "Hedenhös" and was designed by Mari Simmulson for Upsala Ekeby, Sweden.

Our First Print Ad

This print ad was created especially for Antiques Magazine. The print date is still TBD, but I couldn't resist sharing with you now. The stunning photo is of a grouping of Scandinavian pottery-our latest obsession. Enjoy.

I Dream of Genie Bottles

Two of the rarest Stopper Bottles we have are classic Barbini. Notice the aforementioned ostrich pattern that is signature to the Italian glass manufacturer. They are both 25.5" tall and about 8" wide. Spectacular-Spectacular!

Mutual ADLER-ation

This month's House Beautiful (May 2009) features a spread of Jonathan Adler's recent interior design project for Fashion Designer Liz Lange's Westchester home. Over the years our relationship with Adler has been one of mutual respect and synchronistic inspiration. His work is a complimentary mirror to our aesthetic and he comes to us for additional accessories when working with clients who, like us, want to collect the original vintage pieces that inform today's ultra-modern look. You'll notice our teal lidded Jar in the forground and yellow vessels on the bookshelf in the first photo. In the second shot, the giant tourquois vase (already sold) was lent from our shop for this fabulous shoot. Thanks and congratz Jonathan!

Bubbles Bubbles

This ashtray incorporates several signature qualities of the finer Murano factories. The gold dust is mixed with a spattering of controlled bubbles, giving it a sort of ostrich pattern. This look is most often associated with the works of Barbini.

Ribbons in the Sky

This piece makes my teeth ache for that Ribbon Candy you get around Christmas. I can't imagine the complex technique involved with achieving this design effect.

More "Power To The PURPLE"

Another lavender lovely to satisfy your palate for purple.

Color Combo

What a bold color choice. The juxtaposition of Yellow and Purple is something I have seen often in fashion (above from Giorgio Armani Privé Haute Couture - Spring Summer 2009)...but it is a combo rarely seen in vintage glass. This a great piece for the daring decorator.

Murano-Bowl-A-Rama

All this week I'll focus attention on Murano ashtrays and heavy glass bowls. This one may be Venini, given the usual penchant for swirls and the particular color combination of emerald green, purple and blue.

Beauty Squared

The gold dust just looks so deluxe pooled in the bottom of this fabulous fifties Murano bowl.

The color combination of the gold, deep teal and turquoise is simply stunning.

Drink Trinkets

There is a surprise encased in this simple teak box...

Made in Japan in the 60's with the lines of Danish Modern design in mind. This bar tool set is for the serious drinker with space-age style. Cocktail Culture defined! I can just hear the musical strains of Esquivel punctuated by the clinking of fresh ice cubes in a hand blown Italian tumbler.

Drink up!

VINE DECOR

In terms of scale, at 51" X 41", this gold leaf wall sculpture makes a GRAND impression! Gold leafed leaves...leaves me breathless!

Top Brass

This candle stick set is danish modern HOT!

STEEL my SUNSHINE

This shape is an iconic Mid Century motif...the Sunburst. Keeping with this week's focus on metal, I offer this Iron beauty. The rays are detailed nicely with cute little Brass tips. I was watching the gloriously art directed 1960's version of Ocean's Eleven last night while I couldn't sleep at 4am ...and this mirror would fit perfectly with the golden-era Vegas sets.

More METAL

Swede Sculptor Rolf Denman welded this handsome piece of art in 1969. It stands just about a foot tall. It is fabricated from "acid resistant Stainless Steel" as marked on the bottom. We have the original Art Gallery stamp as well which shows that it sold for 800 Krona back in 1969...a lot of money for that time. I tried to do some research and if I am correct, this artist has some 25 public sculptures around Sweden. If I am wrong, well, I apologize to the other Rolf Denman for the mix up!

Heavy METAL

This 1960's table sculpture is unsigned, but seems to be influenced equally by the abstract forms of Calder and the surface quality of the works of Giacometti or the Brutalists such as Paul Evans. It stands about 20" tall by 12" wide.

Mexicana Mama

This surrealist image captured in glass tile on brass was created by renowned Mexican artist Salvador Teran, c.1950's. He was a master silversmith and his vintage works including jewelry are highly collectible and sought after.

Time Out is once again IN!

We are at the head of the class for The Best Indie Shops (this week's cover story in Time Out New York)

See Link Below:

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/shopping/73605/best-shopping-in-the-west-village

Glam-More

These two busts are the very essence of glamour. Created by Danish sculptor Michael Andersen, Circa 1950's, they evoke a certain Art Deco haughtiness and would be brilliant in a swanky Hollywood Regency style interior. I'm also really into the two "atomic age" shelves upon which they sit!

Marvelous Mollusks

These dreamy Murano glass bowls might set you back more than a couple clams...

Architectural Inspiration

This little vignette reminds me of the famous architecture found in one of the most modern places on Earth...the capitol city of Brasilia. There is a sense of utopian idealism in these futuristic shapes. Happy Easter!

The Metalic Trend Continues

WOW is what we said when we saw this trippy, drippy surface. We are guessing that this is a studio piece from Germany. The deep earthy tones juxtapose nicely with the shiny top coat.

Yummy

I shot this in silhouette in order to best capture the elegant shape and highlight the lines within. It also amuses me when a bud vase looks as if it's actually thirsty.

What a TEAL!

I love a pair of vases that were made to be shown as companions. These two were produced for Finish glass manufacturer Riihimäen (don't ask me the pronunciation). This shape is commonly referred to as a dowel.

Great Dane Found!

One of the great treasures discovered in our storage area recently is this lamp of enamelled metal designed by Louis Weisdorf for the now defunct lighting manufacturer Lyfa, Denmark. We came across this never assembled masterwork and realized just what this box of puzzle pieces was meant to be. Our lighting expert John painstakingly put this spiral of a lamp together for us. The effort paid off... as it is now a mint beauty.


Here's a vintage shot of the designer with his creation.

Sunrise/Sunset

There is something about certain types of cased glass where they give off an extra touch of shine. It may be a three layer process wherein the top is clear...adding that little hint of luster. The pieces flanking the light are Orrefors (small dish) and Kosta Boda (solid orange vase) and are from Sweden. The yellow/orange combos are Italian.